Creatine (Cr), creatine phosphate (PCr) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) are three vital molecules in the intracellular energy shuttle called creatine phosphate shuttle. The functions of these three molecules are clear in the skeletal muscle system. ATP is the primary source of energy production in the muscle; CP functions as a donor of phosphate for ATP production and Cr is a metabolism product of PCr. However, the functions of Cr and PCr in the brain remains unclear under physiological and pathological conditions such as in cerebral creatine deficiency syndrome (CCDS). To elucidate the functions of Cr and PCr in the brain, we first need to develop highly sensitive analytical methods for the quantitative determination of Cr, PCr and ATP under various conditions in different tissue samples. LCMS techniques have been explored for this project. During the MS analysis of these three molecules, a severe “oligomerization” problem was observed with PCr, leading to difficulties in its quantitative determination. Our working hypothesis is that “oligomerization” is due to the tight “ion pairing” between a phosphate and a guanidine group, which we observed and studied in solution. This presentation will discuss our detailed approaches in analyzing and solving this oligomerization problem through examination of concentration-dependency, addition of “displacement” compounds, and adjustment of instrument conditions. The result will be very useful for quantitative analysis of PCr with MS technique and other analytical techniques and may be applied to analyses of other analogs.

Developing LC-MS methods for the quantitative analyses of creatine phosphate in brain samples

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.