Metabolite identification triple-quadrupole mass

Multiple mass analyzers exist that can perform tandem mass spectrometry. Some use a tandem-in-space configuration, such as the triple quadrupole mass analyzers illustrated (Fig.3.9). Others use a tandem-in-time configuration and include instruments such as ion-traps (ITMS) and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICRMS or FTMS). A triple quadrupole mass spectrometer can only perform the tandem process once for an isolated precursor ion (e.g., MS/MS), but trapping or tandem-in-time instruments can perform repetitive tandem mass spectrometry (MS ), thus adding n 1 degrees of structural characterization and elucidation. When an ion-trap is combined with HPLC and photodiode array detection, the net result is a profiling tool that is a powerful tool for both metabolite profiling and metabolite identification. 

One of the best tools for metabolite profiling is the hybrid QTRAP MS/MS system (Applied Biosystems).119-121 While the hybrid QTRAP MS/MS was initially considered a premier tool for metabolite identification, it has more recently been seen as a tool for quantitation and metabolite profiling. Li et al.122 described the use of a hybrid QTRAP MS/MS system for discovery PK assays plus metabolite profiling in the same analytical procedure. Because QTRAP MS/MS may be used as a triple quadrupole MS system, it can be used as part of a quantitative HPLC/MS/MS system. Because QTRAP MS/MS also has linear ion trap capabilities, it can be used for metabolite screening and characterization—essentially it combines the capabilities of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer and a linear ion trap mass spectrometer. 

Another recent innovation is the QTrap mass spectrometer. The QTrap MS system combines the capabilities of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer and a linear ion trap mass spectrometer into one MS system. Initially, the QTrap MS was used primarily as a tool for metabolite identification studies [34, 35, 38]. As reported by Li et al. [138], the QTrap MS can also be used as an excellent system for the quantitative analysis of discovery PK samples. The advantage of the QTrap MS system for quantitative analysis is that it can be used to look for plasma metabolites of the NCE and provide an easy way to monitor them while providing the quantitative data on the NCE. 

Liu, D. Q., Xia, Y. Q., and Bakhtiar, R. (2002). Use of a liquid chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry system for metabolite identification. Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 16 1330-1336. 

Jemal, M., Ouyang, Z., Zhao, W., Zhu, M., and Wu, W. W. (2003). A strategy for metabolite identification using triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry with enhanced resolution and accurate mass capability. Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 17 2732-2740. 

Triple quadrupole mass spectrometers can perform tandem mass scan experiments in various modes including product ion (MS/MS), precursor ion, and neutral loss scan and SRM experiments, but they cannot be used for sequential MS" experiments. The high sensitivity and specificity, in the SRM mode, have made triple quadrupole mass spectrometers a logical choice for metabolic stability experiments performed at relevant substrate concentrations. Despite the sensitivity of the triple quadrupole mass spectrometers, when an NCE or an NCE series exhibit unacceptable PK properties, metabolite identification studies are often initiated as follow-up studies in a separate set of experiments using incubation concentrations higher than the Km of an NCE. Incubations at higher concentrations are required because conventional metabolite identification experiments required operation of the triple quadrupole mass spectrometer in the full-scan mode, which results in poor duty cycle and diminished sensitivity [287,288],... 

Many similar applications of quadrupole linear ion trap instruments have been reported [320-322,329,330], As discussed above, the Q-Trap is a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer capable of performing QMF type and 2D ion trapping experiments. This mass spectrometer can be operated exclusively in the QMF mode, as with a conventional QMF, or it can be operated exclusively in the ion trapping mode similar to a conventional 2D ion trap mass spectrometer. Advantages of using a Q-Trap mass spectrometer over a conventional QMF mass spectrometer come into play when one is attempting to perform both quantitative and qualitative metabolite detection/identification experiments from a single injection rather than separate... 

The uptake of HRMS instrumentation into metabolite identification laboratories points to future developments and uses for these types of mass analyzers. From a hardware perspective, developments in TOF and Orbitrap technology will be needed to address lingering issues specific to these analyzers. In the TOF area, current commercial systems just coming to the market have addressed historical limitations of resolution, dynamic range, and mass accuracy. It remains to be seen if these specifications are sufficient or if further gains are needed. These instruments are not yet as sensitive as high-end triple quadrupole mass spectrometers, and improvements are needed in this area. For Orbitrap-based systems, the main limitations are scan speed and sensitivity. As... 

Figure 5.40 Product-ion spectrum of the (M + H)+ ion (m/z 614) of Indinavir with the proposed origins of the ions observed. Reprinted by permission of Elsevier Science from Identification of in vitro metabolites of Indinavir by Intelligent Automated LC-MS/MS (INTAMS) utilizing triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry , by Yu, X., Cui, D. and Davis, M. R., Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, Vol. 10, pp. 175-183, Copyright 1999 by the American Society for Mass Spectrometry.

Rindgen, D., Cox, K., Clarke, N. and Korfmacher, W., An Integrated Approach to Metabolite Identification for the Drug Discovery Compound SCH 123 using the Triple Quadrupole, Ion Trap and Q-TOF Instruments, American Society for Mass Spectrometry 2000 Conference Abstract, Long Beach, CA, USA, 2000. 

In tandem MS mode, because the product ions are recorded with the same TOF mass analyzers as in full scan mode, the same high resolution and mass accuracy is obtained. Isolation of the precursor ion can be performed either at unit mass resolution or at 2-3 m/z units for multiply charged ions. Accurate mass measurements of the elemental composition of product ions greatly facilitate spectra interpretation and the main applications are peptide analysis and metabolite identification using electrospray iomzation [68]. In TOF mass analyzers accurate mass determination can be affected by various parameters such as (i) ion intensities, (ii) room temperature or (iii) detector dead time. Interestingly, the mass spectrum can be recalibrated post-acquisition using the mass of a known ion (lock mass). The lock mass can be a cluster ion in full scan mode or the residual precursor ion in the product ion mode. For LC-MS analysis a dual spray (LockSpray) source has been described, which allows the continuous introduction of a reference analyte into the mass spectrometer for improved accurate mass measurements [69]. The versatile precursor ion scan, another specific feature of the triple quadrupole, is maintained in the QqTOF instrument. However, in pre-... 

A quadmpole, used as part of a mass spectrometer, can be found in either a single- or triple-element linear configuration. Single-quadrupole instruments are of limited use for metabolite identification because of relatively poor sensitivity, only moderate resolving power, and the inability to perform MS/MS experiments for structural... 

As mentioned in the previous section, triple-quadrupole instruments are very good at finding low levels and structurally related compounds in the presence of biological matrices as well as being the gold standard technique for quantitation. Ion trap mass spectrometers, on the other hand, have the capabilities to obtain high-sensitivity full-scan MS and MS/MS spectra therefore, they are widely used for qualitative analysis, such as structural elucidation and unknown identification. For complete metabolite identification, it is important to have both the sensitivity and selectivity of triple-quadrupole instruments and the full-scan data quality of ion traps. 

Li, A. C., Gohdes, M. A., and Shou, W. Z. (2007). N-in-one strategy for metabolite identification using a liquid chromatography/hybrid triple quadrupole linear ion trap instrument using multiple dependent product ion scans triggered with full mass scan. Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 21 1421-1430. 

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