Separation of bilirubin species in serum and bile by high-performance reversed-phase liquid chromatography

A high-performance, reversed-phase liquid chromatographic (HPLC) procedure has been developed for the separation of at least three major bilirubin fractions in bile and four fractions in human serum. This procedure was unlike most others, in that serum was not totally deproteinized prior to injection onto the HPLC column; instead, serum was treated with an excess of sodium sulfate solution to precipitate primarily proteins larger than albumin. Injection of the filtered and diluted supernatant onto a reversed-phase column then resulted in the separation of the bilirubin species in a 24-min gradient elution run. Both the initial aqueous acidic mobile phase and the final isopropyl alcohol-based mobile phase contained 5% methoxyethanol (v/v) to facilitate elution of albumin still present in the treated sample. Bilirubin species eluting from the column were detected by absorbance at 450 nm.Results of a number of chromatographic separations of pathological sera indicated a wide variation in the relative proportions of the four bilirubin fractions observed. A correlation of the sum of the areas of the bilirubin peaks observed by HPLC was found with the total bilirubin value obtained by a standard reference procedure.     

Application of displacement chromatography for the analysis of a lipid raft proteome

Defining membrane proteomes is fundamental to understand the role of membrane proteins in biological processes and to find new targets for drug development. Usually multidimensional chromatography using step or gradient elution is applied for the separation of tryptic peptides of membrane proteins prior to their mass spectrometric analysis. Displacement chromatography (DC) offers several advantages that are helpful for proteome analysis. However, DC has so far been applied for proteomic investigations only in few cases. In this study we therefore applied DC in a multidimensional LC–MS approach for the separation and identification of membrane proteins located in cholesterol-enriched membrane microdomains (lipid rafts) obtained from rat kidney by density gradient centrifugation. The tryptic peptides were separated on a cation-exchange column in the displacement mode with spermine used as displacer. Fractions obtained from DC were analyzed using an HPLC-chip system coupled to an electrospray-ionization ion-trap mass spectrometer. This procedure yielded more than 400 highly significant peptide spectrum matches and led to the identification of more than 140 reliable protein hits within an established rat kidney lipid raft proteome. The majority of identified proteins were membrane proteins. In sum, our results demonstrate that DC is a suitable alternative to gradient elution separations for the identification of proteins via a multidimensional LC–MS approach.     

Progress in packed column supercritical fluid chromatography: materials and methods

This article summarizes recent developments in packed column supercritical fluid chromatography. Silica-based chemically bonded sorbents, similar to those used for HPLC, are widely used with solvent-modified fluids containing additives to suppress undesirable solute-sorbent interactions that lead to poor peak shapes. Composition programming is the most useful approach to gradient elution separations since solvent-modified fluids have low compressibility. Packed column SFC is most useful for the separation of mixtures usually separated by normal-phase HPLC. Compared to normal-phase HPLC it offers faster separations, higher efficiencies, faster column re-equilibration, and a wider range of experimental variables for optimization. Packed column SFC is being increasingly selected for the analytical and preparative separation of racemic mixtures using enantiomer-selective sorbents.     

Development and validation of a fast and sensitive chromatographic assay for all-trans-retinol and tocopherols in human serum and plasma using liquid-liquid extraction

A sensitive HPLC assay for all-trans-retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and gamma-tocopherols in human serum and plasma is reported. Sample preparation is performed in one step and involves precipitation of proteins and extraction of lipids with two volumes of an ethanol-chloroform mixture (3:1, v/v) without I.S. addition. After removal of the precipitated protein, 20 microl aliquots of the supernatant (equivalent to 6.7 microl of serum or plasma) were injected into the HPLC system and analyzed using fluorometric detection. RP-HPLC was performed using a C(18) S3 ODS2 column with a methanol-water step gradient (97:3 to 100) at 1.0 ml/min. The quantification limit expressed as nanograms of analyte per milliliter of serum or plasma was approximately 30 ng for all-trans-retinol, 300 ng for alpha-tocopherol and 250 ng for gamma- and delta-tocopherol. The method was validated and applied to human serum and plasma from a total of 120 subjects. This procedure requires a small volume of serum or plasma and can therefore be a valuable tool for measuring low concentrations of these vitamins in preterm infants with sensitivity, precision and accuracy.     

Reversible binding interactions between the tryptophan enantiomers and albumins of different animal species as determined by novel high performance liquid chromatographic methods: an attempt to localize the D- and L-tryptophan binding sites on the human serum albumin polypeptide chain by using protein fragments

The stereoselectivity of the reversible binding interactions between the D- and L-tryptophan enantiomers and serum albumins of different animal species and fragments of human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated by applying three novel high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) arrangements. The separations were performed by means of (1) an achiral (diol-bond), (2) a chiral (bovine serum albumin-bond) silica gel sorbent, and (3) a column switching technique which uses both the diol- and HSA-bond HPLC stationary phases. A polarimetric detector and/or an ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometer were used to monitor the separation process. HPLC arrangement 3 allowed the evaluation of enantioselective binding for D- and L-tryptophan to different albumins and albumin fragments. At present, column switching can be considered the technique of the broadest applicability for investigating the reversible binding interactions between a protein and drug enantiomers. Chirality 9:373–379, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Depletion of multiple high-abundance proteins improves protein profiling capacities of human serum and plasma

Systematic detection of low-abundance proteins in human blood that may be putative disease biomarkers is complicated by an extremely wide range of protein abundances. Hence, depletion of major proteins is one potential strategy for enhancing detection sensitivity in serum or plasma. This study compared a recently commercialized HPLC column containing antibodies to six of the most abundant blood proteins ("Top-6 depletion") with either older Cibacron blue/Protein A or G depletion methods or no depletion. In addition, a prototype spin column version of the HPLC column and an alternative prototype two antibody spin column were evaluated. The HPLC polyclonal antibody column and its spin column version are very promising methods for substantially simplifying human serum or plasma samples. These columns show the lowest nonspecific binding of the depletion methods tested. In contrast other affinity methods, particularly dye-based resins, yielded many proteins in the bound fractions in addition to the targeted proteins. Depletion of six abundant proteins removed about 85% of the total protein from human serum or plasma, and this enabled 10- to 20-fold higher amounts of depleted serum or plasma samples to be applied to 2-D gels or alternative protein profiling methods such as protein array pixelation. However, the number of new spots detected on 2-D gels was modest, and most newly visualized spots were minor forms of relatively abundant proteins. The inability to detect low-abundance proteins near expected 2-D staining limits was probably due to both the highly heterogeneous nature of most plasma or serum proteins and masking of many low-abundance proteins by the next series of most abundant proteins. Hence, non2-D methods such as protein array pixelation are more promising strategies for detecting lower abundance proteins after depleting the six abundant proteins.     

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic prefractionation of immunodepleted human serum proteins to enhance mass spectrometry identification of lower-abundant proteins

Serum analysis represents an extreme challenge due to the dynamic range of the proteins of interest, and the high structural complexity of the constituent proteins. In serum, the quantities of proteins and peptides of interest range from those considered "high abundance", present at 2-70% by mass of total protein, to those considered "low abundance", present at 10(-12) M or less. This range of analytical target molecules is outside the realm of available technologies for proteomic analysis. Therefore, in this study, we have developed a workflow toward addressing the complexity of these samples through the application of multidimensional separation techniques. The use of reversed-phase methods for the separation and fractionation of protein samples has been investigated, with the goal of developing an optimized serum separation for application to proteomic analysis. Samples of human serum were depleted of the six most abundant proteins, using an immunoaffinity LC method, then were separated under a variety of reversed-phase (RP) conditions using a macroporous silica C18 surface modified column material. To compare the qualities of the RP separations of this complex protein sample, absorbance chromatograms were compared, and fractions were collected for off-line SDS-PAGE and 2D-LC-MS/MS analysis. The column fractions were further investigated by determination of protein identities using either whole selected fractions, or gel bands excised from SDS-PAGE gels of the fractions. In either case samples underwent tryptic fragmentation and peptide analysis using MALDI-MS or LC-MS/MS. The preferred conditions for RP protein separation exhibited reproducibly high resolution and high protein recoveries (>98%, as determined by protein assay). Using the preferred conditions also permitted high column mass load, with up to 500 microg of protein well tolerated using a 4.6 mm ID x 50 mm column, or up to 1.5 mg on a 9.4 mm ID x 50 mm column. Elevated column temperature (80 degrees C) was observed to be a critical operational parameter, with poorer results observed at lower temperatures. The combination of sample simplification by immunoaffinity depletion combined with a robust and high recovery RP-HPLC fractionation yields samples permitting higher quality protein identifications by coupled LC-MS methods.     

普通离子交换剂用于HPLC柱层析法快速分离眼镜王蛇毒

目的　为了经济快速分离眼镜王蛇(Ophiophagushannah,Oh)蛇毒中的毒素成分。　方法　用普通离子交换剂于高效液相色谱柱 (HPLC) TSKgel SP-Toyopearl 65 0 SF (4× 1 5 0 mm)层析法 ,实验取得最佳分离条件后 ,将蛇毒样品上柱后进行梯度洗脱 ,各洗脱峰收集后在 Cosmosil 5 C4-AR-3 0 0柱 (4 .6× 1 5 0 mm)上进行逆相 HPLC分析。非单峰组分再进行 HPLC凝胶过滤柱TSKgel Toyopearl HW-40 Fine(4× 2 5 0 mm)层析 ,层析峰组分再进行 HPLC逆相分析。　结果　眼镜王蛇毒经HPLC离子交换柱层析获得了 1 6个蛋白组分 ,其中有 5个组分经逆相 HPLC分析单一组分 ;另外的复合性组分再进行 HPLC凝胶过滤柱层析后又得到 5个单峰蛋白组分。　结论　HPLC离子交换柱层析对分离蛇毒蛋白很有实用价值 ,特别是蛇毒样品量少的情况下 (1 0 ug)也能较好分离。还具有分离时间短 (1 h左右 ) ,无须低温条件等优点。HPLC凝胶过滤柱层析可进一步使蛋白组分得到提纯     

毛脉酸模不同生长发育期HPLC色谱指纹图谱研究

采用HPLC-DAD方法,梯度洗脱,对10批不同生长发育期毛脉酸模根样品进行主成分分析。色谱条件为:Planetsil C18分析柱(5μm, 200 mm×4.6 mm),预柱Phenomenex ODS-C18(4×3.0 mm ID),柱温40℃,流动相A为甲醇;流动相B为水(磷酸调pH值为2.0),流动相A从30%甲醇到100%甲醇,时间为0~50 min,检测波长254 nm。10批毛脉酸模样品得到的色谱指纹图谱有27个共有峰,其特征峰指纹图谱可分为Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ三组:第Ⅰ组包括0~17 min(1~14号峰),第Ⅱ组包括17~35 min(15~24号峰),第Ⅲ组包括35~50 min(25~27号峰)。HPLC-DAD方法分析毛脉酸模主成分,方法准确可靠,其本身具有多成分同时定性的优势;27个共有峰的出峰先后顺序及相对含量极具特征性、专属性,重复性好,形成了毛脉酸模特有的HPLC色谱指纹图谱,可作为毛脉酸模内在质量评价、鉴定及其最佳采收期确定提供科学依据。     

Characterization of proteins in the human serum proteome.

This paper presents a multidimensional profile of the human serum proteome, produced by a two-dimensional protein fractionation system based on liquid chromatography followed by characterization with capillary electrophoresis (CE). The first-dimension separation was done by chromatofocusing over a pH range from 8.5 to 4.0, where proteins were separated by their isoelectric points (pI). In this dimension, fractions were collected based on pH. The first-dimension pI fractions were then resolved in the second dimension by high-resolution, reversed-phase chromatography with a gradient of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in acetonitrile and TFA in water. A selected protein fraction collected from the second dimension by time was characterized by CE for molecular-weight estimation and for presence of isoforms. Molecular-weight estimation was done by sodium dodecyl sulfate capillary gel electrophoresis, where proteins were separated in the range of 10,000-225,000 Da. Detection of isoforms was done by capillary isoelectric focusing over a pH range of 3-10. A selected second-dimension fraction that contained the putative serum iron-binding protein transferrin was analyzed by these two CE techniques for molecular-weight determination and the presence of isoforms. The combination of two-dimensional protein fractionation and CE characterization represents an advanced tool for proteomics.     

Complete separation by high performance liquid chromatography of metabolites of arachidonic acid from incubation with human and rabbit platelets

Separations of all major cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid were obtained by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A C₁₈ reverse-phase column was used in ion suppression mode to separate underivatized metabolites of arachidonic acid isolated from human and rabbit platelets. The metabolites were monitored by measuring radioactivity or ultraviolet light absorption at 192 nm (absorption by double bonds). Comparisons of TLC and HPLC separations demonstrated that the HPLC separation of metabolites of [1-¹⁴C]arachidonic acid was quantitative. HPLC also resolved several minor metabolites that were not detected by scanning of TLC separations.     

Quantitation of a new potent angiotensin II receptor antagonist,TCV-116, and its metabolites in human serum and urine

A sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method is described for the determination of a new potent antihypertensive agent, TCV-116, and its two metabolites (M-I and M-II) in human serum or urine. After pre-treatment of the specimens, the analytes were determined using a column switching technique, except for the metabolites in urine which were determined by gradient elution mode HPLC. The quantitation limits for TCV-116, M-I and M-II were all 0.5 ng/ml in serum, and 0.5, 10 and 10 ng/ml in urine, respectively. The methods were applied to clinical trials of TCV-116.     

Use of porous pyrolytic carbon for analytical and microscale high-performance liquid chromatographic bioseparations

Porous carbonaceous adsorbent was prepared by carbonization of saccharose in silica gel pores followed by leeching out of the silica matrix. The product of pyrolysis was then deactivated by hydrogenation. The resulting adsorbent shows intermediate sorption properties between those of the highly polar pyrolytic glassy carbon and the hydrophobic graphitized carbon. The microparticulate mesoporous carbon was examined for its use in capillary HPLC separations. The separation of selected stereoisomers in a 320 μm I.D. capillary column packed with the porous carbon particles is described and discussed. Additionaly, the porous carbon filled with dextran gel was tested as a material for direct HPLC analysis of drugs in human serum.     

Narrow-bore sample trapping and chromatography combined with quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry for ultra-sensitive identification of in vivo and in vitro metabolites

The identification of in vitro and in vivo metabolites is vital to the discovery and development of new pharmaceutical therapies. Analytical strategies to identify metabolites at different stages of this process vary, but all involve the use of liquid chromatography separations combined with detection via mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS). Reported here is the use of narrow-bore column (0.5-1.0 mm i.d.) trapping of metabolites, followed by back-flushing onto a matching analytical column. Separated metabolites were then identified using quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MS) and tandem MS. Metabolites in human plasma and from low-level in vitro incubations, that were not identified using standard HPLC/MS approaches, were characterized using the instrumental configuration described here.     

Restricted diffusion effect on the binding of proteins to porous polymer resins as studied by repetitive injection method

A solution of bovine serum albumin (BSA) is repeatedly injected into a column packed with highly porous and hydrophobic polymer resins at appropriate intervals. The injected BSA is thoroughly retained in the column for 10 injections and, afterwards, starts to be eluted from the column gradually. Taking into consideration the restricting effect of already bound BSA upon the diffusion of newly injected BSA into the pores of the polymer resins, we can interpret the BSA elution profile from columns packed with polymer resin of various pore sizes and porosities. The effects of the binding rate constant and BSA concentration upon the elution profiles of BSA are also analyzed. Formyl groups are introduced into the polymers as a binding site with proteins, and the elution profiles of BSA from the column packed with the formylated resin are also analyzed.     

HPLC analysis of estrogen receptor by a multidimensional approach

Previously we demonstrated the polymorphism of estrogen receptors (ER) in cytosol of various tissues based upon properties of size, shape and surface charge. This study describes the application of a multidimensional approach utilizing HPLC for characterization of ER. Cytosols from human uterus and endometrial carcinomas were characterized sequentially by high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) on Spherogel TSK-3000 SW, and high performance ion-exchange chromatography (HPIEC) using SynChropak AX-1000 anion exchange columns. Using HPSEC, specific estrogen binding was exhibited by a 30 A isoform and by one appearing after the V0 (approximately 60 A) in human uterus. However, in endometrial carcinoma other smaller binding components with Stoke's radii of less than 20 A were observed also. In buffers containing 400 mM KCl, predominantly a 28-30 A species was observed by HPSEC. Further characterization of the 28-30 A isoform from low and high salt elution from HPSEC was accomplished with an AX-1000 column. With either condition, 2 forms were eluted on HPIEC, 1 in the column wash (retention time 8-9 min), and the other at 50-70 mM phosphate. The elution profile of the larger species (approximately 60 A by HPSEC) on the ion-exchange column was time dependent. Immediate analysis (within 15 min) showed a profile similar to that of the original cytosol which contained minor components eluting in wash buffer and at 50-70 mM phosphate and a major isoform at 180 mM phosphate. However delayed analysis (after 2 h) of the 60 A isoform showed a similar profile (components in buffer wash and at 50-70 mM phosphate) obtained with the 30 A species. This time dependent change was not observed for the 30 A species or for the original cytosol. Estrogen receptors in cytosol sedimented at 10S and 4S in low ionic strength gradients and at 4S in sucrose gradients containing 400 mM KCl. The 28-30 A and 60 A species recovered from HPSEC sedimented at 3.5S. This multidimensional approach indicates that native estrogen receptors dissociated into a number of smaller molecular isoforms, which were distinguishable by different surface charge properties.     

A low molecular weight substance purified from human placenta inhibits cAMP-dependent protein kinase and activates protein kinase C

We have purified from human placenta a low molecular mass substance that inhibits cAMP-dependent protein kinase and activates protein kinase C. This protein kinase regulator was purified in three steps: (1) homogenizing placentas in chloroform/methanol and extracting the regulator into water; (2) eluting a strong anion exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) column with a quaternary gradient; and (3) eluting a reversed-phase HPLC column with a binary gradient. The regulator was found to be highly purified by HPLC, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry with a molecular mass of 703 Daltons by the latter procedure. The physical and biochemical properties of this protein kinase regulator suggest that it is a phospholipid but it did not co-elute by HPLC or by TLC with any of the known phospholipid activators of protein kinase C.     

Determination of 3-amino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole in serum

A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method using fluorescence detection to determine 3-amino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole (AMT) levels in serum has been developed. Sample preparation involved treatment with tributylphosphine (TBP) to reduce disulfides formed during storage, precipitation of proteins with acetonitrile (ACN), and precolumn derivatization using the thiol reactive fluorescent probe monobromobimane (MBB). The conjugate (AMT-MBB) was resolved by gradient elution from a C(18) reversed-phase column. The assay method was linear over a concentration range of 0.78-50 microg/ml and had a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.05 microg/ml AMT (10 microl injection). This method provides a sensitive and specific tool for the determination of AMT in serum and may have potential industrial hygiene application.     

Chromatographic analysis of endogenous retinoids in tissues and serum

We present a reliable, highly sensitive, and versatile method for the simultaneous determination of endogenous polar (acidic) and apolar (retinol, retinal, and retinyl esters) retinoids in various biological matrices. Following a single liquid extraction of retinoids from tissues or plasma with isopropanol, polar retinoids are separated from apolar retinoids and neutral lipids via automated solid-phase extraction using an aminopropyl phase. After vacuum concentration to dryness and reconstitution of the residue in appropriate solvents, the obtained fractions are injected onto two different high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-systems. Polar retinoids are analyzed on a RP18 column (2.1mm ID) using a buffered gradient composed of methanol and water and on-column-focusing large-volume injection. Apolar retinoids are separated on a normal-bore RP18 column using a nonaqueous gradient composed of acetonitrile, chloroform, and methanol. Both HPLC systems are coupled with UV detection, and retinoids are quantitated against appropriate internal standards. The method was validated with regard to recovery, precision, robustness, selectivity, and analyte stability. Using 400 microl serum or 200mg tissue, the limits of detection for all-trans-retinoic acid were 0.15ng/ml or 0.3ng/g, respectively. The corresponding values for retinol were 1.2ng/ml or 2.4ng/g, respectively. This method was successfully applied to mouse, rat, and human tissue and serum samples.     

Shotgun proteome analysis utilising mixed mode (reversed phase‐anion exchange chromatography) in conjunction with reversed phase liquid chromatography mass spectrometry analysis

The 2‐D peptide separations employing mixed mode reversed phase anion exchange (MM (RP‐AX)) HPLC in the first dimension in conjunction with RP chromatography in the second dimension were developed and utilised for shotgun proteome analysis. Compared with strong cation exchange (SCX) typically employed for shotgun proteomic analysis, peptide separations using MM (RP‐AX) revealed improved separation efficiency and increased peptide distribution across the elution gradient. In addition, improved sample handling, with no significant reduction in the orthogonality of the peptide separations was observed. The shotgun proteomic analysis of a mammalian nuclear cell lysate revealed additional proteome coverage (2818 versus 1125 unique peptides and 602 versus 238 proteins) using the MM (RP‐AX) compared with the traditional SCX hyphenated to RP‐LC‐MS/MS. The MM analysis resulted in approximately 90% of the unique peptides identified present in only one fraction, with a heterogeneous peptide distribution across all fractions. No clustering of the predominant peptide charge states was observed during the gradient elution. The application of MM (RP‐AX) for 2‐D LC proteomic studies was also extended in the analysis of iTRAQ‐labelled HeLa and cyanobacterial proteomes using nano‐flow chromatography interfaced to the MS/MS. We demonstrate MM (RP‐AX) HPLC as an alternative approach for shotgun proteomic studies that offers significant advantages over traditional SCX peptide separations.