Magnetic particles as Powerful Purification Tool for High Sensitive Mass Spectrometric Screening Procedures

Abstract

AbstractThe effective isolation and purification of proteins from biological fluids is the most crucial step for a successful protein analysis when only minute amounts are available. While conventional purification methods like dialysis, ultrafiltration or protein precipitation often leads to a marked loss of protein, solid phase extraction (SPE) with small‐sized particles is a powerful alternative. The implementation of particles with superparamagnetic cores facilitates the handling of those particles and allows the application of particles in the nm‐ to low ìm range.Due to the small diameters, magnetic particles are advantageous for increasing sensitivity when using subsequent MS analysis or gel electrophoresis. In the last years, different types of magnetic particles were developed for specific protein purification purposes followed by analysis or screening procedures using mass spectrometry or SDS gel electrophoresis. In this review, the use of magnetic particles for different applications, like e.g. the extraction and analysis of DNA/RNA, peptides and proteins, is described.