Coupling capillary electrochromatography with electrospray Fourier transform mass spectrometry for characterizing complex oligosaccharide pools

Hyphenation of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) with separation methods: The art of compromises and the possible - A review

This review provides an overview of the online hyphenation of Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) with separation methods to date. The online coupling between separation techniques (gas and liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis) and FT-ICR MS essentially raises questions of compromise and is not look as straightforward as hyphenation with other analyzers (QTOF-MS for instance). FT-ICR MS requires time to reach its highest resolving power and accuracy in mass measurement capabilities whereas chromatographic and electrophoretic peaks are transient. In many applications, the strengths and the weaknesses of each technique are balanced by their hyphenation. Untargeted "Omics" (e.g. proteomics, metabolomics, petroleomics, …) is one of the main areas of application for FT-ICR MS hyphenated to online separation techniques because of the complexity of the sample. FT-ICR MS achieves the required high mass measurement accuracy to determine accurate molecular formulae and resolution for isobar distinction. Meanwhile separation techniques highlight isomers and reduce the ion suppression effects extending the dynamic range. Even if the implementation of FT-ICR MS hyphenated with online separation methods is a little trickier (the art of compromise), this review shows that it provides unparalleled results to the scientific community (the art of the possible), along with raising the issue of its future in the field with the relentless technological progress.

In-situ growth of a spherical vinyl-functionalized covalent organic framework as stationary phase for capillary electrochromatography-mass spectrometry analysis

Column technology is an important part in capillary electrochromatographic science. Developing novel stationary phase with high separation efficiency and high loading capacity is an essential work. In this work, a novel spherical vinyl-functionalized covalent-organic framework (COF-V) was synthesized at room temperature and firstly employed as stationary phase for CEC-MS analysis. The COF-V based CEC column was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results proved the successful modification of COF-V. The COF-V based column possesses the advantages like strong electroosmotic flow, high separation efficiency and high loading capacity. The CEC column showed powerful separation selectivity to several kinds of compounds, and the highest column efficiency (theoretical plates, N) was over 1.4 × 10⁵ plates·m^-1 for methylbenzene. Besides, the COF-V modified column exhibited excellent repeatability and stability. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of retention times for intra-day (n = 5), inter-day (n = 3) runs and column-to-column (n = 3) were all less than 2.1%. Hence, the COF-V modified column was successfully applied in CEC-MS for determination of antiepileptic drug, triazine herbicides and active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine.

Recent Advances in Capillary Electrochromatography of Proteins and Carbohydrates in the Biopharmaceutical and Biomedical Field

Capillary electrochromatography (CEC) is a powerful hybrid separation technique that combines capillary electrophoresis and capillary chromatography, capable to address the analytical challenges of proteomics and glycomics. The focus of this paper is to review the recent developments in capillary electrochromatography of proteins and carbohydrates. The different column types applied in capillary electrochromatography such as packed bed, open tubular and monoliths are conferred in detail with respective separation examples. A comprehensive comparison is also given listing the mostly utilized coating methods, stationary phase materials and column preparation methods. The choice of porogenic solvent combinations for monolithic column fabrication is thoroughly discussed, paying close attention to the fine tuning options for the separation driving electroosmotic flow. Application examples of CEC in process analytical technology for the biopharmaceutical and biomarker discovery in the biomedical fields are also given.

UV-activated multilayer nanomatrix provides one-step tunable carbohydrate structural characterization in MALDI-MS

The structure-specific fragmentation of gas-phase ions in tandem mass spectrometry among other techniques provides an efficient analytical method for confirming unknown analytes or for elucidating chemical structures. Using concentration-dependent UV-absorbing matrix-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS), we developed a single-step pseudo-MS/MS approach for tunable ionization and fragmentation to facilitate structure determination. Without chemical derivatization, we have demonstrated that this approach successfully distinguished isomeric sets of di-, tri- and tetrasaccharides. Low concentration of nanomatrix provided an enhanced signal for accurate mass determination of the intact molecular ions of analytes present in the sample. In contrast, high concentration of nanomatrix induced extensive and unique fragmentation, including high-energy facile bond breakage (A- and X-type cross-ring cleavages), which facilitated the linkage and sequence characterization of oligosaccharides without conventional tandem mass spectrometric instrumentation. The practicality of this approach for complex sample analysis was evaluated by an oligosaccharide mixture, wherein molecular ions are unambiguously observed and signature product ions are distinguishable enough for molecular identification and isomer differentiation by this simple tunable approach. By probing the roles of the multilayer nanomatrix components: matrix (energy absorption), silane-coating (energy pooling and dissipation) and core Fe3O4 (fragmentation), a plausible energy transfer mechanism was proposed based on a computational study and photoelectron experiments. The differentiation of tri- and tetra-oligosaccharide shown in this study not only demonstrated the first step toward glycan characterization by nanoparticle-assisted MALDI-MS, but also shed some insight on the nanoparticle-mediated energy transfer dynamics behind our approach.

Analytical glycobiology at high sensitivity: current approaches and directions

This review summarizes the analytical advances made during the last several years in the structural and quantitative determinations of glycoproteins in complex biological mixtures. The main analytical techniques used in the fields of glycomics and glycoproteomics involve different modes of mass spectrometry and their combinations with capillary separation methods such as microcolumn liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis. The need for high-sensitivity measurements have been emphasized in the oligosaccharide profiling used in the field of biomarker discovery through MALDI mass spectrometry. High-sensitivity profiling of both glycans and glycopeptides from biological fluids and tissue extracts has been aided significantly through lectin preconcentration and the uses of affinity chromatography.

Analysis of glycans derived from glycoconjugates by capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry

The high structural variation of glycan derived from glycoconjugates, which substantially increases with the molecular size of a protein, contributes to the complexity of glycosylation patterns commonly associated with glycoconjugates. In the case of glycoproteins, such variation originates from the multiple glycosylation sites of proteins and the number of glycan structures associated with each site (microheterogeneity). The ability to comprehensively characterize highly complex mixture of glycans has been analytically stimulating and challenging. Although the most powerful MS and MS/MS techniques are capable of providing a wealth of structural information, they are still not able to readily identify isomeric glycan structures without high-order MS/MS (MS(n) ). The analysis of isomeric glycan structures has been attained using several separation methods, including high-pH anion-exchange chromatography, hydrophilic interaction chromatography and GC. However, CE and microfluidics CE (MCE) offer high separation efficiency and resolutions, allowing the separation of closely related glycan structures. Therefore, interfacing CE and MCE to MS is a powerful analytical approach, allowing potentially comprehensive and sensitive analysis of complex glycan samples. This review describes and discusses the utility of different CE and MCE approaches in the structural characterization of glycoproteins and the feasibility of interfacing these approaches to MS.

Microchip electrophoresis of N-glycans on serpentine separation channels with asymmetrically tapered turns

We designed and fabricated microfluidic devices with serpentine separation channels and asymmetrically tapered turns, thus allowing high efficiency separations and minimizing band broadening associated with the "racetrack" effect. We evaluated the performance of these devices by measuring the variation in separation efficiency with separation length, electric field strength, taper ratio of the turns, and number of turns. N-Glycans derived from ribonuclease B and labeled with 8-aminopyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid were electrophoretically separated on serpentine channels with separation lengths of 11, 18, 22, and 36 cm at electric field strengths from 750 to 1750 V/cm. Separations on the 36-cm channel produced plate numbers up to 940,000 with an analysis time under 3.1 min, whereas separations on the 22-cm channel had a shorter analysis time (less than 1.25 min), still with respectable efficiencies (up to 600,000 plates). Turn-induced dispersion was minimized with taper ratios 2 and 3, whereas having two or four 180° turns along with the separation length did not impact the overall efficiency. The developed device was used to analyze native and desialylated N-glycans derived from the blood serum of an ovarian cancer patient and a disease-free individual. Separation efficiencies similar to that achieved with the model glycans from ribonuclease B were attained for these biological samples.

Glycan labeling strategies and their use in identification and quantification

Most methods for the analysis of oligosaccharides from biological sources require a glycan derivatization step: glycans may be derivatized to introduce a chromophore or fluorophore, facilitating detection after chromatographic or electrophoretic separation. Derivatization can also be applied to link charged or hydrophobic groups at the reducing end to enhance glycan separation and mass-spectrometric detection. Moreover, derivatization steps such as permethylation aim at stabilizing sialic acid residues, enhancing mass-spectrometric sensitivity, and supporting detailed structural characterization by (tandem) mass spectrometry. Finally, many glycan labels serve as a linker for oligosaccharide attachment to surfaces or carrier proteins, thereby allowing interaction studies with carbohydrate-binding proteins. In this review, various aspects of glycan labeling, separation, and detection strategies are discussed.

[Recent advances in capillary electrochromatography and its coupling techniques]

As a novel micro-separation technique, capillary electrochromatography (CEC) has the merits of high efficiency, high selectivity, high resolution and rapid analysis. However, the small-volume injection manipulated in capillary dimensions poses a great challenge for detectors in achieving high sensitivity. Currently, one of the major researches into CEC involves the development of some sensitive detection modes. The general introduction, which includes the historical perspectives and the principles of CEC, is briefly described. The recent advances about CEC coupled with various detectors and its applications in the separation of complex samples are summarized. A total of 141 references are reviewed.

CEC: selected developments that caught my eye since the year 2000

During the last decade, a number of new developments have emerged in the field of CEC. This paper focuses only on monolithic columns prepared from synthetic polymers. Monolithic columns have become a well-established format of stationary phases for CEC immediately after their inception in the mid-1990s. They are readily prepared in situ from liquid precursors. Also, the control over both porous properties and surface chemistries is easy to achieve. These advantages make the monolithic separation media an attractive alternative to capillary columns packed with particulate materials. Since the number of papers concerned with just this single topic of polymer-based monolithic CEC columns is large, this overview describes only those approaches this author found interesting.

Glycomic analysis by capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry

The occurrence of multiple glycosylation sites on a protein, together with the number of glycan structures which could potentially be associated with each site (microheterogeneity) often leads to a large number of structural combinations. These structural variations increase with the molecular size of a protein, thus contributing to the complexity of glycosylation patterns. Resolving such fine structural differences has been instrumentally difficult. The degree of glycoprotein microheterogeneity has been analytically challenging in the identification of unique glycan structures that can be crucial to a distinct biological function. Despite the wealth of information provided by the most powerful mass spectrometric (MS) and tandem MS techniques, they are not able to readily identify isomeric structures. Although various separation methods provide alternatives for the analysis of glycan pools containing isomeric structures, capillary electrophoresis (CE) is often the method of choice for resolving closely related glycan structures because of its unmatched separation efficiency. It is thus natural to consider combining CE with the MS-based technologies. This review describes the utility of different CE approaches in the structural characterization of glycoproteins, and discusses the feasibility of their interface to mass spectrometry.

Capillary electrochromatography and on-line concentration

Capillary electrochromatography (CEC) is a micro-separation technique that combines the advantages of capillary zone electrophoresis with those of high-performance liquid chromatography. Accordingly, it has attracted extensive attention over the last decade. Among the stationary phases for CEC, monolithic stationary phase has been regarded as the most suitable stationary phase for CEC because of its simple preparation, the elimination of frits, and its excellent performance. In this chapter, procedures for preparing CEC monolithic columns with an improved configuration, in which there are stationary phases at both sides of detection window and no stationary phase at detection window, are presented. The separation of acidic and basic compounds on such monolithic columns is used as an example to demonstrate CEC separation protocol. Additionally, an on-line concentration technique in CEC is presented. As a result of the coexistence of stationary phase and electric field in a CEC column, it is possible to employ chromatographic zone sharpening and field-amplified sample stacking effects simultaneously to improve CEC detection sensitivity.

Biochemical individuality reflected in chromatographic, electrophoretic and mass-spectrometric profiles

This review discusses the current trends in molecular profiling for the emerging systems biology applications. Historically, the methodological developments in separation science were coincident with the availability of new ionization techniques in mass spectrometry. Coupling miniaturized separation techniques with technologically-advanced MS instrumentation and the modern data processing capabilities are at the heart of current platforms for proteomics, glycomics and metabolomics. These are being featured here by the examples from quantitative proteomics, glycan mapping and metabolomic profiling of physiological fluids.

Glycoprotein enrichment through lectin affinity techniques

Posttranslational modifications (PTM) of proteins are among the key biological regulators of function, activity, localization, and interaction. The fact that no more than 30,000-50,000 proteins are encoded by the human genome underlines the importance of posttranslational modifications in modulating the activities and functions of proteins in health and disease. With approximately 50% of all proteins now considered to be glycosylated, its physiological importance in mammalian systems is imperative. Aberrant glycosylation has now been recognized as an attribute of many mammalian diseases, including hereditary disorders, immune deficiencies, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and cancer. As many potential disease biomarkers may be glycoproteins present in only minute quantities in tissue extracts and physiological fluids, glycoprotein isolation and enrichment may be critical in a search for such biomarkers. For decades, efforts have been focused on the development of glycoprotein enrichment from complex biological samples. Logically, the great majority of these enrichment methodologies rely on the use of immobilized lectins, which permit selective enrichment of the pools of glycoproteins for proteomic/glycomic studies. In this chapter, lectin affinity chromatography in different formats are described, including tubes; packed columns, and microfluidic channels.

At-line coupling of UPLC to chip-electrospray-FTICR-MS

Since highly sensitive on-line coupling of UPLC with FTICR-MS is technically infeasible due to their different scan rates, at-line coupling of these techniques was developed for rapid analysis. To enable cutting of one peak of the chromatogram into one fraction, several conditions and relationships were investigated, e.g. the optimum volume of the inserted delay loop, the relationship between retention time, loop outlet drop speed, individual drop volume versus mobile phase composition under constant speed, and linear solvent strength gradient elution modes. Good and reproducible results were achieved applying UPLC as an efficient separation and fast fractionation tool before the FTICR-MS measurements. A chip-based nanoelectrospray ionization system was employed which was perfectly suited to handling the small-volume fractions and was thus chosen for the at-line coupling. The method was initially applied to spiked extracts of cell-free bacterial culture supernatants in which bacterial signalling compounds, namely N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHL), were detected. Good reproducibility and high recovery was observed. Afterwards, a culture supernatant of Erwinia sp. JX3.2, a putative AHL producer, was investigated and N-hexanoyl-homoserine lactone was determined as a possible signalling molecule. More reliable assignments were achieved by use of at-line coupling of UPLC and FTICR-MS compared with off-line measurements.

Open-tubular capillary electrochromatography-mass spectrometry with sheathless nanoflow electrospray ionization for analysis of amino acids and peptides

A novel, rugged sheathless capillary electrochromatography-electrospray ionization (CEC-ESI) device, in which an open-tubular separation capillary and an electrospray tip are integrated with a Nafion tubing junction, is coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) for the analysis of amino acids and peptides. A stable electrospray was generated at nanoflow rates by applying a positive electrical potential at the Nafion membrane junction. To sustain the stable spray, an electroosmotic flow (EOF) to the spray was supported by coating the fused silica capillary with Lupamin, a high-molecular-weight linear positively charged polyvinylamine (PVAm) polymer, which also minimizes analyte adsorption. Electrochromatographic separation of amino acids and peptides was further enhanced by the chromatographic selectivity of Lupamin stationary phase for these molecules. The device was very reliable and reproducible for CEC-ESI-MS analyses of amino acids and peptides for over a hundred injections. The separation and detection behaviors of amino acids and peptides under different conditions including pH, concentration, and composition of mobile phases on Lupamin-coated and uncoated capillaries have been investigated. The relationship between nano electrospray stability and EOF is discussed.

Porous polyacrylamide monoliths in hydrophilic interaction capillary electrochromatography of oligosaccharides

Capillary electrochromatography (CEC) of oligosaccharides in porous polyacrylamide monoliths has been explored. While it is possible to alter separation capacity for various compounds by copolymerization of suitable separation ligands in the polymerization backbone, "blank" acrylamide matrix is also capable of sufficient resolution of oligosaccharides in the hydrophilic interaction mode. The "blank" acrylamide network, formed with a more rigid crosslinker, provides maximum efficiency for separations (routinely up to 350,000 theoretical plates/m for fluorescently-labeled oligosaccharides). These columns yield a high spatial resolution of the branched glycan isomers and large column permeabilities. From the structural point of view, some voids are observable in the monoliths at the mesoporous range (mean pore radius ca. 35 nm, surface area of 74 m2/g), as measured by intrusion porosimetry in the dry state.

Glycoform characterization of erythropoietin combining glycan and intact protein analysis by capillary electrophoresis – electrospray – time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Glycosylation of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) is a post-translational process that alters biological activity, solubility and lifetime of the glycoprotein in blood, and strongly depends on the type of cell and the cell culture conditions. A fast and simple method providing extensive carbohydrate information about the glycans present in rHuEPO and other glycoproteins is needed in order to improve current methods in drug development or product quality control. Here, an improved method for intact rHuEPO glycoform characterization by CZE-ESI-TOF MS has been developed using a novel capillary coating and compared to a previous study. Both methods allow a fast separation in combination with accurate mass characterization of the single protein isoforms. The novel dynamic coating provides a separation at an EOF close to zero, enabling better separation. This results in an improved mass spectrometric resolution and the detection of minor isoforms. In order to assign an unequivocal carbohydrate composition to every intact glycoform, a CZE-ESI-MS separation method for enzymatically released underivatized N-glycans has been developed. The TOF MS allows the correct identification of the glycans due to its high mass accuracy and resolution. Therefore, glycan modifications such as acetylation, oxidation, sulfation and even the exchange of OH by NH(2) are successfully characterized. Information of the protein-backbone molecular mass has been combined with results from peptide analysis (revealing information about O-glycosylation) and from the glycan analysis, including the detection of as yet undescribed glycans containing four antennae and five sialic acids. This allows an unequivocal assignment of an overall glycosylation composition to the molecular masses obtained for the intact rHuEPO glycoforms.

Miniaturized separation techniques in glycomic investigations

High-sensitivity glycomic analyses are becoming of a great interest in modern biomedical and clinical research, as well as in the development of recombinant protein products. The evolution of separation techniques for glycomic analysis at high sensitivity is highlighted in this review. These methodologies include capillary liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis (CE) and capillary electrochromatography (CEC). The potential of such methodologies in glycomic analysis is demonstrated for model glycoproteins as well as total glycomes derived from biological samples.

Overview on advances in capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry of carbohydrates: A tabulated review

The increasing interest for carbohydrates as holder of essential bioinformations has boosted their full characterization through analytical techniques. The intent of this review is to summarize the recent trends regarding on-line and off-line CE-MS coupling for carbohydrate analysis. A statistical survey on the articles that use derivatizing agents as well as on the analyzer and type of instrument coupling (i.e. on- or off-line) is depicted. From a general overview it can be concluded that, whereas derivatization might be useful for the detection of neutral carbohydrates improving separation selectivity with volatile buffers and increasing sensitivity of the MS detection, relatively few works with derivatized carbohydrates were found; this was noticed in particular for glycosides and saccharides carrying ionizable groups, which are normally analyzed without any chemical modification. The most applied coupling is the on-line sheath-liquid interface; for on-line applications, ESI is the sole source used, whilst the most common analyzer is the IT. MS(n) is often exploited, as fragmentation increases the achieved structural information. CE-MS turned out to be mainly used for the analysis of carbohydrates in drug development (i.e. study of oligosaccharides from pathogens, carbohydrate-based drugs and drug metabolites), in nutrition and for characterization of glycans from glycoproteins. The reader will find elucidating tables regarding these recent CE-MS applications, including the main information on the analysis conditions. Comments are meant to help the immediate focus on the usefulness of the analytical technique and predict the difficulties found during analysis and, in case, their overcoming.

Proteomic analysis of glycosylation: structural determination of N- and O-linked glycans by mass spectrometry

This review summarizes the methods, mainly based on mass spectrometry, for the structural determination of N- and O-linked carbohydrates that are post-translationally attached to a large number of proteins and which play a key role in determining the function and biophysical properties of these compounds. Analysis of these carbohydrates has proved difficult in the past due to their structural complexity. However, modern analytical methods such as mass spectrometry have the ability to elucidate most structural details at the concentration levels required for proteomics. This review describes methods for direct examination of glycoproteins by mass spectrometry, the release of N- and O-linked glycans from glycoproteins separated in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide electrophoresis gels, and the analysis of these compounds by techniques such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry provides the most rapid method for comparing glycan profiles and is probably most appropriate for clinical studies. One of the most promising techniques for determining the structures of N-glycans in proteomic studies is negative ion fragmentation of electrosprayed ions. This technique combines high throughput with ease of structural interpretation and provides structural details that are difficult to obtain by classical methods.

New hyphenated methodologies in high-sensitivity glycoprotein analysis

High-sensitivity glycoprotein analyses are of particular interest in modern biomedical and clinical research, as well as in the development of recombinant protein products. The evolution of new hyphenated methodologies in high-sensitivity glycoprotein analysis is highlighted in this thematic review. These methodologies include, in particular, capillary LC/MALDI/TOF/TOF MS in conjunction with online permethylation platform, and silica-based lectin microcolumns interfaced to MS. The potential of these methodologies in glycomic and glycoproteomic analysis is demonstrated for model glycoproteins as well as total glycomes and glycoproteomes derived from biological samples. Additionally, the applications of CE-MS, CEC, and nanoLC with graphitized carbon in the areas of glycomics and glycoproteomics are described.

Capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry in food analysis

This work provides an updated overview (including works published till June 2004) on the principal applications of capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) together with their main advantages and drawbacks in food science. Thus, analysis of amino acids, peptides, proteins, carbohydrates, or polyphenols by CE-MS in different foods is reviewed. Also, other natural compounds (e.g., alkaloids) and toxins analyzed by CE-MS in foods are revised. Moreover, exogenous substances with a potential risk for human health (e.g., pesticides, drugs) detected in foods by CE-MS are included in this work. The usefulness of CE-MS for food analysis and the information that this coupling can provide in terms of processing, composition, authenticity, quality, or safety of foods is also discussed.

Capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry: recent advances to the analysis of small achiral and chiral solutes

We describe here the state-of-the-art development of on-line capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) over the last two years. Technological developments included are novel designs of new interfaces and ionization sources, new capillary coatings, buffers, and micelles as well as application of various modes of CE-MS published in the recent literature. The areas of CE-MS application in analysis of small achiral and chiral solutes are covered in sections that highlight the recent advances and possibilities of each mode of CE-MS. Application areas reviewed in this paper include achiral and chiral pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, carbohydrates, and small peptides. The separation of enantiomers using micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC)-MS with molecular micelles and capillary electrochromatography (CEC)-MS using pack tapered columns appears to provide good tolerance to electrospray stability for routine on-line CE-MS. These two modes seem to be very suitable for sensitive detection of chiral pharmaceuticals in biological samples, but their use will probably increase in the near future. Overall, it seems that one mode of CE-MS, in particular capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE)-MS, is now recognized as established technique for analysis of small charged solutes, but other modes, such as MEKC-MS and CEC-MS, are still within a period of development in terms of both MS-compatible pseudostationary phases and columns as well as applications.

Review coupling of capillary electrochromatography to mass spectrometry

This review discusses the development of capillary electrochromatography (CEC) coupled to mass spectrometric (MS) detection over the last few years. Major topics addressed are instrumental setups employed and applications of this technology published in the recent literature. The instrumental section includes a discussion of the most commonly used interfaces for the hyphenation of CEC and MS as well as ionization techniques. Applications reviewed in this paper come from a variety of different fields such as the analysis of biomolecules like proteins, peptides, amino acids or carbohydrates, chiral separations or the analysis of pharmaceutical an their metabolites in a series of matrices.

Glycomics: a pathway to a class of new and improved therapeutics

Complex glycans that are located at the surface of cells, deposited in the extracellular matrix and attached to soluble signalling molecules have a crucial role in the phenotypic expression of cellular genotypes. However, owing to their structural complexity and some redundancy in terms of structures that elicit a function, the therapeutic potential of complex glycans has not been well exploited, with a few notable exceptions. This review outlines recent advances that promise to increase our ability to use complex glycans as therapeutics. Opportunities for the development of further structure-function relationships for these complex molecules are also discussed.

State-of-the-art of the hyphenation of capillary electrochromatography with mass spectrometry

The high separation efficiency and loading capacity of capillary electrochromatography (CEC) make it an attractive separation mode for coupling with mass spectrometry (MS), which has the ability to unambiguously identify analytes with high selectivity and sensitivity. We present an overview of recent advances on both instrumentation and separation columns employed in CEC-MS systems. In particular, the main characteristics of the stationary phases, as well as the configurations of the column outlet that are related with the coupling arrangements of the MS ionization sources, are reported. At present, packed columns and conventional electrospray ionization (ESI) sources are mainly employed in CEC-MS. Nevertheless, the use of monolithic capillary columns and nanoelectrospray sources has the potential for wide acceptance in the next future. Moreover, the main features of several mass analyzers including ion trap, quadrupole, time-of-flight, magnetic sector, and Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance are examined. Finally, current applications of this technology, mainly in the pharmaceutical field and proteomics, are reviewed.

Analysis of high-mannose-type oligosaccharides by microliquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and capillary electrophoresis

We report on microbore liquid chromatography (microLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) separation of glycopeptides and high-mannose-type oligosaccharides, digested from recombinant phospholipase C, expressed in Pichia pastoris. The glycopeptides were subject to microLC/electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and microLC/ESI-tandem MS (MS/MS) analysis that revealed high-mannose structure size variation between Man(7)GlcNAc(2) and Man(14)GlcNAc(2). Then, high-performance CE was applied to identify possible positional isomers of the high-mannose structures. For the CE experiments, the oligosaccharides were released from the glycoproteins by peptide-N-glycosidase F and labeled with 1-aminopyrene-3,6,8-trisulfonic acid (APTS). Excellent separation of the possible positional isomers was attained, suggesting one for Man(9)GlcNAc(2), two for Man(10)GlcNAc(2), three for Man(11)GlcNAc(2), Man(12)GlcNAc(2), and Man(13)GlcNAc(2), and two for Man(14)GlcNAc(2). The CE results provided complementary information to the microLC/ESI-MS and MS/MS data with respect to the possible number of positional isomers.