Determination of sodium cromoglycate in human plasma by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry in the turbo ion spray mode

A highly sensitivity liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed for the quantitation of sodium cromoglycate (SCG) in human plasma. The method was validated over a linear range of 0.100–50.0 ng/ml, using ¹³C₄ sodium cromoglycate as the internal standard. Compounds were extracted from 1.0 ml of lithium heparin plasma by methanol elution of C₁₈ solid-phase extraction cartridges. The dried residue was reconstituted with 100 μl of 0.01 N HCl, and 30 μl was injected onto the LC–MS–MS system. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C8 (3.5 μm) column with an isocratic mobile phase of methanol–water–0.5 M ammonium acetate (35:64.8:0.2, v/v/v). The analytes were detected with a PE Sciex API 3000 mass spectrometer using turbo ion spray with positive ionization. Ions monitored in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode were m/z 469.2 (precursor ion) to m/z 245.1 (product ion) for SCG and m/z 473.2 (precursor ion) to m/z 247.1 (product ion) for ¹³C₄ SCG (I.S.). The average recoveries of SCG and the I.S. from human plasma were 91 and 87%, respectively. The low limit of quantitation was 0.100 ng/ml. Results from a 4-day validation study demonstrated excellent precision (C.V.% values were between 1.9 and 6.5%) and accuracy (−5.4 to −1.2%) across the calibration range of 0.100–50.0 ng/ml.     

Simultaneous determination of nifedipine and dehydronifedipine in human plasma by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Quantitative analysis of therapeutic compounds and their metabolites in biological matrix (such as plasma, serum or urine) nowadays requires sensitive and selective methods to allow the determination of concentrations in the ng/ml range. A new on-line LC–MS–MS method using atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI) as interface for the simultaneous determination of nifedipine (NIF) and its metabolite in human plasma, dehydronifedipine (DNIF) has been developed. The compounds were extracted from plasma using solid-phase extraction (SPE) on disposable extraction cartridges (DECs). The SPE operations were performed automatically by means of a sample processor equipped with a robotic arm (ASPEC system). The DEC filled with phenyl modified silica was first conditioned with methanol and water. The washing step was performed with water. Finally, the analytes were successively eluted with methanol and water. The liquid chromatographic (LC) separation of NIF and DNIF was achieved on a RP-18 stationary phase (4 μm). The mobile phase consisted of methanol–50 mM ammonium acetate solution (50:50, v/v). The LC was then coupled to tandem mass spectrometry with an APCI interface in the positive ion mode.

The method developed was validated. The absolute recoveries evaluated over the whole concentration range were 95±2% and 95±4% for NIF and DNIF, respectively. The method was found to be linear in the 0.5–100 ng/ml concentration range for the two analytes (r²=0.999 for both NIF and DNIF). The mean R.S.D. values for repeatability and intermediate precision were 2.9 and 3.0% for NIF and 2.2–4.7% for the metabolite.The method developed was successfully used to investigate the plasma concentration of NIF and DNIF in the pharmacokinetic studies.     

Characterization and quantification of karlotoxins by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

Karlodinium veneficum is a cosmopolitan dinoflagellate with a worldwide distribution in mesohaline temperate waters. The toxins from K. veneficum, or karlotoxins (KmTxs), which have been implicated in fish kill events, have been purified from monoalgal cultures, and shown to possess hemolytic, cytotoxic and ichthyotoxic activities. Three karlotoxins (KmTx 1–1, KmTx 1–3 and KmTx 2) have been isolated from two different North American strains of K. veneficum and characterized using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). KmTx 1 karlotoxins have a UV absorption maximum (λ_max 225 nm) at lower wavelengths than KmTx 2 karlotoxins (λ_max 235 nm). The exact masses and predicted empirical formulae for the karlotoxins (KmTx 1–1, 1308.8210, C₆₇H₁₂₀O₂₄; KmTx 1–3, 1322.8637, and C₆₉H₁₂₆O₂₃; KmTx 2, 1344.7938, C₆₇H₁₂₁ClO₂₄) were determined using high resolution mass spectrometry. Although the individual toxins produce a single peak in reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), MS revealed congeners co-eluting within each peak. These congeners could be separated under normal phase chromatography and revealed a single hydroxylation being responsible for the mass differences. Multistage MS (MSⁿ) showed that the three KmTxs and their congeners share a large portion of their structures including an identical 907 amu core fragment.

These data were used to develop a quantitative LC–MS assay for karlotoxins from cultures and environmental samples. The sensitivity afforded by MS detection compared to UV absorbance allowed toxin quantification at 0.2 ng when injected on column. Aqueous solutions of karlotoxins were found to quantitatively adsorb to PTFE and nylon membrane filters. Aliquots from whole cultures or environmental samples could be concentrated and desalted by adsorption to PTFE syringe filters and karlotoxins eluted with methanol for analysis by LC–MS. This simplified solid phase cleanup afforded new data indicating that each karlotoxin may also exist as sulfated derivatives and also provided a rapid detection method for karlotoxin from environmental samples and whole cultures.     

Analysis of theaflavins in biological fluids using liquid chromatography–electrospray mass spectrometry

A HPLC–MS procedure for the sensitive and specific analysis of the black tea flavonoid theaflavin in human plasma and urine was developed. Levels were measured after enzymatic deconjugation, extraction into ethyl acetate, and separation by HPLC, using tandem mass spectrometry as a detecting system. Two healthy volunteers consumed 700 mg theaflavins, equivalent to about 30 cups of black tea. The maximum concentration detected in blood plasma was 1.0 μg l⁻¹ in a sample collected after 2 h. The concentration in urine also peaked after 2 h at 4.2 μg l⁻¹. Hence, only minute amounts of theaflavins can be detected in plasma and urine samples of healthy volunteers after ingestion.     

Quantitative determination of dihydroetorphine in rat plasma and brain by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

The extraordinarily strong analgesic dihydroetorphine (DHE) was registered as one of the most strictly controlled narcotic drugs by the United Nations in 1999. However, an effective detection method for DHE in biological samples has not yet been established. We developed a quantitative method for assay of DHE in rat plasma and brain by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry equipped with an ionspray interface. A 0.5-ml volume of plasma and brain homogenate spiked with buprenorphine (internal standard) was purified by the solid-phase extraction column Bond Elute Certify. DHE produced numerous weak fragment ions by collision induced dissociation. Therefore, collision energy was utilized to decompose the interferences, and the protonated molecular ion was used for both precursor and product ion monitoring. As a result of the method validation, the dynamic concentration range was determined as 0.05–10 ng/ml. DHE in these samples was stable for 2 months at −4°C and for 24 h at ambient temperatures. Using the present method, DHE was detected in rat plasma and brain tissue after intravenous injection (0.5 μg/kg).     

Determination of Guan-Fu Base A, a new anti-arrhythmic, in human plasma by gas chromatography and electron–capture detection

A gas chromatographic–electron capture detection (GC–ECD) method has been developed for determining Guan-Fu Base A (GFA), an experimental anti-arrhythmic, in human plasma. The method was based on one-step liquid–liquid extraction with toluene and chemical derivatization with pentafluoropropionic anhydride followed by GC–ECD. The derivatives of GFA and metoprolol (Met, internal standard) were confirmed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to be dipentafluoropropionyl-GFA and dipentafluoropropionyl-Met. The method was linear over the concentration ranges of 0.1–20.0 and 1.0–30.0 μg/ml with the detection limit of 0.05 μg/ml at S/N=5. The intra- and inter-assay precisions were less than 6 and 10%, and accuracy 99.70±3.30 and 97.60±5.99%, respectively. The absolute recoveries were 81.88, 77.35, 80.79 and 83.85% for GFA at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, 5.0 and 14.0 μg/ml and 88.24% for Met at 3.0 μg/ml, respectively.     

Quantitation of TNP-470 and its metabolites in human plasma: sample handling, assay performance and stability

A selective and sensitive assay for the determination of TNP-470 and two of its metabolites, AGM-1883 and M-II, in human plasma was developed. The assay involved liquid–liquid extraction followed by analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Because TNP-470 is most stable in a pH of 4–5, an acidification procedure was utilized to prevent degradation of TNP-470 during sample collection which involved acidifying the whole blood sample collected with 5 mg of citric acid per ml of blood. Liquid–liquid extraction using an organic solvent mixture was chosen over solid-phase extraction to minimize the degradation of TNP-470 during solvent evaporation.     

Identification of the site of glycation of human insulin

This study evaluates the nature of glycated human insulin formed following exposure to hyperglycemic conditions in vitro. Glycated insulin was purified by RP-HPLC and its molecular mass (5971.3 Da) determined by plasma desorption mass spectrometry (MS). The difference in mass (163.7 Da) from nonglycated insulin (5807.6 Da) corresponds to a single reduced glucose (glucitol) residue. Following reduction of insulin disulfide bridges, MS confirmed that the B-chain was glycated. Enzymatic digestions with trypsin, endoproteinase Glu-C, and thermolysin, followed by RP-HPLC and identification of fragments by MS, localized glycation to the B-chain (1–5) region. Electrospray tandem MS identified the site of glycation as the B-chain NH₂-terminal Phe¹ residue. This was confirmed by automated Edman degradation with glycated human insulin.     

Receptor binding profiles of NPY analogues and fragments in different tissues and cell lines

To investigate receptor selectivity and possible species selectivity of a number of NPY analogues and fragments, receptor binding studies were performed using cell lines and membranes of several species. NPY displays 4–25-fold higher affinity for the Y₂ receptor than for the Y₁ receptor. The affinity of [Leu³¹,Pro³⁴]NPY is 7–60-fold higher for the Y₁ receptor when compared with the Y₂ subtype. Species selectivity within the Y₂ receptors is demonstrated by PYY(3–36), NPY(2–36), NPY(22–36), and NPY(26–36). It is shown that NPY(22–36) is species selective for the human Y₂ subtype (K_i of 0.3 nM) compared with the rabbit and rat Y₂ receptor (K_i of 2 and 10 nM, respectively). PYY(3–36) displays highest affinity for the human and rabbit Y₂ subtype (K_i of 0.03 and 0.17 nM). The screening of NPY analogues and fragments revealed that highest affinity for the human Y₂ receptor is shown by NPY(2–36) and PYY(3–36). In addition, PYY(3–36) and NPY(2–36) are not only subtype selective, but also species selective.     

Mass spectral evidence for carbonate-anion-radical-induced posttranslational modification of tryptophan to kynurenine in human Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase

Previously, we showed that oxidation of tryptophan-32 (Trp-32) residue was crucial for H₂O₂/bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻)-dependent covalent aggregation of human Cu,Zn SOD1 (hSOD1). The carbonate anion radical (CO₃⁻)-induced oxidation of Trp-32 to kynurenine-type oxidation products was proposed to cause the aggregation of hSOD1. Here we used the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy, and liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy methods to characterize products. Results show that a peptide region (31–36) of hSOD1 containing the Trp-32 residue (VWGSIK) is oxidatively modified to the N-formylkynurenine (NFK)- and kynurenine (Kyn)-containing peptides (V(NFK)GSIK) and (V(Kyn)GSIK) during HCO⁻-dependent peroxidase activity of hSOD1. Also, UV photolysis of a cobalt complex that generates authentic CO₃⁻ radical induced a similar product profile from hSOD1. Similar products were obtained using a synthetic peptide with the same amino acid sequence (i.e., VWGSIK). We propose a mechanism involving a tryptophanyl radical for CO₃⁻-induced oxidation of Trp-32 residue (VWGSIK) in hSOD1 to V(NFK)GSIK and V(Kyn)GSIK.     

Isolation, structural elucidation, and partial synthesis of lutein dehydration products in extracts from human plasma

All-E-(3R,6′R)-3-hydroxy-3′,4′-didehydro-β,γ-carotene (anhydrolutein I) and all-E-(3R,6′R)-3-hydroxy-2′,3′-didehydro-β,ε-carotene (2′,3′-anhydrolutein II) have been isolated and characterized from extracts of human plasma using semipreparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a C₁₈ reversed-phase column. The identification of anhydroluteins was accomplished by comparison of the UV-Vis absorption and mass spectral data as well as HPLC-UV-Vis-mass spectrometry (MS) spiking experiments using fully characterized synthetic compounds. Partial synthesis of anhydroluteins from the reaction of lutein with 2% H₂SO₄ in acetone, in addition to anhydrolutein I (54%) and 2′,3′-anhydrolutein II (19%), also gave (3′R)-3′-hydroxy-3,4-dehydro-β-carotene (3′,4′-anhydrolutein III, 19%). While anhydrolutein I has been shown to be usually accompanied by minute quantities of 2′,3′-anhydrolutein II (ca. 7–10%) in human plasma, 3′,4′-anhydrolutein III has not been detected. The presence of anhydrolutein I and II in human plasma is postulated to be due to acid catalyzed dehydration of the dietary lutein as it passes through the stomach. These anhydroluteins have also been prepared by conversion of lutein diacetate to the corresponding anhydrolutein acetates followed by alkaline hydrolysis. However, under identical acidic conditions, loss of acetic acid from lutein diacetate proceeded at a much slower rate than dehydration of lutein. The structures of the synthetic anhydroluteins, including their absolute configuration at C(3) and C(6′) have been unambiguously established by ¹H NMR and in part by ¹³C NMR, and circular dichroism.     

Continuous production of isovaleraldehyde through extractive bioconversion in a hollow-fiber membrane bioreactor

A membrane bioreactor was developed to perform an extractive bioconversion aimed at the production of isovaleraldehyde by isoamyl alcohol oxidation with whole cells of Gluconobacter oxydans. A liquid/liquid extractive system using isooctane as extractant and assisted by a hollow-fiber hydrophobic membrane was chosen to recover the product. The aqueous bioconversion phase and the organic phase were maintained apart with the aid of the membrane. The extraction of alcohol and aldehyde was evaluated by performing equilibrium and mass transfer kinetic studies. The bioprocess was then performed in a continuous mode with addition of the substrate to the aqueous phase. Fresh solvent was added to the organic phase and exhausted solvent was removed at the same flow rate. The extractive system enabled a fast and selective in situ removal of the aldehyde from the water to the organic phase. High conversions (72–90%) and overall productivity (2.0–3.0 g l⁻¹ h⁻¹) were obtained in continuous experiments performed with different rates of alcohol addition (1.5–3.5 g l⁻¹ h⁻¹). Cell deactivation was observed after 10–12 h of operation.     

[H]WAY–100635 for 5–HT1A receptor autoradiography in human brain: a comparison with [H]8–OH–DPAT and demonstration of increased binding in the frontal cortex in schizophrenia

WAY–100635 is the first selective, silent 5–HT_1A (5-hydroxytryptamine_1A, serotonin-1A) receptor antagonist. We have investigated the use of [³H]WAY–100635 as a quantitative autoradiographic ligand in post-mortem human hippocampus, raphe and four cortical regions, and compared it with the 5–HT_1A receptor agonist, [³H]8–OH–DPAT. Saturation studies showed an average Kd for [³H]WAY–100635 binding in hippocampus of 1.1 nM. The regional and laminar distributions of [³H]WAY–100635 binding and [³H]8–OH–DPAT binding were similar. The density of [³H]WAY–100635 binding sites was 60–70% more than that of [³H]8–OH–DPAT in all areas examined except the cingulate gyrus where it was 165% higher. [³H]WAY–100635 binding was robust and was not affected by the post-mortem interval, freezer storage time or brain pH (agonal state). Using [³H]WAY–100635, we confirmed an increase of 5–HT_1A receptor binding sites in the frontal cortex in schizophrenia, previously demonstrated with [³H]8–OH–DPAT. Compared to [³H]8–OH–DPAT, [³H]WAY–100635 has two advantages: it has a higher selectivity and affinity for the 5–HT_1A receptor, and it recognizes 5–HT_1A receptors whether or not they are coupled to a G-protein, whereas [³H]8–OH–DPAT primarily detects coupled receptors. Given these considerations, the [³H]WAY–100635 binding data in schizophrenia clarify two points. First, they indicate that the elevated [³H]8–OH–DPAT binding seen in the same cases is attributable to an increase of 5–HT_1A receptors rather than any other binding site. Second, the enhanced [³H]8–OH–DPAT binding in schizophrenia reflects an increased density of 5–HT_1A receptors, not an increased percentage of 5–HT_1A receptors which are G-protein-coupled. We conclude that [³H]WAY–100635 is a valuable autoradiographic ligand for the qualitative and quantitative study of 5–HT_1A receptors in the human brain.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic method for fingerprinting and quantitative determination of E- and Z-guggulsterones in Commiphora mukul resin and its products

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed and validated for the fingerprinting (profiling) and quantitative determination of E- and Z-guggulsterones, the hypolipidemic agents in the gum-resin exudate of Commiphora mukul, currently marketed worldwide as hypocholesterolemic. The method involves extraction of the guggul-resin from either the raw exudate or compounded tablets (or capsules) with ethyl acetate, concentration of the combined extracts and chromatography on a reversed-phase C₁₈ column using an acetonitrile–water gradient. The method has a validated quantitation range of 15–85 μg/ml for E-guggulsterone and 25–130 μg/ml for Z-guggulsterone with a precision of ±2% S.D. and a recovery of >99.5%. Standard curve correlation coefficients of 0.992 or greater were obtained during validation experiments. The method was applied to six commercial (OTC) products, all of which were found to contain significantly less (in most cases very little or none) of the claimed guggulsterones.     

Simultaneous determination of flupirtine and its major active metabolite in human plasma by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid, selective and sensitive HPLC–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of flupirtine and its active metabolite D-13223 in human plasma. The analytes and internal standard diphenhydramine were extracted from plasma samples by liquid–liquid extraction, and chromatographed on a C₁₈ column. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile–water–formic acid (60:40:1, v/v/v), at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min. Detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode via atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI). The method has a limit of quantitation of 10 ng/ml for flupirtine and 2 ng/ml for D-13223, using 0.5-ml plasma sample. The linear calibration curves were obtained in the concentration range of 10.0–1500.0 ng/ml for flupirtine and 2.0–300.0 ng/ml for D-13223. The intra- and inter-run precision (RSD), calculated from quality control (QC) samples was less than 7.2% for flupirtine and D-13223. The accuracy as determined from QC samples was less than 5% for the analytes. The overall extraction recoveries of flupirtine and D-13223 were determined to be about 66% and 78% on average, respectively. The method was applied for the evaluation of the pharmacokinetics of flupirtine and active metabolite D-13223 in volunteers following peroral administration.     

Simultaneous determination of 5-fluorouracil and uracil by high-performance liquid chromatography using four serial columns

A sensitive assay was developed for the quantitation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and uracil using liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) and HPLC with UV detection. Analyses were performed with four μBondapak C₁₈ columns connected in series using 20 mM acetic acid with 1% ACN as mobile phase. The calibration curves were linear across the range of 26–1000 ng ml⁻¹ (0.21–7.8 μM) for 5-FU and 1.0–14.0 μg ml⁻¹ (0.01–110 μM) for uracil. This assay has been implemented to determine the plasma concentrations for pharmacokinetic studies for 5-FU and uracil in conjunction with clinical trials.     

Androgen glucuronides, instead of testosterone, as the new markers of androgenic activity in women

Despite the long series of cohort studies performed during the last 20 years, the correlation between serum testosterone and any clinical situation believed to be under androgen control in women has remained elusive. This is likely related to the recent finding that the androgens made locally in large amounts in peripheral tissues from the precursor dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) act in the same cells where synthesis takes place and are not released in significant amounts in the circulation, thus making unreliable the measurement of serum testosterone as marker of total androgenic activity. The objective is to determine if serum androgen glucuronides can be replaced by testosterone or another steroid as measure of androgenic activity.

Since the glucuronide derivatives of androgens are the obligatory route of elimination of all androgens, these metabolites were measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry under basal conditions in 377 healthy postmenopausal women aged 55–65 years as well as in 47 premenopausal women aged 30–35 years while testosterone was assayed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. No correlation was found between the serum concentration of testosterone and that of androsterone glucuronide (ADT-G) or androstenediol glucuronide (3-diol-G), the androgen metabolites which account for the total pool of androgens.

The present data show that measurement of the total pool of androgens reflected by the serum levels of ADT-G and 3-diol-G cannot be replaced by serum testosterone or any other steroid, including DHEA or DHEA sulphate. These findings may have implications for women with androgen deficiency involving osteoporosis, obesity, type 2 diabetes, sexual dysfunction, loss of muscular strength and a series of other clinical situations affecting women's health. Measuring ADT-G and 3-diol-G might identify cases of true androgen deficiency and provide an opportunity to offer appropriate androgen therapy.     

Alternative methods for genetic transformation of Pseudozyma antarctica, a basidiomycetous yeast-like fungus

Electroporation and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) were adapted and optimized for genetic transformation of the basidiomycetous yeast-like fungus Pseudozyma antarctica as alternatives to the cumbersome PEG/CaCl₂-mediated transformation of protoplasts. Electroporation yielded 100–200 transformants per μg of DNA per 10⁸ cells after 3 days on selective medium. For its part, ATMT yielded 60–160 transformants per 10⁶ input cfu after 5–10 days on a selective medium. Transformants obtained from both methods showed stable hygromycin resistance and strong expression of green fluorescent protein. Analysis of integration events revealed a limited number of predominantly tandem insertions in the genome of transformants, an improvement over PEG/CaCl₂-mediated transformation. Both protocols relied on intact conidia of P. antarctica as starting material and thus eliminated the need for cell wall-degrading or weakening agents such as lytic enzymes or chemicals. Other advantages over protoplast transformation included higher yield of transformants and shorter recovery time of transformed colonies on selective medium.     

Determination of gestrinone in human serum by liquid chromatography–electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid, sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray tandem mass spectrometric method has been developed for the determination of gestrinone (R 2323) in human serum using mifepristone (RU 486) as an internal standard. R 2323 was extracted from human serum by an ether extraction procedure. Multiple reaction monitoring was used to detect R 2323 and RU 486. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 3.5–177 ng/ml (r²≥0.99) with the limitation of detection of 0.8 ng/ml. The intra-day precision and accuracy, expressed as C.V. and RE, ranged from 2.3–13.7 to −4.8–3.0%. The inter-day precision and accuracy ranged from 5.5–14.8 to −6.7–3.1%. The mean recovery was 91.0% for R 2323, and 90.6% for the internal standard. The method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of R 2323.     

Differential glycosylation of N-POMC1-77 regulates the production of gamma 3-MSH by purified pro-opiomelanocortin converting enzyme. A possible mechanism for tissue-specific processing.

The amino terminus of bovine pro-opiomelanocortin (N-POMC^1–77) is partially processed in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary to N-POMC^1–49 and lys-γ₃ -melanotropin. Two pools of N-POMC^1–77 were isolated which were differentially glycosylated at threonine⁴⁵, while N-POMC^1–49 isolated from bovine intermediate lobe extracts existed in a non-glycosylated form. This suggested that differential O-linked glycosylation of N-POMC^1–77 may regulate cleavage at the Arg⁴⁹-Lys⁵⁰ processing site. We tested this hypothesis by incubating N-POMC^1–77 glycoforms with purified pro-opiomelanocortin converting enzyme. Only non-O-glycosylated N-POMC^1–77 and O-glycosylated N-POMC^1–77 with truncated oligosaccharide sidechains were sensitive to cleavage and generated predominantly lys-γ₃ -melanotropin, identified by high-performance liquid chromatography. These data provide the first functional evidence to support a role for differential O-linked glycosylation in the regulation of the processing of the N-terminus of bovine POMC.