Quantitative trace analysis of interleukin-3, interleukin-6, and basic model proteins using isotachophoresis-capillary zone electrophoresis with hydrodynamic counterflow

Biorecognition element-free electrochemical detection of recombinant glycoproteins using metal-organic frameworks as signal tags

Accurate and sensitive determination of recombinant glycoproteins is in great demand for the treatment of anemia-induced chronic kidney disease and the illegal use of doping agents in sports. In this study, an antibody and enzyme-free electrochemical method for the detection of recombinant glycoproteins was proposed via the sequential chemical recognition of hexahistidine (His₆) tag and glycan residue on the target protein under the cooperation interaction of nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA)-Ni²⁺complex and boronic acid, respectively. Specifically, NTA-Ni²⁺ complex-modified magnetic beads (MBs-NTA-Ni²⁺) are employed to selectively capture the recombinant glycoprotein through the coordination interaction between His₆ tag and NTA-Ni²⁺ complex. Then, boronic acid-modified Cu-based metal-organic frameworks (Cu-MOFs) were recruited by glycans on the glycoprotein via the formation of reversible boronate ester bonds. MOFs with abundant Cu²⁺ ions acted as efficient electroactive labels to directly produce amplified electrochemical signals. By using recombinant human erythropoietin as a model analyte, this method showed a wide linear detection range from 0.01 to 50 ng/mL and a low detection limit of 5.3 pg/mL. With the benefits from the simple operation and low cost, the stepwise chemical recognition-based method shows great promise in the determination of recombinant glycoproteins in the fields of biopharmaceutical research, anti-doping analysis and clinical diagnosis.

A Microfluidic Electrocapture Device in Sample Preparation for Protein Analysis by MALDI Mass Spectrometry

The design and operation of a microfluidic device for sample preparation in MALDI mass spectrometry of peptides and proteins is described. It is particularly useful for proteomics applications and for mass determination of proteins in salt- and detergent-containing solutions. The system consists of a flow channel with two conductive areas or electrical junctions where proteins and peptides are retained by means of an electric field. The microfluidic device is made of PEEK tubing, and the junctions are covered with a conductive polymeric membrane. A syringe pump connected to the device produces a flow stream, and injection of sample is carried out manually via hydrodynamic pressure. Proteolytic peptides and intact proteins in salt- and detergent-containing acidic media were captured at the cathode junction followed by exchange of the original solution to a solvent suitable for subsequent mass spectrometry. Using this principle, a significant desalting effect was obtained for tryptic peptides in mass-mapping experiments. Protein sequence coverages were high (up to 40%) at subpicomole levels with results better than those obtained using reversed-phase solid-phase extraction. In contrast to the latter technique, the microfluidic device has the capacity to efficiently remove detergents such as CHAPS before peptide mapping and protein analysis.

Fluidic Preconcentrator Device for Capillary Electrophoresis of Proteins

A new preconcentration device was developed for analysis of proteins by capillary electrophoresis (CE). The microfluidic device uses an electric field to capture proteins that pass through the system. The capture zone is maintained in the flow stream by the interaction between hydrodynamic and electrical forces. The device consists of a flow channel made of PEEK tubing with two electrical junctions, each of which is covered with a conductive membrane. A syringe pump provides the flow stream and also allows the injection of up to 13.5 microL of a dilute sample. The system can be easily connected to a CE device postcapture for off-line preconcentration of proteins. For the proteins used in this study, preconcentration factors up to 40-fold can be achieved. CE detection limits for bovine carbonic anhydrase, alpha-lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulins A and B were in the nanomolar range using UV detection at 200 nm. Preconcentration is dependent on both time and initial protein concentration. We show the possibility of using an off-line fluidic preconcentrator device employing counterflow capillary electrophoresis with minimum sample manipulation, achieving detection limits similar to on-line approaches.

On-line concentration of trace proteins by pH junctions in capillary electrophoresis with UV absorption detection

We report an on-line concentration approach based on pH junctions for the analysis of trace proteins under acidic conditions by capillary electrophoresis (CE) with UV absorption detection. Stacking is due to decreases in the electrophoretic mobilities of proteins when migrating from the sample zone to a relatively high-pH buffer filled in the capillary. Acidic buffers prepared from tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (co-ions) and propanoic acid were suitable. With respect to speed, resolution, and stacking efficiency, it is appropriate to conduct the analysis of proteins under discontinuous conditions: pH 3.8 (inside the capillary), 2.8 (protein samples), and 3.3 (anodic reservoir). To minimize protein adsorption on the capillary wall, capillaries dynamically coated with single, double, and triple layers of polymers have been made and tested. Capillaries dynamically coated with three layers of neutral, cationic and neutral polymers in sequence were used to separate four proteins with good reproducibility. When using a 60-cm capillary, the peak height increased linearly with the injection volume up to 1.42-microl and peak profiles were sharp, indicating stacking of proteins. As a result, the limits of detection for lysozyme, myoglobin, carbonic anhydrase, and alpha-lactalbumin were 1.9, 3.2, 11.3 and 6.5 nM, respectively. Furthermore, this method has been applied to the analysis of about 1.31 and 0.66 microl of 5.00 and 0.20 microM peptic and tryptic digests of beta-casein, with results of detecting 26 and 12 peaks in 21 and 14 min, respectively.

Recent progress in capillary isotachophoresis

This article is a continuation of previous reviews and summarizes the progress of analytical capillary isotachophoresis in the years 1997-1999. Papers reviewed include theoretical and methodological aspects as well as analytical applications. Included are also papers using isotachophoresis and/or isotachophoretic principles as part of multidimensional separation schemes.

Applications of capillary electrophoresis in biotechnology

Capillary electrophoresis (CE)-related techniques are increasingly being used as a matter of routine practice in the biotechnology discipline. Since recombinant DNA-derived proteins and the antisense oligonucleotides constitute a large portion of the applications of these techniques, they have been emphasized in this review. Analyses by CE of Escherichia coli-derived proteins and glycosylated proteins derived from mammalian cell cultures are summarized, as well as those of the carbohydrate chains that have been enzymatically removed from the protein. Applications of CE in the analysis of the antisense oligonucleotides for the determination of purity and the analytical studies on the metabolism of these modified oligonucleotides, by CE are reviewed. The literature mainly covers the period from 1996.

Recent developments in capillary zone electrophoresis of proteins

This review article with 125 references describes recent developments in capillary zone electrophoresis of proteins. It encompasses approximately the last two years, from the previous review (V. Dolník, Electrophoresis 1997, 18, 2353-2361) through Spring 1999. Topics covered include modeling of the electrophoretic properties of proteins, sample preconcentration and derivatization, wall coatings, improving selectivity, special detection techniques, and applications.

Utility of isotachophoresis-capillary zone electrophoresis, mass spectrometry and high-performance size-exclusion chromatography for monitoring of interleukin-6 dimer formation

The utility of isotachophoresis-capillary zone electrophoresis (ITP-CZE) and high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) was investigated for determination of dimeric and monomeric recombinant human interleukin-6 (rhIL-6). Using ITP-CZE heterogeneity of dimeric rhIL-6 could be revealed resolving two peaks in the electropherograms, while with HPSEC dimeric rhIL-6 eluted as one homogeneous fraction. Both protein forms were monitored during incubation of monomeric rhIL-6 at different pH and temperature. The selectivity of counterflow ITP-CZE in conjunction with the low concentration determination limits enabled reanalysis of HPSEC fractions for identification of the dimer in the electropherograms. Both ITP-CZE and HPSEC were shown to be suitable to monitor the dimerization of rhIL-6, similar monomer-to-dimer peak area ratios were obtained throughout the incubation. Dimer formation kinetics increased with decreasing pH and with increasing temperature, it was entirely suppressed at neutral pH and room temperature. In contrast to HPSEC, ITP-CZE enabled separation of further still unidentified artifacts apparently formed during incubation of rhIL-6. CZE analysis in conjunction with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry revealed the non-covalent binding character of the dimeric rhIL-6 complex and facilitated interpretation of the electropherograms.

Monitoring of chemotherapy-induced proteinuria using capillary zone electrophoresis

Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) was investigated for its suitability to monitor proteinuria occurring during nephrotoxic drug therapy. Urine samples of tumor patients receiving chemotherapy consisting of carboplatin, etoposide, and ifosfamide were concentrated and desalted in microconcentrators and analyzed in two different alkaline CZE buffer systems. Reduction of electroosmotic flow (EOF) by the addition of putrescine increased the number of resolved protein peaks. Both CZE methods were linear between 2.5 and 50 microg/ml, exhibited satisfactory precision (relative standard deviation <10%) and were suitable for monitor the time course of proteinuria after chemotherapy administration. In contrast to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), CZE detected interindividual differences in protein patterns. Whereas these differences hampered a direct quantification of proteins in urine, they may contain information on the type or extent of kidney damage.