Structure analysis of acetylated and non-acetylated O-linked MUC1-glycopeptides by post-source decay matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

We have investigated the potential of structural elucidation of O-linked glycopeptides by post-source decay matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (PSD-MALDI-MS). In order to establish detailed fragmentation patterns and to dissect fragment ions with and without carbohydrate content, the same O-linked MUC1-derived glycopeptides with acetylated and non-acetylated sugars were analysed and compared. Furthermore, we were interested to examine possible differences in the fragmentation between glycopeptides with acetylated and non-acetylated sugars. The obtained PSD-MALDI-MS spectra showed a rather complete set of fragmentation data which allows us to localize the glycan on…