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Abstract: The methyl glycosides of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (d-GlcNAc) and N-acetyl-d-galactosamine (d-GalNAc) have been used as model glycan analogs to study the effects of lithium cation binding on glycan structure in gas-phase experiments. Infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectra for the two Li+-complexed anomers of methyl-d-GlcNAc revealed a difference of 10cm−1 between their respective carbonyl stretching band positions. A corresponding 11cm−1 shift was observed for the two Li+-complexed anomers of methyl-d-GalNAc. Theoretical calculations indicate that the position of the methyl group (α and β, or axial and equatorial, respectively) on carbon 1 of the sugar and its close proximity to the carbonyl of the acetamido group on carbon 2 cause the average orientation of the carbonyl to change in order to minimize steric hindrance. This change in orientation is postulated to be the cause of the observed Cing band shift. The calculations also predict competitive binding of the lithium cation between two or more regions of d-GlcNAc and d-GalNAc. This is primarily due to differences in the spatial arrangement and orientation of lone pairs of electrons among the isomers, and stereochemical differences in hydrogen bonding. From an application point of view, differences in the infrared spectra of lithium adducts of acetamido sugars establish the value of variable-wavelength IRMPD as an alternative to fragmentation patterns in discriminating between these isomers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Phenylalanine analogs were subjected to hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) in both solution and the gas phase, and gas-phase infrared multiple photon dissociation spectra were obtained for each of the species. For sodium cation-attached N-acetylphenylalanine, gas-phase HDX took place at only one site. Comparison of spectra from both undeuterated and singly deuterated sodiated N-acetylphenylalanine showed band shifts for normal modes that involved mainly vibrations of the O–H group, indicating that gas-phase exchange occurs at the COOH hydrogen and not at the NH hydrogen. Conversely, HDX in solution did result in exchange of the NH hydrogen, even for the protected species O-methyl N-acetylphenylalanine and N-acetylphenylalanine O-methylglycine. Rate coefficients for gas-phase H/D exchange were measured for the single deuteration of sodiated N-acetylphenylalanine and all three deuterations of protonated N-acetylphenylalanine, and found to be in the range (1.5–3.6)×10−11 cm3/s. Density functional theory calculations predicted that the phenylalanine analogs, although of different size, have relatively similar structural features. These calculations showed that Na+ interacts with the phenyl ring and all available carbonyl oxygens, thus essentially locking the structures into one basic conformation. This behavior is quite distinct from other amino acids which are more flexible, and where gas-phase exchange also occurs at the amine (NH) group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Triuret (also known as carbonyldiurea, dicarbamylurea, or 2,4-diimidotricarbonic diamide) is a byproduct of purine degradation in living organisms. An abundant triuret precursor is uric acid, whose level is altered in multiple metabolic pathologies. Triuret can be generated via urate oxidation by peroxynitrite, the latter being produced by the reaction of nitric oxide radical with superoxide radical anion. From this standpoint, an excess production of superoxide radical anions could indirectly favor triuret formation; however very little is known about the potential in vivo roles of this metabolite. Triuret’s structure is suggestive of its ability to adopt various conformations and act as a flexible ligand for metal ions. In the current study, HPLC–MS/MS, energy-resolved mass spectrometry, selected ion monitoring, collision-induced dissociation, IRMPD spectroscopy, Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry and computational methods were employed to characterize the structure of triuret and its metal complexes, to determine the triuret–alkali metal binding motif, and to evaluate triuret affinity toward alkali metal ions, as well as its affinity for Na+ and K+ relative to other organic ligands. The most favored binding motif was determined to be a bidentate chelation of triuret with the alkali metal cation involving two carbonyl oxygens. Using the complexation selectivity method, it was observed that in solution triuret has an increased affinity for potassium ions, compared to sodium and other alkali metal ions. We propose that triuret may act as a potential hypokalemic agent under pathophysiological conditions conducive to its excessive formation and thus contribute to electrolyte disorders. The collision- or photo-induced fragmentation channels of deprotonated and protonated triuret, as well as its alkali metal adducts, are likely to mimic the triuret degradation pathways in vivo. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]