Direct probing of zwitterion formation in unsolvated peptides.

Molecular beam electric deflection measurements have been used to determine electric susceptibilities for small unsolvated alanine-based peptides. The electric susceptibility provides information about the charge distribution within the peptide and can be used to distinguish between zwitterionic and canonical forms. Measured electric susceptibilities for WAn peptides (n = 1-5) are similar to those for capped Ac-WAn-NH2 peptides (which cannot form zwitterions).

Application of molecular beam deflection time-of-flight mass spectrometry to peptide analysis.

The application of molecular beam deflection time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MBD-TOFMS) to peptide identification is described. The technique permits a simultaneous measurement of molecular mass and electric dipole susceptibility. The mass and susceptibility are not strongly correlated, and the results can be presented as a two-dimensional map.

Electric susceptibility of unsolvated glycine-based peptides.

The DC electric susceptibilities of unsolvated glycine-based peptides, WGn (W = tryptophan and G = glycine) with n = 1-5, have been measured by deflection of a molecular beam in an electric field. These are the first electric deflection measurements performed on peptides. At 300 K the susceptibilities are in the range of 200-400 A(3).