Improvement of resolution, mass accuracy, and reproducibility in reflected mode DE-MALDI-TOF analysis of DNA using fast evaporation--overlayer sample preparations.

DNA analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry is hindered by two processes: alkali metal adduction and fragmentation of the intact ionized molecule. The adverse effects of both processes can be reduced by adding ammonium ion salts or compounds such as fructose to the sample preparations. Matrix additives improve sensitivity and resolution of DNA analysis by MALDI. In addition, spot-to-spot reproducibility, resolution, and mass accuracy for DNA oligonucleotides (< or = 12 mer) can be improved by the use of overlayer sample preparations with matrixes that have low aqueous solubilities, such as alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, ferulic acid, and 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone. For example, resolution for 5-12-mer oligonucleotides is greater than 7000 using overlayer matrix preparations and mass accuracy values are well below 20 ppm. In addition to these methods, a new method for analyzing DNA in positive ion mode is reported using acidified 3-hydroxypicolinic acid. This method does not lose sensitivity for higher mass oligonucleotides as quickly as overlayer methods, and spectra retain > 6000 resolution and mass accuracies of approximately 20 ppm between different overlayer depositions.