Control of the cultivation process of antithrombin III and its characterization by capillary electrophoresis

The production by baby hamster kidney cells of recombinant antithrombin III (r-AT III), the main inhibitor of thrombin, factor Xa and other proteases of the clotting cascade, was monitored by capillary isotachophoresis using mixtures of continuous spacers. The results were compared with those obtained by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). The downstream process, which incorporated anion-exchange and heparin affinity chromatography, was monitored by CZE under acidic conditions and voltage ramping. The purified product was characterized by its isoelectric point and molecular mass. Isoelectric points of the three major and three minor isoforms of AT III were evaluated by capillary isoelectric focusing using a pH range of 4–6 and various mobilization procedures. The molecular mass of AT III was investigated by capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE), applying removable dextran gels. Both parameters could be determined within 30 min using only one coated capillary. The results showed an excellent correspondence with those achieved with conventional slab gels. The affinity complex between AT III and thrombin could also be detected by CGE and the heparin dependence of the affinity reaction could be investigated.