Parameter estimation of perillyl alcohol in RP-HPLC by moment analysis

Parameter estimations were made for the reversed-phase adsorption of perillyl alcohol (POH), a potent anti-cancer agent, on octadecylsilyl-silica gel (ODS). The average particle diameter of ODS was about 15 μm, and the particles were packed in the column (3.9 × 300 mm). The mobile phase used was a mixture of acetonitrile and water, in which the acetonitrile ranged between 50 and 70 (v/v %). The first absolute moment and the second central moment were determined from the chromatographic elution curves by moment analysis. Experiments were carried out using POH solutions within the linear adsorption range. The fluid-to-particle mass transfer coefficient was estimated using the Wilson-Geankoplis equation. The axial dispersion coefficient and the intraparticle diffusivity were determined from the slope and intercept of a plot ofH vs 1/u ₀, respectively. The contributions of each mass-transfer step were axial dispersion, fluid-toparticle mass transfer, and intraparticle diffusion.     

Protein-sodium dodecyl sulfate complexes: determination of molecular weight, size and shape by controlled pore glass chromatography

The peak position vs log molecular weight curves of protein-SDS complexes chromatographed on controlled pore glass of narrow pore size distribution is linear over a molecular weight range of 17,000–385,000. A glass with a pore size of approximately 500 Å allows the inclusion of all complexes in this range. Peak position curves on glasses with broad pore distributions show decreased resolution and deviate from linearity at low elution coefficients.Exclusion size analysis of the elution coefficients of individual complexes from different columns with pore diameters ranging from 197 to 650 Å gives from 120 to 423 Å as their longest dimension. Assuming constant hydration and SDS-to-protein ration, the found dimension suggests the shape of a football, rather than a sphere or rigid rod.     

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of radioiodinated salmon calcitonins

Reversed-phase HPLC conditions for simultaneous separation of salmon calcitonin, mono- and di-radioiodinated salmon calcitonins and their tryptic digested fragments have been developed. Salmon calcitonin was radioiodinated with Na¹²⁵I by the iodo-beads method. After solid-phase extraction from the reaction mixtures using C₁₈ Bond Elut cartridges, mono- and di-radioiodinated salmon calcitonins were separated from each other, as well as from unlabeled salmon calcitonin, on a Bondclone 10 C₁₈ column (300×7.8 mm I.D.) by isocratic elution with 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid in 34% aqueous acetonitrile. The characteristics of either iodinated peptides or unlabeled salmon calcitonin were evaluated on the basis of UV absorbance (215 and 280 nm), fluorescence (λ_ex=282 nm, λ_em=310 nm) and measurement of specific radioactivity by means of a flow-through radio-isotope detector. HPLC separation of a tryptic digest of iodinated salmon calcitonin fraction on a W-porex 5 C₁₈ 300 Å column (250×4.6 mm I.D.) and subsequent amino acid analysis, led to the conclusion that radioiodination took place at the Tyr residue and not at the His moiety.     

Sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method for a dopamine receptor agonist,CI-1007, and its metabolite PD 147693 in monkey plasma

A sensitive gradient high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the simultaneous quantitation of a dopamine autoreceptor agonist CI-1007 (I) and its metabolite PD 147693 (II) is described. Monkey plasma samples were purified by liquid-liquid extraction using hexane. Liquid chromatographic separation was achieved on two C₁₈ analytical columns (installed in series) using gradient elution. Column effluent was monitored using a fluorescence detector programmed to change wavelengths at specified times. Minimum quantitation limits of I and II were 3.0 and 5.0 ng/ml, respectively, for a plasma sample volume of 0.100 ml. Linearity was demonstrated up to 300 ng/ml. The assay has been applied to the analysis of I and II in plasma from monkeys following intravenous and oral doses of I.     

Gel permeation chromatography of asymmetric proteins

The gel permeation chromatographic behavior of three asymmetric proteins—collagen, fibrinogen, and the prolate ellipsoid lysozyme—was investigated using a variety of gel and high-performance liquid chromatographic media of various pore sizes and a wide range of flow rates. The time dependency of the elution patterns for columns and the partitioning of proteins between solvent and gel phases in batch experiments show that the “anomalous” behavior of asymmetric proteins is explicable by the mechanism proposed by Y. Nozaki, N. M. Schechter, J. A. Reynolds, and C. Tanford (1976, Biochemistry15, 3884); i.e., that these proteins penetrate pores of a size comparable to the minor semiaxis of the protein by end-on insertion. Thus, native type I collagen behaves as if it were a spherical protein of radius 8.2 Å, fibrinogen has an apparent radius of 32.4 Å, and lysozyme has an apparent radius of 14.6 Å. The rate at which asymmetric proteins penetrate the gel interior, however, is slow compared to the rate of gel penetration by globular proteins. The end-on insertion mechanism predicts that given infinite time, asymmetric proteins will be included into that portion of the internal volume of the gel which their smallest projectional cross sections allow them to penetrate. A method is presented for extrapolating the elution volume of asymmetric proteins to infinitely slow flow rate; from this extrapolation, one can calculate the minor semiaxis of the protein.     

Narrow-bore liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with simultaneous radioactivity monitoring for partially characterizing the biliary metabolites of an arginine fluoroalkyl ketone analog of d-MePhe-Pro-Arg,a potent thrombin inhibitor

Characterizing components eluting from a HPLC column is enhanced when multiple detectors are incorporated in-line. The performance of a system consisting of a combination of two detectors - electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (and tandem mass spectrometry) and radioactivity monitoring, following gradient separation with a 250×2.1mm I.D. (Vydac Protein and Peptide C₁₈, 5 μm, 300 Å) column - is evaluated with respect to chromatographic integrity and detection. The HPLC effluent was split (8:1) and a post-column make-up solvent was added to flow directed towards the radioactivity detector containing a solid glass cell. Trifluoracetic acid (0.1%) was added to the make-up flow solvent to prevent silanol interactions from degrading the profile displayed in the ¹⁴C trace. A ¹⁴C chromatographic peak representing 550 dpm was detected with signal-to-noise ratio of 3. This system was used for rapidly characterizing the biliary metabolites of an arginine fluoroalkyl ketone analog of d-MePhe-Pro-Arg, a potent thrombin inhibitor currently being evaluated as a drug candidate. These metabolites are shown to comprise of mono- and dihydroxylated drug as well as a reduced ketone form of the drug. Combining the radioactivity monitor in-line with the mass spectrometer ensured that all of the major metabolites (as evident from the ¹⁴C profile) were characterized by mass spectrometry.     

Sensitive fluorimetric determination of gentamicin sulfate in biological matrices using solid-phase extraction, pre-column derivatization with 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method is described for the determination of gentamicin in bacterial culture medium or plasma with increased sensitivity and improved separation of the C₁ component. Gentamicin was extracted from the biological matrix with high efficiency using carboxypropyl (CBA)-bonded silica. Derivatization with 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC-Cl) followed by C₁₈ reversed-phase chromatography allowed the fluorimetric detection of gentamicins C₁, C_1a and C₂. A fourth component, considered to be gentamicin C_2a, was partially resolved from the C₂ peak. Optimal conditions for the extraction and derivatization of gentamicin are described. The detection limit was below 50 μg/l, the assay was linear to 5 mg/1 and showed good reproducibility. It is concluded that pre-column derivatization with FMOC-Cl substantially improves the analysis of gentamicin compared with present methods based on reaction with o-phthaldialdehyde.     

Quantitative high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of acrolein in plasma after derivatization with Luminarin 3

A rapid, sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the quantification of acrolein (1), one of the toxic metabolites of oxazaphosphorine alkylating agents (cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide) was developed. Condensation of acrolein with Luminarin^® 3 afforded a fluorescent derivative that could be specifically detected and quantified. Chromatographic conditions involved a C₁₈ RP column Uptisphere and a gradient elution system to optimize resolution and time analysis. The method showed high sensitivity with a limit of detection of 100 pmol/ml and a limit of quantification of 300 pmol/ml. This technique is particularly suitable for pharmacokinetic studies on plasma of oxazaphosphorine-receiving patients.     

Crystal structure of zinc citrate

The crystal structure of zinc citrate [Zn(II) (C₆H₅O₇)₂·4NH₄⁺] shows isolated zinc ions octahedrally coordinated to two equivalent citrates via a central hydroxyl, central carboxyl, and one terminal carboxyl from each citrate. The clusters are linked through hydrogen bonds to ammonium ions in the lattice. The structure is distinctly different from that of other divalent cation triply ionized citrate complexes, which are polymeric. Crystal data : space group P2₁/C, a = 8.784(3) Å, b = 13.499(4) Å, c = 9.083(3) Å, β = 113.4°(1), V = 988(1) ų. Citrate has been identified as the low molecular weight ligand that complexes zinc in human milk; this may be of interest in relation to intestinal zinc absorption.     

Spatial structure of dimeric a genetically engineered variant of green fluorescent protein EGFP-K162Q in the P61 crystal space group

The spatial structure of dimeric green fluorescent protein EGFP-K162Q with MDELYK (EGFPv) C-terminal deletion has been assigned in the P6₁ space group with resolution 1.34 Å by X-ray diffraction analysis. The results have been compared with X-ray diffraction data of monomeric EGFP (green biomarker with enhanced photophysical properties) assigned in another crystal space group, P2₁2₁2₁, with resolution 1.50 and 1.35 Å. Subunits in the EGFPv dimeric structure are located at 75° angle with the contact area ～800 Ų. The dimeric framework is stabilized by the six hydrogen bonds and central hydrophobic core of six residues. The root-mean-square deviation value for C^α atoms in 3–230 residues of the P6₁ and P2₁2₁2₁ crystal structures is 0.55 Å. The differential characteristics of EGFPv-P6₁ structure, compared to that of P2₁2₁2₁, is a noticeably different orientation of the Glu222 side chain, and a new conformation of the 155–159 loop fragment, characterized by deviations among the C^α atoms of superimposed structures reaching 4.6 Å for Lys156 and 5.5 Å for Lys158.     

Dielectric relaxation of collagen in aqueous solutions

The complex dielectric constant of collagen in aqueous solutions (polymer concentration, C_p = 0.02–0.2%) was measured at 10°C in the frequency range from 3 Hz to 30 kHz. The loss peak for C_p = 0.02% is located at 90 Hz and the dielectric relaxation time τ_D is estimated to be 1.8 ± 0.3 msec. The τ_D agrees well with the rotational relaxation time estimated from the reduced viscosity, and the relaxation is ascribed to the end-over-end rotation of the molecule. The C_p dependence of τ_D and the dielectric increment Δε are interpreted in terms of the aggregation of molecules. The dipole moment of a molecule, obtained from Δε at C_p = 0.02% and pH 6.5, is (5.2 ± 0.2) × 10⁴D, which is explained by the asymmetrical distribution of the ionized side chains of the molecule.     

In vitro synthesis of mycolic acids by the fluffy layer fraction of Bacterionema matruchotii

Biosynthetic activity for mycolic acid occurred in the fluffy layer fraction but not in the 5000g supernatant of Bacterionema matruchotii. With [1-¹⁴C]palmitic acid as precursor for the in vitro system, the predominant product was identified as C_32:0 mycolic acid by radio-gas-liquid chromatographie (radio-GLC) and gas chromatographic/mass spectroscopic analyses; if [1-¹⁴C]stearic acid was used, two major radioactive peaks appeared on GLC: one corresponding to the peak of (C_34:0 + C_34:1) mycolic acids and the other to (C_36:0 + C_36:1) mycolic acids. By pyrolysis/radio-GLC analysis, C_32:0 mycolic acid synthesized by [1-¹⁴C]palmitic acid was pyrolyzed at 300 °C to form palmitaldehyde (the mero moiety) and methyl palmitate (the branch moiety). The pH optimum for the incorporation of [1-¹⁴C]palmitate into bacterionema mycolic acids was 6.4 and the reaction required a divalent cation. The in vitro system utilized myristic, palmitic, stearic and oleic acids (probably via their activated forms) well as precursors, among which myristic and palmitic acids were more effective than the rest. Avidin showed no effect on the biosynthesis of mycolic acid from ¹⁴C-palmitate whereas cerulenin, a specific inhibitor of β-ketoacyl synthetase in de novo fatty acid synthesis, inhibited the reaction at a relatively higher concentration. Thin-layer chromatographic analysis of lipids extracted from the reacting mixture without alkaline hydrolysis showed that both exogenous [1-¹⁴] fatty acid and synthesized mycolic acids were bound to an unknown compound by an alkali-labile linkage and this association seemed to occur prior to the condensation of two molecules of fatty acid.     

Bioactive peptides: Conformational studies of [TYR4] cyclolinopeptide A

The solid state conformational analysis of [Tyr⁴] cyclolinopeptide A has been carried out by x-ray diffraction studies. The crystal structure of the monoclinic form, grown from a dioxane-water mixture [a = 9.849 (5) Å, b = 20.752 (4) Å, c = 16.728 (5) Å, β = 98.83 (3)°, space group P2₁, Z = 2], shows the presence of five intramolecular N-H? O?C hydrogen bonds, with formation of one C₁₇ ring structure, one α-turn (C₁₃), one inverse γ-turn (C₇), and two β-turns (C₁₀, one of type III and one of type 1). The Pro¹-Pro² peptide unit is cis (ω = 5°) all others are trans. The structure is almost superimposable with that of cyclolinopeptide A. The rms deviation for the atoms of the backbones is on the average 0.33 Å. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic investigations of selenium-containing phycocyanin from selenium-rich algae (Spirulina platensis)

The selenium-containing phycocyanin from the selenium-rich algae (Spirulina platensis) has been crystallized in two crystal forms by the hanging-drop vapor diffusion techniques. A chromatographic procedure of gel filtration and anion exchange was used for purification. Form I crystal with space group P2₁ and cell parameters a =108.0 Å , b = 117.0 Å , c = 184.0 Å , β = 90.2° and 12(αβ ) units in the asymmetric unit was obtained by using (NH₄)₂SO₄ as precipitant. These crystals diffract up to 2.8 Å . Form II crystal obtained by using PEG4000 as precipitant belongs to space group P63 with unit cell constants a = 155.0 Å , c = 40.3 Å , γ =120.0° and one(αβ ) unit in the asymmetric unit. The crystals diffract beyond 2.9 Å . The possible stacking forms of phycocyanin molecules in the first crystal form were discussed.     

Specific Surface Area and Specific Pore Volume Distribution of Tobacco

The specific surface area and the specific pore volume distribution of Japanese tobaccos were measured by means of the low temperature gas adsorption technique utilizing the B.E.T. and the Inkley methods. The specific surface area and the specific pore volume of the micropores less than 300 Å in diameter varied from 6,000 to 17,000 cm²/g and from 0.0012 to 0.0036 cm³/g, respectively, with types of curing in the ascending order of the sun cured, the flue cured and the air cured tobaccos. The both specific values were increased by extracting the tobaccos with water greatly in the case of the flue cured, while slightly in the case of the air cured tobaccos, suggesting that the effect of the curings on the specific values were due to differences in the content of low molecular components. Effectiveness of puffing was also shown. The specific surface area was linearly correlated with the specific volume of the micropores less than 300 Å in diameter, the constant term showing that contribution of the larger pores more than 300 Å in diameter to the specific surface area of tobacco was insignificant.     

Solute exclusion from cellulose in packed columns: process modeling and analysis

In this investigation, process modeling and analysis were used to explore the behavior of solute exclusion from cellulose in packed columns. The study focused on modeling the effects of dispersion, mass transport, and pore diffusion. Three mathematical models were used to predict the behavior of the columns: an equilibrium model, a mass transfer model, and a combined mass transfer and pore diffusion model. Computer implementations of these models were tested against experimental conditions where cellulose particle size and solution velocity were used to either amplify or minimize dispersion or skewness in the elution curves. For small cellulose particles (200-300 mesh), all three models accurately predicted the shape of the elution curve and the particle porosity. For larger particles (45-60 mesh), the mass transfer model and the combined mass and pore diffusion model best represented the behavior of the column. At high solution velocities (0.63 cm(3) min(-1)) and large particles, only the combined mass transfer and pore diffusion model accurately represent the column behavior. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the mass transfer coefficient had little effect on the elution curves for the range of values (10(-6)-10(-3) cm s(-1)) calculated from the experimental data. The combined mass transfer and pore diffusion model presented in this article can be used to design solute exclusion measurement experiments for the larger cellulose particles found in a commercial cellulose-to-ethanol plant.     

Purification and sequence determination of canine relaxin

Relaxin immunological activity has been observed in the plasma of pregnant bitches, and preliminary studies in our laboratory indicated that the highest relaxin concentrations were found in placentas. Therefore, canine placentas were collected at term and also from spay and relaxin was purified by methods developed for equine relaxin. Tissue was prepared by homogenization and purification on a C₁₈ column. The preparation was further purified by stepwise elution ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration, and gradient elution ion-exchange chromatography. One predominant peak in relaxin immunoactivity was collected. Canine relaxin was found to be larger than either porcine or equine relaxin as determined by SDS-PAGE. It migrated faster under reducing conditions, indicating a subunit structure. Purified canine relaxin was used for tracer and standard in a canine radioimmunoassay (RIA) using an antiporcine relaxin antibody. Concentrations of relaxin immunoactivity using the canine assay were up to 300-fold higher in placental preparations than those measured in the porcine relaxin assay. Sequence analysis of canine relaxin revealed a structure similar to other relaxins in the presence and placement of cystine residues.     

Fermenter production of an artificial fab fragment,rationally designed for the antigen cystatin,and its optimized crystallization through constant domain shuffling

The synthetic antibody model “M41” was rationally designed with a binding site complementary to chicken egg white cystatin as the prescribed antigen. In order to permit comparison between the computer model and an experimental three-dimensional structure of the artificial protein, its X-ray crystallographic analysis was pursued. For this purpose, M41 was expressed as a recombinant Fab fragment in E. coli by medium cell density fermentation employing the tightly regulated tetracycline promoter. The Fab fragment was efficiently purified via a His-6 tail fused to its heavy chain and immobilized metal affinity chromatography. To raise the chances for the productive formation of crystal packing contacts, three versions of the Fab fragment were generated with differing constant domains. One of these, the variant with murine C_K and C_H 1_γ1 domains, was successfully crystallized by microseeding in a sitting drop. The orthorhombic crystals exhibited symmetry of the space group P2₁2₁2₁ with unit cell dimensions a = 104.7 Å, b = 113.9 Å, c = 98.8 Å and diffracted X-rays to a nominal resolution of 2.5 Å. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of the N-terminal two domain fragment of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1)

A molecular fragment comprising the first two domains of the human vascular cell adhesion molecule-l (VCAM-l) has been crystallized by the vapor diffusion method. Two crystal forms have been examined by X-ray analysis: One crystal form belongs to the space group C2 with two molecules in the asymmetric unit and cell parameters: a = 122.1 Å, b = 48.9 Å, c = 73.4 Å, and β = 117.4°. The other crystal form belongs to the space group P2₁ with one molecule in the asymmetric unit and cell parameters: a = 40.4 Å, b = 45.7 Å, c = 54.7 Å, and β = 100.5°. Diffraction data up to 1.9 Å resolution have been collected for the C2 crystal form. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Determination of penicillin G in bovine plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography after pre-column derivatization

A simple, selective, and sensitive liquid chromatographic method with ultraviolet detection was developed for the analysis of penicillin G in bovine plasma. The assay utilizes a simple extraction of penicillin G from plasma (with a known amount of penicillin V added as internal standard) with water, dilute sulphuric acid and sodium tungstate solutions, followed by concentration on a conditioned C₁₈ solid-phase extraction column. After elution with 500 μl of elution solution, the penicillins are derivatized with 500 μl of 1,2,4-triazole—mercuric chloride solution at 65°C for 30 min. The penicillin—mercury mercaptide complexes are separated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography on a C₁₈ column. The method, which has a detection limit of 5 ng/ml (ppb) in bovine plasma, was used to quantitatively measure the concentrations of penicillin G in plasma of steers at a series of intervals after the intramuscular administration of a commercial formulation of procaine penicillin G.