Peptide capillary zone electrophoresis mass spectrometry of recombinant human erythropoietin: an evaluation of the analytical method.

An evaluation of capillary zone electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CZE-MS) as an analytical methodology for the separation and characterization of complex glycopeptides and nonglycopeptide structures has been performed. The evaluation employed endoproteinase V8 digested recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) that was further fractionated by reverse phase chromatography. The peptides were subjected to sequence analysis and evaluated by capillary electrophoresis, with or without mass detection, for peptide purity. The peptide mass determined from the sequence was then compared to the mass obtained from CZE-MS. Glycosylation sites and carbohydrate branch patterns were easily determined, site specific microheterogeneity (either O-acetylation of N-acetylneuraminic acids or lactosamine extensions of the carbohydrate chain length) was assessed directly, glycosylation site occupancy was evaluated qualitatively, and nonglycopeptides were resolved and analyzed on-line with ease. Incomplete peptide digestion products were detected and identified by CZE-MS. Protein sequence coverage by CZE-MS was 98.2 percent complete from a single map. Off-line evaluation of peptide purity by CZE greatly aided the interpretation of multiple sequence analysis and, in validating that, the CZE-MS was detecting all peptides present. All off-line CZE and on-line CZE-MS experiments employed a capillary that was dynamically coated with Polybrene in the presence of polyethylene glycol; separations were conducted in 0.67 M formic acid.

Sample matrix effects on glycopeptide stability by high performance capillary electrophoresis.

High performance capillary electrophoresis (CE) of glycoprotein digests frequently reveals extensive microheterogeneity associated with specific protein glycosylation sites. The choice of the sample matrix can influence the electrophoretic migration time, peak shape and resolution, as well as the physical stability of the product glycopeptides. Acetic acid is a frequently employed sample matrix for both capillary electrophoresis and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Acetic acid appears to enhance the spontaneous hydrolysis of sialic acids from the nonreducing termini of glycopeptides in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, even at 5 degrees C, as evidenced by changes in the electrophoretic mobility and ESI-MS spectra of the resulting glycopeptides. The observed parallel electrophoretic mobility changes for specific glycoforms are consistent with the induction of peptide structure with time. Asialoglycopeptide mobilities were stable in acetic acid. Electrophoretic mobilities can be stabilized with propionic acid sample matrix with no apparent structural changes observed by ESI-MS within 31 h. Migration time reproducibility was in the range of 0.1% relative standard deviation (N = 7) with excellent peak shapes and enhanced glycopeptide resolution.

Multiple peptide fraction collection by capillary electrophoresis with reinjection analysis.

This papers addresses many of the optimization parameters necessary to convert from high resolution capillary electrophoresis (CE) analytical separation parameters to automated, micropreparative multiple fraction collection using software-controlled, interrupted applied voltage. Optimization of two parameters are crucial: 1) preparative sample loading and 2) the determination of peak collection windows. Factors affecting sample loading volume are discussed, such as capillary inner diameters, sample temperatures and sample injection times. Peak collection windows have been determined experimentally and offer an advantage to windows calculated using a linear mobility relationship, especially for long run times, high current levels, and multiple voltage ramping required for multiple fraction collection. Reinjection analysis of both non-glycopeptides and glycopeptides are examined, and clearly indicate peak mobility can be employed for identifying the collected peptides. Difficulties associated with quantitation of the collected peaks by CE are described and appear to be predominantly associated with sample matrix effects.

Multiple sequential fraction collection of peptides and glycopeptides by high-performance capillary electrophoresis.

Multiple sequential fraction collection of peptides and glycopeptides by high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE) under applied voltage has been demonstrated from complex tryptic peptide maps. The collection methodology was adapted from a high-resolution glycopeptide mapping procedure and, as such, requires active temperature control of the sample, electrophoresis vials, and collections vials because the electrophoresis buffer system is higher conductive. Resolution was compromised in the preparative HPCE separation due to heavy sample loading and to reduced voltage. The latter was a requirement for this buffer system in order to control Joule heating at the current levels employed; collections were routinely performed at approximately 1.5 W/m. The collection buffer was optimized by the addition of 12% methanol (v/v), thereby improving collection yields. Tryptic non-glycopeptides were group collected; secondary analysis of the HPCE collections agreed with analytical separations with respect to the number of peptides contained in a given fraction. Sequentially collected peptide fractions were analyzed by Edman sequencing and MALDI mass spectrometry to verify peptide identity and sequence. Consistent peptide sequence or mass measurements were obtained for repeat collections. The isolation of the single pure glycopeptide indicates that unique glycopeptide structures can be collected by HPCE and then analyzed by other methods.

Non-cyclooxygenase-derived prostanoids (F2-isoprostanes) are formed in situ on phospholipids.

We recently reported the discovery of a series of bioactive prostaglandin F2-like compounds (F2-isoprostanes) that are produced in vivo by free radical-catalyzed peroxidation of arachidonic acid independent of the cyclooxygenase enzyme. Inasmuch as phospholipids readily undergo peroxidation, we examined the possibility that F2-isoprostanes may be formed in situ on phospholipids. Initial support for this hypothesis was obtained by the finding that levels of free F2-isoprostanes measured after hydrolysis of lipids extracted from livers of rats treated with CCl4 to induce lipid peroxidation were more than 100-fold higher than levels in untreated animals. Further, increased levels of lipid-associated F2-isoprostanes in livers of CCl4-treated rats preceded the appearance of free compounds in the circulation, suggesting that the free compounds arose from hydrolysis of peroxidized lipids. This concept was supported by demonstrating that free F2-isoprostanes were released after incubation of lipid extracts with bee venom phospholipase A2 in vitro. When these lipid extracts were analyzed by HPLC, fractions that yielded large quantities of free F2-isoprostanes after hydrolysis eluted at a much more polar retention volume than nonoxidized phosphatidylcholine. Analysis of these polar lipids by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry established that they were F2-isoprostane-containing species of phosphatidylcholine. Thus, unlike cyclooxygenase-derived prostanoids, F2-isoprostanes are initially formed in situ on phospholipids, from which they are subsequently released preformed, presumably by phospholipases. Molecular modeling of F2-isoprostane-containing phospholipids reveals them to be remarkably distorted molecules. Thus, the formation of these phospholipid species in lipid bilayers may contribute in an important way to alterations in fluidity and integrity of cellular membranes, well-known sequelae of oxidant injury.