INDIRECT MASS-SPECTROMETRIC METHODS FOR CHARACTERIZING AND SEQUENCINGOLIGONUCLEOTIDES

The use of mass spectrometry for the characterization and sequence det ermination of oligonucleotides is reviewed. This review focuses primar ily on the use of mass spectrometry to analyze sequence-specific fragm ents of oligonucleotides that are generated via solution-phase chemica l reactions, The majority of these ''indirect'' sequencing methods are a result of recent advances in electrospray ionization and matrix-ass isted laser desorption/ionization for the generation of intact gas-pha se ions from oligonucleotides. Descriptions of the current indirect se quencing protocols will be presented as well as a comparison of the ap plicability of these procedures for analyzing ''real world'' samples. The applicability of indirect mass spectrometric sequencing to antisen se oligonucleotides will be discussed in detail. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.