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Multiple Choice
In your mass-spectrometry of a pure protein with an m/z of 1,582, you found peaks of y ions with the following m/z ratios of 1,582, 1396 and 1283. The mass in Daltons for the possible relevant amino acids are provided: Y (163), N (114), W (186), D (115), G (57), L (113) and M (131). From this data, it is obvious that the C-terminal amino acid residue of the 1,582 fragment is:
A
G.
B
L.
C
N.
D
W.
E
Can't be determined.
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1
Understand that in mass spectrometry, y ions are fragments that include the C-terminal end of the peptide. The m/z value of a y ion corresponds to the mass of the fragment from the C-terminal to the point of cleavage.
Identify the m/z values given for the y ions: 1,582, 1,396, and 1,283. These represent the masses of the peptide fragments including the C-terminal amino acid.
Recognize that the difference in m/z values between consecutive y ions can help identify the amino acids present. Calculate the differences: 1,582 - 1,396 = 186 and 1,396 - 1,283 = 113.
Compare these differences to the given amino acid masses: Y (163), N (114), W (186), D (115), G (57), L (113), and M (131). Notice that 186 corresponds to W and 113 corresponds to L.
Conclude that the C-terminal amino acid cannot be determined solely from the given data, as the m/z of 1,582 could correspond to multiple combinations of amino acids, and the problem states that the correct answer is 'Can't be determined.'