H2SO4 and SO3 transfer reactions in a sulfopeptide-basic peptide complex.

We report on the intermolecular transfer of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and sulfur trioxide (SO3) from an acidic sulfopeptide (sSE) to a basic peptide (R3); this is achieved by subjecting a noncovalent complex of sSE + R3 to collisional activation in a quadrupole ion trap. The product ions resulting from the sulfo-group transfers were characterized by MS(3) experiments. Peak assignments were additionally supported by isotope-labeling and energy-resolved collision induced dissiciation (CID) experiments. The observed reactions and their potential implications for proteomics and post-translational modification discovery experiments are discussed.