ANALYSIS OF ENDOGENOUS NEUROPEPTIDES BY REVERSED-PHASE HIGH-PERFORMANCE CHROMATOGRAPHY AND MASS-SPECTROMETRY

Data are presented on the use of high performance liquid chromatograph y (HPLC) to separate and mass spectrometry (MS) to detect opioid neuro peptides in human tissues and fluids. Reversed phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) ha s been used in conjunction with a variety of post-column HPLC detector systems, including radioimmunoassay (RIA), radioreceptorassay (RRA), MS, and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Tandem mass spectrometry con nects the protonated molecule ion, (M+H)(+), of a peptide with a uniqu e amino acid sequence-determining fragment ion, and therefore provides the highest level of molecular specificity for the detection of a pep tide. Tandem MS has also been used to quantify opioid peptides in huma n pituitary tissues. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.