Isolation of glycosylated hemoglobins by a combination of ion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatographies: a pilot study

The techniques of ion exchange and gel filtration have been combined in a single chromatographic column which allows the simultaneous isolation of hemoglobins glycosylated at their beta-amino termini from other hemoglobin species as well as from molecules differing in size from the hemoglobins. This method is unique because it makes possible isolation of preparative quantities of glycosylated hemoglobins within approximately 15 min. The method works most efficiently with a dry weight-to-weight ratio of Biorex 70 to Sephadex G25 of 1.4 to 1.0. The technique was applied to the determination of the apparent first-order rate constant for the deglycosylation of the labile form of hemoglobin AIc.     

A kinetic, chromatographic method for studying protein hydrodynamic behavior

A chromatographic method based on "split-peak" behavior was described for the determination of the coefficient of mass transfer of proteins on small reversed-phase columns. The coefficient of mass transfer was found to be a linear function of the protein translational diffusion coefficient and inversely proportional to the square of the support particle diameter, as predicted by chromatographic theory. As an example of the practical application of this method for the measurement of protein diffusion coefficients, the denaturation of bovine serum albumin with decreasing solution pH was followed by measuring the change in the coefficient of mass transfer. A major advantage of this method was that the results were not affected by the interaction of the protein with the stationary phase.     

Analysis of serum iron by gel permeation high-performance liquid chromatography

A high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure for the determination of serum iron is reported. Serum iron extracted with methyl isobutyl ketone was converted to dibenzoylmethane chelate (molecular weight 725), and it was separated from excess dibenzoylmethane (molecular weight 224) by gel permeation chromatography. The chelate was determined by measuring ultraviolet absorption at 280 nm. Good reproducibility, recovery, and correlation with the conventional colorimetric method were observed.     

Comparison of the Coomassie brilliant blue, bicinchoninic acid and Lowry quantitation assays, using non-glycosylated and glycosylated proteins.

The concentrations of several non-glycosylated and glycosylated recombinant and native proteins were determined by three widely used colorimetric methods: Coomassie brilliant blue, bicinchoninic acid and Lowry, and, for comparison, by amino acid composition analysis. The colorimetric methods gave results differing from the values derived from the amino acid analysis, in some cases by up to 60%. For the non-glycosylated recombinant proteins, the results were in relatively good agreement with each other and with the values determined on the basis of the amino acid analysis. The Coomassie blue method was strongly dependent on the hydrophobicity of the individual protein. The bicinchoninic acid method gave results closest to those of the amino acid analysis. For the glycosylated proteins, both recombinant and native, the Coomassie blue assay gave values lower, whereas the two other methods gave values higher than those determined on the basis of the amino acid analysis. The concentration of a recombinant interferon gamma receptor produced in two differently glycosylated forms was underestimated by the Coomassie blue assay and overestimated by the bicinchoninic acid and Lowry methods, while for the non-glycosylated form of the same protein, the three colorimetric methods delivered comparable values. The results suggest a potential interference of protein glycosylation with the colorimetric assays.     

Guidelines for the preparative fractionation of human serum proteins on gradient-eluted columns of concanavalin A-sepharose: elution positions of fourteen well-characterized proteins and evidence for concanavalin A-reactive albumin-IgA and -IgG complexes

Systematic studies on the fractionation of serum proteins on gradient-eluted columns of concanavalin A-Sepharose have been carried out to determine if the oligosaccharide residues were sufficiently different to permit a reasonable separation and to determine where in the chromatogram these proteins would be eluted. Human whole serum and ammonium sulfate fractions derived therefrom were used in conjunction with 2.1 x 75 cm columns of concanavalin A-Sepharose and a 4 x 400 ml gradient (Varigard) with 0.5 M methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside as limit buffer. The elution positions and chromatographic limits of 14 well-characterized human serum proteins have been determined by double diffusion of aliquots of the effluent fractions (10X concentrated) in agarose gel against specific antibody and the general chromatographic distribution of the proteins by immunoelectrophoresis. Overall, the results demonstrate that the composition of the oligosaccharide side chain, like differences in molecular size, solubility, and charge density, is a useful parameter in the chromatographic separation of protein from serum. Although it is well-known that albumin is a nonglycoprotein, 1.0% of the protein was tightly bound by concanavalin A-Sepharose. Subsequent experiments showed that albumin binding was due to complex formation with IgA and IgG both of which possess the necessary complement of concanavalin A-reactive residues for strong binding. Sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of 2-mercaptoethanol-reduced albumin-IgA and -IgG complexes produced bands corresponding to the molecular weights of albumin and the heavy and light chains of IgA and IgG whereas unreduced samples were not dissociated. When these complexes were reacted with concanavalin A-Sepharose and treated with 2-mercaptoethanol, free albumin was eluted. The remaining adsorbed glycoprotein(s), IgA and IgG, could be eluted with methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside. These results strongly suggest that these proteins and albumin are linked via a disulfide bond(s).     

Determination of protein covalently bound to agarose supports using bicinchoninic acid

A method using bicinchoninic acid (BCA) for the direct determination of protein covalently bound to agarose is described. The method involves the preparation of a standard curve using solubilized protein, the determination of the slurry concentration of the gel sample, the colorimetric assay of the gel slurry using BCA in a serum separator device, and the calculation of the amount of protein bound to the gel using the standard curve of the solubilized protein. The use of the BCA method for direct estimation of immobilized protein agrees well with the "balance" method which depends upon the measurement of protein depletion and yields highly reproducible results with a variety of coupling chemistries commonly used with agarose beads. The use of commercially available serum filters provides for a fast, less than 1 h, and convenient analytical format.     

Determination of fatty acid compositions of Bacillus cereus and related bacteria: a rapid gas chromatographic method using a glass capillary column.

A rapid gas chromatographic method for the determination of fatty acid compositions of Bacillus cereus and related bacteria is presented. By the use of a free fatty acid phase-coated glass capillary column, the complete separation of fatty acids, including the branched ones, was achieved. The method enables a more distinct differentiation of Bacillus species than can be obtained with packed columns.     

Determination of fatty acid compositions of Bacillus cereus and related bacteria: a rapid gas chromatographic method using a glass capillary column.

A rapid gas chromatographic method for the determination of fatty acid compositions of Bacillus cereus and related bacteria is presented. By the use of a free fatty acid phase-coated glass capillary column, the complete separation of fatty acids, including the branched ones, was achieved. The method enables a more distinct differentiation of Bacillus species than can be obtained with packed columns.     

Comparison of Lysyl-Transfer Ribonucleic Acid Species from Vegetative Cells and Spores of Bacillus subtilis by Methylated Albumin-Kieselguhr and Reversed-Phase Chromatography

Lysyl-transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) species from a spore-forming strain of Bacillus subtilis (168 trp2(-)) and an early blocked asporogenous mutant (spoA 12) were compared on reversed-phase and methylated albumin-kieselguhr columns. Lysyl-tRNA species from spores and the asporogenous mutant in stationary phase both exhibited altered chromatographic profiles compared to that of log-phase cells. The major peak in spore lysyl-tRNA species eluted later than that characteristic of vegetative cells, whereas the major peak of the lysyl-tRNA species from the asporogenous mutant in stationary phase eluted earlier. Although the early eluting lysyl-tRNA species was observable on methylated albumin columns, the late eluting peak was not detectable by that column technique. By using a shallower gradient on an RPC-2 column, the resolution of all lysyl-tRNA species increased. Several subspecies were revealed. The chromatographic comparisons clearly show that both the spore-forming strain and the asporogenous mutant undergo relative increases in different lysyl-tRNA species when grown to late stationary phase. No new species seem to be involved but rather altered amounts of minor species existing in log-phase cells. The experiments also demonstrate the usefulness of reversed-phase columns for such comparisons.     

Plasma fibrinogen levels in type II diabetics

Plasma fibrinogen levels measured by an immunoassay method on 170 type II diabetic patients exhibited a bimodal distribution with one small population demonstrating levels greater than those of the normal reference range. The mean plasma level of fibrinogen in the type II diabetics was higher than that of the normal population. Spearman's correlations demonstrated statistically significant positive relationships in type II diabetic patients between fibrinogen levels and fasting glucose levels, serum cholesterol, glycosylated hemoglobin and urinary albumin excretion rate. These relationships suggest that increased plasma fibrinogen may be another marker for coronary heart disease complications encountered by diabetics.     

Characterization of biotechnological processes and products using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). III. Quantitative analysis of organic acids in the α-ketoglutaric acid synthesis

A HPLC technique for the analysis of organic acids in the production of α-ketoglutaric acid was developed. The method was applied and optimized for the quantitative determination of citric acid, pyruvic acid, isocitric acid and α-ketoglutaric acid in fermentation solutions. As microorganism the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica and as substrates glucose or paraffins were used. The chromatographic separations were carried out by means of 50 and 100 × 8 mm i.d. glass columns packed with an anion-exchange resin based on an 8% cross-linked polystyrene-divinylbenzene copolymer. The relative errors ranged from 2.1% (α-ketoglutaric acid) to 5.2% (isocitric acid). The percent recovery values varied between 94.4% (isocitric acid) and 107.7% (pyruvic acid). The contents of organic acids in fermentation solutions after the microbial synthesis based on paraffins or glucose were compared.     

国产色谱柱在复方氨基酸输液含量测定中的应用研究

运用两种国产色谱柱检测复方氨基酸注射液中各氨基酸的含量,分别建立了分离检测方法,优化了梯度洗脱的条件。在waters和agilent的高效液相仪上,两个厂家的色谱柱均显示出较好的分离效果。结果表明国产色谱柱能经济有效的达到质量控制的目的,可以推广使用。     

Determination of the Krebs cycle related keto acids of microorganisms by capillary gas chromatography on glass columns

A gas chromatographic technique for quantitative determination of the Krebs cycle related keto acids in microorganisms is described. The keto acids are converted to the corresponding methoximes and analyzed as the silyl esters by capillary gas chromatography on glass columns. The conditions have been chosen as to allow simultaneous determination of related naturally occurring oximino acids. The practical limit of sensitivity is about 2 μg of each keto acid.     

Urinary protein profiling by high-performance gel permeation chromatography

We describe a new application of high-performance aqueous gel permeation chromatography for the analysis of human proteinuria. Separations of urinary proteins from normal subjects and patients with renal impairment were performed with TSK G 3000 SW columns. The effects of pH and icnic strength of the eluent on the separation of urinary proteins were investigated. Albumins were selectively separated from urine by affinity chromatography on Blue Sepharose CL-6B. According to the results of clinical investigations, urinary protein pattern derived from gel permeation chromatography revealed a good prediction of the site of renal involvement. Predominant excretion of proteins with lower molecular weight than albumin correlated with tubular damage. Albumin and higher molecular weight protein patterns were associated with glomerular disease. Absorbance measurements of the eluent at 280 nm were used for quantitative determination of total urinary protein. Gel permeation chromatography was compared to sodium dodecyl sulfate—polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the resulting protein patterns are in good agreement.     

Micromethod for the quantitative determination of succinic acid in the fermentation media

Summary A rapid and accurate method is described for the determination of succinic acid allowing direct application of the fermentation broth filtrate to TLC plate. Subsequent chromatographic separation on silica gel thin-layer and detection of succinic acid by a copper salt reagent, permits quantitative densitometric evaluation of succinic acid in the concentration range from 10 to 40 g. The quantitative analyses are reproducible and the assay has a coefficient of variation of 3.2%.     

Ammonium molybdate-stannous chloride determination of orthophosphate in the presence of triton X-100

A colorimetric method for the determination of orthophosphate in the presence of Triton X-100 and the extent of their mutual interference is presented. Effects of albumin and trichloroacetic acid on the reaction are also examined. The method is based on the very sensitive reaction developed for determination of orthophosphate by complex formation with ammonium molybdate followed by reduction with stannous chloride. The method allows determination of 0.005 μmol of orthophosphate in the presence of up to 0.5% Triton X-100 and as little as 0.3% ($\text{v}\text{v}$) Triton X-100 in the absence of phosphate.     

Quantitative Estimation of Ipomeamarone by Chromatostrip Technique

Method of analysing a microquantity of ipomcamarone was established by silica gel chromatostrip technique for its separation and the subsequent colorimetric determination of the 2.4-dinitrophenylhydrazone in alkaline condition. Preliminary analysis of ipomeamarone based on this method was carried out for sweet potato roots infected by the black rot during ninety six hours period.     

Direct identification and characterization of llama (Lama glama L.) whey proteins by microsequencing after western blotting

Amino acid sequence determination is the most reliable and powerful tool to identify a protein or to classify a new one by comparison of its primary structure with already known sequences. A rapid and simple purification procedure is an essential pre-requisite for routine sequence determination. Structural characterization of llama whey proteins was undertaken for evolutionary as well as economic purposes. N-terminal sequence analyses directly on an immobilon polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane, following Western blotting of both native and SDS-denatured llama whey proteins after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, revealed three different forms of glycosylated alpha-lactalbumin, and a protein with a high degree of homology with a camel whey protein of unknown function. Furthermore, by immunoblotting techniques, the electrophoretic band corresponding to serum albumin was identified.     

Automated isolation of high-purity plasma albumin for isotope ratio measurements

Measurement of the incorporation of labeled amino acids in plasma albumin, isolated from plasma sampled at different time points after infusion start is a well-known technique to study human albumin synthesis. Unfortunately, no chromatographic method has been described yet, enabling the automated isolation of high-purity albumin from large numbers of plasma samples as is required to study the kinetics of this process. Therefore, we developed a fast protein liquid chromatographic method, capable of processing 200 μl amounts of plasma in 74 min (injection to injection). The system can run unattended as the FPLC system is connected to a sample processor equipped with a polyether ether ketone (PEEK) sample loop and a cooled sample tray. Albumin isolation was divided into three steps. First, plasma samples were injected onto a 1-ml Blue Sepharose HiTrap affinity column, equilibrated with 50 mmol/l phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). After elution of non-binding protein, switching the solvent to phosphate buffer with 1.5 mol/l sodium chloride eluted albumin. The resulting albumin fraction was desalted on-line by directing it through two consecutive HiTrap 5-ml desalting columns, whereafter it was retained in the system within a 5-ml PTFE loop, connected to a motor valve. After switching this valve, thus bypassing the sample loop, the phosphate buffers were changed automatically to Tris buffers. Final purification involved elution of the captured fraction over a 1-ml ion-exchange Resource Q column, using a sodium chloride gradient, ranging from 0 to 0.5 mol/l in Tris buffer (20 mmol/l, pH 7.5). A more than 99% purity of the final albumin fraction was confirmed by capillary electrophoresis.     

Glycopeptide fractions prepared from purified central and peripheral rat myelin

Myelin was purified from rat brain and sciatic nerve after invivo labeling with [³H]fucose and [¹⁴C]glucosamine to provide a radioactive marker for glycoproteins. The glycoproteins in the isolated myelin were digested exhaustively with pronase, and glycopeptides were isolated from the digest by gel filtration on Bio-Gel P-10. The glycopeptides from brain myelin separated into large and small molecular weight fractions, whereas the glycopeptides of sciatic nerve myelin eluted as a single symmetrical peak. The large and small glycopeptide fractions from central myelin and the single glycopeptide fraction from peripheral myelin were analyzed for carbohydrate by colorimetric and gas liquid chromatographic techniques. The glycopeptides from brain myelin contained 2.4 μg of neutral sugar and 0.59 μg of sialic acid per mg total myelin protein, whereas sciatic nerve myelin glycopeptides contained 10 μg of neutral sugar and 3.8 μg of sialic acid per mg total protein. Similarly, the gas-liquid chromatographic analyses showed that the glycopeptides from peripheral myelin contained 4- to 7-fold more of each individual per mg total myelin protein than those from central myelin. Most of the sialic acid and galactose in the glycopeptides from central myelin were in the large molecular weight fraction, and the small molecular weight glycopeptides contained primarily mannose and $\text{N-}\text{acetylglucosamine}$. The considerably higher content of glycoprotein-carbohydrate in peripheral myelin supports the results of gel electrophoretic studies, which indicate that the major protein in peripheral myelin in glycosylated while the glycoproteins in purified central myelin are quantitatevely minor components.