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Sieber PH, Steinritz D, Worek F, John H. Disulfide-adducts with cysteine residues in human serum albumin prove exposure to malodorous mercaptans in vitro. Anal Biochem 2024; 692:115568. [PMID: 38750681 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2024.115568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Malodorants are mixtures containing mercaptans, which trigger the flight instinct upon exposure and might thus be deployed in military and civilian defense scenarios. Exposure to mercaptans might lead to unconsciousness, thus representing a possible threat for health. Therefore, we developed and validated a bioanalytical procedure for the simultaneous detection and identification of corresponding biomarkers for the verification of exposure to mercaptans. Disulfide-adducts of ethyl mercaptan (SEt), n-butyl mercaptan (SnBu), tert-butyl mercaptan (StBu) and iso-amyl mercaptan (SiAm) with cysteine (Cys) residues in human serum albumin (HSA) were formed by in vitro incubation of human plasma. After pronase-catalyzed proteolysis, reaction products were identified as adducts of the single amino acid Cys and the dipeptide cysteine-proline (Cys34Pro) detected by a sensitive μLC-ESI MS/MS method working in the scheduled multiple reaction monitoring (sMRM) mode. Dose-response studies showed linearity for the yield of Cys34Pro-adducts in the range from 6 nM to 300 μM of mercaptans in plasma and limits of identification (LOI) were in the range from 60 nM to 6 μM. Cys34-adducts showed stability for at least 6 days in plasma (37 °C). The presented disulfide-biomarkers expand the spectrum for bioanalytical verification procedures and might be helpful to prove exposure to malodorants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Helena Sieber
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937, Munich, Germany; Walther-Straub-Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, LMU Munich, Goethestraße 33, 80336, Munich, Germany.
| | - Dirk Steinritz
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937, Munich, Germany; Walther-Straub-Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, LMU Munich, Goethestraße 33, 80336, Munich, Germany.
| | - Franz Worek
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937, Munich, Germany.
| | - Harald John
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937, Munich, Germany.
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2
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Sieber PH, Steinritz D, Worek F, John H. Mercaptans in malodorants break disulfide bridges in human serum albumin and form adducts suitable as biomarkers of exposure in vitro. Drug Test Anal 2024. [PMID: 39051459 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Malodorants comprise notoriously smelling mercaptans and might be applied for crowd control. Because exposure to malodorants may lead to irritation of the respiratory system, choking, and coma, bioanalytical verification of poisoning might be required in a medical and forensic context. We herein present the detection and identification of novel biomarkers of exposure to ethyl mercaptan, n-butyl mercaptan, tert-butyl mercaptan, and iso-amyl mercaptan. These alkyl thiol compounds were found to form disulfide adducts in human serum albumin (HSA) in plasma in vitro with the only non-disulfide-bridged Cys34 residue and with other residues being part of the disulfide-bridged pattern in HSA. After proteinase K-catalyzed proteolysis, adducts of all mercaptans were detected simultaneously as the tripeptide Cys34*ProPhe and the dipeptides Cys369*Tyr, ValCys316*, and Cysx*Ala (x denominates either Positions 91, 200, 253, 361, and/or 448) by a sensitive micro-liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (μLC-ESI MS/MS) method working in the scheduled multiple reaction monitoring (sMRM) mode. Time- and concentration-dependent adduct formations while exposure and proteolysis were investigated and the suitability of adducts as biomarkers of exposure was elaborated. Adducts at Cys34 showed the lowest limits of identification (LOIs, 6 nM to 1.2 μM mercaptan in plasma) and superior stability in plasma at 37°C. Therefore, Cys34*ProPhe appears as the most promising target to prove exposure to mercaptans at least in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Helena Sieber
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany
- Walther-Straub-Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Dirk Steinritz
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany
- Walther-Straub-Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Franz Worek
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany
| | - Harald John
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany
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3
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Avigo L, Hallez F, Combès A, Desoubries C, Albaret C, Bossée A, Pichon V. Analytical methods based on liquid chromatography for the analysis of albumin adducts involved in retrospective biomonitoring of exposure to mustard agents. Anal Bioanal Chem 2024; 416:2173-2188. [PMID: 37702771 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-04925-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
The objective of the present review is to list, describe, compare, and critically analyze the main procedures developed in the last 20 years for the analysis of digested alkylated peptides, resulting from the adduction of albumin by different mustard agents, and that can be used as biomarkers of exposure to these chemical agents. While many biomarkers of sulfur mustard, its analogues, and nitrogen mustards can easily be collected in urine such as their hydrolysis products, albumin adducts require blood or plasma collection to be analyzed. Nonetheless, albumin adducts offer a wider period of detectability in human exposed patients than urine found biomarkers with detection up to 25 days after exposure to the chemical agent. The detection of these digested alkylated peptides of adducted albumin constitutes unambiguous proof of exposure. However, their determination, especially when they are present at very low concentration levels, can be very difficult due to the complexity of the biological matrices. Therefore, numerous sample preparation procedures to extract albumin and to recover alkylated peptides after a digestion step using enzymes have been proposed prior to the analysis of the targeted peptides by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry method with or without derivatization step. This review describes and compares the numerous procedures including a number of different steps for the extraction and purification of adducted albumin and its digested peptides described in the literature to achieve detection limits for biological samples exposed to sulfur mustard, its analogues, and nitrogen mustards in the ng/mL range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Avigo
- Department of Analytical, Bioanalytical Sciences and Miniaturization (LSABM) Chemistry, Biology and Innovation (CBI), ESPCI Paris, PSL University, CNRS, 10 Rue Vauquelin, 75005, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, 4 Place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Florine Hallez
- Department of Analytical, Bioanalytical Sciences and Miniaturization (LSABM) Chemistry, Biology and Innovation (CBI), ESPCI Paris, PSL University, CNRS, 10 Rue Vauquelin, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Audrey Combès
- Department of Analytical, Bioanalytical Sciences and Miniaturization (LSABM) Chemistry, Biology and Innovation (CBI), ESPCI Paris, PSL University, CNRS, 10 Rue Vauquelin, 75005, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Anne Bossée
- DGA, CBRN Defence, 5 Rue Lavoisier, 91710, Vert-Le-Petit, France
| | - Valérie Pichon
- Department of Analytical, Bioanalytical Sciences and Miniaturization (LSABM) Chemistry, Biology and Innovation (CBI), ESPCI Paris, PSL University, CNRS, 10 Rue Vauquelin, 75005, Paris, France.
- Sorbonne Université, 4 Place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France.
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4
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John H, Lindl T, Reuter H, Schmeißer W, Schrader M, Thiermann H. Phosphonylated tyrosine and lysine residues as biomarkers of local exposure of human hair to the organophosphorus nerve agents sarin and VX. Drug Test Anal 2023. [PMID: 36787649 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
We herein present for the first time a micro liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization high-resolution tandem-mass spectrometry (μLC-ESI MS/HR MS) procedure to detect phosphonylated tyrosine (Tyr) and lysine (Lys) residues obtained from human hair exposed to organophosphorus nerve agents (OPNA). In general, toxic OPNA react with endogenous blood proteins causing the formation of adducts representing well-known targets for biomedical analysis to prove exposure. In contrast, no protein-derived biomarker has been introduced so far to document local exposure of hair. Accordingly, we developed and characterized a μLC-ESI MS/HR MS method for the analysis of scalp hair exposed to OPNA in vitro. Type I and Type II keratin from hair was dissolved during lysis, precipitated and subjected to pronase-catalyzed hydrolysis yielding single adducted Lys and in a much higher amount Tyr residues. Exposure to sarin caused the adduction of an isopropyl methylphosphonic acid moiety and exposure to VX yielded adducts of ethyl methylphosphonic acid, well suited as biomarkers of exposure. These were of appropriate stability in the autosampler for 24 h. The biomarker yield obtained from hair of six individuals as well as from hair of six different parts of the body of one individual (armpit, beard, leg, arm, scalp, and pubic) differed reasonably indicating the variable individual protein composition and structure of hair. Exposed hair stored at ambient temperature for 9 weeks with contact to air and daylight showed stability of all adducts and therefore their suitability for verification of exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald John
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany
| | - Tamara Lindl
- Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences, Freising, Germany
| | - Henrik Reuter
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Michael Schrader
- Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences, Freising, Germany
| | - Horst Thiermann
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany
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5
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de Bruin-Hoegée M, Lamriti L, Langenberg JP, Olivier RCM, Chau LF, van der Schans MJ, Noort D, van Asten AC. Verification of exposure to chemical warfare agents through analysis of persistent biomarkers in plants. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2023; 15:142-153. [PMID: 36524843 DOI: 10.1039/d2ay01650h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The continuing threats of military conflicts and terrorism may involve the misuse of chemical weapons. The present study aims to use environmental samples to find evidence of the release of such agents at an incident scene. A novel approach was developed for identifying protein adducts in plants. Basil (Ocimum basilicum), bay laurel leaf (Laurus nobilis) and stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) were exposed to 2.5 to 150 mg m-3 sulfur mustard, 2.5 to 250 mg m-3 sarin, and 0.5 to 25 g m-3 chlorine gas. The vapors of the selected chemicals were generated under controlled conditions in a dedicated set-up. After sample preparation and digestion, the samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and liquid chromatography high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS), respectively. In the case of chlorine exposure, it was found that 3-chloro- and 3,5-dichlorotyrosine adducts were formed. As a result of sarin exposure, the o-isopropyl methylphosphonic acid adduct to tyrosine could be analyzed, and after sulfur mustard exposure the N1- and N3-HETE-histidine adducts were identified. The lowest vapor exposure levels for which these plant adducts could be detected, were 2.5 mg m-3 for sarin, 50 mg m-3 for chlorine and 12.5 mg m-3 for sulfur mustard. Additionally, protein adducts following a liquid exposure of only 2 nmol Novichock A-234, 0.4 nmol sarin and 0.2 nmol sulfur mustard could still be observed. For both vapor and liquid exposure, the amount of adduct formed increased with the level of exposure. In all cases synthetic reference standards were used for unambiguous identification. The window of opportunity for investigation of agent exposure through the analysis of plant material was found to be remarkably long. Even three months after the actual exposure, the biomarkers could still be detected in the living plants, as well as in dried leaves. An important benefit of the current method is that a relatively simple and generic sample work-up procedure can be applied for all agents studied. In conclusion, the presented work clearly demonstrates the possibility of analyzing chemical warfare agent biomarkers in plants, which is useful for forensic reconstructions, including the investigation into alleged use in conflict areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjam de Bruin-Hoegée
- van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, 1090GD Amsterdam, Netherlands
- TNO Defence, Safety and Security, Dep. CBRN Protection, Lange Kleiweg 137, 2288GJ Rijswijk, Netherlands.
| | - Latifa Lamriti
- van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, 1090GD Amsterdam, Netherlands
- TNO Defence, Safety and Security, Dep. CBRN Protection, Lange Kleiweg 137, 2288GJ Rijswijk, Netherlands.
| | - Jan P Langenberg
- TNO Defence, Safety and Security, Dep. CBRN Protection, Lange Kleiweg 137, 2288GJ Rijswijk, Netherlands.
| | - René C M Olivier
- TNO Defence, Safety and Security, Dep. CBRN Protection, Lange Kleiweg 137, 2288GJ Rijswijk, Netherlands.
| | - Lai Fun Chau
- TNO Defence, Safety and Security, Dep. CBRN Protection, Lange Kleiweg 137, 2288GJ Rijswijk, Netherlands.
| | - Marcel J van der Schans
- TNO Defence, Safety and Security, Dep. CBRN Protection, Lange Kleiweg 137, 2288GJ Rijswijk, Netherlands.
| | - Daan Noort
- TNO Defence, Safety and Security, Dep. CBRN Protection, Lange Kleiweg 137, 2288GJ Rijswijk, Netherlands.
| | - Arian C van Asten
- van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, 1090GD Amsterdam, Netherlands
- CLHC, Amsterdam Center for Forensic Science and Medicine, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, 1090GD Amsterdam, Netherlands
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6
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Chen B, Ren Z, Zhang T, Yu H, Shu Z, Liu C, Yang Y, Xu P, Liu S. Simultaneous quantification of multiple amino acid adducts from sulfur mustard-modified human serum albumin in plasma at trace exposure levels by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry after propionyl derivatization. J Chromatogr A 2022; 1678:463354. [PMID: 35901667 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2022.463354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Sulfur mustard (HD) is a highly toxic vesicant and is prohibited by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). HD can modify human serum albumin (HSA) to generate hydroxyethylthioethyl (HETE) adducts, which could be utilized as biomarkers for verifying HD exposure in forensic analysis. Here, five amino acid adducts generated from pronase digestion of HD-exposed human serum albumin (HD-HSA) in plasma were selected as biomarkers to retrospectively detect HD exposure. HD-HSA was precipitated from plasma with acetone, digested by pronase, derivatized with propionic anhydride (PA), and analysed with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-TQ MS). The limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) of the HD exposure concentrations were evaluated as 1.00 ng/mL at S/N≥3 and 3.00 ng/mL at S/N≥10, respectively, which are approximately 60 times lower than those of the reported method. The approach shows good linearity (R2≥0.997) from 3.00 ng/mL to 10.0 µg/mL of HD-exposed human plasma with satisfactory precision and accuracy. The developed approach was applied to analysing samples from the 6th OPCW Biomedical Proficiency Test (BioPT). The study showed that the developed approach was also suitable for analysing human plasma samples that were exposed to six of HD analogues, which were common impurities in sulfur mustard mixtures. Moreover, the method was successfully applied to plasma from other species, including rabbits, rats and cattle. This study provides a reliable and sensitive tool for the retrospective detection of vesicants exposure based on multiple biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Chen
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute of Chemical Defence, Beijing 102205, P. R. China
| | - Zhe Ren
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Sciences & Technology, Nanjing, 210094, P. R. China
| | - Tao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Research Unit of Proteomics & Research and Development of New Drug of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, P. R. China
| | - Huilan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute of Chemical Defence, Beijing 102205, P. R. China
| | - ZhiBin Shu
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute of Chemical Defence, Beijing 102205, P. R. China
| | - Changcai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute of Chemical Defence, Beijing 102205, P. R. China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute of Chemical Defence, Beijing 102205, P. R. China
| | - Ping Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Research Unit of Proteomics & Research and Development of New Drug of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, P. R. China.
| | - Shilei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute of Chemical Defence, Beijing 102205, P. R. China.
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7
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Chen B, Zhang Q, Ren Z, Zhang T, Yu H, Liu C, Yang Y, Xu P, Liu S. A proteomics strategy for the identification of multiple sites in sulfur mustard-modified HSA and screening potential biomarkers for retrospective analysis of exposed human plasma. Anal Bioanal Chem 2022; 414:4179-4188. [PMID: 35478034 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-04070-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A major challenge for the unequivocal verification of alleged exposure to sulfur mustard (HD) lies in identifying its multiple modifications on endogenous proteins and utilizing these modified proteins to achieve accurate, sensitive, and rapid detection for retrospective analysis of HD exposure. As the most abundant protein in human plasma, human serum albumin (HSA) can react with many xenobiotics, such as HD, to protect the body from damage. The HSA adducts induced by HD have been used as biomarkers for the verification of HD exposure. In this study, the modification sites on HSA by HD were identified through application of the bottom-up strategy used in proteomics, and 41 modified sites were discovered with seven types of amino acids, of which 3 types were not previously reported. Then, different enzymes, including pepsin, endoproteinase Glu-C, and pronase, were applied to digest HD-HSA to produce adducts with hydroxyethylthioethyl (HETE) groups, which may be used as potential biomarkers for HD exposure. As candidates for retrospective analysis, sixteen adducts were obtained and characterized with ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QE Focus MS). These potential biomarkers were evaluated in human plasma that was exposed in vitro to HD and five of its analogues. This study integrated the identification of modification sites through application of the bottom-up strategy of proteomics and screening biomarkers, providing a novel strategy for retrospective detection of the exposure of xenobiotic chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Chen
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute of Chemical Defence, Beijing, 102205, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiaoli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute of Chemical Defence, Beijing, 102205, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhe Ren
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Sciences & Technology, Nanjing, 210094, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Research Unit of Proteomics & Research, Development of New Drug of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Huilan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute of Chemical Defence, Beijing, 102205, People's Republic of China
| | - Changcai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute of Chemical Defence, Beijing, 102205, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute of Chemical Defence, Beijing, 102205, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Research Unit of Proteomics & Research, Development of New Drug of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shilei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute of Chemical Defence, Beijing, 102205, People's Republic of China.
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8
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John H, Hörmann P, Schrader M, Thiermann H. Alkylated glutamic acid and histidine derived from protein-adducts indicate exposure to sulfur mustard in avian serum. Drug Test Anal 2022; 14:1140-1148. [PMID: 35137544 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Sulfur mustard (SM, bis(2-chloroethyl)-sulfide) is a banned chemical warfare agent deployed in the violent conflict in the Middle East poisoning humans and animals. For legal reasons bioanalytical methods are mandatory proving exposure to SM. Reaction products (adducts) of SM with endogenous proteins e.g., serum albumin (SA) are valuable long-lived targets for analysis. Whereas nearly all methods known so far focus on human proteins, we address for the first time neat chicken SA and avian serum from chicken, duck and ostrich. After proteolysis, protein precipitation, evaporation of the supernatant and re-dissolution analysis was performed by micro liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem-mass spectrometry in the selected reaction monitoring mode, μLC-ESI MS/MS (SRM), for detection of the hydroxyethylthioethyl product ion [HETE]+ at m/z 105.0. After in vitro incubation with SM and pronase-catalyzed proteolysis the alkylated amino acids Glu(-HETE) and His(-HETE) were detected. Both borne the SM-characteristic HETE-moiety bound to their side chain. The 8-fold deuterated SM analogue (d8-SM) was also applied to support adduct identification. Proteolysis conditions were optimized with respect to pH (8.0), temperature (50°C) and time to maximize the yield of Glu(-HETE) (30 min) and His(-HETE) (180 min). Amino acid adducts were stable in the autosampler for at least 24 h. Protein-adducts were stable in serum at -30°C for at least 33 d and for three freeze-and-thaw cycles. At the body temperature of chicken (+40°C) Glu(-HETE) was degraded in serum (period of half-change 3 d) whereas His(-HETE) remained stable. The presented method broadens the toolbox of procedures to document poisoning with SM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald John
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany
| | - Philipp Hörmann
- Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences
| | - Michael Schrader
- Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences
| | - Horst Thiermann
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany
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9
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Schmeißer W, Lüling R, Steinritz D, Thiermann H, Rein T, John H. Transthyretin as a target of alkylation and a potential biomarker for sulfur mustard poisoning: Electrophoretic and mass spectrometric identification and characterization. Drug Test Anal 2021; 14:80-91. [PMID: 34397154 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
For the verification of exposure to the banned blister agent sulfur mustard (SM) and the better understanding of its pathophysiology, protein adducts formed with endogenous proteins represent an important field of toxicological research. SM and its analogue 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) are well known to alkylate nucleophilic amino acid side chains, for example, free-thiol groups of cysteine residues. The specific two-dimensional thiol difference gel electrophoresis (2D-thiol-DIGE) technique making use of maleimide dyes allows the staining of free cysteine residues in proteins. As a consequence of alkylation by, for example, SM or CEES, this staining intensity is reduced. 2D-thiol-DIGE analysis of human plasma incubated with CEES and subsequent matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (tandem) mass-spectrometry, MALDI-TOF MS(/MS), revealed transthyretin (TTR) as a target of alkylating agents. TTR was extracted from SM-treated plasma by immunomagnetic separation (IMS) and analyzed after tryptic cleavage by microbore liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization high-resolution tandem-mass spectrometry (μLC-ESI MS/HR MS). It was found that the Cys10 -residue of TTR present in the hexapeptide C(-HETE)PLMVK was alkylated by the hydroxyethylthioethyl (HETE)-moiety, which is characteristic for SM exposure. It was shown that alkylated TTR is stable in plasma in vitro at 37°C for at least 14 days. In addition, C(-HETE)PLMVK can be selectively detected, is stable in the autosampler over 24 h, and shows linearity in a broad concentration range from 15.63 μM to 2 mM SM in plasma in vitro. Accordingly, TTR might represent a complementary protein marker molecule for the verification of SM exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robin Lüling
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany.,Walther-Straub Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Dirk Steinritz
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany.,Walther-Straub Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Munich, Germany.,Bundeswehr Medical Service Academy, Munich, Germany
| | - Horst Thiermann
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany
| | - Theo Rein
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Harald John
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany
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10
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Richter A, Siegert M, Thiermann H, John H. Alkylated albumin-derived dipeptide C(-HETE)P derivatized by propionic anhydride as a biomarker for the verification of poisoning with sulfur mustard. Anal Bioanal Chem 2021; 413:4907-4916. [PMID: 34215915 PMCID: PMC8318952 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-021-03454-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Sulfur mustard (SM) is a banned chemical warfare agent recently used in the Syrian Arab Republic conflict causing erythema and blisters characterized by complicated and delayed wound healing. For medical and legal reasons, the proof of exposure to SM is of high toxicological and forensic relevance. SM reacts with endogenous human serum albumin (HSA adducts) alkylating the thiol group of the cysteine residue C34, thus causing the addition of the hydroxyethylthioethyl (HETE) moiety. Following proteolysis with pronase, the biomarker dipeptide C(-HETE)P is produced. To expand the possibilities for verification of exposure, we herein introduce a novel biomarker produced from that alkylated dipeptide by derivatization with propionic anhydride inducing the selective propionylation of the N-terminus yielding PA-C(-HETE)P. Quantitative derivatization is carried out at room temperature in aqueous buffer within 10 s. The biomarker was found to be stable in the autosampler at 15 °C for at least 24 h, thus documenting its suitability even for larger sets of samples. Selective and sensitive detection is done by micro liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem-mass spectrometry (μLC-ESI MS/MS) operating in the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode detecting product ions of the single protonated PA-C(-HETE)P (m/z 379.1) at m/z 116.1, m/z 137.0, and m/z 105.0. The lower limit of detection corresponds to 32 nM SM in plasma in vitro and the limit of identification to 160 nM. The applicability to real exposure scenarios was proven by analyzing samples from the Middle East confirming poisoning with SM. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Richter
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Straße 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Markus Siegert
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Straße 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany.,Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | - Horst Thiermann
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | - Harald John
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, 80937, Munich, Germany.
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11
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John H, Richter A, Thiermann H. Evidence of sulfur mustard poisoning by detection of the albumin-derived dipeptide biomarker C(-HETE)P after nicotinylation. Drug Test Anal 2021; 13:1593-1602. [PMID: 34145783 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Sulfur mustard (SM, bis[2-chloroethyl]-sulfide) is a banned chemical warfare agent that was frequently used in recent years and led to numerous poisoned victims who developed painful erythema and blisters. Post-exposure analysis of SM incorporation can be performed by the detection of human serum albumin (HSA)-derived peptides. HSA alkylated by SM contains a hydroxyethylthioethyl (HETE)-moiety bound to the cysteine residue C34 yielding the dipeptide biomarker C(-HETE)P after pronase-catalyzed proteolysis. We herein present a novel procedure for the selective precolumn nicotinylation of its N-terminus using 1-nicotinoyloxy-succinimide. The reaction was carried out for 2 h at ambient temperature with a yield of 81%. The derivative NA-C(-HETE)P was analyzed by micro liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem-mass spectrometry working in the selected reaction monitoring mode (μLC-ESI MS/MS SRM). The derivative was shown to be stable in the autosampler at 15°C for at least 24 h. The single protonated precursor ion (m/z 428.1) was subjected to collision-induced dissociation yielding product ions at m/z 116.1, m/z 137.0, and m/z 105.0 used for selective monitoring without any plasma-derived interferences. NA-C(-HETE)P showed a mass spectrometric response superior to the non-derivatized dipeptide thus yielding larger peak areas (factor 1.3 ± 0.2). The lower limit of identification corresponded to 80 nM SM spiked to plasma in vitro. The presented procedure was applied to real case plasma samples from 2015 collected in the Middle East confirming SM poisoning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald John
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany
| | - Annika Richter
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Horst Thiermann
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany
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12
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John H, Richter A, Siegert M, Eyer F, Thiermann H. Evidence of exposure to organophosphorus toxicants by detection of the propionylated butyrylcholinesterase-derived nonapeptide-adduct as a novel biomarker. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 323:110818. [PMID: 33990018 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Organophosphorus (OP) nerve agents represent a class of highly toxic chemical warfare agents banned by the Chemical Weapons Convention. Nevertheless, in the past few years they have been used repeatedly for warfare, assassination and attempted murder. In addition, the chemically related OP pesticides were frequently used for suicide and may be deployed for terroristic attacks. Therefore, sensitive and selective bioanalytical methods are indispensable to investigate biological specimens as pieces of evidence to prove poisoning. OP agents form long-lived covalent reaction products (adducts) with endogenous proteins like human serum albumin (HSA) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). The adducted nonapeptide (NP) obtained by proteolysis of the BChE-adduct is one of the most sensitive and important biomarkers. We herein present a novel class of NP-adducts propionylated at its N-terminal phenylalanine residue (F195). The biomarker derivative is produced by addition of propionic anhydride to the NP-adduct inducing its quantitative conversion in aqueous buffer within 5 min at room temperature. Afterwards the mixture is directly analyzed by micro-liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem-mass spectrometry (µLC-ESI MS/MS). The sensitivity of the method is comparable to that of the non-derivatized NP-adduct. These characteristics make the method highly beneficial for forensic analysis especially in cases in which the OP agent does not form adducts with HSA that are typically targeted as a second biomarker of exposure. This novel procedure was successfully applied to nerve agent-spiked samples sent by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) as well as to plasma samples of real cases of pesticide poisoning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald John
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, 80937 Munich, Germany.
| | - Annika Richter
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Strasse 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Markus Siegert
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, 80937 Munich, Germany; Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Strasse 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Florian Eyer
- Department of Clinical Toxicology, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Strasse 22, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Horst Thiermann
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, 80937 Munich, Germany
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13
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Alkylated epidermal creatine kinase as a biomarker for sulfur mustard exposure: comparison to adducts of albumin and DNA in an in vivo rat study. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:1323-1333. [PMID: 33635393 PMCID: PMC8032612 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03005-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Sulfur mustard (SM) is a chemical warfare agent which use is banned under international law and that has been used recently in Northern Iraq and Syria by the so-called Islamic State. SM induces the alkylation of endogenous proteins like albumin and hemoglobin thus forming covalent adducts that are targeted by bioanalytical methods for the verification of systemic poisoning. We herein report a novel biomarker, namely creatine kinase (CK) B-type, suitable as a local biomarker for SM exposure on the skin. Human and rat skin were proven to contain CK B-type by Western blot analysis. Following exposure to SM ex vivo, the CK-adduct was extracted from homogenates by immunomagnetic separation and proteolyzed afterwards. The cysteine residue Cys282 was found to be alkylated by the SM-specific hydroxyethylthioethyl (HETE)-moiety detected as the biomarker tetrapeptide TC(-HETE)PS. A selective and sensitive micro liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization high-resolution tandem-mass spectrometry (µLC-ESI MS/HRMS) method was developed to monitor local CK-adducts in an in vivo study with rats percutaneously exposed to SM. CK-adduct formation was compared to already established DNA- and systemic albumin biomarkers. CK- and DNA-adducts were successfully detected in biopsies of exposed rat skin as well as albumin-adducts in plasma. Relative biomarker concentrations make the CK-adduct highly appropriate as a local dermal biomarker. In summary, CK or rather Cys282 in CK B-type was identified as a new, additional dermal target of local SM exposures. To our knowledge, it is also the first time that HETE-albumin adducts, and HETE-DNA adducts were monitored simultaneously in an in vivo animal study.
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Rybal’chenko IV, Baigil’diev TM, Rodin IA. Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Analysis for the Determination of the Markers and Biomarkers of Chemical Warfare Agents. JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1061934821010111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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15
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Baygildiev ТМ, Vokuev MF, Braun AV, Yashkir VA, Rуbalchenko IV, Rodin IA. Identification of 2-(diethylamino)ethylthiol dipeptide (Cys-Pro) adduct as biomarker of nerve agents VR and CVX in human plasma using liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry. Anal Bioanal Chem 2021; 413:1905-1916. [PMID: 33479815 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-021-03158-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Organophosphorus nerve agents pose a significant threat to human health. The most toxic compounds in this class include V-type poisonous substances such as VX, CVX, and VR. Although all stockpiles of this type of substance are subject to destruction under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), there is still a risk that they could be used for criminal and terrorist purposes. The latter determines the relevance of studies aimed at identification of biomarkers that may indicate the exposure of these group substances to the organism. A liquid chromatography mass spectrometry/high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-MS/HR MS) method for determination of trace amounts of nerve agents such as VR and CVX in human plasma was proposed. The method is based on enzymatic plasma hydrolysis with the use of pronase to form a stable adduct of 2-(diethylamino)ethylthiol with dipeptide cysteine-proline (DEAET-CP) with its subsequent determination by LC-MS/HR MS. Synthesis of DEAET-CP as reference compound was conducted using non-toxic precursors. Sample preparation of human blood plasma samples exposed to VR was carried out with the use of solid-phase extraction (SPE). Liquid chromatography (LC) separation on the reversed-phase column and mass spectrometric detection (selection of optimal transitions and detection modes) were performed. The achieved limit of detection (LOD) of VR (in the form of DEAET-CP) in human blood plasma was 0.05 ng mL-1. The proposed approach was developed using plasma samples exposed to VR and CVX obtained in the frame of the Fifth Official Biomedical Test of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and showed good specificity of detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Тimur М Baygildiev
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia, 119991
| | - Mikhail F Vokuev
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia, 119991.
| | - Arkady V Braun
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia, 119991
- Laboratory for the Chemical and Analytical Control of the Military Research Centre, Moscow, Russia, 105005
| | - Vadim A Yashkir
- Laboratory for the Chemical and Analytical Control of the Military Research Centre, Moscow, Russia, 105005
| | - Igor V Rуbalchenko
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia, 119991
- Laboratory for the Chemical and Analytical Control of the Military Research Centre, Moscow, Russia, 105005
| | - Igor A Rodin
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia, 119991
- Department of Epidemiology and Evidence Based Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia, 119435
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16
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Chu S, Letcher RJ. Identification and characterization of serum albumin covalent adduct formed with atrazine by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2021; 1163:122503. [PMID: 33388526 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2020.122503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The present study developed an analytical technique to investigate the possible covalent adduct formation of albumin with the herbicide atrazine, and to characterize the protein modifications in vitro using liquid chromatography separation coupled with high resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-TOF-MS). Tandem mass spectrum analysis (MS/MS) with collision induced dissociation (CID) revealed the specific sites of rat, human and bovine serum albumin adduct with atrazine. The formation of b-ion, y-ion series in MS/MS showed a covalent adduct with an addition mass of 179.1 Da located on Cys-34 of serum albumin from rats, human and bovine. This clearly indicated that the chemical group C8H13N5 forms an adduct with Cys-34 despite the sequences differences between of rat, human and bovine serum albumin. To confirm the method reliability, concentration-dependent and time-dependent formation of adducts between serum albumins and atrazine were also investigated. Our results confirmed that atrazine can directly react with Cys-34 of serum albumin and form covalent adducts without prior metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaogang Chu
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0H3 Canada
| | - Robert J Letcher
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0H3 Canada.
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17
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Blum MM, Richter A, Siegert M, Thiermann H, John H. Adduct of the blistering warfare agent sesquimustard with human serum albumin and its mass spectrometric identification for biomedical verification of exposure. Anal Bioanal Chem 2020; 412:7723-7737. [PMID: 32902690 PMCID: PMC7550388 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-020-02917-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Apart from the well-known sulfur mustard (SM), additional sulfur-containing blistering chemical warfare agents exist. Sesquimustard (Q) is one of them and five times more blistering than SM. It is a common impurity in mustard mixtures and regularly found in old munitions but can also be used in pure form. Compared to the extensive literature on SM, very little experimental data is available on Q and no protein biomarkers of exposure have been reported. We herein report for the first time the adduct of Q with the nucleophilic Cys34 residue of human serum albumin (HSA) formed in vitro and introduce two novel bioanalytical procedures for detection. After proteolysis of this HSA adduct catalyzed either by pronase or by proteinase K, two biomarkers were identified by high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (MS/HR MS), namely a dipeptide and a tripeptide, both alkylated at their Cys residue, which we refer to as HETETE-CP and HETETE-CPF. HETETE represents the Q-derived thio-alkyl moiety bearing a terminal hydroxyl group: "hydroxyethylthioethylthioethyl." Targeting both peptide markers from plasma, a micro liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method working in the selected reaction monitoring mode (μLC-ESI MS/MS SRM) was developed and validated as well suited for the verification of exposure to Q. Fulfilling the quality criteria defined by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the novel methods enable the detection of exposure to Q alone or in mixtures with SM. We further report on the relative reactivity of Q compared to SM. Based on experiments making use of partially deuterated Q as the alkylating agent, we rule out a major role for six-membered ring sulfonium ions as relevant reactive species in the alkylation of Cys34. Furthermore, the results of molecular dynamics simulations are indicative that the protein environment around Cys34 allows adduct formation with elongated but not bulky molecules such as Q, and identify important hydrogen bonding interactions and hydrophobic contacts. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc-Michael Blum
- Blum - Scientific Services, Björnsonweg 70d, 22587, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Annika Richter
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Straße 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Markus Siegert
- Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Straße 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | - Horst Thiermann
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | - Harald John
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937, Munich, Germany.
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18
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Lüling R, Schmeißer W, Siegert M, Mückter H, Dietrich A, Thiermann H, Gudermann T, John H, Steinritz D. Identification of creatine kinase and alpha-1 antitrypsin as protein targets of alkylation by sulfur mustard. Drug Test Anal 2020; 13:268-282. [PMID: 32852113 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Sulfur mustard (SM) is a toxic chemical warfare agent deployed in several conflicts within the last 100 years and still represents a threat in terroristic attacks and warfare. SM research focuses on understanding the pathophysiology of SM and identifying novel biomarkers of exposure. SM is known to alkylate nucleophilic moieties of endogenous proteins, for example, free thiol groups of cysteine residues. The two-dimensional-thiol-differences in gel electrophoresis (2D-thiol-DIGE) technique is an initial proteomics approach to detect proteins with free cysteine residues. These amino acids are selectively labeled with infrared-maleimide dyes visualized after GE. Cysteine residues derivatized by alkylating agents are no longer accessible for the maleimide-thiol coupling resulting in the loss of the fluorescent signal of the corresponding protein. To prove the applicability of 2D-thiol-DIGE, this technology was exemplarily applied to neat human serum albumin treated with SM, to lysates from human cell culture exposed to SM as well as to human plasma exposed to CEES (chloroethyl ethyl sulfide, an SM analogue). Exemplarily, the most prominent proteins modified by SM were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (tandem) mass spectrometry, MALDI-TOF MS(/MS), as creatine kinase (CK) from human cells and as alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT) from plasma samples. Peptides containing the residue Cys282 of CK and Cys232 of A1AT were unambiguously identified by micro liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization high-resolution tandem-mass spectrometry (μLC-ESI MS/HR MS) as being alkylated by SM bearing the specific hydroxyethylthioethyl-(HETE)-moiety. Both peptides might represent potential biomarkers of SM exposure. This is the first report introducing these endogenous proteins as targets of SM alkylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Lüling
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany.,Walther-Straub-Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Markus Siegert
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany.,Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Harald Mückter
- Walther-Straub-Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexander Dietrich
- Walther-Straub-Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Horst Thiermann
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Gudermann
- Walther-Straub-Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Harald John
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany
| | - Dirk Steinritz
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, Germany.,Walther-Straub-Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Munich, Germany.,Bundeswehr Medical Service Academy, Munich, Germany
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19
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Chromatographic analysis of chemical warfare agents and their metabolites in biological samples. Trends Analyt Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2020.115960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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20
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Lüling R, Singer H, Popp T, John H, Boekhoff I, Thiermann H, Daumann LJ, Karaghiosoff K, Gudermann T, Steinritz D. Sulfur mustard alkylates steroid hormones and impacts hormone function in vitro. Arch Toxicol 2019; 93:3141-3152. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-019-02571-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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21
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Forensic evidence of sulfur mustard exposure in real cases of human poisoning by detection of diverse albumin-derived protein adducts. Arch Toxicol 2019; 93:1881-1891. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-019-02461-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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22
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A sensitive quantification approach for detection of HETE-CP adduct after benzyl chloroformate derivatization using ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Anal Bioanal Chem 2019; 411:3405-3415. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-019-01820-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Revised: 03/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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23
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Golime R, Chandra B, Palit M, Dubey DK. Adductomics: a promising tool for the verification of chemical warfare agents’ exposures in biological samples. Arch Toxicol 2019; 93:1473-1484. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-019-02435-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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24
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Siegert M, Gandor F, Kranawetvogl A, Börner H, Thiermann H, John H. Methionine
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in human serum albumin: A novel target for alkylation by sulfur mustard. Drug Test Anal 2019; 11:659-668. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Markus Siegert
- Department of ChemistryHumboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Brook‐Taylor‐Straße 2 12489 Berlin Germany
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology Neuherbergstraße 11 80937 Munich Germany
| | - Felix Gandor
- Department of ChemistryHumboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Brook‐Taylor‐Straße 2 12489 Berlin Germany
| | - Andreas Kranawetvogl
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology Neuherbergstraße 11 80937 Munich Germany
| | - Hans Börner
- Department of ChemistryHumboldt‐Universität zu Berlin Brook‐Taylor‐Straße 2 12489 Berlin Germany
| | - Horst Thiermann
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology Neuherbergstraße 11 80937 Munich Germany
| | - Harald John
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology Neuherbergstraße 11 80937 Munich Germany
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25
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Kranawetvogl A, Siegert M, Eyer F, Thiermann H, John H. Verification of organophosphorus pesticide poisoning: Detection of phosphorylated tyrosines and a cysteine-proline disulfide-adduct from human serum albumin after intoxication with dimethoate/omethoate. Toxicol Lett 2018; 299:11-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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26
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A mass spectrometric platform for the quantitation of sulfur mustard-induced nucleic acid adducts as mechanistically relevant biomarkers of exposure. Arch Toxicol 2018; 93:61-79. [PMID: 30324314 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-018-2324-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Despite its worldwide ban, the warfare agent sulfur mustard (SM) still represents a realistic threat, due to potential release in terroristic attacks and asymmetric conflicts. Therefore, the rigorous and quantitative detection of SM exposure is crucial for diagnosis, health risk assessment, and surveillance of international law. Alkylation adducts of nucleic acids can serve as valuable toxicologically relevant 'biomarkers of SM exposure'. Here, we developed a robust and versatile bioanalytical platform based on isotope dilution UPLC-MS/MS to quantify major SM-induced DNA and RNA adducts, as well as adducts induced by the monofunctional mustard 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide. We synthesized 15N/13C-labeled standards, which allowed absolute quantitation with full chemical specificity and subfemtomole sensitivities. DNA and RNA mono-alkylation adducts and crosslinks were carefully analyzed in a dose- and time-dependent manner in various matrices, including human cancer and primary cells, derived of the main SM-target tissues. Nucleic acid adducts were detected up to 6 days post-exposure, indicating long persistence, which highlights their toxicological relevance and proves their suitability as forensic and medical biomarkers. Finally, we investigated ex vivo-treated rat skin biopsies and human blood samples, which set the basis for the implementation into the method portfolio of Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons-designated laboratories to analyze authentic samples from SM-exposed victims.
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27
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Siegert M, Kranawetvogl A, Thiermann H, John H. Glutathione as an antidote for sulfur mustard poisoning: Mass spectrometric investigations of its potency as a chemical scavenger. Toxicol Lett 2018; 293:31-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2017.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Revised: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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28
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Zubel T, Bürkle A, Mangerich A. Mass spectrometric analysis of sulfur mustard-induced biomolecular adducts: Are DNA adducts suitable biomarkers of exposure? Toxicol Lett 2018; 293:21-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2017.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2017] [Revised: 12/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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29
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Novel cysteine- and albumin-adduct biomarkers to prove human poisoning with the pesticide oxydemeton-S-methyl. Toxicol Lett 2018; 294:122-134. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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30
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A toolbox for microbore liquid chromatography tandem-high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis of albumin-adducts as novel biomarkers of organophosphorus pesticide poisoning. Toxicol Lett 2018; 292:46-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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31
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Bioanalytical verification of V-type nerve agent exposure: simultaneous detection of phosphonylated tyrosines and cysteine-containing disulfide-adducts derived from human albumin. Anal Bioanal Chem 2018; 410:1463-1474. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-017-0787-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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32
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Bielmann A, Sambiagio N, Wehr N, Gerber-Lemaire S, Bochet CG, Curty C. Synthesis of different glutathione–sulfur mustard adducts of verified and potential biomarkers. RSC Adv 2018; 8:23881-23890. [PMID: 35540271 PMCID: PMC9081735 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra03360a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, several adducts between the chemical agent sulfur mustard (SM) and glutathione (GSH) were observed in vitro. We report the synthesis of different observed and potential GSH–SM bioadducts as reference materials for analytical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Bielmann
- Spiez Laboratory
- Switzerland
- University of Fribourg
- Departement of Chemistry
- 1700 Fribourg
| | - Nicolas Sambiagio
- Spiez Laboratory
- Switzerland
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering
- 1015 Lausanne
| | - Nathalie Wehr
- Spiez Laboratory
- Switzerland
- University of Fribourg
- Departement of Chemistry
- 1700 Fribourg
| | - Sandrine Gerber-Lemaire
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering
- 1015 Lausanne
- Switzerland
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Siegert M, Kranawetvogl A, Thiermann H, John H. N-Acetylcysteine as a chemical scavenger for sulfur mustard: New insights by mass spectrometry. Drug Test Anal 2017; 10:243-253. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Markus Siegert
- Department of Chemistry; Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; Berlin Germany
| | | | - Horst Thiermann
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology; Munich Germany
| | - Harald John
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology; Munich Germany
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Pohanka M, Martinkova P, Brtnicky M, Kynicky J. Changes in the oxidative stress/anti-oxidant system after exposure to sulfur mustard and antioxidant strategies in the therapy, a review. Toxicol Mech Methods 2017; 27:408-416. [DOI: 10.1080/15376516.2017.1320695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Pohanka
- Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Department of Geology and Pedology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Martinkova
- Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Brtnicky
- Department of Geology and Pedology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jindrich Kynicky
- Department of Geology and Pedology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
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Kranawetvogl A, Küppers J, Gütschow M, Worek F, Thiermann H, Elsinghorst PW, John H. Identification of novel disulfide adducts between the thiol containing leaving group of the nerve agent VX and cysteine containing tripeptides derived from human serum albumin. Drug Test Anal 2017; 9:1192-1203. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.2144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Kranawetvogl
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology; Neuherbergstrasse 11 80937 Munich Germany
| | - Jim Küppers
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn; An der Immenburg 4 53121 Bonn Germany
| | - Michael Gütschow
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn; An der Immenburg 4 53121 Bonn Germany
| | - Franz Worek
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology; Neuherbergstrasse 11 80937 Munich Germany
| | - Horst Thiermann
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology; Neuherbergstrasse 11 80937 Munich Germany
| | - Paul W. Elsinghorst
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn; An der Immenburg 4 53121 Bonn Germany
- Central Institute of the Bundeswehr Medical Service Munich; Ingolstädter Landstrasse 102 85748 Garching Germany
| | - Harald John
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology; Neuherbergstrasse 11 80937 Munich Germany
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Giesche R, John H, Kehe K, Schmidt A, Popp T, Balzuweit F, Thiermann H, Gudermann T, Steinritz D. S - and N-alkylating agents diminish the fluorescence of fluorescent dye-stained DNA. Chem Biol Interact 2016; 262:12-18. [PMID: 27923644 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2016] [Revised: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Sulfur mustard (SM), a chemical warfare agent, causes DNA alkylation, which is believed to be the main cause of its toxicity. SM DNA adducts are commonly used to verify exposure to this vesicant. However, the required analytical state-of-the-art mass-spectrometry methods are complex, use delicate instruments, are not mobile, and require laboratory infrastructure that is most likely not available in conflict zones. Attempts have thus been made to develop rapid detection methods that can be used in the field. The analysis of SM DNA adducts (HETE-G) by immunodetection is a convenient and suitable method. For a diagnostic assessment, HETE-G levels must be determined in relation to the total DNA in the sample. Total DNA can be easily visualized by the use of fluorescent DNA dyes. This study examines whether SM and related compounds affect total DNA staining, an issue that has not been investigated before. After pure DNA was extracted from human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells), DNA was exposed to different S- and N-alkylating agents. Our experiments revealed a significant, dose-dependent decrease in the fluorescence signal of fluorescent dye-stained DNA after exposure to alkylating agents. After mass spectrometry and additional fluorescence measurements ruled out covalent modifications of ethidium bromide (EthBr) by SM, we assumed that DNA crosslinks caused DNA condensation and thereby impaired access of the fluorescent dyes to the DNA. DNA digestion by restriction enzymes restored fluorescence, a fact that strengthened our hypothesis. However, monofunctional agents, which are unable to crosslink DNA, also decreased the fluorescence signal. In subsequent experiments, we demonstrated that protons produced during DNA alkylation caused a pH decrease that was found responsible for the reduction in fluorescence. The use of an appropriate buffer system eliminated the adverse effect of alkylating agents on DNA staining with fluorescent dyes. An appropriate buffer system is thus crucial for DNA quantification with fluorescent dyes in the presence of alkylating compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Giesche
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Harald John
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Kai Kehe
- Walther Straub Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany; Bundeswehr Medical Academy, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Annette Schmidt
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Tanja Popp
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 80937 Munich, Germany; Walther Straub Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Frank Balzuweit
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center Munich (CPCM), German Center for Lung Research, 81377 Munich, Germany; Bundeswehr Medical Command, 56070 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Horst Thiermann
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Gudermann
- Walther Straub Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany; Comprehensive Pneumology Center Munich (CPCM), German Center for Lung Research, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Dirk Steinritz
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 80937 Munich, Germany; Walther Straub Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany.
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Kranawetvogl A, Worek F, Thiermann H, John H. Modification of human serum albumin by the nerve agent VX: microbore liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization high-resolution time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry method for detection of phosphonylated tyrosine and novel cysteine containing disulfide adducts. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2016; 30:2191-2200. [PMID: 27490696 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.7707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Revised: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/30/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Organophosphorus nerve agents still constitute a considerable threat to the health of military personnel and the civilian population. Long-term biomarkers are crucial for reliable verification of exposure to banned substances. Therefore, current research focuses on identification of endogenous protein targets showing covalent modifications by organophosphorus nerve agents (adducts). METHODS Purified human serum albumin and human plasma were incubated with the nerve agent VX followed by enzymatic proteolysis with pronase. Resulting peptide cleavage products were separated by microbore liquid chromatography (μLC) online coupled to positive electrospray ionization (ESI) with subsequent high-resolution time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HR MS/MS) allowing identification of known and novel adducts. RESULTS In addition to known phosphonylation of various tyrosine residues, albumin was found to be modified at diverse cysteine residues by covalent attachment of the leaving group of VX. These novel disulfide adducts were cleaved from at least two regions of the intact protein as dipeptides containing cysteine and proline either as CP or PC. A rapid and sensitive method was developed for simultaneous detection of the diverse covalent modifications of human albumin by VX. CONCLUSIONS Identification of the novel leaving group adducts with human albumin expands the basic knowledge on molecular toxicology of the nerve agent VX. Furthermore, the presented μLC/ESI HR MS/MS method might be of relevance for verification of VX poisoning. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Kranawetvogl
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | - Franz Worek
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | - Horst Thiermann
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, 80937, Munich, Germany
| | - Harald John
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, 80937, Munich, Germany.
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John H, Willoh S, Hörmann P, Siegert M, Vondran A, Thiermann H. Procedures for Analysis of Dried Plasma Using Microsampling Devices to Detect Sulfur Mustard-Albumin Adducts for Verification of Poisoning. Anal Chem 2016; 88:8787-94. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b02199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Harald John
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Sophia Willoh
- University of Applied Sciences and Arts Coburg, Department
of Applied Sciences, Coburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Hörmann
- University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Markus Siegert
- Department
of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Antje Vondran
- University of Applied Sciences and Arts Coburg, Department
of Applied Sciences, Coburg, Germany
| | - Horst Thiermann
- Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 80937 Munich, Germany
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39
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Medical documentation, bioanalytical evidence of an accidental human exposure to sulfur mustard and general therapy recommendations. Toxicol Lett 2016; 244:112-120. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2015.08.1105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Revised: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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40
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John H, Siegert M, Gandor F, Gawlik M, Kranawetvogl A, Karaghiosoff K, Thiermann H. Optimized verification method for detection of an albumin-sulfur mustard adduct at Cys34 using a hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometer after direct plasma proteolysis. Toxicol Lett 2016; 244:103-111. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2015.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Revised: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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