Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry analysis of hyaluronan oligosaccharides

A new method is presented for the identification of oligosaccharides obtained by enzymatic digestion of hyaluronan (HA) with bacterial hyaluronidase (E.C. 4.2.2.1, from Streptomyces hyalurolyticus) using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). Mixtures containing HA oligosaccharides of tetrasaccharide (4-mer)–34-mer were analyzed using this method. The carboxyl groups of the glucuronate residues in the prepared HA oligomers, were modified as the acidic form (COOH), sodium salts (COONa), organic ammonium salts, or methylesters before MALDI-TOFMS measurement. Among these samples, the methylester form of glucuronate residues in HA oligosaccharides, prepared by methylation using trimethylsilyl diazomethane, afforded high sensitivity for spectra. This simple modification method for carboxyl group methylation of acidic polysaccharides [Hirano et al., Carbohydr. Res., 340, (2005) 2297–2304] provides samples suitable for MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analysis throughout a significantly enhanced range of masses.