A visual detection of protein content based on titration of moving reaction boundary electrophoresis

A facile double moving redox boundary model for visual electrophoresis titration of ascorbic acid

In this work, we proposed a double moving redox boundary (MROB) model to realize the colorless analyte electrophoresis titration (ET) by the two steps of the redox reaction. Single MROB has been proposed for the development of ET sensing (Analyst, 2013, 138, 1137. ACS Sensor, 2019, 4, 126.), and faces great challenges in detecting the analyte without color change during redox reaction. Herein, a novel model of double-MROB electrophoresis, including its mechanisms, equations, and procedures, was developed for titration by using ascorbic acid as a model analyte. The first MROB was created with ferric iron (Fe3+) and iodide ion (I-) in which Fe3+ was reduced as Fe2+ and I- was oxidized as molecular iodine (I2) used as an indicator of visible MROB due to blue starch-iodine complex. The second boundary was then formed between the molecular iodine and model analyte of ascorbic acid. Under given conditions, there was a quantitative relationship between velocity of MROB (VMROB(ii)) and ascorbic acid concentration (CVit C) in the double-MROB system (1/VMROB(ii) = 0.6502CVit C + 4.5165, and R = 0.9939). The relevant relative standard deviation values of intraday and inter-day were less than ∼5.55% and ∼6.64%, respectively. Finally, the titration of ascorbic acid in chewable vitamin C tablets was performed by the developed method, the titration results agreed with those via the classic iodometric titration. All the results briefly demonstrated the validity of the double MROB model, in which Vit C was used as a model analyte. The developed method had potential use in quantitative analysis of redox-active species in biomedical samples.

Fasten the analysis of metal-binding proteins with GE-ICP-MS via increasing the electrolyte concentration of the running buffer

The coupled system of column gel electrophoresis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (GE-ICP-MS) is a highly effective technique for detecting metal-binding proteins. However, it takes a long time for this method to test a single sample, which greatly limits its application. In this study, GE-ICP-MS system was optimized by adjusting the analytical conditions, including the concentration and pH of running buffer and the proportion of polyacrylamide gel. The results of the experiment showed that the migration speed of proteins in GE was enhanced by increasing the electrolyte concentration in the running buffer solution. Additionally, the ICP-MS response, which was dramatically decreased because of the change in running buffer solution, can be stabilized by adjusting pH of running buffer. Meanwhile, the optimization of polyacrylamide gel ratio allows GE-ICP-MS to maintain high resolution for proteins of similar molecular weight with increased detection speed. After increasing the concentration of running buffer by 10 times, four iodine labeled proteins were successfully separated at baseline by the GE-ICP-MS system at pH 8.0 in 40 min using a resolving gel (8%, 7 cm) and a stacking gel (4%, 1 cm), which was three times faster than the original one. Finally, the optimized method was proved by detecting a silver-binding protein in rat plasma samples. The above method provided an effective and rapid detection for metal-binding proteins in organism.

Purification of low-abundance lysozyme in egg white via free-flow electrophoresis with gel-filtration chromatography

As an effective separation tool, free-flow electrophoresis has not been used for purification of low-abundance protein in complex sample matrix. Herein, lysozyme in complex egg white matrix was chosen as the model protein for demonstrating the purification of low-content peptide via an FFE coupled with gel fitration chromatography (GFC). The crude lysozyme in egg while was first separated via free-flow zone electrophoresis (FFZE). After that, the fractions with lysozyme activity were condensed via lyophilization. Thereafter, the condensed fractions were further purified via a GFC of Sephadex G50. In all of the experiments, a special poly(acrylamide- co-acrylic acid) (P(AM-co-AA)) gel electrophoresis and a mass spectrometry were used for identification of lysozyme. The conditions of FFZE were optimized as follows: 130 μL/min sample flow rate, 4.9 mL/min background buffer of 20 mM pH 5.5 Tris-Acetic acid, 350 V, and 14 °C as well as 2 mg/mL protein content of crude sample. It was found that the purified lysozyme had the purity of 80% and high activity as compared with its crude sample with only 1.4% content and undetectable activity. The recoveries in the first and second separative steps were 65% and 82%, respectively, and the total recovery was about 53.3%. The reasons of low recovery might be induced by diffusion of lysozyme out off P(AM-co-AA) gel and co-removing of high-abundance egg ovalbumin. All these results indicated FFE could be used as alternative tool for purification of target solute with low abundance.

Double inner standard plot model of an electrophoresis titration chip for a portable and green assay of protein content in milk

High portability and environmental safety ("green") are two of the most important objectives pursued by microfluidic methods. However, there remain many challenges for the design of portable and visual microfluidic methods (e.g., chip electrophoresis) due to use of a cumbersome pump, power supply and detector. Herein, a facile double inner standard plot (DISP) model of electrophoresis titration (ET) was proposed for portable and visual assay of proteins in test milk samples without use of a pump, power supply or detector based on a moving reaction boundary (MRB) chip. The DISP-ET model predicted that: (i) by setting the upper limit (UL) and lower limit (LL) of double inner standard milk protein contents, points U and L were, respectively, achieved in the relationship D = -aC + b (D: MRB motion distance; C: protein content); and (ii) the two points divided both the C-axis and D-axis into "poor", "eligible" and "superior" rulers scaled for quantitative assay of test samples. To demonstrate the model of DISP-ET, an original portable device (120 mm × 78 mm × 30 mm, 341 g) was designed, which had a chip (25 mm × 25 mm × 4 mm) of three channels (15 mm × 200 μm × 80 μm), platinum electrodes, a lithium cell and touch screen. A series of experiments were undertaken based on the developed portable device. The relevant experiments demonstrated systemically the validity of the DISP-ET model, theory and method. In particular, the experiments clearly showed the advantages of the DISP-ET chip: portability, visuality, green use, rapidity, and flexibility for real-life use. Finally, the device was applied for a portable and visual assay of fresh milk from a cow on a dairy farm. The DISP-ET model opens a window for designing portable and visual quantitative methods of food-safety control and clinical diagnoses.

Undergraduate laboratory experiment on determination of total protein content in milk powder by moving reaction boundary titration

Laboratory exercises focused on protein quantification are frequently conducted in traditional undergraduate biochemistry laboratory curriculum. The laboratory course described here is designed to provide students with experience in measurement of protein content in milk powder by moving reaction boundary titration (MRBT), a new rapid technique for total protein content determination in milk. In addition, this approach is weakly influenced by nonprotein nitrogen reagents such as melamine and urea. The course was done as three weekly laboratory exercises. First, students established a standard curve for milk protein concentration by MRBT method. Then, students investigated the influence of nonprotein nitrogen reagents on MRBT method. Finally, students made a comparison among three different protein quantification methods (MRBT, Biuret, and Kjeldahl method). From the experiments, students grasped the concept and advantages of MRBT and deepened the understanding of protein quantification. This course offer students the opportunity to be exposed to an advanced technique, which may have practical significance to their future study and work in the life science field. © 2018 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 46(6):644-651, 2018.

iPhone-imaged and cell-powered electrophoresis titration chip for the alkaline phosphatase assay in serum by the moving reaction boundary

As a vital enzyme, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) has great clinical significance in diagnoses of bone or liver cancer, bone metastases, rickets, and extrahepatic biliary obstruction. However, there is still no really portable chip for the ALP assay in blood. Herein, a simple electrophoresis titration (ET) model was developed for ALP detection via a moving reaction boundary (MRB). In the model, ALP catalyzed the dephosphorylation of a 4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate disodium salt (4-MUP) substrate in the cathode well to 4-methylumbelliferone ([4-MU]-) with a negative charge and blue fluorescence under UV excitation. After the catalysis, an electric field was used between the cathode and the anode. Under the electric field, [4-MU]- moved into the channel and neutralized the acidic Tris-HCl buffer, resulting in the quenching of [4-MU]- and creating a MRB. The ET system just had an ET chip, a lithium cell, a UV LED and an iPhone used as a recorder, having no traditional expensive power supply and fluorescence detector. The relevant method was developed, and a series of experiments were conducted via the ET chip. The experiments showed: (i) a MRB could be formed between the [4-MU]- base and the acidic buffer, and the MRB motion had a linear relationship with the ALP activity, validating the ET model; (ii) the ET run was not impacted by many interferences, implying good selectivity; and (iii) the ET chip could be used for portable detection within 10 min, implying an on-site and rapid analysis. In addition, the ET method had a relatively good sensitivity (0.1 U L-1), linearity (V = 0.033A + 3.87, R2 = 0.9980), stability (RSD 2.4-6.8%) and recoveries (101-105%). Finally, the ET method was successfully used for ALP assays in real serum samples. All the results implied that the developed method was simple, rapid and low-cost, and had potential for POCT clinical ALP assays.

A stable and convenient protein electrophoresis titration device with bubble removing system

Moving reaction boundary titration (MRBT) has a potential application to immunoassay and protein content analysis with high selectivity. However, air bubbles often impair the accuracy of MRBT, and the leakage of electrolyte greatly decreases the safety and convenience of electrophoretic titration. Addressing these two issues a reliable MRBT device with modified electrolyte chamber of protein titration was designed. Multiphysics computer simulation was conducted for optimization according to two-phase flow. The single chamber was made of two perpendicular cylinders with different diameters. After placing electrophoretic tube, the resident air in the junction next to the gel could be eliminated by a simple fast electrolyte flow. Removing the electrophoretic tube automatically prevented electrolyte leakage at the junction due to the gravity-induced negative pressure within the chamber. Moreover, the numerical simulation and experiments showed that the improved MRBT device has following advantages: (i) easy and rapid setup of electrophoretic tube within 20 s; (ii) simple and quick bubble dissipates from the chamber of titration within 2 s; (iii) no electrolyte leakage from the two chambers: and (iv) accurate protein titration and safe instrumental operation. The developed technique and apparatus greatly improves the performance of the previous MRBT device, and providing a new route toward practical application.

Leverage principle of retardation signal in titration of double protein via chip moving reaction boundary electrophoresis

In the present work we address a simple, rapid and quantitative analytical method for detection of different proteins present in biological samples. For this, we proposed the model of titration of double protein (TDP) and its relevant leverage theory relied on the retardation signal of chip moving reaction boundary electrophoresis (MRBE). The leverage principle showed that the product of the first protein content and its absolute retardation signal is equal to that of the second protein content and its absolute one. To manifest the model, we achieved theoretical self-evidence for the demonstration of the leverage principle at first. Then relevant experiments were conducted on the TDP-MRBE chip. The results revealed that (i) there was a leverage principle of retardation signal within the TDP of two pure proteins, and (ii) a lever also existed within these two complex protein samples, evidently demonstrating the validity of TDP model and leverage theory in MRBE chip. It was also showed that the proposed technique could provide a rapid and simple quantitative analysis of two protein samples in a mixture. Finally, we successfully applied the developed technique for the quantification of soymilk in adulterated infant formula. The TDP-MRBE opens up a new window for the detection of adulteration ratio of the poor food (milk) in blended high quality one.

A tunable isoelectric focusing via moving reaction boundary for two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and proteomics

Routine native immobilized pH gradient isoelectric focusing (IPG-IEF) and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) are still suffering from unfortunate reproducibility, poor resolution (caused by protein precipitation) and instability in characterization of intact protein isoforms and posttranslational modifications. Based on the concept of moving reaction boundary (MRB), we firstly proposed a tunable non-IPG-IEF system to address these issues. By choosing proper pairs of catholyte and anolyte, we could achieve desired cathodic and anodic migrating pH gradients in non-IPG-IEF system, effectively eliminating protein precipitation and uncertainty of quantitation existing in routine IEF and 2DE, and enhancing the resolution and sensitivity of IEF. Then, an adjustable 2DE system was developed by combining non-IPG-IEF with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The improved 2DE was evaluated by testing model proteins and colon cancer cell lysates. The experiments revealed that (i) a tunable pH gradient could be designed via MRB; (ii) up to 1.65 fold improvement of resolution was achieved via non-IPG-IEF; (iii) the sensitivity of developed techniques was increased up to 2.7 folds; and (iv) up to about 16.4% more protein spots could be observed via the adjustable 2DE as compared with routine one. The developed techniques might contribute to complex proteome research, especially for screening of biological marker and analysis of extreme acidic/alkaline proteins.