Quantification of human growth hormone by amino acid composition analysis using isotope dilution liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Development of cancer biomarker heat shock protein 90α certified reference material using two different isotope dilution mass spectrometry techniques

Heat shock protein 90α (HSP90α) has been regarded as an important indicator for judging tumor metastasis and prognosis due to its significant upregulation in various tumors. Therefore, the accurate quantification of HSP90α is of great significance for clinical diagnosis and therapy of cancers. However, the lack of HSP90α certified reference material (CRM) leads to the accuracy and consistency of quantification methods not being effectively evaluated. Besides, quantitative results without traceability make comparisons between different studies difficult. In this study, an HSP90α solution CRM was developed from the recombinant protein raw material. The recombinant protein is a dimer, and the purity of the CRM candidate reached 96.71%. Both amino acid analysis-isotope dilution mass spectrometry (AAA-IDMS) and unique peptide analysis-isotope dilution mass spectrometry (UPA-IDMS) were performed to measure the content of HSP90α in the solution CRM candidate, and the certified value was assessed to be 66.2 ± 8.8 µg/g. Good homogeneity of the CRM was identified, and the stability examination suggested that the CRM was stable for at least 4 months at - 80 °C and for 7 days at 4 °C. With traceability to SI unit (kg), this CRM has potential to help establish a metrological traceability chain for quantification of HSP90α, which will make the quantification results standardized and comparable regardless of the quantitative methods.

Traceable value of immunoglobulin G against receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 confirmation and application to point-of-care testing system development

A highly purified and bioactive immunoglobulin G monoclonal antibody against receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 (RBD-IgG-MAb) has been accurately quantified by amino acid determination using isotope dilution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Absolute quantification of RBD-IgG-MAb was achieved by averaging 4 amino acid certified reference materials, which allows the quantitative value (66.1 ± 5.8 μg/L) to be traced to SI unit (mol). Afterwards, the RBD-IgG-MAb was employed as control and calibration compound for the development of a point-of-care testing (POCT) system based on colloidal gold lateral flow immunoassay, which aimed to rapidly and accurately detect the level of protective RBD-IgG after vaccination. Under the detection parameters, a sigmoidal curve has been plotted between signal intensity and the logarithmic concentration for quantitative detection with the limit of detection of about 0.39 μg/mL. The relative standard deviations of intra-assay and inter-assay were lower than 2.3% and 14%, and the recoveries ranged from 87 to 100%, respectively. Fingertip blood samples from 37 volunteers after vaccination were analyzed by the POCT system; results showed that levels of RBD-IgG in 33 out of 37 samples ranged from 0.45 to 2.46 μg/mL with the average level of 0.91 μg/mL. The developed POCT system has been successfully established with the quantity-traceability RBD-IgG-MAb as control and calibration compound, and the scientific contribution of this work can be promoted to other areas.

Development and validation of a LC-MS/MS method for quantitation of recombinant human growth hormone in rat plasma and application to a pharmacokinetic study

Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is a peptide comprising 191 amino acids, that is mainly used to promote the growth of children and plays an important antiaging role. In the present study, a simple and sensitive quantitation method for rhGH in rat plasma was established by LCMS/MS. After simple and rapid enzymatic digestion of the plasma sample, two suitable surrogate peptides (LFDNAMLR and FPTIPLSR) were selected for quantitative analysis. The results showed good linearity over calibration range 10-2000 ng/mL. The quality control (QC) accuracy ranged from -13.8 to 14.3%, and the accuracy of the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) ranged from -12.9 to 19.0%. The intra-day and inter-day precision ranges for all QCs were 1.7-13.6% and 4.0-7.0%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to intravenous and subcutaneous pharmacokinetic studies in rats. In comparison with previously published methods, our method features simple sample preparation combined with a short sample processing time (3.5 h), wide linear range (10-2000 ng/mL), small plasma volume (35 μL), and LLOQ (10 ng/mL).

Study of SI-traceable purity assessment of bovine lactoferrin using mass balance approach and amino acid-based isotope dilution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

The accurate measurement of bovine lactoferrin (bLF) attracts wide attention in food and nutraceutical applications as its important physiological and nutritional functions. We present SI traceable procedures for assessing bLF purity using mass balance method and amino acid (AA)-based isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS). The mass balance method was revealed with a purity of 0.938 ± 0.011 g/g by deducting all aspects of impurities, including related structure impurities of 4.60%, ignition residue of 0.28%, Cl^- of 1.10%, SO₄^2- of 0.13%, and moisture of 0.17%. The AA-based IDMS quantitative result was 0.937 ± 0.027 g/g. Hydrolysis conditions were optimized and methodology validation including, accuracy, precision, were studied. Good consistency was achieved between the two independent strategies and bLF purity assigned via the weighted mean value of their results was 0.938 ± 0.015 g/g. These analyses are expected to be applicable to proteins quantification and development of LF certified reference materials.

Paper-based sample processing for the fast and direct MS analysis of multiple analytes from serum samples

The direct MS detection of amino acids obtained from serum was successfully demonstrated via a paper-based fast electrokinetic sample clean-up method.

Certification of Amyloid-Beta (Aβ) Certified Reference Materials by Amino Acid-Based Isotope Dilution High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry and Sulfur-Based High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Isotope Dilution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

The use of amyloid-beta (Aβ) biomarkers could contribute to an early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, there are still large variations among results from different assays. This variability can be overcome by standardization of those assays through the use of certified reference materials (CRMs) and the establishment of a traceability chain. In this study, Aβ₄₀ (GBW09874) and Aβ₄₂ (GBW09875) solution CRMs with the certified values and uncertainties of 7.58 ± 0.30 and 7.62 ± 0.30 μg g^-1 were developed with high-purity Aβ as raw materials. For the first time, isotope dilution high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (ID-LC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ID-ICP-MS) strategies were employed to certify the candidate Aβ solution CRMs. The two candidate CRMs showed good homogeneity, and good stability was also demonstrated for at least 5 days at -20 °C and 14 months at -70 °C. These CRMs are primarily intended to be used for value assignment to secondary calibrators or CRMs with a clinical matrix, which will help in early diagnosis of AD.

Determination of purity values of amino acid reference materials by mass balance method: an approach to the quantification of related structure impurities

A systematic procedure for the determination of purity values of amino acid reference materials was developed by use of mass balance method where four categories of impurities (related structure impurities (RSIs), water, organic solvent residue (OSR), and non-volatile residue (NVR)) were quantified separately. The amount of RSIs was determined using a combination of three quantification methods. To ensure metrological traceability in the determination of RSIs, at least one such impurity in each candidate amino acid reference material was quantified using liquid chromatography-isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-IDMS/MS). Other RSIs were determined using external calibration liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) or o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) derivatization, followed by liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (LC-UV) measurement. As the UV absorption of most RSIs came basically from the same chromophore after OPA derivatization, a relative peak area approach was used in the LC-UV method to quantify the amount of RSIs by comparing their peak areas with that of a reference RSI. The reference RSI was pre-selected and the amount determined by LC-IDMS/MS separately. The absence of D-amino acids was confirmed using Marfey's reagent derivatization, followed by LC-UV analysis. The amounts of water, OSR, and NVR were measured using Karl Fischer coulometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and thermogravimetry, respectively. By using this procedure, four amino acid (L-valine, L-leucine, L-isoleucine, and L-phenylalanine) certified reference materials (CRMs) were developed from the candidate materials. The homogeneity and stability of the CRMs were demonstrated by use of LC-IDMS/MS or OPA-LC-UV method, following the principles in ISO 17034 and ISO Guide 35.Graphical abstract.

Certification and stability assessment of recombinant human growth hormone as a certified reference material for protein quantification

A certified reference material (CRM) for the quantification of protein, essential to manage quality control and quality assurance in protein-related works, has been developed. Amino acid analysis with conventional acid hydrolysis and isotope dilution HPLC-MS was used to establish an SI-traceable absolute protein quantification method using recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) as a model protein. The certification method was verified by comparative studies between 1) different methods of protein quantification based on microwave-assisted hydrolysis, and 2) different labs as part of the Asian Collaboration on Reference Material project with Japan, China, and Korea. Certification, evaluation of measurement uncertainty, homogeneity testing, and stability testing were carried out, after which the candidate CRM for hGH quantification was successfully certified with excellent agreement within the certified value in the two comparative studies. Although the quantification value of hGH by amino acid analysis showed good robustness in various conditions, results of intact protein analysis showed degradation profiles in temperatures higher than 4 °C. Consequently, storage and dissemination conditions should be set in accordance with stability tests. Based on the results, this method is believed to be suitable for accurate quantification of hGH. Additionally, it can also be used as a guide to preparation of CRM, and instructions for quality management of protein work for other similar proteins.

Wheat Gluten Amino Acid Analysis by High-Performance Anion-Exchange Chromatography with Integrated Pulsed Amperometric Detection

The present chapter describes an accurate and user-friendly method for determining amino acid composition of wheat gluten proteins and their gliadin and glutenin fractions. The method consists of hydrolysis of the peptide bonds in 6.0 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution at 110 °C for 24 h, followed by evaporation of the acid and separation of the free amino acids by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with integrated pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-IPAD). In contrast to conventional methods, the analysis requires neither pre- or post-column derivatization nor a time-consuming oxidation or derivatization step prior to hydrolysis. Correction factors account for incomplete release of Val and Ile even after hydrolysis for 24 h and for losses of Ser during evaporation. Gradient conditions including an extra eluent allow multiple sequential sample analyses without risk of Glu accumulation on the anion-exchange column which otherwise would result from high Gln levels in gluten proteins.

Preparation of soluble isotopically labeled human growth hormone produced in Escherichia coli

Isotopically labeled proteins have been used as internal standards for mass spectrometry (MS)-based absolute protein quantification. Although this approach can provide highly accurate analyses of proteins of interest within a complex mixture, one of the major limitations of this method is the difficulty in preparing uniformly labeled standards. Human growth hormone (hGH) is one of the most important hormones that circulate throughout the body, and its measurement is primarily of interest in the diagnosis and treatment of growth disorders. In order to provide a useful internal standard for MS-based hGH measurement, we describe an efficient strategy to produce a potentially valuable, stable isotope-labeled hGH with high purity and yield. The strategy involves the following steps: solubilization of hGH under labeling conditions, detection of stable isotope incorporation, large-scale purification, analysis of the labeled protein, and assessment of the labeling efficiency. We show that the yield of soluble hGH under selective isotopic labeling conditions can be greatly increased by optimizing protein expression and extraction. Our efficient method for generating isotopically labeled hGH does not influence the structural integrity of hGH. Finally, we assessed the efficiency of stable isotope labeling at the intact protein level, and the result was further verified by amino acid analysis. These results clearly indicate that our labeling approach allows an almost complete incorporation of ¹³C₆¹⁵N₄-arginine into the hGH expressed in E.coli without detectable isotope scrambling.

Quick quantification of proteins by MALDI

Previously, we reported that the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization spectrum of a peptide became reproducible when an effective temperature was held constant. Using a calibration curve drawn by plotting the peptide-to-matrix ion abundance ratio versus the peptide concentration in a solid sample, a peptide could be quantified without the use of any internal standard. In this work, we quantified proteins by quantifying their tryptic peptides with the aforementioned method. We modified the digestion process; e.g. disulfide bonds were not cleaved, so that hardly any reagent other than trypsin remained after the digestion process. This allowed the preparation of a sample by the direct mixing of a digestion mixture with a matrix solution. We also observed that the efficiency of the matrix-to-peptide proton transfer, as measured by its reaction quotient, was similar for peptides with arginine at the C-terminus. With the reaction quotient averaged over many such peptides, we could rapidly quantify proteins. Most importantly, no peptide standard, not to mention its isotopically labeled analog, was needed in this method.

Determination of Cystatin C in human serum by isotope dilution mass spectrometry using mass overlapping peptides

We propose a peptide-based isotope dilution mass spectrometry approach for Cystatin C determination in human serum samples, a clinical marker for renal status for which backup by a mass spectrometry based primary method has been missing so far. In contrast to common protocols, the isotope labelled version of the proteotypic signature peptide is designed such as keeping the isotopic difference as little as possible with respect to the peptide released from the protein. Peptides labelled in two (13)C atoms are added to the serum samples just before proteolysis. After two steps of chromatographic purification the sample is measured by selected reaction monitoring using a LC-MS/MS. Resolution of the first quadrupole is reduced to transmit the whole parent ion cluster to the collision cell for monitoring accurate isotopic distributions of the molecular fragments. Molar fractions of labelled and natural abundance peptides are directly obtained from the experimental mass spectra of the in-cell fragment ions. Thus, the natural abundance protein concentration is obtained from the fragment-ion spectrum of the sample without resorting to extra calibration runs. Applicability of the approach is demonstrated by the measurement of the serum concentration of Cystatin C in Reference Material ERM R-DA471/IFCC and real samples.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Cystatin C is used as an alternative marker instead of, or in combination with creatinine for non-invasive determination of glomerular filtration rates. Advantages advocating in favour of Cystatin C in diagnosis of chronic kidney diseases are the lower variability of its serum level and, particularly, virtual independence on sex, age and muscle mass. However, in order to capitalize, accuracy of measurement has to be in proportion with the predictive power of the marker. Though there are label-free methods available for screening purposes or high-throughput analysis, achieving high levels of reliability and accuracy in quantitative proteomics takes reference to isotope labelled materials. Present routine assays (mainly nephelometry, turbidimetry and ligand-binding assays) are known to leave improvement to be desired in that respect. Absolute quantification based on enzymatic signature-peptides provides a method principle establishing traceability to the International System of Units on the level of primary methods. The kind of technique is capable, by this way, of high accuracy value-assignment to matrix materials needed for calibration of present routine assays, where not completely replacing them. Cystatin C measurement by isotope dilution mass spectrometry is developed in this study with the aim of making available this tool to support diagnostics of kidney function in the same way.

Complete solubilization and purification of recombinant human growth hormone produced in Escherichia coli

High-level expression of recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) in Escherichia coli (E. coli) leads to the formation of insoluble aggregates as inclusion bodies devoid of biological activity. Until recently, significant efforts have been made to improve the recovery of active hGH from inclusion bodies. Here, we developed an efficient procedure for the production of completely soluble hGH by minimizing the formation of inclusion bodies and optimizing protein purification conditions. Under the newly established conditions we were able to obtain most of the total hGH in the soluble fraction. We show that the soluble protein can be efficiently purified in high yield by a series of chromatographic procedures. We analyzed the resulting hGH using various analytical techniques such as reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and circular dichroism (CD). These multiple analyses support the conclusion that we obtained highly pure hGH with the expected molecular mass and intact secondary structure. The biological activity of purified hGH was also confirmed by evaluating its growth-promoting effect using a cell proliferation assay. Taken together, we describe a straightforward strategy for the production of completely soluble and biologically active hGH in E. coli.

Tandem mass spectrometry in hormone measurement

Mass spectrometry methods have the potential to measure different hormones during the same analysis and have improved specificity and a wide analytical range compared with many immunoassay methods. Increasingly in clinical laboratories liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assays are replacing immunoassays for the routine measurement of testosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and other steroid hormones. Reference LC-MS/MS methods for steroid, thyroid, and peptide hormones are being used for assessment of the performance and calibration of commercial immunoassays. In this chapter, the general principles of tandem mass spectrometry and examples of hormone assays are described.

Interpretation of protein quantitation using the Bradford assay: comparison with two calculation models

The Bradford assay is a simple method for protein quantitation, but variation in the results between proteins is a matter of concern. In this study, we compared and normalized quantitative values from two models for protein quantitation, where the residues in the protein that bind to anionic Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250 comprise either Arg and Lys (Method 1, M1) or Arg, Lys, and His (Method 2, M2). Use of the M2 model yielded much more consistent quantitation values compared with use of the M1 model, which exhibited marked overestimations against protein standards.

Capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry with sheathless electrospray ionization for high sensitivity analysis of underivatized amino acids

A high durability sheathless electrospray ionization interface of CE-MS is applied for the sensitive analysis of underivatized amino acids. The sheathless interface was realized using an ionophore membrane-packed electro-conduction channel. The interface functioned well with a volatile alkaline background electrolyte (BGE) and uncoated fused-silica capillaries for CE-MS analysis of underivatized amino acids. High electroosmotic flow with alkaline BGE facilitated high separation efficiency (>100,000 theoretical plates) and short analysis time (<15 min). Both the short-term stability and long-term durability are particularly suited for routine applications. Using electrokinetic injection and the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode with a triple-quadrupole analyzer, high sensitivity was achieved, which yielded detection limits of 0.05-0.81 μM. For the quantitation of underivatized amino acids, quantification precisions (RSDs) for intra- and inter-day analyses were less than 3%. Recoveries from serum were 96.3-101.8% for isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS). When compared with HPLC-IDMS for human serum samples, highly agreeable (96.9-102.0%) results were obtained with the proposed CE-IDMS method.