OFFGEL isoelectric focusing and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis separation of platinum-binding proteins

In this work a 2D electrophoretic separation procedure able to maintain the integrity of platinum-protein bonds has been developed. The method is based on the use of sequential OFFGEL isoelectric focussing (IEF) and PAGE. A systematic study of the reagents used for PAGE, for OFFGEL-IEF separation, and post-separation treatment of gels (such as enzymatic digestion and sample preparation for MS analysis) was tackled regarding their suitability for the identification of platinum binding proteins using standard proteins incubated with cisplatin. The distribution of platinum in high and low molecular weight fractions (separated by cut-off filters) was determined by ICP-MS, which allows evaluating platinum-protein bond stability under the conditions studied. SDS-PAGE in the absence of β-mercaptoethanol or dithiotreitol preserved the platinum-protein bonds. In addition, neither the influence of the electric field during the electrophoretic separation, nor the processes of fixing, staining and destaining of proteins in the gel did result in the loss of platinum from platinum binding proteins. SDS-PAGE under non-reducing conditions provides separation of platinum-binding proteins in very narrow bands with quantitative recoveries. Different amounts of platinum-bound proteins covering the range 0.3-2.0 μg were separated and mineralised for platinum determination, showing good platinum linearity. Limits of detection for a mixture of five standard proteins incubated with cisplatin were between the range of 2.4 and 13.9 pg of platinum, which were satisfactory for their application to biological samples. Regarding OFFGEL-IEF, a denaturing solution without thiourea and without dithiotreitol is recommended. The suitability of the OFFGEL-IEF for the separation of platinum binding proteins of a kidney cytosol was demonstrated.     

Characterization of ethylene oxide–propylene oxide block copolymers by combination of different chromatographic techniques and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy

Block copolymers of ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO) are characterized by combination of two-dimensional chromatography and MALDI-TOF-MS. Liquid chromatography under critical conditions (LCCC) is used as first dimension and fractions are collected, mobile phase evaporated and diluted in the mobile phase used in second dimension (SEC or LAC). This two-dimensional chromatography in combination of MALDI-TOF-MS gives information about purity of reaction products, presence of the byproducts, chemical composition and molar mass distribution of all the products.     

Separation and Identification of Oligomeric-Hindered Amine Light Stabilizer Uvasorb HA 88 by High-performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Coupled With Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALSI-TOF-MS)

Abstract

Uvasorb HA 88 is widely used as a light stabilizer to prevent plastic polymer degradation. Its high molecular weight and oligomeric characters provide challenge for quality control. In this study, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with electrospray ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF MS) was applied for separation and detection of Uvasorb HA 88. The synthesis scheme was deduced and confirmed by the characterization of Uvasorb HA 88 products from different batches. Direct matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) was employed for the detailed characterization of chemical composition of Uvasorb HA 88. Furthermore, a reliable reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) coupled with MALDI-TOF MS method was established and the weight-average and number-average molecular masses were calculated. The results revealed that six oligomers with repeat unit numbers from 1 to 4 were present in Uvasorb HA 88. A molecular weight of up to 6808?g mol^?1 was detected and two new series of oligomers were reported for the first time. Different series of oligomers and positional isomers were observed in Uvasorb HA 88. This work provides a suitable method to evaluate the technical grade of Uvasorb HA 88 as well as comprehensive characterization of complex oligomeric hindered amine light stabilizers.     

Determination of Substance P by capillary zone electrophoresis in rat brain

In the complex neuronal network, chemical messengers like neuropeptides play a key role in signaling. To understand the mechanism of signaling, it is necessary to analyze the levels of neuropeptides from biological sources, which is important for neuroscience research. In the present work, a detailed investigation of the capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method was carried out to detect and quantify Substance P (SP), a bioactive neuropeptide, in rat brain tissues. The method involves specifically, a combination of solid phase extraction and immunoprecipitation prior to the CZE quantification. In this procedure, antibodies are used to capture the analyte of interest before the separation by CZE. Different separation parameters like buffer type, concentration, pH and applied voltage were the steps taken to study and achieve high efficiency CZE separation. CZE analysis was performed in an untreated fused-silica capillary column (35 cm×75 μm i.d.) and 185 nm wavelength using 100 mM phosphate buffer (pH 2.5) as a separation buffer. Electrophoresis in acidic mode and successive washing procedures solved the adsorption problem. The method provides a rapid analysis time of less than 15 min with 3.91% of RSD. Simultaneously, SP was quantified by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight-Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and compared with CZE data. Starting from milligram amounts of brain tissue, the method allowed the detection of low picomole amounts of SP and the combined use of CZE and MALDI-TOF-MS was a success in quantification in this study.     

臭氧降解法制备壳低聚糖及其结构表征

以85％脱乙酰度、相对分子质量为25×10^4的壳聚糖为原料,在20℃、pH为3、氧气流量0．7m^3／h的条件下降解6h,降解液用氨水调至pH为9,无沉淀,分别用截留相对分子质量为2k、3k、5k、10k的中空纤维膜超滤,获得所需聚合度的壳低聚糖。降解产物的结构用红外光谱、核磁共振碳谱表征,结果说明降解前后的结构基本没有变化。降解产物的聚合度用飞行时间质谱表征,其中经过2k中空纤维膜超滤后的壳低聚糖聚合度主要为4～10。     

尺寸排阻色谱柱上尿素梯度复性全长人PPAR-γ

建立尺寸排阻色谱柱上尿素梯度复性全长人PPAR-γ重组蛋白的方法。利用尺寸排阻色谱柱上尿素梯度除去变性剂直接复性变性蛋白。添加尿素和精氨酸抑制聚集以提高复性产率,加入Zn2+促进变性蛋白形成正确折叠。复性后,重组蛋白的尺寸排阻色谱保留体积增大;紫外光谱最大吸收波长从234.0nm变为280.8nm;基质辅助激光解析-电离飞行时间质谱分析重组蛋白的完整性,测得分子量与理论值一致;放射配体受体结合饱和实验测得解离常数(Kd)为89±4nmol/L;复性产率为52.7%。结果表明本文所建立的方法能成功用于复性变性全长人PPAR-γ,获得可用于结构和功能研究的具有生物学活性的全长人PPAR-γ蛋白。     

A secretome-based methodology may provide a better characterization of the virulence of Listeria monocytogenes: preliminary results

Four strains of Listeria monocytogenes with different levels of virulence were studied. Two strains were consistently evaluated as virulent (strain 3077) and of low virulence (strain 3993), whereas the other two strains (3006 and 3049) originated conflicting results in what the evaluation tests were concerned: both were shown to exhibit low virulence when evaluated by in vitro assays, but virulent when the analyses were performed under in vivo conditions.To clarify the virulence potential of the selected strains, a proteomic approach was used after incubating L. monocytogenes cultures under conditions favoring the expression of virulence factors (minimal medium, at 37 °C). Bacterial proteins present in the liquid culture media were precipitated from late exponential phase cultures, fractionated by SDS-PAGE and identified by MALDI-TOF-MS.Three virulence factors differentially expressed were detected: protein p60, listeriolysin O (LLO) and internalin C (InlC). Clustering analysis of the four L. monocytogenes strains based on their secretome profiles allowed their categorization in two groups: the virulent group, composed by strains 3077 and 3049, and the low virulence group, containing strains 3993 and 3006. The results presented in this work suggest that the virulent potential of a particular L. monocytogenes strain may be predicted from the levels of both listeriolysin O (LLO) and internalin C (InlC) present in its secretome when the bacterium is grown under conditions favoring the expression of virulence factors. Following validation of this proposal through the analysis of a large array of strains, this methodology exhibits a great potential to be developed into an accurate and rapid method to characterize L. monocytogenes strain virulence.     

Determination of engineered nanoparticles on textiles and in textile wastewaters

Textile materials with engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) have excellent properties as they are antibacterial, antimicrobial, water resistant and protective. The textile industry has recognized the importance and the advantages of ENPs, so they comprise one of the fastest developing branches of processing.The most important sources of ENPs released to the environment from textiles are textile-industry wastewaters and waters from large hospital or hotel laundries. In addition, waste textile materials coated with ENPs present a threat to the environment, if such materials are not properly handled and disposed of after use.Currently, the toxicity and the potential harm of ENPs widely applied on textiles are not thoroughly investigated and/or eliminated. Consequently, there is an urgent need to define the most appropriate analytical methods for monitoring ENPs on textiles.This review presents the most important techniques for monitoring ENPs on textile materials and in textile-wastewater samples, from the perspective of protecting the environment and human health.     

含酚酞结构的聚芳醚酮环状齐聚物的激光质谱表征

在“拟高稀”条件下，以酚酞与甲基酚酞为双羟基型单体，与活性双氟基芳香化合物合成了聚芳醚酮环状齐聚物。通过基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱对其环状结构进行了表征。     

应用激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱法研究芳香聚硫醚醚砜环状低聚物

应用激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱法对芳香环状聚硫醚醚砜低聚物结构进行了分析,比较了四种不同基质对环状物结构分析结果的影响,发现1,8,9-蒽三酚为此类芳香环状低聚物的有效基质。探讨了金属阳离子对此类芳香环状低聚物的影响,认为三氟乙酸银是此种芳香环状低聚物的有效阳离子剂。