Long-term precision in capillary isoelectric focusing for protein analysis

In order to improve precision in protein analysis, a new rinsing procedure with 3M hydrochloric acid was investigated for linear polyacrylamide-coated capillaries used in isoelectric focusing. After each run the capillaries were rinsed with hydrochloric acid for 5 min, followed by water for 20 min (Deltap = 1030 mbar each). Myoglobin, beta-lactoglobulin, and ovalbumin were used as model proteins; the pH gradient was provided by Pharmalyte (pH 3-10). The resulting method was already successful in avoiding capillary blockages, even for long-series protein measurements. Further improvements in precision have been obtained by avoiding a complete standstill of liquid within the capillary when the separation system was idle. Pressure (Deltap = 300 mbar or more) and high voltage (30 kV) were therefore also applied during storage within a measurement series. The reproducibility of migration time and peak area are further improved with RSD% less than 10% in a long-term measurement (n = 86).     

An immunoblotting method for high-resolution isoelectric focusing of protein isoforms on immobilized pH gradients

Post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation and acetylation are important elements for regulating the activity of enzymes or structural proteins. These modifications give rise to isoforms that are often not resolved by separation methods relying on the size of proteins. Here, we optimized an isoelectric focusing (IEF)-immunoblotting method suitable for analyzing protein isoforms in total cell extracts. The separations were carried out in parallel on commercially available immobilized pH gradient slab gels (IPG). The buffer used for separation contained urea, thiourea, dithiothreitol, as well as the detergent 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propane-sulfonate (CHAPS), and was designed to match those used in two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) separations where efficient solubilization is required. Proteins were transferred to membranes by passive diffusion in the presence of 4 M guanidinium chloride using protocols optimized for several protein classes (tubulin, stathmin, 14-3-3 proteins) some of which required removal of CHAPS prior to transfer. In conjunction with narrow-range pH gradient gels, excellent resolution of isoforms differing by phosphorylation or acetylation was achieved. The usefulness of pI and titration curve calculations for predicting the pI shifts expected for post-translational modifications of proteins with known amino acid composition was demonstrated. Using stathmin--which contains four phosphorylation sites--as an example, the effects on the pI-shifts were well predicted. This sensitive and widely applicable IEF-blotting technology is expected to be especially suited for analyzing protein isoforms first detected by two-dimensional electrophoresis.     

Mass spectrometric detection for capillary isoelectric focusing separations of complex protein mixtures

Capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF) can provide high-resolution separations of complex protein mixtures, but until recently it has primarily been used with conventional UV detection. This technique would be greatly enhanced by much more information-rich detection methods that can aid in protein characterization. We describe progress in the development of the combination of CIEF with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry and its application to proteome characterization. Studies have revealed 400-1000 putative proteins in the mass range of 2-100 kDa from total injections of approximately 300 ng protein in single CIEF-FTICR analyses of cell lysates for both Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Deinococcus radiodurans (D. radiodurans). We also demonstrate the use of isotope labeling of the cell growth media to improve mass measurement accuracy and provide a means for quantitative proteome-wide measurements of protein expression. The ability to make such comprehensive and precise measurements of differences in protein expression in response to cellular perturbations should provide new insights into complex cellular processes.     

Simplified capillary isoelectric focusing with chemical mobilization for intact protein analysis

We report a capillary isoelectric focusing system based on a sequential injection method for simplified chemical mobilization. This system was coupled to an ion trap mass spectrometer with an electrokinetically pumped nanoelectrospray interface. The nanoelectrospray emitter employed an acidic sheath electrolyte. To simplify focusing and mobilization, a plug of ammonium hydroxide was first injected into the capillary, followed by a section of mixed sample and ampholyte. During focusing, the NH₃H₂O section worked as catholyte. As focusing progressed, the NH₃H₂O section was titrated to lower pH by the acidic sheath electrolyte. Chemical mobilization started automatically once the ammonium hydroxide was consumed by the acidic sheath flow electrolyte, which then acted as the mobilization solution. In this report, the lengths of the NH₃H₂O section and sample were optimized. With a 1 m long capillary, a relative short plug of the NH₃H₂O section (3 cm) produced both fast migration and reasonable separation resolution. The simplified capillary isoelectric focusing mass spectrometry system produced base peak intensity relative standard deviation of 8.5% and migration time relative standard deviation ≤0.6% for myoglobin and cytochrome C in triplicate runs.     

Resolving isoforms of aldose reductase by preparative isoelectric focusing in the Rotofor

We have resolved and characterized isoforms of aldose reductase from bovine and porcine lenses by preparative isoelectric focusing with narrow pH gradients using the Rotofor. Both bovine and porcine lens aldose reductases were resolved as two enzyme isoforms. The bovine isoforms were Mr40400 +/- 445 polypeptides of pI4.71 and 5.19. Porcine isoforms were Mr41500 +/- 450 polypeptides of pI 4.90 and 5.30. Staphylococcus aureus V-8 protease digestion patterns for each set of isoforms were essentially identical and all isoforms probably contain blocked amino terminal amino acids. Antiserum to bovine lens aldose reductase cross-reacted with porcine lens aldose reductase. Each isoform displayed substrate preferences characteristic of mammalian aldose reductases. With purification, both bovine and porcine lens aldose reductases became less sensitive to inhibition by 6-fluoro-spiro-(chroman-4.4'-imidazolidine)-2',5'-dione (sorbinil).     

At-line coupling of magnetic-nanoparticle-based extraction with gel isoelectric focusing for protein analysis

Sample preparation is a crucial step for protein analysis. Functionalized magnetic nanoparticle (MNP)-based extraction has been developed to be a useful sample preparation technique for proteomic analysis. In this paper, we present a strategy for at-line coupling of MNP-based extraction (MNE) with gel isoelectric focusing (IEF). The key to the at-line combination is to use an anolyte or a catholyte as the desorbing agent. Thus, functionalized MNPs can be facilely at-line coupled with gel IEF, provided that the extraction/desorption process is pH-controlled. MNPs extracted with target proteins are added to the sample well, which can function as a natural adapter. Once a focusing electric field has been applied across the gel, proton ions migrating from the anolyte or hydroxide ions migrating from the catholyte can act as a desorbing agent, releasing the proteins from the MNE probes. The released proteins are consequently focused into distinct bands where the local pH equals their pI values. The at-line combination was well demonstrated with three types of functionalized nanoparticles: (1) phenylboronic acid functionalized MNPs for extracting glycoproteins through boronate affinity; (2) carboxyl-functionalized MNPs for extracting positively charged proteins through a weak cation exchange mechanism; and (3) amino-functionalized MNPs for extracting negatively charged proteins through a weak anion exchange mechanism. The at-line combination exhibited several significant advantages, including selectivity, sensitivity, and speed.     

A multivariate approach for the determination of isoelectric point of human carbonic anhydrase isoforms by capillary isoelectric focusing

Human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) IX and XII are isoenzymes which are highly overexpressed in many cancer types. Recently, it has been shown that hCA IX contributes to the acidification of the tumor environment leading to chemoresistance with basic antitumoral drugs. The development of selective hCA inhibitors constitutes a new therapeutic axis. In order to elucidate the specific interactions between hCA and inhibitors, physico-chemical properties of hCA must be evaluated. This work reports the determination of the isoelectric point (pI) of a series of hCA isoforms by capillary isoelectric focusing. First, the method was optimized with synthetic UV-detectable pI markers using a central composite design. The separation was performed in a fused-silica capillary chemically derivatized with hydroxypropylcellulose and using a glycerol-water medium as the anticonvective gel. Three main factors (ampholyte content, focusing time and mobilization pressure) were optimized in order to obtain the best resolution, detection threshold and precision on the pI determination. Then, the model was validated through the analysis of standard proteins mixture having known pI values, before investigating the pI of hCA isoforms.     

Agarose isoelectric focusing can improve resolution of membrane proteins in the two-dimensional electrophoresis of bacterial proteins

2-D separation of bacterial membrane proteins is still difficult despite using high-resolution IPG-IEF/SDS-PAGE. We were searching for alternative methods to avoid typical problems such as precipitation, low solubility, and aggregation of membrane proteins in the 1-D separation with IPG-IEF. Blue native electrophoresis (BNE) and agarose IEF (A-IEF) were tested for their separation capacity and their capability of replacing IPG-IEF in the first dimension. SDS-PAGE was chosen for the second dimension on account of its outstanding resolution. We could confirm that only A-IEF was a useful replacement for the IPG-IEF in the first dimension resulting in 2-D protein distributions with additional membrane protein spots not being found after IPG-IEF/SDS-PAGE. A second interesting result was that the agarose IEF mediates the possibility of separation of membrane proteins in a partially native state in the first dimension. This native A-IEF resulted in drastically changed spot patterns with an acidic shift of nearly all spots and divergent distribution of proteins compared to non-native A-IEF and IPG-IEF. We found out that native and non-native A-IEF are powerful tools to supplement IPG-IEF/SDS-PAGE.     

Comparison between isoelectric focusing methods for the detection of orosomucoid phenotypes

Orosomucoid (ORM) polymorphism was investigated by different methods including isoelectric focusing in acid pH ranges followed by silver staining, print immunofixation of desialyzed ORM, fixation using a lectin from the sea-weed Codium tomentosum, isoelectric focusing followed by immunofixation in miniaturized gels and isoelectric focusing in immobilized pH gradients. Population genetics studies were carried out in Galicia (NW Spain) and two new ORM variants were found.     

Fast and high resolution analysis of human serum transferrin by high performance isoelectric focusing in capillaries

Human serum transferrin is a mixture of isoforms (isoproteins) having different amounts of carbohydrates. Each isoform may exist in iron-free and iron-complexed molecular form. The genetic variations in different populations increase the number of combinations of the different forms of transferrin. To resolve the many components in transferrin preparations, the new high performance capillary technique was employed for isoelectric focusing. Iron-free transferrin and transferrin samples of known iron content were examined. The above method gives an exceptionally rapid analysis (within 15-25 min) of small amounts of samples (less than 1 microgram protein) and as good as or better resolution than other isoelectric focusing techniques previously used for transferrin analysis. By monitoring the focused protein zones at both 280 and 460 nm the molecular forms of transferrin (iron-free, monoferric and differic complexes) can easily be identified. Both steps of isoelectric focusing in capillaries (i.e., prefocusing and mobilization) can be used for analysis. We observed that chelating agents (e.g., carrier ampholytes, nitrilotriacetate) may release iron from microsyringes having metal pistons causing the formation of iron-transferrin complexes.     

Synthetic oligopeptides as isoelectric point markers for capillary isoelectric focusing with ultraviolet absorption detection

Sixteen peptides (trimers to hexamers) were designed for use as a set of pI markers for capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF). Each peptide contains one tryptophan residue for detection by UV absorption and other amino acid residues having ionic side chains, which are responsible for focusing to its pI. The pIs of these peptides were determined by slab-gel IEF using commercial carrier ampholytes. The focused peptides in the gel were detected by absorption measurement at 280 nm using a scanning densitometer and the pH gradient was determined by measuring the pH of the gel using an oxidized metal membrane electrode. The pI values of the peptides ranged from 3.38 to 10.17. The obtained values agreed well with the predicted ones, which were calculated based on amino acid compositions, with root mean square differences of 0.15 pH unit. The peptides were detected at 280 nm as very sharp peaks when separated by CIEF. The pI values of some standard proteins were redetermined by CIEF by using this set of peptide pI markers and the values agreed closely with those reported previously. The sharp focusing, stability, high purity and high solubility of these synthetic pI markers should facilitate the profiling of a pH gradient in a capillary and the determination of the pI values of proteins.     

An optimized procedure for detection of proteins on carrier ampholyte isoelectric focusing and immobilized pH gradient gels with imidazole and zinc salts: its application to the identification of isoelectric focusing separated isoforms by in-gel proteolysis and mass spectrometry analysis.

A method for the characterization of proteins separated by isoelectric focusing in carrier ampholytes (CA-IEF) or immobilized pH gradient (IPG) gels by in-gel digestion and mass spectrometry is described. Proteins are detected by an improved imidazole-Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-zinc staining adapted for IEF and IPG gels. Sensitivity is close to that of mass spectrometry-compatible silver staining, but simpler and faster. Proteins were digested in imidazole-SDS-zinc stained CA-IEF and IPG gels in the presence of a zinc-chelating agent. Mass spectra were clearly interpretable as carrier ampholytes which were efficiently removed before digestion; high-sequence coverage that allowed isoform characterization was obtained by analyzing both the aqueous and the organic phase extracts.     

Ultrasensitive fluorescence protein detection in isoelectric focusing gels using a ruthenium metal chelate stain

SYPRO Ruby IEF Protein Gel Stain is an ultrasensitive, luminescent stain optimized for the analysis of protein in isoelectric focusing gels. Proteins are stained in a ruthenium-containing metal complex overnight and then rinsed in distilled water for 2 h. Stained proteins can be excited by ultraviolet light of about 302 nm (UV-B transilluminator) or with visible light of about 470 nm. Fluorescence emission of the dye is maximal at approximately 610 nm. The sensitivity of the SYPRO Ruby IEF protein gel stain is superior to colloidal Coomassie blue stain and the highest sensitivity silver staining procedures available. The SYPRO Ruby IEF protein gel stain is suitable for staining proteins in nondenaturing or denaturing carrier ampholyte isoelectric focusing and immobilized pH gradient gel electrophoresis. The stain is compatible with N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide or piperazine diacylamide cross-linked polyacrylamide gels as well as with agarose gels and high tensile strength Duracryl gels. The stain does not contain extraneous chemicals (formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, Tween-20) that frequently interfere with peptide identification in mass spectrometry. Successful identification of stained proteins by peptide mass profiling is demonstrated.     

Divergent-flow isoelectric focusing for separation and preparative analysis of peptides

A divergent-flow isoelectric focusing (DF IEF) technique has been applied for the separation and preparative analysis of peptides. The parameters of the developed DF IEF device such as dimension and shape of the separation bed, selection of nonwoven material of the channel, and separation conditions were optimized. The DF IEF device was tested by the separation of a peptide mixture originating from the tryptic digestion of BSA, cytochrome c, and myoglobin. The pH gradient of DF IEF was created by the autofocusing of tryptic peptides themselves without any addition of carrier ampholytes. The focusing process was monitored visually using colored pI markers, and the obtained fractions were analyzed by RP-HPLC and ESI/TOF-MS. DF IEF operating in the autofocusing mode provides an efficient preseparation of peptides, which is comparable with a commercially available MicroRotofor multicompartment electrolyzer and significantly improves sequence coverage of analyzed proteins. The potential of the DF IEF device as an efficient tool for the preparative scale separations was demonstrated by the isolation of caseinomacropeptide (CMP) from a crude whey solution.     

Fish muscle parvalbumins as marker proteins for native and urea isoelectric focusing

An isoelectric point (pI) calibration kit containing fish muscle parvalbumins was prepared and tested for its suitability for isoelectric focusing (IEF) in the presence of 8 M urea. The pattern obtained by urea CleanGel IEF consisted of nine bands covering the pI range 4.96-5.64. This range is relevant for species identification of heated fish by urea IEF. The kit may also be used for native IEF in the low pH range, as demonstrated by running an extract made from the kit together with water-soluble fish muscle proteins on Servalyt Precotes 3-6.     

On-line chemiluminescence detection for isoelectric focusing of heme proteins on microchips

In this paper we present a sensitive chemiluminescence (CL) detection of heme proteins coupled with microchip IEF. The detection principle was based on the catalytic effects of the heme proteins on the CL reaction of luminol-H2O2 enhanced by para-iodophenol. The glass microchip and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)/glass microchip for IEF were fabricated using micromachining technology in the laboratory. The modes of CL detection were investigated and two microchips (glass, PDMS/glass) were compared. Certain proteins, such as cytochrome c, myoglobin, and horseradish peroxidase, were focused by use of Pharmalyte pH 3-10 as ampholytes. Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose was added to the sample solution in order to easily reduce protein interactions with the channel wall as well as the EOF. The focused proteins were transported by salt mobilization to the CL detection window. Cytochrome c, myoglobin, and horseradish peroxidase were well separated within 10 min on a glass chip and the detection limits (S/N=3) were 1.2x10(-7), 1.6x10(-7), and 1.0x10(-10) M, respectively.     

Improved capillary isoelectric focusing method for recombinant erythropoietin analysis

Human erythropoietin (EPO) is an endogenously produced glycoprotein, which plays a key role in the erythropoiesis process. Production of erythropoietin by recombinant DNA techniques has made possible its therapeutical use besides its misuse in sport competitions. The link between glycosylated form and protein activity makes necessary a method to analyze the glycoforms' distribution in the recombinant products. In this work, a capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF) method is presented that allows the analysis of erythropoietin glycoforms. Besides, the cIEF method can be easily implemented in different laboratories. In order to get a feasible and precise cIEF method the following factors have been studied and optimized: (i) neutral coated capillaries, 27 cm long are employed, (ii) ampholytes in the pH range 2 to 10 are used, (iii) bovine beta-lactoglobulin A is chosen as internal standard, (iv) anolyte consisting of 91 mM H3PO4 in cIEF gel is made by weight and catholyte is prepared by titrating 20 mM NaOH with H3PO4 to pH 11.85-11.90, (v) sample is completely depleted of excipients and sodium chloride 10 mM final concentration is added, and (v) t(n)/t(I.S.) and (A(n) - A(I.S.))/A(I.S.), n being the recombinant EPO glycoform considered and I.S. the internal standard, are chosen as indexes to express migration time and area. As a result, a precise method to analyze erythropoietin by capillary isoelectric focusing is achieved with intra-assay RSD < or = 0.5% for index time and < or = 1.5% for index area and inter-sample, inter-anolyte, and inter-catholyte precision better than 3.4% for index time and RSD lower than 2.2% for index area.     

Micropreparative isoelectric focusing protein separation in a suspended drop

IEF protein binary separations were performed in a 12-μL drop suspended between two palladium electrodes, using pH gradients created by electrolysis of simple buffers at low voltages (1.5-5 V). The dynamics of pH gradient formation and protein separation were investigated by computer simulation and experimentally via digital video microscope imaging in the presence and absence of pH indicator solution. Albumin, ferritin, myoglobin, and cytochrome c were used as model proteins. A drop containing 2.4 μg of each protein was applied, electrophoresed, and allowed to evaporate until it splits to produce two fractions that were recovered by rinsing the electrodes with a few microliters of buffer. Analysis by gel electrophoresis revealed that anode and cathode fractions were depleted from high pI and low pI proteins, respectively, whereas proteins with intermediate pI values were recovered in both fractions. Comparable data were obtained with diluted bovine serum that was fortified with myoglobin and cytochrome c.     

Sequential injection setup for capillary isoelectric focusing combined with MS detection

Capillary isoelectric focusing in the presence of electroosmosis with sequential injection of carrier ampholytes and sample was found to be suitable for MS detection. The separate injection of the sample and the ampholytes provides good condition to suppress and overcome the undesirable effect of the presence of ampholytes in MS. By the appropriate selection of ampholyte solutions, whose pH range not necessarily covers the pI values of the analytes, the migration of the components can be controlled, and the impact of the ampholytes on MS detection is decreased. The unique applicability of this setup is shown by testing several parameters, such as the application of volatile electrolyte solutions, the type of the ampholytes, the order and the number of the ampholyte and sample zones. Broad and narrow pH range ampholytes were applied in experiments using uncoated capillaries with different lengths for the analyses of substituted nitrophenol dyes to achieve optimal conditions for the MS detection. Although the sample components are not leaving the pH gradient, due to the decrease in the ampholyte concentration at the position of the components, and because the sample components migrate in charged state, the ionisation is more effective for MS detection.