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Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization in-source decay mass spectrometry analysis of human insulin and insulin analogues for the identification of insulin from insulin preparations

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Abstract

Purpose

The identification of human insulin and insulin analogues is necessary in forensic investigations. However, there is no quick and accurate method to identify them (components from insulin preparations). In this study, we aimed to develop a method to elucidate differences in amino acid sequences among human insulin and six insulin analogues.

Methods

The mass spectra of seven insulin preparations were measured using the in-source decay method in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI-ISD) with 1,5-diaminonaphthalene MALDI matrix.

Results

The mass spectra measured in the spiral mode yielded a series of c ion peaks that reflected the amino acid sequence in the C-terminus of the insulin B-chain and could discriminate the seven insulin preparations.

Conclusions

The MALDI-ISD method is a rapid and convenient approach to identify human insulin and six insulin analogues that are components of all insulin preparations sold in Japan. In particular, this method can discriminate human insulin from insulin lispro, both of which have identical molecular weights, and therefore identifying them is difficult using conventional methods.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr. Ishikawa, Department of Brest Oncology, Tokyo Medical University for granting permission to use the MALDI-TOFMS apparatus. This study was funded by JSPS KAKENHI (grant numbers JP17H00548 (NN) and 15K08597 (TN)).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forensic Scientific Laboratory, Hyogo Prefectural Police H.Q., 5-4-1, Shimoyamate St., Chuo-Ku, Kobe, 650-8510, Japan

    Nobumasa Nagami

  2. JEOL Ltd., 3-1-2 Musashino, Akishima, Tokyo, 196-8558, Japan

    Yoshiyuki Itoh

  3. Department of Pathology, SASAKI Institute Kyoundo Hospital, 1-8 KandaSurugadai Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, 101-0062, Japan

    Hisae Arai & Keiichi Iwaya

  4. Department of Breast Oncology, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishi-Shinjyuku, Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan

    Keiichi Iwaya

  5. Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, Tokyo Medical University Ibaraki Medical Center, 3-20-1 Chuou, Ami, Ibaraki, 300-0395, Japan

    Terumasa Nagase

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  1. Nobumasa Nagami
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  2. Yoshiyuki Itoh
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Correspondence to Nobumasa Nagami.

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Nagami, N., Itoh, Y., Arai, H. et al. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization in-source decay mass spectrometry analysis of human insulin and insulin analogues for the identification of insulin from insulin preparations. Forensic Toxicol 38, 436–446 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11419-020-00532-z

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