Unusual ECD fragmentation attributed to gas-phase helix formation in a conformationally dynamic peptide†
Abstract
The helix-forming character of a model decapeptide, L4PL4K, is determined in the absence of solvent using ion mobility mass spectrometry, electron capture dissociation and molecular mechanics simulations. Unusual ECD fragmentation patterns dominated by b ions are attributed to helix formation upon electron capture and as a signature of conformational dynamics.