Nonaqueous synthesis of a selectively modified, highly anionic sulfopropyl ether derivative of cyclomaltoheptaose (beta-cyclodextrin) in the presence of 18-crown-6

A highly anionic cyclomaltooligosaccharide (cyclodextrin, CD) derivative containing sulfopropyl functional groups on the primary face of the CD was synthesized. Heptakis(2,3-di-O-methyl)cyclomaltoheptaose [heptakis(2,3-di-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin] was reacted with 1,3-propane sultone and potassium hydride (KH) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran in the presence of 18-crown-6 to yield highly substituted potassium heptakis(2,3-di-O-methyl-6-O-sulfopropyl)cyclomaltoheptaose [heptakis(KSPDM)-beta-CD] with an average degree of substitution (DSCE) of 6.9 as determined by inverse detection capillary electrophoresis (CE). The principal species in the product is the fully substituted heptakis(KSPDM)-beta-CD. Complete NMR assignments of the hydrogen and carbon atoms are made using a combination of gCOSY and gHSQC. In the absence of 18-crown-6, the reaction generates a mixture of multiply charged derivatives with average DSCE of 4.1. The possible roles of the crown ether in the reaction are discussed. The ROESY NMR spectrum of the inclusion complex that forms between heptakis(KSPDM)-beta-CD and 2-naphthoic acid in D2O reveals that 2-naphthoic acid inserts with the carboxyl group toward the derivatized primary rim of the cyclodextrin.     

Detection of d-Serine in rat brain by capillary electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence detection

A capillary zone electrophoresis method with laser induced fluorescence detection for the chiral separation of highly fluorescent enantiomeric derivatives of d/l-Serine from 4-fluoro-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (NBD-d/l-Serine) was developed and optimized. Enantiomeric separation of NBD-d/l-Serine was accomplished by using 40 mM hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) contained in 100 mM borate buffer, pH 10.0. A 70 cm (effective length of 50 cm) uncoated fused-silica capillary at a voltage of 15 kV was used for the separation. The optimized electrophoretic conditions were subsequently applied to the analysis of d-Serine in rat brain, and satisfactory analytical results with respect to accuracy were obtained. This assay showed acceptable precision, with linearity in the d-Serine concentration range of 0.2-20.0 microM. The limit of detection for d-Serine was 3.0 x 10(-7)M.     

Comparison of chiral recognition capabilities of cyclodextrins for the separation of basic drugs in capillary zone electrophoresis

The enantiomeric separation of some racemic anti-histamines and anti-malarials, namely (±)-pheniramine, (±)-brompheniramine, (±)-chlorpheniramine, (±)-doxylamine, and (±)-chloroquine, was investigated by capillary zone electrophoresis. The enantiomeric separation of five compounds was obtained by addition of 7 mM (1%, w/v) sulfated-β-cyclodextrin into the buffer as a chiral selector. The effects of sulfated-β-cyclodextrin concentration and buffer pH on migration and resolution are discussed. Two other cyclodextrins, carboxyethylated-β-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin were also investigated. Four of the racemic compounds were resolved using 14 mM (2%, w/v) carboxyethylated-β-cyclodextrin while 28 mM (4%, w/v) hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin resolved only two of them. It was found that the type of substituent and the degree of substitution on the rim of the CD structure played an important role in enhancing the chiral recognition. Cyclodextrins with negatively charged substituents and higher degree of substitution on the rim of the structure proved to give better resolution to the cationic racemic compounds compared with cyclodextrin with neutral substituents. This is due to the countercurrent mobility of the negatively charged cyclodextrin relative to the cationic analytes thus allowing for a smaller difference in interaction constants to achieve a successful resolution of enantiomers. Furthermore, lower concentrations of negatively charged cyclodextrins were necessary to achieve the equivalent resolutions as compared with the neutral ones.     

Evaluation of newly synthesized and commercially available charged cyclomaltooligosaccharides (cyclodextrins) for capillary electrokinetic chromatography

A highly new charged cyclodextrin (CD) derivatives, (6-O-carboxymethyl-2,3-di-O-methyl)cyclomaltoheptaoses (CDM-beta-CDs), was synthesized and characterized as anionic reagents for capillary electrophoresis (CE) in an electrokinetic chromatography mode of separation. Substitution with dimethyl groups at the secondary hydroxyl sites of the CD is aimed at influencing the magnitude and selectivity of analyte-CD interactions, while substitution by carboxymethyl groups at the primary hydroxyl sites provides for high charge and electrophoretic mobility. Full regioselective methylation at the secondary hydroxyl sites was achieved in this work, while substitution at the primary hydroxyl sites generated a mixture of multiply charged products. The separation performance of CDM-beta-CD was evaluated using a variety of analyte mixtures. The results obtained from commercially available negatively charged cyclodextrins, heptakis(2,3-di-O-methyl-6-O-sulfo)cyclomaltoheptaose (HDMS-beta-CD) and O-(carboxymethyl)cyclomaltoheptaose (CM-beta-CD) with an average degree of substitution one (DS 1), were compared to CDM-beta-CD using a sample composed of eight positional isomers of dihydroxynaphthalene. Four hydroxylated polychlorobiphenyl derivatives, a group of chiral and isomeric catchecins, and chiral binaphthyl compounds were also separated with CDM-beta-CD. The effect of adding neutral beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) into the running buffer containing charged cyclodextrins was investigated and provided evidence of significant inter-CD interactions. Under certain running buffer conditions, the charged cyclodextrins also appear to adsorb to the capillary walls to various degrees.     

Analysis of optical purity and impurity of synthetic D-phenylalanine products using sulfated beta-cyclodextrin as chiral selector by reversed-polarity capillary electrophoresis

A new capillary electrophoresis (CE) method has been achieved for simultaneous separation and quantification of phenylalanine, N-acetylphenylalanine enantiomers, and prochiral N-acetylaminocinnamic acid, possibly co-existent in reaction systems or synthesized products of D-phenylalanine. The separation was carried out in an uncoated capillary under reversed-electrophoretic mode. Among the diverse charged cyclodextrins (CDs) examined, highly sulfated (HS)-beta-CD as the chiral selector exhibited the best enantioselectivity. The complete separation of the analytes was obtained under the optimum conditions of pH 2.5, 35 mM Tris buffer containing 4% HS-beta-CD, applied voltage -15 kV, and capillary temperature 25 degrees C. Furthermore, the proposed method was applied to the determination of optical purity and trace impurities in three batches of the asymmetric synthetic samples of D-phenylalanine, and satisfactory results were obtained. The determination recoveries of the samples were in the range of 97.8-103.8%, and precisions fell within 2.3-5.0% (RSD). The results demonstrate that this CE method is a useful, simple technique and is applicable to purity assays of D-phenylalanine.     

Separation of proteolytic enzymes originating from Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) by capillary electrophoresis

Extracts prepared from Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), mainly consisting of acidic proteolytic enzymes, have been studied with capillary electrophoretic techniques. Approximately 50 repeatable peaks were obtained with capillary zone electrophoresis on an untreated fused-silica capillary using a phosphate buffer containing anionic and cationic fluorosurfactant additives as separation medium. A faster separation was achieved on a polyvinyl alcohol coated capillary. Quantitative variations of individual proteins regarding different krill enzyme batches were noted. In the krill samples trypsin-like serine proteinase, carboxypeptidase A and carboxypeptidase B were tentatively identified.     

Volume changes upon addition of Ca2+ to calmodulin: Ca2+-calmodulin conformational states

Measurement of the volume change by a rapid density method upon sequential addition of calcium ion to calmodulin showed relatively large, nonuniform increases for the first 4 moles Ca2+ per mole calmodulin. Substantially larger volume increases (approximately 15 ml/mol protein) were observed upon addition of the second and fourth moles Ca2+ relative to the first and third moles added per mole calmodulin. A total volume increase of approximately 170 ml/mol protein attended the addition of 4 moles Ca2+, as expected for multidentate carboxylate coordination to metal ion. Marginal changes in volume were observed upon further additions, the data showing a remarkably sharp transition after [Ca2+]/[calmodulin] = 4. The results are consistent with an ordered binding of Ca2+ in which pair-wise additions produce similar volume changes; the volume change behavior, however, does not indicate an absence of distinct conformational states for a Ca2+(1)-calmodulin and a Ca2+(3)-calmodulin complex as has been proposed on the basis of 1H-NMR evidences.     

Isolation and characterization of an unusual form of L-amino acid oxidase from King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) venom

The L-amino acid oxidase (EC 1. 4. 3. 2) from King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) venom was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity. The molecular weight of the enzyme was determined to be 140000 when examined by gel filtration and 68000 by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme had an isoelectric point of 4.5 and an intravenous LD50 of 5 micrograms/g in mice. It is a glycoprotein and contains two moles of FAD per mole of enzyme. The enzyme exhibited unusual thermal stability and unlike most other venom L-amino acid oxidases, it was stable in alkaline solution and was not inactivated by freezing.     

Separation of saccharides derivatized with 2-aminobenzoic acid by capillary electrophoresis and their structural consideration by nuclear magnetic resonance

Saccharides including mono- and disaccharides were quantitatively derivatized with 2-aminobenzoic acid (2-AA). These derivatives were then separated by capillary zone electrophoresis with UV detection using 50mM sodium phosphate buffer as the running electrolyte solution. In particular, the saccharide derivatives with the same molecular weight as 2-AA aldohexoses (mannose and glucose) and 2-AA aldopentoses (ribose and xylose) were well separated. The underlying reasons for separation were explored by studying their structural data using 1H and 13C NMR. It was found that the configurational difference between their hydroxyl group at C2 or C3 could cause the difference in Stokes' radii between their molecules and thus lead to different electrophoretic mobilities. The correlation between the electrophoretic behavior of these carbohydrate derivatives and their structures was studied utilizing the calculated molecular models of the 2-AA-labeled mannose, glucose, ribose, and xylose.     

Improved capillary electrophoresis conditions for the separation of kinase substrates by the laser micropipet system

Phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated forms of peptide substrates for protein kinase C (PKC) and calcium-calmodulin activated kinase II (CamKII) were separated by capillary zone electrophoresis. Electrophoresis of the peptide substrates and products in biologic buffer solutions in uncoated capillaries yielded asymmetric analyte peaks with substantial peak tailing. Some of the peptides also exhibited broad peaks with unstable migration times. To improve the electrophoretic separation of the peptides, several strategies were implemented: extensive washing of the capillary with a base, adding betaine to the electrophoretic buffer, and coating the capillaries with polydimethylacrylamide (PDMA). Prolonged rinsing of the capillaries with a base substantially improved the migration time reproducibility and decreased peak tailing. Addition of betaine to the electrophoretic buffer enhanced both the migration time stability as well as the theoretical plate numbers of the peaks. Finally PDMA-coated capillaries brought about significant improvements in the resolving power of the separations. These modifications all utilized an electrophoretic buffer that was compatible with a living biologic cell. Consequently they should be adaptable for the new capillary electrophoresis-based methods to measure kinase activation in single cells.     

Capillary electrophoretic enzyme immunoassay with electrochemical detection using a noncompetitive format

A capillary electrophoretic enzyme immunoassay with electrochemical detection (CE-EIA-ED) using a noncompetitive format has been developed. In this method, antigen (Ag) reacts with an excess amount of horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled antibody (Ab*). The free Ab* and the bound Ag-Ab* complex produced in the solution are separated by capillary zone electrophoresis in a separation capillary. Then they catalyze enzyme substrate 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzide (TMB(Red)) and H(2)O(2) in a reaction capillary following the separation capillary. The reaction product, TMB(Ox), can be determined using amperometric detection on a carbon fiber microdisk bundle electrode at the outlet of the reaction capillary. Due to the amplification of the enzyme, a significant amount of TMB(Ox) can be produced for detection. Therefore, the limit of detection (LOD) of CE-EIA-ED is very low. A tumor marker (CA15-3) was used as a model, in order to test the method. The concentration LOD of CA15-3 is 0.024 U/ml, which corresponds to a mass detection limit of 1.3x10(-7) U.     

Chemical modification of the Ca2+ -dependent ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum from skeletal muscle. II. Use of 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzenesulfonate to show functional movements of the ATPase molecule.

1. By changing the concentrations of Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions and ATP, the Ca2+, Mg2+-dependent ATPase [EC 3.6.1.3] of SR was converted to various enzymatic states, E, MgE, MgECa, MgEATP' CaECa, and CaECap at pH 8.0 and 0 degrees (cf. Eq. 1). 2. SR vesicles were allowed to react with 0.5 mM 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonate (TBS) at pH 8.0 and 0 degrees, keeping the ATPase in one of the enzymatic states listed above. Trinitrophenyl (TNP)-protein and TNP-lipid were separated by gel-filtration, and the amounts of TNP incorporated into protein and lipid were determined. 3. In all the enzymatic states of ATPase tested, the amount of TBS bound with SR protein increased exponentially with time, and reached a maximum level 10 min after starting the reaction. On the other hand, the amount of TBS bound to lipid increased with time, and did not reach a maximum level for at least 20 min. 4. The SR ATPase activity and the amount of EP formed decreased only slightly, even when the amount of TBS bound to SR protein reached the maximum level. 5. The maximum amount of TBS bound to SR protein varied on changing the enzymatic state of SR ATPase. Namely, about 2,3,1,3, or 4, and 3 moles of TNP were incorporated per mole of SR ATPase, when SR was allowed to react with TBS in the enzymatic states MgE, MgECa, MgEATP' CaECa, and CaECap, respectively. 6. When the enzymatic state was changed from MgE to MgECa 10 min after starting the reaction with TBS, about 4 moles of TBS was bound per mole of ATPase within 10 min, while the maximum levels of TBS bound in states MgE and MgECa were about 2 and 3 moles per mole of ATPase, respectively, as mentioned above. 7; When the enzymatic state was changed from MgE to MfEATP 10 min after starting the reaction with TBS, about 3 moles of TBS was bound per mole of ATPase within 10 min, while the maximum levels of TBS bound in states MgE and MgEATP were about 2 and 1 moles per mole of ATPase, respectively, as mentioned above. 8. When the enzymatic state was changed from CaECa to CaECap 10 min after starting the reaction with TBS, about 4 moles of TBS was bound per mole of ATPase, while the maximum levels of TBS bound in states CaECa and CaECap were about 3 or 4 moles per mole of ATPase, respectively. 9. A diagrammatic model of functional movements of the ATPase molecule coupled with elementary steps in the ATPase reaction is proposed on the basis of these results.     

Peroxidase catalyzed reactions of iodide at low pH

Lactoperoxidase (LP) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) catalyze the rapid oxidation of iodide to iodine at pH 3.6. One mole of peroxide reacts with 2 moles of iodide, producing 1 mole of iodine. Neither enzyme catalyzes the further oxidation of iodine. The turnover numbers for LP and HRP are 1.4 × 10⁵ and 2.2 × 10⁴ I₂ moles produced/min/enzyme mole, respectively.     

Application of microfluidic chip with integrated optics for electrophoretic separations of proteins

This paper describes the fabrication, the characterization and the applications of a capillary electrophoresis microchip. This hybrid device (glass/PDMS) features channels and optical waveguides integrated in one common substrate. It can be used for electrophoretic separation and fluorimetric detection of molecules. The microfluidic performance of the device is demonstrated by capillary zone and gel electrophoresis of proteins.     

Correlation of electrophoretic mobilities from capillary electrophoresis with physicochemical properties of proteins and peptides

Excellent correlation was observed for the electrophoretic mobilities measured by capillary zone electrophoresis versus q/MW2/3, where q is the calculated charge and MW is the molecular weight. Mobilities of a set of 33 diverse peptides from enzymatic digests and 10 intact proteins were measured for separations at pH 2.35, 8.0, and 8.15 with constant ionic strength, temperature, and viscosity. The correlation suggests that the frictional drag is proportional to the surface area of a sphere that has a volume proportional to the MW. The correlation of electrophoretic mobility with physicochemical properties will facilitate the elucidation of optimum separation strategies for protein and peptide mixtures.     

Identification of substance P metabolites using a combination of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis

Gradient elution reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic and capillary electrophoretic separations were optimised to separate substance P (SP) and twelve of its fragments. The methods were applied to a study of the in vivo metabolism of substance P in the rat after intrastriatal injection of the peptide (10 nmol). SP and significant amounts of its N-terminal fragments, SP(1-7) and SP(1-4), were detected but no major C-terminal fragments could be identified. At the concentration studied, the metabolism of SP was shown to follow zero order elimination kinetics with a rate of decay of 0.2 nmol/min. As we have shown that SP(1–4) and SP(1–7) can be produced in vivo in the striatum in relatively large amounts, it is conceivable that these fragments contribute to the overall pharmacological pattern of activity of the parent peptide.     

The amounts of adenosine di- and triphosphates bound to H-meromyosin and the adenosinetriphosphatase activity of the H-meromyosin-F-actin-relaxing protein system in the presence and absence of calcium ions. The physiological functions of the two routes of myosin adenosinetriphosphatase in muscle contraction.

The rates of the ATPase [EC 3.6.1.3] reaction of the H-meromyosin-F-actin-relaxing protein system were measured in 2 mM MgCl2, 50mM KC1, and 10mM Tris-HC1 at pH 7.8 and 20 degrees in the presence and absence of 0.05-0.1 mM Ca2+ ions. The concentrations of H-meromyosin (HMM) and the F-actin-relaxing protein (F-A-PR) complex were 3.4 and 3 mg/ml, respectively, and the ATPase reaction was coupled with 4 mg/ml of pyruvate kinase [EC 2.7.1.40] and 1 or 20 mM phosphoenolpyruvate to regenerate ATP. The amount of ADP bound to HMM during the ATPase reaction was determined by measuring the amount of ADP remaining in the reaction mixture. The amount of ATP bound to HMM was determined by subtracting the amount of bound ADP from the total amount of nucleotides bound to HMM, which was measured by a rapid flow-dialysis method. The following results were obtained. 1. The ATPase activity of the HMM-F-A-RP system increased linearly with increase in the amount of ATP added, and was independent of the presence of 0.05 mM Ca2+, when the amount of ATP added was less than 1 mole/mole of HMM. In the presence of 0.05 mM Ca2+, the ATPase activity reached a maximal level when 1.2-1.5 mole of ATP was added per mole of HMM, and maintained this level even at 3 moles of added ATP/mole of HMM. In the presence of 3mM EGTA, the ATPase activity decreased with increase in the amount of ATP added, from 1.5 to 3 moles of ATP/mole of HMM, and reached the level of the HMM ATPase reaction at 3 moles of added ATP/mole of HMM. Similar results were observed when the concentration of HMM was maintained at 3.4 mg/ml and the concentration of the F-A-RP complex was decreased from 3 to 1 or 0.5 mg/ml.     

Capillary electrophoretic immunoassay for alpha-fetoprotein with chemiluminescence detection

A capillary electrophoretic immunoassay with chemiluminescence detection (CEIA-CL) using a non-competitive format for analyzing tumor marker alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has been developed. In this method, antigen (Ag) AFP reacts with an excess amount of horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled antibody (Ab*). The free Ab* and the bound Ab*-Ag complex produced in the solution are separated by CE in a separation capillary. Then they catalyze the reaction of enzyme substrate luminol and H(2)O(2) in a reaction capillary following the separation capillary. Parameters affecting the CE separation and CL detection were investigated. Under the optimal conditions, the free Ab* and the Ab*-Ag complex were well separated within 4 min, the linear range and the detection limit (S/N=3) for AFP were 5-500 ng/ml and 0.85 ng/ml (1.2 x 10(-11)M), respectively. The proposed method has been applied satisfactorily in the analysis of human sera samples.     

Synergism of capillary isotachophoresis and capillary zone electrophoresis

The combination of capillary isotachophoresis and capillary zone electrophoresis may enhance greatly the performance of analytical capillary electrophoresis with respect to both separation power and the concentration sensitivity. The concentrating effects and the separation power of isotachophoresis allow the analysis of diluted samples and the elimination of interferences due to bulk components. The separation process of zone electrophoresis enables one to resolve the stack of trace analytes and detect the resulting individual zones with high sensitivity. The transition of isotachophoresis into zone electrophoresis plays the key role in the overall performance of this hyphenated technique. This article describes the dynamics of the conversion of isotachophoresis into zone electrophoretic mode and shows that the key role is played by the segments of the leading and terminating zones from the isotachophoretic stage. The magnitude of these segments directly effects the detection time as well as the separation width of the peaks of analytes. It is shown that these effects are also important in the analyses by capillary zone electrophoresis where isotachophoresis is induced by the sample itself. Finally, the paper presents a list of recommended, user-friendly, electrolyte systems which enable one to simply predict the performance of the combination isotachophoresis-zone electrophoresis.     

Amperometric detection of perphenazine at a carbon fiber micro-disk bundle electrode by capillary zone electrophoresis

A simple method for determination of perphenazine by capillary zone electrophoresis with amperometric detection is described. The optimum conditions of separation and detection are 1.50 x 10(-3) mol/l Na(2)B(4)O(7)-1.0 x 10(-3) mol/l NaOH (pH 9.9) for the buffer solution, 18 kV for the separation voltage, 5 kV and 5 s for the injection voltage and the injection time, and 0.80 V versus saturated calomel electrode for the detection potential, respectively. The limit of detection is 5.0 x 10(-8) mol/l or 44 amol (S/N=3). The linear range of the calibration curve is 1.00 x 10(-7) to 1.00 x 10(-4) mol/l. The relative standard deviation is 1.5% for the migration time and 2.9% for the electrophoretic current at peak maximum. The method is applied to the determination of perphenazine in human urine.