A new buffering system and its use in electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing

Molecular rheotaxis directs DNA migration and concentration against a pressure-driven flow

In-line preconcentration techniques are used to improve the sensitivity of microfluidic DNA analysis platforms. The most common methods are electrokinetic and require an externally applied electric field. Here we describe a microfluidic DNA preconcentration technique that does not require an external field. Instead, pressure-driven flow from a fluid-filled microcapillary into a lower ionic strength DNA sample reservoir induces spontaneous DNA migration against the direction of flow. This migratory phenomenon that we call Molecular Rheotaxis initiates in seconds and results in a concentrated DNA bolus at the capillary orifice. We demonstrate the ease with which this concentration method can be integrated into a microfluidic total analysis system composed of in-line DNA preconcentration, size separation, and single-molecule detection. Paired experimental and numerical simulation results are used to delineate the parameters required to induce Molecular Rheotaxis, elucidate the underlying mechanism, and optimize conditions to achieve DNA concentration factors exceeding 10,000 fold.

Implementing a nucleic acid preconcentration method can improve the sensitivity of microfluidic analysis systems. Here Friedrich et al. concentrate DNA by many orders of magnitude using pressure-driven flow, which could lead to a simple and practical microanalysis platform.

Single Molecule Hydrodynamic Separation Allows Sensitive and Quantitative Analysis of DNA Conformation and Binding Interactions in Free Solution

Limited tools exist that are capable of monitoring nucleic acid conformations, fluctuations, and distributions in free solution environments. Single molecule free solution hydrodynamic separation enables the unique ability to quantitatively analyze nucleic acid biophysics in free solution. Single molecule fluorescent burst data and separation chromatograms can give layered insight into global DNA conformation, binding interactions, and molecular distributions. First, we show that global conformation of individual DNA molecules can be directly visualized by examining single molecule fluorescent burst shapes and that DNA exists in a dynamic equilibrium of fluctuating conformations as it is driven by Poiseuille flow through micron-sized channels. We then show that this dynamic equilibrium of DNA conformations is reflected as shifts in hydrodynamic mobility that can be perturbed using salt and ionic strength to affect packing density. Next, we demonstrate that these shifts in hydrodynamic mobility can be used to investigate hybridization thermodynamics and binding interactions. We distinguish and classify multiple interactions within a single sample, and demonstrate quantification amidst large concentration differences for the detection of rare species. Finally, we demonstrate that these differences can resolve perfect complement, 2 bp mismatched, and 3 bp mismatched sequences. Such a system can be used to garner diverse information about DNA conformation and structure, and potentially be extended to other molecules and mixed-species interactions, such as between nucleic acids and proteins or synthetic polymers.

Development of a membrane-less dynamic field gradient focusing device for the separation of low-molecular-weight molecules

Dynamic field gradient focusing uses an electric field gradient generated by controlling the voltage profile of an electrode array to separate and concentrate charged analytes according to their individual electrophoretic mobilities. This study describes a new instrument in which the electrodes have been placed within the separation channel. The major challenge faced with this device is that when applied voltages to the electrodes are larger than the redox potential of water, electrolysis will occur, producing hydrogen ions (H+) plus oxygen gas on the anodes and hydroxide (OH(-)) plus hydrogen gas on the cathodes. The resulting gas bubbles and pH excursions can cause problems with system performance and reproducibility. An on-column, degassing system that can remove gas bubbles "on-the-fly" is described. In addition, the use of a high capacity, low-conductivity buffer to address the problem of the pH shift that occurs due to the production of H+ on the anodes is illustrated. Finally, the successful separation of three, low-molecular-weight dyes (amaranth, bromophenol blue and methyl red) is described.

Distinct classes of glyoxalase I: metal specificity of the Yersinia pestis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Neisseria meningitidis enzymes

The metalloisomerase glyoxalase I (GlxI) catalyses the conversion of methylglyoxal-glutathione hemithioacetal and related derivatives into the corresponding thioesters. In contrast with the previously characterized GlxI enzymes of Homo sapiens, Pseudomonas putida and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we recently determined that Escherichia coli GlxI surprisingly did not display Zn2+-activation, but instead exhibited maximal activity with Ni2+. To investigate whether non-Zn2+ activation defines a distinct, previously undocumented class of GlxI enzymes, or whether the E. coli GlxI is an exception to the previously established Zn2+-activated GlxI, we have cloned and characterized the bacterial GlxI from Yersinia pestis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Neisseria meningitidis. The metal-activation profiles for these additional GlxIs firmly establish the existence of a non-Zn2+-dependent grouping within the general category of GlxI enzymes. This second, established class of metal activation was formerly unidentified for this metalloenzyme. Amino acid sequence comparisons indicate a more extended peptide chain in the Zn2+-dependent forms of GlxI (H. sapiens, P. putida and S. cerevisiae), compared with the GlxI enzymes of E. coli, Y. pestis, P. aeruginosa and N. meningitidis. The longer sequence is due in part to the presence of additional regions situated fairly close to the metal ligands in the Zn2+-dependent forms of the lyase. With respect to sequence alignments, these inserts may potentially contribute to defining the metal specificity of GlxI at a structural level.

Colored pI standards and gel isoelectric focusing in strongly acidic pH

Colored, low molecular weight pI markers have been developed for isoelectric focusing (IEF) in acidic pH range. Their isoelectric points (pIs) were determined by direct measurement of the pH of the focused bands after completion of IEF on polyacrylamide gels. The practicable suitability of the proposed pI markers as pI standards for IEF was tested by applying gel IEF. The acidic pH gradient was created either by commercial synthetic carrier ampholytes or by mixture of simple buffers consisting of acids (non-ampholytes) and ampholytic buffers. By applying simple acids, it was possible to extend the acidic pH range beyond those achievable with commercial synthetic carrier ampholytes. By using an experimental arrangement without electrode electrolyte reservoirs with electrodes creating the fixed end of the gel, the strongly acidic pH gradient was stable even for prolonged focusing time.

Isoelectric Buffers for Capillary Electrophoresis. 2. Bismorpholine Derivative of a Carboxylic Acid as a Low Molecular Weight Isoelectric Buffer

A new compound class of synthetic isoelectric buffers is introduced, designed as a small molecule with one fully or prevailingly dissociated acidic group (such as sulfonic or carboxylic) and two partly pronated (buffering) basic amino groups attached onto a hydrophilic UV-transparent backbone. As an example, a new isoelectric compound 2,2-bis(4-morpholinylmethyl)propanoic acid (BMMPA) was synthesized by attaching two morpholine groups onto a molecule of pivalic acid. It was characterized as having an isoelectric point pI = 6.5 and exhibiting satisfactory buffering capacity at the pI. Solutions of BMMPA are transparent down to the low-UV spectral region, thus making it a potentially suitable buffer for a number of separation methods. Its use in capillary electrophoresis was demonstrated in a separation system for indirect photometric detection of anions based on an electrolyte with the anionic dye Orange G as the indirect detection probe and using BMMPA as a buffer. The use of an isoelectric buffering compound brings the advantages of a buffered electrolyte without the concomitant introduction of co-ions that would be detrimental to the indirect detection process. Submicromole per liter limits of detection for a number of inorganic and small organic ions were achieved. Optimal structural properties of the isoelectric buffer with respect to its buffering properties are discussed.

Effect of feed zone width on product purity in preparative-scale, continuous free-flow isoelectric focusing separation of enantiomers

The effects of the increased width of the sample feed stream upon the purity of the collected fractions were examined in the continuous free-flow isoelectric focusing separation of the enantiomers of dansyl-tryptophan. Compared to the reference separation obtained with a narrow feed stream introduced through the central sample feed port of the continuous free-flow isoelectric focusing separation unit, the final pH gradient, the position of the enantiomer band centroids and the values of the cumulative product recoveries and cumulative product purities remained essentially identical as the width of the feed band of the racemic sample dissolved in the carrier ampholyte was increased up to the full width of the separation chamber suggesting that the current, limiting practice of narrow, central feed bands can be safely abandoned and dilute feedstock solutions can be utilized in preparative-scale isoelectric focusing enantiomer separations.

Capillary electrophoresis of peptides and proteins in isoelectric buffers: an update

Capillary electrophoresis in acidic, isoelectric buffers is a novel methodology allowing fast protein and peptide analysis in uncoated capillaries. Due to the low pH adopted and to the use of dynamic coating with cellulose derivatives, silanol ionization is essentially suppressed and little interaction of macromolecules with the untreated wall occurs. In addition, due to the low conductivity of quasi-stationary, isoelectric buffers, high-voltage gradients can be applied (up to 800 V/cm) permitting fast peptide analysis with a high resolving power due to minimal diffusional peak spreading. Four such buffers are here described: cysteic acid (Cys-A, pI 1.85), iminodiacetic acid (IDA, pI 2.23), aspartic acid (Asp, pI 2.77) and glutamic acid (Glu, pI 3.22). A number of applications are reported, ranging from food analysis to the study of folding/unfolding transitions of proteins.

Generation of natural pH gradients in microfluidic channels for use in isoelectric focusing

As a part of an ongoing investigation of the use of isoelectric focusing (IEF) in microfluidic devices, pH gradients were electrochemically formed and optically quantified in microfluidic channels using acid-base indicators. The microchannels consisted of two parallel 40-mm-long electrodes with an interelectrode gap of 2.54 mm; top and bottom transparent windows were separated by 0.2 mm. Gradients in pH were formed as a result of the electrochemical decomposition of water at an applied potential not higher than 2.5 V to avoid generation of gas bubbles. Solutions contained low concentrations of a single buffer. The stability of the pH gradients and their sensitivity to changes in initial conditions were investigated under static (nonflow) conditions. Isoelectric focusing of sample biological analytes, bovine hemoglobin and bovine serum albumin, was performed to illustrate the potential of "microfluidic transverse IEF" for use in continuous concentration and separation systems.

Use of single-isomer, multiply charge chiral resolving agents for the continuous, preparative-scale electrophoretic separation of enantiomers based on the principle of equal-but-opposite analyte mobilities

A novel approach to continuous, preparative-scale electrophoretic enantiomer separations has been developed based on the observation that stable, equal-but-opposite effective mobilities can be created for the enantiomers of a single-charged analyte by complexing them with a single-isomer, multiply charged resolving agent, provided that the charge of the resolving agent is opposite in sign to that of the uncomplexed analyte enantiomers. When such an analyte-resolving agent system is fed into a continuous, free-flow electrophoretic apparatus, stable, steady-state operating conditions can be established which permit the continuous feeding of the racemic analyte and the collection of pure enantiomers at the opposite sides of the feed stream. This concept is demonstrated via the separation of the enantiomers of terbutaline using heptakis-6-sulfato beta-cyclodextrin as resolving agent, affording production rates as high as 2.8 mg/h in the general-purpose, continuous free-flow electrophoretic system, the Octopus.

Preparative-scale isoelectric focusing separation of enantiomers using a multicompartment electrolyzer with isoelectric membranes

The IsoPrime multicompartment electrolyzer, equipped with a series of isoelectric membranes with closely spaced pI values, was used for the first time for the preparative-scale separation of the enantiomers of dansyl phenylalanine with hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin as resolving agent. The final separation conditions could be established easily in three successive experiments by rationally narrowing the pH steps between the neighboring isoelectric membranes. The final separation yielded products with an enantiomeric excess greater than 99.9%, at production rates of about 0.1 mg/h. The greatest experimental difficulty was caused by the relatively high salt content of the hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin used, which resulted in high conductivity and limited the maximum field strength one could use.

Application of binary buffer systems to free flow cell electrophoresis

The applicability of free flow electrophoresis (FFE) was expanded towards processing of sensitive cells. The chamber medium was adjusted to a physiologic pH of 7.35 by a mixture of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-N'-(3-propanesulfonic acid) (EPPS) and 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2,2'2"-nitrilotriethanol (BISTRIS). These substances proved to be nontoxic to sensitive cells such as human smooth muscle or thyroid cells. They enhanced the electrical conductivity of the medium only slightly so that a new cell electrophoresis separation medium could be prepared, which contained 30 mM NaCl together with or without 1 mM CaCl2 but did not generate problems of overheating the fluid. Suspended in this medium, human smooth muscle cells as well as human thyroid carcinoma cells remained viable single cells for at least 120 min. After this period they could be recultured to form monolayers. If electrophoresed in the Octopus preparative FFE device, they migrated as single cells and did not clot; therefore, their electrophoretic behavior could be determined exactly.

General experimental aspects of the use of isoelectric buffers in capillary electrophoresis

Four acidic, isoelectric buffers, for peptide and protein separations, have been recently described and adopted in capillary zone electrophoresis: cysteic acid [Cys-A, isoelectric point (pI) 1.85], iminodiacetic acid (IDA, pI 2.23), aspartic acid (Asp, pI 2.77) and glutamic acid (Glu, pI 3.22). These four buffers allow to explore an acidic portion of the titration curves of macroions, covering about 1.6 pH units (from pH 1.85 to ca. 3.45), thus permitting resolution of compounds having coincident titration curves at a given pH value. Given the rather acidic pI values of these buffers, their long-term stability has been investigated, by monitoring pH and conductivity changes upon increasing storage times. When dissolved in plain water, all four buffers appear to give constant pH and conductivity readings up to 15 days; after that, the conductivity keeps steadily increasing in a similar fashion. The same parameters, when the same buffers are dissolved in 6 M urea, appear to be stable for only one week, with the conductivity progressively augmenting after this period. A similar behaviour is exhibited by histidine (pI 7.70), a neutral, isoelectric buffer adopted for separation of DNA fragments. By mass spectrometry, Cys-A shows minute amounts (ca. 1%) of a degradation product after ageing for 3 weeks; in the same time period, Glu is extensively degraded (20%). No degradation species could be detected in IDA and Asp solutions. It is additionally shown that the acidic buffers are not quite stationary in the electric field, but can be transported at progressively higher rates (according to the pI value) from the cathodic to the anodic vessel. This is due to the fact that, at their respective pI values, a fraction of the amphotere has to be negatively charged in order to provide counterions to the excess of protons due to bulk water dissociation. Guidelines are given for the proper use and storage of such buffers.

Separation of plant membranes by electromigration techniques

The review focuses on the multiple separating regimes that offers the free flow electrophoresis technique: free flow zone electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, isotachophoresis, free flow step electrophoresis. Also, the feasibility to apply either interval or continuous flow electrophoresis is evaluated. The free flow zone electrophoresis regime is generally selected for the separation of cells, organelles and membranes while the other regimes find their largest fields of applications in the purification of proteins and peptides. The latter regimes present the highest resolution efficiency. Therefore, a large part of this review is devoted to the applicabilities of these different regimes to the purification of organelles and membrane vesicles at the preparative scale. Recent developments, both in instrumentation and procedures, are described. The major achievements in plant membrane fractionation obtained with free flow electrophoresis are outlined. The related procedures are both analytical and preparative: they separate tonoplast and plasma membrane simultaneously from the same homogenate, they discriminate for one type of membrane vesicles of opposite orientation, and process large quantities of membrane material by reason of the continuous flow mode. Recent advances using electromigration techniques that permit confirmation of the dynamic state of membranes, characterisation of complex membrane-dependent functions and discovery of new membrane-localised activities are presented.

A simple method for the determination of isoelectric points of ampholytes with closely spaced pKa values using pressure-mediated capillary electrophoresis

A simple method, based on a modified version of pressure-mediated capillary electrophoresis (PreMCE) has been developed for the determination of the isoelectric points of ampholytes which have closely spaced pKa values. This new pI-determination PreMCE method (i) can be easily executed on most commercial capillary electrophoresis instruments; (ii) it can use small, impure samples, (iii) unlike isoelectric focusing methods in natural pH gradients, it does not require a linear pH gradient, and (iv) it eliminates the pI errors that are due to chromatographic retention on the walls of the separation chamber.

Preparative separation of plasmid and bacterial artificial chromosome DNA by density gradient electrophoresis in the presence of linear polymers

A density gradient apparatus was used to examine the separation of different physical forms and sizes of DNA. A gradient of sucrose was used to stabilize thermal convection during electrophoresis in the column (2.2 cm in diameter). Linear polymers were added to the density gradient and screened for their ability to separate the supercoiled, nicked circular, and linear forms of the plasmid pBR 322. The influence of different concentrations and molecular weights of the polymers was examined on the separation. Polyethylene oxide with a molecular weight of 5,000,000 and a concentration of 0.2% w/v achieved the best separation results for the different physical forms of the plasmid. The order of separation of the different physical forms of the plasmid were linear (fastest), supercoiled, and nicked circular (slowest). These conditions were also used to separate a preparation of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) DNA. A rapidly moving form, presumably the supercoiled form, was resolved from a large amount of E. coli genomic DNA and from sheared forms of the BAC DNA.

Recent developments in preparative free flow isoelectric focusing

Continuous flow electrophoresis (CFE) is a promising method for preparative fractionation of a variety of biological species, ranging from peptides and proteins to subcellular particles and cells. The high separation efficiency of FFE may be deteriorated by hydrodynamic distortion of zones due to the omnipresent parabolic laminar flow profile. We show in this paper that the detrimental hydrodynamic distortion of separated proteins zones can be reduced, with resultant enhancement of separation efficiency, by employing continuous isoelectric focusing in pH gradients as the actual working regime in an advanced instrumentation. Newly developed media for fast generation of narrow- or broad-range pH gradients under CFE conditions are described. The separation efficiency of these pH gradients is comparable to that of the gradients formed with the aid of synthetic carrier ampholytes. The new media are defined mixtures of nontoxic chemicals, and thus they are compatible with the requirements of human medicine. Experimental data are given showing that the new media offer fractionation of isoforms of proteins, that they offer resolution of proteins differing in isoelectric point (pI) by less than 0.05 pH units, and that these media inhibit proteins precipitation in experiments with human serum proteins.

pH-regulated electroretention chromatography: towards a new method for the separation of proteins according to their isoelectric points

The pH-dependent electroretention behavior of model proteins cytochrome c and ribonuclease A was studied in a hollow fiber arrangement, similar to that used in electrical field-flow fractionation. Field-induced immobilization of the proteins at the inner wall of the fiber was a function of the pH adjusted in the solution surrounding it, indicating that the pH inside the fiber lumen, relevant for protein migration, quickly equilibrates to the regulated value outside. A complete separation of the model proteins was achieved. Advantages of the principle as well as prospects for the development of a technique separating more than two protein species according to their isoelectric points are discussed.

Recycling isoelectric focusing and isotachophoresis

Of all electrophoretic methods, isoelectric focusing offers the highest resolution and is best suited for preparative applications. Over the years, several instruments were developed for this purpose, all operating in free fluids, in the absence of gels or other supporting matrices. In such systems, the avoidance of gravity or electrically driven convections is essential. Successful stratagems for fluid control included rapid recycling or rotation, in combination with either fine porosity screens or narrow gaps between parallel plates. The most successful apparatus so far is the Rotofor, in which fluid is stabilized by combining horizontal rotation with fine porosity screen partitioning. Recycling isotachophoresis offers the potential of separating proteins at high concentration. A new concept of tangential electrophoresis is described. To optimize the use of these devices for protein separation, low molecular weight, biologically acceptable buffers of known composition are essential. The buffering system developed for this purpose comprises a series of binary buffers that cover the pH range in steps of 1 pH unit or less. The pH gradient can be custom-designed and is of remarkable stability in operation.

High-resolution density gradient electrophoresis of subcellular organelles and proteins under nondenaturing conditions

We have developed a density gradient electrophoresis device (DGE) and used it for the preparative separation of various endocytic organelles that are hard to separate by other means. Our separation by DGE of late endosomal vesicles, recycling vesicles, early endosomes and plasma membranes is unmatched. Using the same DGE device, we performed preparative high-resolution rate zonal separation of proteins using amphoteric buffers as originally described by Bier (Electrophoresis 1993, 14, 1011-1018). Isoforms of bovine beta-lactoglobulin, human apo-transferrin, and bovine erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase that have isoelectric points within 0.8 pH units were readily separated even in the absence of nonionic detergents. The DGE apparatus is inexpensive and has unique separation abilities for vesicles and proteins.

Counterbalancing hydrodynamic sample distortion effects increases resolution of free-flow zone electrophoresis

On fractionation of highly heterogeneous protein mixtures, optimal resolution was achieved by forcing proteins to migrate through a preestablished pH gradient, until they entered a medium with a pH similar but not equal to their pIs. For this purpose, up to seven different media were pumped through the electrophoresis chamber so that they were flowing adjacently to each other, forming a pH gradient declining stepwise from the cathode to the anode. This gradient had a sufficiently strong band-focusing effect to counterbalance sample distortion effects of the flowing medium as proteins approached their isoelectric medium closer than 0.5 pH units. Continuous free-flow zone electrophoresis (FFZE) with high throughput capability was applicable if proteins did not precipitate or aggregate in these media. If components of heterogeneous protein mixtures had already started to precipitate or aggregate, in a medium with a pH exceeding their pI by more than 0.5 pH units, the application of interval modus and media forming flat pH gradients appeared advantageous.

High performance density gradient electrophoresis of subcellular organelles, protein complexes and proteins

A density gradient electrophoresis (DGE) apparatus (2.2 x, 14 cm) was constructed for the rapid separation of milligram quantities of proteins. By using binary buffers according to Bier (Electrophoresis 1993, 14, 1011-1018) proteins were rate-zonally separated in less than 60 min. Acidic proteins were separated in a pH 8.6, 56 microS/cm buffer, and basic proteins in a pH 5.4, 76 microS/cm buffer. Thus the A (pI 5.15) and B (pI 5.30) forms of beta-lactoglobulin as well as the sialylated glycoforms of apotransferrin were well separated at pH 8.6. The isoforms of myoglobin (pI 6.9 and 7.35, respectively), RNAse A (pI 9.45) and cytochrome c (pI 10.0) and lysozyme (pI 11) were separated at pH 5.4 within 80 min. On a 7 cm DGE column, subcellular organelles derived from HeLa cells were separated in standard electrophoresis buffer (655 microS/cm) for 90 min at 10 mA. Using a new low conductivity buffer (193 microS/cm) 20 min was sufficient to separate late endosomes, lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, early endosomes, plasma membrane, clathrin-coated pits, proteasomes, and clathrin-coated vesicles within a single run directly from a postnuclear supernatant.

Amperometric pH regulation--a flexible tool for rapid and precise temporal control over the pH of an electrolyte solution

Temporal control over both pH and ionic strength of an electrolyte solution with high accuracy was achieved with a dynamic, computer feedback-controlled amperometric pH-stat device consisting of four pH-regulating electrodes placed in electrolyte reservoirs that are separated by dialysis membranes from a central compartment. Theoretical predictions of the behavior of this arrangement, obtained by computer simulation, were validated by running temporal pH programs such as step functions, oscillations, and linear pH gradients. Deviations from nominal values given by the computer program are within the limits of accuracy of the pH-measuring electrodes. No volume changes accompany a change of pH or conductivity since ions are forced to leave or enter the central compartment through the membranes by the electrical force applied between the pH-regulating electrodes. The device is flexible, easy to use and easily miniaturized. We discuss a wide range of possible applications in biochemistry and cell science. These include automated pH adjustment, isoelectric protein separation, amperometric measurement of enzyme kinetics and the response of cell cultures to well-defined pH changes.

High-resolution density gradient electrophoresis of proteins and subcellular organelles

Following a concept developed by Bier et al. (Electrophoresis 1993, 14, 1011-1018), binary mixtures of amphoteric buffers with low conductivity and a good buffering capacity permit rapid rate zonal separation of proteins on a density gradient electrophoresis apparatus (7 cm, x 2.2 cm). At pH 8.66 and 250 V, beta-lactoglobulin (Mr 36600) was separated into the A and B isoforms within 44 min; human transferrin (Mr 76000-81000) was separated into its sialylated glycoforms and carbonic anhydrase (Mr 30000) separated into its isoenzymes. From these results we arrive at the term high-performance density gradient electrophoresis. Compartments belonging to the endosomal system were separated by density gradient electrophoresis. Early endosomes, recycling vesicles, intermediate endosomes, late endosomes and lysomes became well-separated after 80 min at 10 mA using [125I]transferrin and horseradish peroxidase as reporter molecules in pulse-chase regimes. Mixtures of Bier buffers and standard electrophoresis media permitted very short separation times (19 min at 10 mA) for the endosomal compartments. Concommittantly, endoplasmic reticulum and proteasomes were well resolved.

Generation of peptide maps by capillary zone electrophoresis in isoelectric iminodiacetic acid

Capillary zone electrophoresis in stationary, isoelectric buffers is a novel method for generating peptide maps of protein digests. The buffer system developed is composed of iminodiacetic acid (IDA), whose physico-chemical parameters were found -- by theoretically modeling and experimental verification -- to be: pI 2.23 (at 100 mM concentration), pK1 = 1.73 and pK2 = 2.73 (no attempts were made at measuring the pK of the primary amino group, since such a low pI value would be compatible with any pK value of the basic group, down to as low as pK 5.5). IDA is compatible with most hydro-organic solvents, including trifluoroethanol (TFE), up to at least 40% v/v, typically used for modulating peptide mobility. In naked capillaries, a buffer comprising 50 mM IDA, 10% TFE and 0.5% hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) allows generation of peptide maps with high resolution, reduced transit times and no interaction of even large peptides with the wall. However, the best background electrolyte was found to be a solution of 50 mM IDA in 0.5% HEC and 6-8 M urea, one of the best solubilizers of proteins and peptides known. In this last electrolyte system, peptide maps of beta-casein digests (known to contain also very large peptides, up to 6000 Da) could be generated with excellent resolution and half the transit times as compared with the standard buffer adopted in peptide analysis (80 mM phosphate buffer, pH 2.0). IDA thus appears to be another valid isoelectric buffer system, operating in a different pH window (pH 2.33 in 50 mM IDA) as compared to the other amphotere previously adopted (50 mM Asp, pH 2.77) for the same kind of analysis.

Density gradient isoelectric focusing of proteins in artificial pH gradients made up of binary mixtures of amphoteric buffers

A density gradient electrophoresis apparatus made of Perspex (7 cm, O 2.2 cm) with a circular platinum anode and a palladium cathode was used for the separation of proteins in free liquid. Following a concept developed by M. Bier et al. (Electrophoresis 1993, 14, 1011-1018), mixtures of two suitable amphoteric buffers I and II provide for media with a fixed and electrophoretically stable pH or were used for the generation of preformed (electrophoretically stable) pH gradients covering about 1 pH unit. Amphoters I and II are considered suitable if there is overlap between (pK(1,1)-1-2) and the pK(2,II)+1+2) region. 3-(N-Morpholino)propanesulfonic acid (MOPS) and gamma-amino-n-butyric acid (GABA) were used as an example. Two approaches were followed: (i) rate-zonal separation of test proteins in a pH window, formed by a fixed ratio of MOPS/GABA. (ii) Isoelectric focusing in a shallow preformed pH gradient, made up of inverse reciprocal linear gradients of MOPS and GABA. At isopH, test proteins (bovine serum albumin, cytochrome c, ferritin, hemoglobin, lactoglobulin, myoglobin, and transferrin) were rate-zonally separated within a short time. Even the separation of the A and B forms of lactoglobulin was feasible at isopH. The glycoforms of transferrin were separated and enriched on a pH 5.2-6.1 pH gradient, indicating that pH differences of about 0.01 still permit resolution. Contrary to the ill-defined Ampholines, the cost of these well-defined amphoters is low.

Solute focusing techniques for bioseparations

The growth of industrial biotechnology has had a major impact on the research and development of both analytical and preparative focusing techniques. Pioneering methods such as isoelectric focusing are being modified to overcome the limitations of batch mode operation, scale up difficulties, high power requirement, and excessive heat generation. present advances in focusing techniques have been made by either overcoming the limitations of standard techniques or by investigating new focusing systems. Here we review the background and history of isoelectric focusing and discuss several new focusing techniques including recycle isoelectric (RIEF), counteracting chromatographic electrophoresis (CACE), and countercurrent gradient chromatography (CGC).

Protein microheterogeneity and crystal habits: the case of epidermal growth factor receptor isoforms as isolated in a multicompartment electrolyzer with isoelectric membranes

A purified, soluble form of the epidermal growth factor receptor (sEGFR) was found, by isoelectric focusing in immobilized pH gradients, to consist of three major isoforms (with pI values 6.45, 6.71 and 6.96, respectively) and ca. a dozen minor components. This wild-type sEGFR, while producing crystals, has so far defied any attempt at decoding the structure, due to the very poor diffraction pattern. When the wild-type sEGFR was purified in a multicompartment electrolyzer with isoelectric Immobiline membranes, it yielded the three major isoforms as single-pI components, collected in three separate chambers of the recycling electrolyzer. The pI 6.71 and the pI 6.96 isoforms produced large crystals of apparent good quality. However, while the former produced a high-quality diffraction pattern, which may lead to decoding of three-dimensional structure, the pI 6.96 produced crystals which did not diffract at all. It is concluded that, in the case of "tough" proteins (large size, heterogeneous glycosylation, high water content of crystals), purification to single-charge components might be an essential step for growing proper crystals. The unique advantage of purification via isoelectric membranes is that the protein is collected both isoelectric and isoionic, i.e. uncontaminated by soluble buffers (such as the carrier ampholytes used in conventional focusing).

Isolation of human serum transferrin by free-fluid recycling electrophoresis in simple buffers

The isolation of human serum transferrin (Tf) using recycling isotachophoresis (RITP) and recycling isoelectric focusing (RIEF) with simple buffers is described. Serum fractionation, the first step in the protocol for Tf purification, is shown to be easily performed either by RITP of filtered serum using low molecular mass spacers or by RIEF of dialyzed serum employing a binary mixture of a well-defined buffer pair covering the pH range between 5.2 and 6.2, called RIEF-OptiFocus. For polishing, Tf-containing fractions are reprocessed by RITP or RIEF-OptiFocus. Other RIEF approaches based on the use of single amino acids at high concentration and ternary amino acid mixtures are shown to constitute less effective methods for Tf isolation. With a four-step protocol, comprising in turn RITP, RIEF-OptiFocus, ultrafiltration and again RITP, "single-band" purity (as assessed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis) is obtained. Omission of the first step (RITP) and direct processing of dialyzed serum by RIEF-OptiFocus, ultrafiltration and RITP, is shown to provide remarkable results as well.

Preparative isoelectric focusing in multicompartment electrolyzers: novel, hydrolytically stable and hydrophilic isoelectric membranes

Preparative isoelectric focusing in multicompartment electrolyzers is based on the production of isoelectric membranes of precise isoelectric point, able to buffer at their pI value and to titrate proteins tangent to or crossing the membranes. Up to the present, such membranes have been based on polyacrylamide chemistry; acrylamide, however, is neither stable in acidic nor basic environments. We describe here novel membranes, produced with a unique monomer, N-acryloylaminoethoxyethanol (AAEE). Poly(AAEE) membranes are extremely stable to alkaline hydrolysis (500 times more stable than polyacrylamide) and even more hydrophilic than the latter matrix. This allows production of highly reproducible membranes (these do not change their pI with time, since no acrylic acid is produced by hydrolysis upon storage) which do not adsorb proteins by hydrophobic interaction.