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Biomedical subjects

B L Ferguson

Publications and source records attributed to B L Ferguson.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Determination of the disulfide bond arrangement of human respiratory syncytial virus attachment (G) protein by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

The attachment protein or G protein of the A2 strain of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was digested with trypsin and the resultant peptides separated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). One tryptic peptide produced a mass by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) corresponding to residues 152-187 with the four Cys residues of the ectodomain (residues 173, 176, 182, and 186) in disulfide linkage and absence of glycosylation. Sub-digestion of this tryptic peptide with pepsin and thermolysin produced peptides consistent with disulfide bonds between Cys173 and Cys186 and between Cys176 and Cys182. Analysis of ions produced by post-source decay of a peptic peptide during MALDI-TOF-MS revealed fragmentation of peptide bonds with minimal fission of an inter-chain disulfide bond. Ions produced by this unprecedented MALDI-induced post-source fragmentation corroborated the existence of the disulfide arrangement deduced from mass analysis of proteolysis products. These findings indicate that the ectodomain of the G protein has a non-glycosylated subdomain containing a "cystine noose."

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: current management strategies for the surgery patient.

PURPOSE: As advances in the therapeutic management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome occur, oral and maxillofacial surgeons should be aware of the current treatment philosophies and modalities. This article provides a comprehensive review of alcohol withdrawal syndrome and presents some of the current management strategies that can be used for these patients, whether it be in the office or in the hospital.

Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium↗

Use of 2,6-dihydroxyacetophenone for analysis of fragile peptides, disulphide bonding and small proteins by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization.

Several peptides were shown to undergo fragmentation during matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry to a degree which complicated their analysis using alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) as a matrix, even at threshold laser irradiance. These peptides included synthetic peptides, peptides isolated from viral proteins and a phosphopeptide from beta-casein (residues 33-48). The excessive fragmentation occurred usually as a post-source phenomenon; however, in-source fragmentation was also observed. The combined effects of in-source and post-source fragmentation of one peptide studied led to a failure to observe the protonated molecule of this peptide in reflector mode analysis. The phosphopeptide studied exhibited a high degree of beta-elimination of phosphate. It was demonstrated that the fragility exhibited by these peptides in CHCA, including beta-elimination of phosphate from serine, was not evident with a matrix comprising 2,6-dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAP) and di-ammonium hydrogen citrate (DAHC). The DHAP/DAHC matrix was also adapted for direct analysis of peptides from an acidic reducing milieu containing tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine. The molecular weight of equine cytochrome c was determined with a relatively high degree of accuracy (experimental M(r) = 12360.2 +/- 1.4 Da compared to the theoretical M(r) = 12360.09 Da) using DHAP/DAHC as a matrix for reflector mode analysis.

Acetophenones↗