Methods and compositions for mass spectrometry analysis

Abstract

Methods and compounds are provided to improve the desorption and ionization of analyte for mass spectrometry analysis. More specifically, it is for electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry. The method uses charged affinity molecules that can bind with analyte either temporarily or permanently to improve the desorption and ionization of analyte. The charged affinity molecules can be positively charged or negatively charged.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method to detect analyte molecule using electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry, comprising:
 providing positively charged affinity molecule having permanently charged quaternary amine group or sulfate group and affinity moiety that can bind with said analyte molecule via a non-covalent bond;   mixing said charged affinity molecule with a sample solution containing said analyte to form a solution containing a non-covalently bound complex between said analyte and said charged affinity molecule; and   performing electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry for the solution containing the bound complex, and   detecting the presence of the analyte by detecting the presence of the bound complex in mass spectrometry.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the affinity moiety is selected from antibody, antigen, aptamer, polynucleotides, lipophilic molecules, hydrophilic molecules, host molecules and ionic molecules. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the affinity moiety is selected from cyclodextrin, calixarene, cucurbituril and pillararene.