Convective Interaction Media Disk Research Articles

A structure based plasma protein pre-fractionation using conjoint immobilized metal/chelate affinity (IMA) system.

The potential of immobilized metal/chelate affinity (IMA) in a continuous fashion, referred as conjoint approach, to pre-fractionate plasma proteins (in their native state) prior to LC-MS analysis was investigated in this study. Four transition metal-ions (Co (II), Zn (II), Ni (II) and Cu (II)) were individually chelated with IDA (iminodiacetic acid) coated CIM (Convective Interaction Media) disks and placed in a single housing in the following sequential order: IDA-Co (II)→IDA-Zn (II)→IDA-Ni (II)→IDA-Cu (II). The rationale behind this order is to retain proteins based on their specific requirement for surface exposed histidine topography. This structural pre-fractionation hypothesis was successfully proven using four human plasma proteins (fibrinogen, IgG, transferrin, and albumin) with varying histidine topographies. This conjoint IMA pre-fractionation strategy not only fractionated proteins (from plasma) based on their native surface histidine topography, but also identified 157 proteins from human plasma. The advantage of our conjoint IMA is its ability to fractionate proteins in their native state and reduce plasma complexity in a single step by employing single buffer system.

Affinity selection of histidine-containing peptides using metal chelate methacrylate monolithic disk for targeted LC–MS/MS approach in high-throughput proteomics

In recent years, bottom-up approach has become the popular method of choice for large scale analysis of complex proteome samples. Peptide fractionation determines the efficiency of the bottom-up method and often the resolving power of reverse phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) is insufficient for efficient protein identification in case of complex biological samples. To overcome the inherent limitation of proteomics associated with sample complexity, we evaluated fast flow metal chelate methacrylate monolithic system - CIM (Convective Interaction Media) disk chelated with Cu(II) for targeted affinity selection of histidine-containing peptides. Initially the Cu(II)-IMAC using CIM disk was evaluated using tryptic digest of protein mixtures of 8 model proteins and was found to be highly efficient in capturing His-containing peptides with high degree of specificity and selectivity. Further the efficiency of His-peptide enrichment using CIM-IMAC was also demonstrated using complex biological samples like total Escherichia coli cell lysate. The analysis of the Cu(II)-IMAC retained peptides from tryptic digests of model protein mixture and E. coli not only demonstrated a significant reduction in sample complexity but also subsequently enabled the identification of additional peptides. His-peptide enrichment also enabled the identification of low abundant proteins that were not detected in the analysis of total E. coli digest.

Identification of proteins interacting with ammodytoxins in Vipera ammodytes ammodytes venom by immuno-affinity chromatography

In order to perform their function, proteins frequently interact with other proteins. Various methods are used to reveal protein interacting partners, and affinity chromatography is one of them. Snake venom is composed mostly of proteins, and various protein complexes in the venom have been found to exhibit higher toxicity levels than respective components separately. Complexes can modulate envenomation activity of a venom and/or potentiate its effect. Our previous data indicate that the most toxic components of the Vipera ammodytes ammodytes (Vaa) venom isolated so far-ammodytoxins (Atxs)-are contributing to the venom's toxicity only moderately; therefore, we aimed to explore whether they have some interacting partner(s) potentiating toxicity. For screening of possible interactions, immuno-affinity chromatography combined with identification by mass spectrometry was used. Various chemistries (epoxy, carbonyldiimidazole, ethylenediamine) as well as protein G functionality were used to immobilize antibodies on monolith support, a Convective Interaction Media disk. Monoliths have been demonstrated to better suit the separation of large biomolecules. Using such approach, several proteins were indicated as potential Atx-binding proteins. Among these, the interaction of Atxs with a Kunitz-type inhibitor was confirmed by far-Western dot-blot and surface plasmon resonance measurement. It can be concluded that affinity chromatography on monolithic columns combined with mass spectrometry identification is a successful approach for screening of protein interactions and it resulted with detection of the interaction of Atx with Kunitz-type inhibitor in Vaa venom for the first time.

Chromatography, mass spectrometry, and molecular modeling studies on ammodytoxins

The ammodytoxins (Atxs) are neurotoxic phospholipases which occur in Vipera ammodytes ammodytes (Vaa) snake venom. There are three Atx isoforms, A, B, and C, which differ in only five amino acid positions at the C-terminus but differ substantially in their toxicity. The objective of this study was to establish an analytical method for unambiguous identification of all three isoforms and to use the method to assess a procedure for purification of the most toxic phospholipase, AtxA, from the venom. Isolation procedure for AtxA consisted of isolation of Atx-cross-reactive material (proteins recognized by anti-Atx antibodies), by use of an affinity column, then cation exchange on CIM (Convective Interaction Media) disks. The purification procedure was monitored by means of reversed-phase chromatography (RPC) and mass spectrometry (MS). Although previous cation exchange of the pure isoforms enabled separate elution of AtxA from B and C, separation of AtxA from Atxs mixture was not accomplished. RPC was not able to separate the Atx isoforms, whereas an MS based approach proved to be more powerful. Peptides resulting from tryptic digestion of Atxs which enable differentiation between the three isoforms were successfully detected and their sequences were confirmed by post-source decay (PSD) fragmentation. Separation of Atx isoforms by ion-exchange chromatography is most presumably prevented by Atxs heterodimer formation. The tendency of Atxs to form homodimers and heterodimers of similar stability was confirmed by molecular modeling.

Purification of Monoclonal Antibodies from Cell-Culture Supernatant by Use of Anion-Exchange Convective Interaction Media (CIM) Monolithic Columns

Purified monoclonal antibodies (mAb) have been used in therapeutics and some analytical procedures. Purification of mAb by use of high-throughput anion-exchange methacrylate monolithic systems has been attempted in this work. Monolithic macroporous convective interaction media (CIM) with diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) and ethylene diamine (EDA) as anion-exchange ligands were used and evaluated for purification of anti-glycophorin-A IgG1 mouse mAbs from cell culture supernatant (CCS) after precipitation with 50% ammonium sulfate. The adsorption and elution of mAb from the CCS on CIM-DEAE and CIM-EDA disks were studied with three different buffer systems, acetate, MOPS (3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid), and Tris, to study the effect of the nature of buffer ions and to find the optimum buffer conditions for purification of mAb. The optimum buffers for purification of mAb using CIM-DEAE and CIM-EDA were 50 mM acetate buffer, pH 5.1 and 20 mM Tris buffer, pH 8.0, respectively. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed the antibody fractions obtained were highly pure, with high antigen-binding efficiency. High specific activity with purification factors of 130 ± 34 (unretained fraction with acetate buffer) and 74 ± 13 (fraction eluted with Tris buffer containing 0.6 M NaCl) was obtained for IgG1 using the CIM-DEAE and CIM-EDA disks, respectively. The results indicate that rapid separation and efficient recovery of high-purity anti-glycophorin-A mAbs could be achieved by use of anion-exchange CIM disks.

Speciation of Al in human serum by convective-interaction media fast-monolithic chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric detection

A new analytical procedure using anion-exchange separation support based on convective-interaction media (CIM) was developed for the speciation of Al in human serum. The separation of proteins was performed on a weak anion-exchange CIM diethylamine (DEAE) fast-monolithic disk. To prevent co-elution of low molecular mass (LMM) Al species with high molecular mass (HMM) Al compounds on CIM disk serum proteins were first separated from LMM-Al species by the use of size exclusion chromatography (SEC). For this purpose 1 mL of serum was injected onto SEC (Superdex 75 HR 10/30) column. Isocratic elution using 0.05 M TRIS–HCl + 0.03 M NaHCO 3 was applied and separation of proteins was followed by UV detection at 278 nm. It was experimentally proven that proteins were eluted in 5.5 mL peak that was collected into a polyethylene cup. A 0.1 mL of the sample aliquot was then injected onto the CIM DEAE disk. The separation of serum proteins was obtained in 10 min by applying linear gradient elution from 100% buffer A (0.05 M TRIS–HCl + 0.03 M NaHCO 3) to 100% buffer B (A + 1 M NH 4Cl) and followed by UV detection at 278 nm. Separated Al species were detected on-line by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Well-resolved protein peaks were obtained. It was experimentally proven that 90 ± 3% of Al in spiked serum of renal patient was eluted under the transferrin peak. The proposed speciation procedure removes LMM-Al species and enables reliable determination of the concentration and composition of Al bound to proteins by CIM DEAE-ICP-MS when the concentration of Al in serum is higher than 5 ng mL −1. In comparison to chromatographic columns CIM disks enable faster separation and simpler manipulation during cleaning procedure and coupling to ICP-MS.

Development and integration of an immunoaffinity monolithic disk for the on-line solid-phase extraction and HPLC determination with fluorescence detection of aflatoxin B1 in aqueous solutions

The development and characterization of an anti-aflatoxin B1 (anti-AFB1) immunoaffinity monolithic disk is reported. Polyclonal anti-AFB1 was covalently immobilized in batch on an epoxy-activated monolithic Convective Interaction Media (CIM) disk (12 mm × 3 mm i.d.) by a one-step reaction via epoxy groups of the polymer surface. 0.96 mg of antibody were immobilized and the binding capacity of the CIM disk was determined by frontal analysis. The CIM disk was coupled through a switching valve to a reversed-phase column, namely Chromolith Performance RP-18e. A fully automated HPLC method with fluorescence detection for the determination of aflatoxin B1 in aqueous solution was developed. The total analysis time with the integrated system is 46 min and the retention time of AFB1 is approximately 29 min. The binding capacity of the immunoaffinity disk was evaluated in terms of linearity, precision and accuracy of the extraction procedure. The immunoaffinity support was stable after repeated runs.

Anion-exchange chromatography using short monolithic columns as a complementary technique for human serum albumin depletion prior to human plasma proteome analysis

In order to enable the detection of low abundance proteins from human plasma, it is necessary to remove high abundance proteins. Among them, human serum albumin and immunoglobulin G represent more than 75% of all such proteins. In this paper, the characterization of short monolithic columns was performed followed by the optimization of a multidimensional approach, known as conjoint liquid chromatography, to deplete human serum albumin and immunoglobulin G from a human plasma sample. Two different chromatographic modes were used: ion-exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography. A monolithic stationary phase (convective interaction media disk) bearing strong anion-exchange groups and another immobilized with protein G were placed in series into one housing. The optimal binding conditions were found that removed a majority of human serum albumin and immunoglobulin G from the human plasma sample. This method was compared to the depletion using a combination of pseudo-affinity and affinity columns. The results of the human serum albumin and immunoglobulin G depletion were confirmed by 2D electrophoresis. It has been shown that anion-exchange and affinity chromatography using convective interaction media monolithic columns can represent an efficient complementary technique for human serum albumin and immunoglobulin G removal from human plasma.

Characterisation of metal–chelate methacrylate monoliths

Monoliths are attractive stationary phases for purification of large biomolecules like proteins because of their flow-unaffected properties. Isolation of histidine containing proteins to high purity can be efficiently performed using metal–chelate interactions within a single chromatographic step. In this work, we investigated properties of commercial metal–chelate methacrylate monoliths—Convective Interaction Media (CIM). Analytical CIM disk monolithic columns and CIM 8 ml monolithic columns were used for purification of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) analog LK-801 and green fluorescence protein with 6 histidine tag (GFP-6His). In both cases, purity over 90% was achieved. Dynamic binding capacity at 10% of breakthrough was around 17–18 mg/ml for LK-801 and around 30 mg/ml for GFP-6His. Adsorption isotherm revealed that the maximal capacity is achieved at protein concentration above 60 μg/ml. Dynamic binding capacity and resolution were found to be flow unaffected.

Detection of processed genetically modified food using CIM monolithic columns for DNA isolation

The availability of sufficient quantities of DNA of adequate quality is crucial in polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods for genetically modified food detection. In this work, the suitability of anion-exchange CIM (Convective Interaction Media; BIA Separations, Ljubljana, Slovenia) monolithic columns for isolation of DNA from food was studied. Maize and its derivates corn meal and thermally pretreated corn meal were chosen as model food. Two commercially available CIM disk columns were tested: DEAE (diethylaminoethyl) and QA (quaternary amine). Preliminary separations were performed with standard solution of salmon DNA at different pH values and different NaCl concentrations in mobile phase. DEAE groups and pH 8 were chosen for further isolations of DNA from a complex matrix-food extract. The quality and quantity of isolated DNA were tested on agarose gel electrophoresis, with UV-scanning spectrophotometry, and by amplification with real-time PCR. DNA isolated in this way was of suitable quality for further PCR analyses. The described method is also applicable for DNA isolation from processed foods with decreased DNA content. Furthermore, it is more effective and less time-consuming in comparison with the existing proposed methods for isolation of DNA from plant-derived foods.

Separation of pectin methylesterase isoenzymes from tomato fruits using short monolithic columns

One of the main forms of tomato pectin methylesterase (PME; EC 3.1.1.1.1) that is applicable to the food industry was isolated from fresh tomato fruit. The extraction of the PME isoenzymes involved washing the fresh tomato flesh with water in order to remove sugars and than solubilizing the enzymes with a diluted HCl solution at pH 1.6. The extract was then neutralized to pH 7.4 using buffer solution. After filtration, the solution was directly fractioned using Convective Interaction Media (CIM) short monolithic disk column bearing sulfonyl (SO3) groups and using a linear gradient from 0 to 700 mM NaCl. The injection volume was 3 ml and the diameter of the column was 12 mm and length 3 mm. The isolated fractions were monitored for protein content and PME activity. The fraction with the targeted enzyme, which showed NaCl independent activity, was further purified and concentrated by ultrafiltration and finally purified by a second semi-preparative cation-exchange chromatography step using a CIM carboxymethyl (CM) disk monolithic column consisting of two disks and applying a step gradient. From 1 kg of fresh tomato fruits, 7.5 mg of purified PME with molecular mass estimated to be 26 000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was obtained. A fraction with mixed PME and polygalacturonase activity was also obtained. Compared to the published procedures for the isolation and purification of PME from plant materials, this new procedure is much faster and more efficient. The potential application of CIM disk short monolithic columns in the analysis and semi-preparative extraction and isolation of the PME isoenzyme is presented.

Mass transfer properties of monoliths

The mass transfer properties of polyglycidylmethacrylate–ethylenedimethacrylate monolithic ion-exchangers (convective interaction media disks) were evaluated. As a reference material, the particulate ion-exchanger Source 30 was selected. The model proteins lysozyme, bovine serum albumin, and IgG were loaded at different concentrations and velocities. The mass transfer zones obtained with the monoliths were affected by neither the linear flow velocity nor the protein concentration in the mobile phase. The reduced height equivalent to one theoretical plate (HETP) of monoliths were independent of the reduced velocity. This was not the case for the particulate material.

Application of Convective Interaction Media disks with immobilised glucose oxidase for on-line glucose measurements

A new polymeric macroporous material, Convective Interaction Media (CIM) was applied as a support for glucose oxidase (GOD) immobilisation. CIM epoxy disks with the immobilised enzyme were integrated as an enzyme reactor in a flow injection analysis (FIA) system and applied to on-line monitoring of glucose during cultivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and citric acid production by Aspergillus niger. The developed CIM GOD disk–FIA system exhibited good signal reproducibility and satisfactory long-term stability with a linear response in the range 10–200 mg l −1. The CIM disk applied as an enzyme reactor proved to be a successful replacement for conventionally used packed-bed columns and as such it was well suited for on-line monitoring of bioprocesses.

A Method of Fast Separation of Lignin Peroxidases Using Convective Interaction Media Disks

The HPLC separation of lignin peroxidase isoenzymes using Convective Interaction Media disks containing quaternary amine and diethylaminoethyl ion-exchange active groups is proposed. In contrast to standard HPLC procedures the separation can be performed within a few minutes without considerably affecting the separation resolution. The method is reproducible and gives a linear response of integrated peak area to protein concentration for all measured isoenzymes. The separation resolution is retained unchanged by applying crude culture filtrate instead of a sample previously frozen and dialyzed. The optimized method might therefore be used for on-line monitoring of lignin peroxidase isoenzyme composition during fermentation. On the other hand, the proposed method is comparable in time to the original method of lignin peroxidase activity measurement (proposed by Tien and Kirk), providing additionally the isoenzyme composition.

Isocratic separations on thin glycidyl methacrylate–ethylenedimethacrylate monoliths

In this work, the isocratic separation of oligonucleotides in the ion-exchange mode on thin glycidylmethacrylate–ethylenedimethacrylate (GMA–EDMA) monoliths in the form of commercially available CIM (Convective Interaction Media) disks is presented. It was found that isocratic separation occurs even on monoliths with a thickness of only 0.75 mm. Peak broadening of the components retained on the monolith is proportional to the retention time, which in turn is proportional to the thickness of the monolith. Peak height is inversely proportional to the retention time. From these results it can be concluded that the mechanism of the separation on such monoliths is similar to that in HPLC columns filled with conventional porous particles. The height equivalent to a theoretical plate of GMA–EDMA monoliths is calculated to be 18.0 μm. The capacity factor k′ depends, exponentially, on the salt concentration. The Z factor calculated from fitted equations increases linearly with the oligonucleotide’s length. It was also found that the difference between peak retention volume slightly increases with the flow-rate when the experiments are performed in the range from 0.5 to 7 ml/min. From the similarities between the isocratic separations on conventional columns and on thin GMA–EDMA monoliths it is reasonable to believe that separation based on a multiple adsorption/desorption process also occurs in thin monoliths.