Separation and detection of the α- and β-chains of hemoglobin of a single intact red blood cell using capillary electrophoresis/electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Separation and detection of the α- and β-chains of hemoglobin of a single intact red blood cell using capillary electrophoresis/electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A single intact red blood cell (erythrocyte) was injected into a capillary electrophoresis column, and following in-capillary lysing the α- and β-chains of the hemoglobin (∼450 amol) were separated and detected using capillary electrophoresis/electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The mass spectra of the electropherogram peaks of the α and β chains showed identifiable peaks corresponding to multiply protonated and sodiated α- and β-chains of hemoglobin.