Kinetic study on the cis-trans isomerization of peptidyl-proline dipeptides

Structure Elucidation and Mitigation of Endogenous Interferences in LC-MS-Based Metabolic Profiling of Urine

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is the main workhorse of metabolomics owing to its high degree of analytical sensitivity and specificity when measuring diverse chemistry in complex biological samples. LC-MS-based metabolic profiling of human urine, a biofluid of primary interest for clinical and biobank studies, is not widely considered to be compromised by the presence of endogenous interferences and is often accomplished using a simple "dilute-and-shoot" approach. Yet, it is our experience that broad obscuring signals are routinely observed in LC-MS metabolic profiles and represent interferences that lack consideration in the relevant metabolomics literature. In this work, we chromatographically isolated the interfering metabolites from human urine and unambiguously identified them via de novo structure elucidation as two separate proline-containing dipeptides: N,N,N-trimethyl-l-alanine-l-proline betaine (l,l-TMAP) and N,N-dimethyl-l-proline-l-proline betaine (l,l-DMPP), the latter reported here for the first time. Offline LC-MS/MS, magnetic resonance mass spectrometry (MRMS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy were essential components of this workflow for the full chemical and spectroscopic characterization of these metabolites and for establishing the coexistence of cis and trans isomers of both dipeptides in solution. Analysis of these definitive structures highlighted intramolecular ionic interactions as responsible for slow interconversion between these isomeric forms resulting in their unusually broad elution profiles. Proposed mitigation strategies, aimed at increasing the quality of LC-MS-based urine metabolomics data, include modification of column temperature and mobile-phase pH to reduce the chromatographic footprint of these dipeptides, thereby reducing their interfering effect on the underlying metabolic profiles. Alternatively, sample dilution and internal standardization methods may be employed to reduce or account for the observed effects of ionization suppression on the metabolic profile.

Reconstructing Reactivity in Dynamic Host-Guest Systems at Atomistic Resolution: Amide Hydrolysis Under Confinement in the Cavity of a Coordination Cage

Spatial confinement is widely employed by nature to attain unique efficiency in controlling chemical reactions. Notable examples are enzymes, which selectively bind reactants and exquisitely regulate their conversion into products. In an attempt to mimic natural catalytic systems, supramolecular metal–organic cages capable of encapsulating guests in their cavity and of controlling/accelerating chemical reactions under confinement are attracting increasing interest. However, the complex nature of these systems, where reactants/products continuously exchange in-and-out of the host, makes it often difficult to elucidate the factors controlling the reactivity in dynamic regimes. As a case study, here we focus on a coordination cage that can encapsulate amide guests and enhance their hydrolysis by favoring their mechanical twisting towards reactive molecular configurations under confinement. We designed an advanced multiscale simulation approach that allows us to reconstruct the reactivity in such host–guest systems in dynamic regimes. In this way, we can characterize amide encapsulation/expulsion in/out of the cage cavity (thermodynamics and kinetics), coupling such host–guest dynamic equilibrium with characteristic hydrolysis reaction constants. All computed kinetic/thermodynamic data are then combined, obtaining a statistical estimation of reaction acceleration in the host–guest system that is found in optimal agreement with the available experimental trends. This shows how, to understand the key factors controlling accelerations/variations in the reaction under confinement, it is necessary to take into account all dynamic processes that occur as intimately entangled in such host–guest systems. This also provides us with a flexible computational framework, useful to build structure–dynamics–property relationships for a variety of reactive host–guest systems.

Encapsulation of guests in metal–organic cages allows control over chemical reactivity. Focusing on the hydrolysis of amides, here we show an effective molecular simulation approach to reconstruct reactivity in host–guest systems in dynamic regimes.

The influence of proline isomerization on potency and stability of anti-HIV antibody 10E8

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) 10E8 recognizes a highly conserved epitope on HIV and is capable of neutralizing > 95% of circulating viral isolates making it one of the most promising Abs against HIV. Solution instability and biochemical heterogeneity of 10E8 has hampered its development for clinical use. We identify the source of 10E8 heterogeneity being linked to cis/trans isomerization at two prolines within the YPP motif in the CRD3 loop that exists as two predominant conformers that interconvert on a slow timescale. The Y_transP conformation conformer can bind the HIV gp41 epitope, while the Y_cisP is not binding competent and shows a higher aggregation propensity. The high barrier of isomerization and propensity to adopt non-binding competent proline conformers provides novel insight into the slow binding kinetics, low potency, and poor solubility of 10E8. This study highlights how proline isomerization should be considered a critical quality attribute for biotherapeutics with paratopes containing potential cis proline amide bonds.

Peak distortion in reversed-phase liquid chromatography separation of active carbonyl-containing compounds: Mechanism and solution for this overlooked phenomenon

Peak distortion is frequently encountered for compounds containing active carbonyl groups during reversed-phase (RP) LC separation. However, as being commonly overlooked or misdiagnosed, this problem is rarely reported in the literature and lacks an effective solution. In the present study, six pharmaceutical-related compounds containing keto or aldehyde groups, that exhibited severe peak distortion in early method development, were selected as the model compounds for further investigation. Systematic pH-screening experiments and a series of LC quadrupole-time of flight (Q-TOF) MS and NMR experiments were conducted on each model compound. The underlying chemical behavior of this type of compound during RP-LC separation was explicitly revealed. The formation of gem-diol/hemiketal/hemiacetal species via nucleophilic addition with H₂O/MeOH will occur in a low pH eluent, but will be completely suppressed when the pH is higher than an analyte-specific value. As further validated by twelve other pharmaceutical-related compounds belonging to this type, we confirmed that increasing the eluent pH using buffers without nucleophilicity is a simple and effective method to solve this peak distortion problem.

Investigation of the energy barrier to the rotation of amide CN bonds in ACE inhibitors by NMR, dynamic HPLC and DFT

The isomerizations of Enalapril, Perindopril, Enalaprilat and Lisinopril have been investigated using NMR spectroscopic, dynamic chromatographic, unified equation and DFT theoretical calculations. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔS and ΔG) were determined by varying the temperature in the NMR experiments. At the coalescence temperature, we can evaluate the isomerization barrier to the rotation (ΔG(≠)) around the amide bond. Using dynamics chromatography and an unified equation introduced by Trap, we can determine isomerization rate constants and Gibbs activation energies. Molecular mechanics calculations also provided evidence for the presence of low energy conformers for the ACE due to restricted amide rotation. With the value of barriers (ΔE) between them of the order of (20kJmol(-1)), which is in agreement with the dynamic NMR results and DFT calculations.

Study of a conformational equilibrium of lisinopril by HPLC, NMR, and DFT

The isomerization of lisinopril has been investigated using chromatographic, NMR spectroscopic, and theoretical calculations. The NMR data, particularly the NOEDIFF experiments, show that the major species that was eluted first is the trans form. The proportion was 77% and 23% for the trans and cis, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔS, and ΔG) were determined by varying the temperature in the NMR experiments. The interpretations of the experimental data were further supported by DFT/B3LYP calculations.

Development of a capillary electrophoresis method for the assay of ramipril and its impurities: an issue of cis-trans isomerization

The development of a rapid and selective capillary electrophoresis method for the quantitation of ramipril and its eight main impurities in pharmaceutical dosage form is described. Ramipril and three of its impurities contain a proline-similar moiety which causes in solution the presence of interconverting cis-trans isomers with respect to the amide bond. The interplay between electrophoretic migration and isomerization may yield the presence of an undesired interconversion zone between the two isomer peaks in the electropherogram, depending on the experimental conditions. Different capillary electrophoresis operative modes and pseudostationary phases were evaluated, both in normal and reverse polarity, in order to find the essential analytical parameters which could make it possible to overcome this issue and thus accurately quantify the analytes. The best results were obtained by using microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography in reverse polarity, where all the compounds which undergo cis-trans interconversion migrate as a single narrow peak. Experimental design led to identification of the following optimised conditions: background electrolyte, microemulsion made by 88.95% of 90 mM phosphate pH 2.5, 1.05% of n-heptane and 10.00% of SDS/n-butanol in 1:2 ratio; voltage, -26 kV; temperature, 17°C. Applying these conditions, the baseline separation of the analytes was obtained in about 10 min. Validation of the method following ICH guidelines was carried out and the procedure was applied to a real sample of ramipril tablets.

High-performance liquid chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance study of linear tetrapeptides and octapeptides containing N-methylated amino acid residues

Chromatographic behavior of a series of N-methylated tetra and octapeptides on a reversed-phase sorbent was studied considering the information obtained on these compounds by NMR spectroscopy. The modified tetrapeptides were derived from GFFY-NH2, GFFF-NH2 and GFFH-NH2 primary structures by N-methylation at various peptide bond positions. Similarly, the N-methylated octapeptides were based on TPK(Pac)T C-terminally elongated forms of GFFY and GFFF. It was found that many studied N-methylated peptides provide broad peaks as a consequence of cis/trans isomerism of the R1CON(CH3)R2 peptide bond. The extent of the peak spreading depends on the following important factors: the nature of the surrounding amino acid residues, the location of the modified peptide bond within the peptide chain, temperature, and mobile phase flow-rate. All these aspects were critically evaluated. Nearly complete separation of the individual conformers of GF(NMe)FY-NH2 was obtained applying fast chromatography on short column packed with 20-30 microm reversed-phase sorbent.

Capillary electrophoresis for thermodynamic and kinetic studies of peptidyl-proline isomerization by the theoretical plate height model

The theoretical plate height model, extended to include reactive CE, is used to calculate equilibrium constants and rate constants for the reversible, first-order isomerization of proline dipeptides. This model is consistent with chromatographic theory and enables calculation of equilibrium constants from velocity and calculation of rate constants from plate height. Thermodynamic and kinetic parameters for isomerization of Ala-Pro and Phe-Pro are calculated by using the plate height model, and are shown to be in good agreement with literature values. Additionally, the efficacy of the plate height model is compared to ChromWin, an existing simulation method for calculating rate constants from zone profiles. It is shown that ChromWin and the plate height model are complementary methods. ChromWin is best used for calculating rate constants for reactions that are far from steady state, where the zone profiles exhibit plateau formation. On the other hand, the plate height model is best used for calculating rate constants for reactions that are at or near steady state, where the zone profiles exhibit a single zone containing both reacting species.

Unified Equation for Access to Rate Constants of First-Order Reactions in Dynamic and On-Column Reaction Chromatography

A unified equation to evaluate elution profiles of reversible as well as irreversible (pseudo-) first-order reactions in dynamic chromatography and on-column reaction chromatography has been derived. Rate constants k1 and k(-1) and Gibbs activation energies are directly obtained from the chromatographic parameters (retention times tR(A) and tR(B) of the interconverting or reacting species A and B, the peak widths at half-height wA and wB, and the relative plateau height h(p)), the initial amounts A0 and B0 of the reacting species, and the equilibrium constant K(A/B). The calculation of rate constants requires only a few iterative steps without the need of performing a computationally extensive simulation of elution profiles. The unified equation was validated by comparison with a data set of 125,000 simulated elution profiles to confirm the quality of this equation by statistical means and to predict the minimal experimental requirements. Surprisingly, the recovery rate from a defined data set is on average 35% higher using the unified equation compared to the evaluation by iterative computer simulation.

Effects of nonequilibrium on velocity and plate height in reactive capillary electrophoresis

Models for velocity and plate height for reactive CE are developed under the formalism of generalized nonequilibrium theory, as described by Giddings. The resultant equations are consistent with chromatographic theory and validated with an independent stochastic simulation. Moreover, unlike prior methods for CE, this model allows calculation of thermodynamic equilibrium constants and kinetic rate constants from a single, undistorted peak. The theoretical development shows that velocity is directly dependent on the equilibrium constant and is independent of the rate constant. On the other hand, plate height varies little with equilibrium constant and is inversely proportional to rate constant. The ability to evaluate equilibrium constants from velocity and rate constants from plate height is most greatly influenced by electric field strength and mobility difference. The accuracy in calculated equilibrium constants is limited by mobility difference; however, the accuracy in rate constants is limited by plate height and equilibrium constant.

Stochastic simulation of reactive separations in capillary electrophoresis

A stochastic (Monte Carlo) simulation is used to investigate thermodynamic and kinetic contributions from the reversible A <--> B reaction in capillary electrophoresis (CE). The effects of equilibrium constant, rate constant, and electrophoretic mobility on the molecular zone profiles and the corresponding statistical moments are evaluated. As the reaction approaches steady state, the velocity of the zone is governed by the equilibrium constant and the electrophoretic mobilities of the reacting molecules. When the equilibrium constant is less than unity, the mean zone velocity is more similar to that of the reactant A. Conversely, when the equilibrium constant is greater than unity, the velocity is more similar to that of the product B. The extent of zone-broadening and asymmetry at steady state is dependent upon the equilibrium constant, the characteristic reaction lifetime, and the electrophoretic mobility difference between reacting molecules. If all other parameters are held constant, the plate height is greatest and skew is least when the equilibrium constant is unity. The plate height increases linearly with the characteristic reaction lifetime and electrophoretic mobility difference, whereas the skew is independent of these parameters. These conclusions have important implications for the elucidation of thermodynamic and kinetic information from experimental data.

Direct calculation of interconversion barriers in dynamic chromatography and electrophoresis: Isomerization of captopril

Dynamic capillary electrophoresis (DCE) and direct calculation of the rate constants of isomerization has been applied to determine the cis-trans isomerization barriers of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril. The separation of the rotational cis-trans isomeric drug has been performed in an aqueous 50 mM borate buffer at pH 9.3. Interconversion profiles featuring plateau formation, peak-broadening, and peak coalescence were observed. To determine the rate constants of the forward and backward reaction (k(cis-->trans) and k(trans-->cis)) of the isomerization process in dynamic capillary electrophoresis, a novel straightforward calculation method using the experimental parameters plateau height, h(plateau), peak width at half height w(h), the total migration times of the cis-trans isomers t(R) and the electroosmotic break-through time t(0) as well as the peak ratio of the cis-trans isomers is presented for the first time. From temperature dependent measurements the rate constants k(cis-->trans) and k(trans-->cis) and the kinetic activation parameters DeltaG( not equal), DeltaH( not equal), and DeltaS( not equal) of the cis-trans isomerization of captopril were obtained. From the activation parameters the isomerization barriers of captopril at 37 degrees C under basic conditions were calculated to be DeltaG( not equal) (cis-->trans) = 90.3 kJ.mol(-1)and DeltaG( not equal) (trans-->cis) = 90.0 kJ.mol(-1*).

High-performance liquid chromatographic–nuclear magnetic resonance investigation of the isomerization of alachlor–ethanesulfonic acid

The metabolism of the acetanilide herbicide alachlor in soils leads to the formation of alachlor-ethanesulfonic acid (alachlor-ESA) as one of the major transformation products of this compound. The unique structure of alachlor and its metabolites allows the formation of two diastereomers (s-trans and s-cis) due to the hindered rotation of the amide bond connected to a rigid aromatic ring. Although these stereoisomers do interconvert by rotation about the amide bond, the rate of interconversion is slow allowing separation of the isomers on the chromatographic time scale. Once separated, the unique nuclear magnetic resonance signals of each isomer can be used to monitor the rate of isomerization. This paper reports the on-line separation and detection of the rotational diastereomers using high-performance liquid chromatography-nuclear magnetic resonance (HPLC-NMR) to efficiently measure the isomerization rate of alachlor-ESA.

RP-HPLC and NMR study of cis-trans isomerization of enalaprilat

The angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, enalaprilat can exist in solution as cis and trans conformers which interconvert around the amide bond at room temperature. A HPLC with UV detection was performed to study the influence of various chromatographic operational conditions on both rotamers separation and elution of enalaprilat as a single peak. In addition nuclear overhauser enhancement difference was used for the identification of the conformers. The isomer ratio integrated from the obtained 1H NMR result were 71.5:28.5 and 76:24 at 298 and 279 K, respectively where the trans was the major form.

Reversed-phase liquid chromatography of lisinopril conformers

The effect of flow rate, temperature, pH, organic solvent and counter ion on peak shape and separation of the cis and trans conformers of lisinopril are investigated by HPLC. It was demonstrated that complete separation of the two isomers can be achieved at low temperature at either neutral or low pH together with appropriate type and concentration of organic solvent, whereas the elution of lisinopril as a single peak is favored by a decrease of flow rate, elevated temperature, choice of organic solvent (type and amount) and the use of an appropriate counter ion concentration.

Cis-trans signatures of proline-containing tryptic peptides in the gas phase

High-resolution ion mobility/time-of-flight techniques were used to measure collision cross sections for 968 tryptic digest peptide ions obtained from digestion of common proteins. Here, we report a mobility signature that aids in identifying proline-containing peptides containing 4-10 residues. Of 129 peptides (< or = 10 residues in length) in the database that contain proline residues, 57% show multiple resolved features in the ion mobility distribution for at least one of the [M + H]+ or [M + 2H]2+ ions. These multiple features are attributed to different conformations that arise from populations of cis and trans forms of proline. The number of resolved peaks in the ion mobility distribution appears to be correlated with the peptide ion charge state and the number of proline residues in the peptide.

A study of the critical criteria for analyte stability in high-temperature liquid chromatography

There are three major impediments to the use of high-temperature ultrafast liquid chromatography. First, the stationary phase must be thermally stable. Over the past decade, a series of thermally stable, highly efficient stationary phases have been developed that can withstand temperatures exceeding 200 degrees C. Second, the temperature mismatch between the incoming eluent and the column must be minimized (<5 degrees C), because such a mismatch is a very serious cause of peak broadening, especially in ultrafast separations. The thermal mismatch problem can be significantly ameliorated at high column linear velocities by using narrow-bore columns (2.1-mm i.d.). Third, analytes that are exposed to high temperatures must be thermally stable on the time scale of the chromatographic run. We report here a study of the ability of a number of pharmaceuticals to withstand superambient temperatures on the time scale of fast separations. We propose criteria by which a particular analyte may be rejected as a candidate for high-temperature analysis, and we demonstrate that complex molecules are amenable to quantitation, even at temperatures in excess of 100 degrees C in the aqueous media. We also show that as the time an analyte spends on hot column decreases, the extent of on-column reaction decreases for those analytes that do react. Although the seminal work of Antia and Horvath addresses these issues from a theoretical perspective, we hope to further alleviate fear of the use of high temperatures in liquid chromatography through the empirical approach used here.

Determination of the cis-trans isomerization barrier of several L-peptidyl-L-proline dipeptides by dynamic capillary electrophoresis and computer simulation

Dynamic capillary electrophoresis (DCE) and computer simulation of the elution profiles with the theoretical plate and the stochastic model has been applied to determine the isomerization barriers of the three dipeptides L-alanyl-L-proline, L-leucyl-L-proline, and L-phenylalanyl-L-proline. The separation of the rotational cis-trans isomers has been performed in an aqueous 70 mM borate buffer at pH 9.5. Interconversion profiles featuring plateau formation and peak broadening were observed. To determine the rate constants k1 and k(-1) of the cis-trans isomerization in dynamic capillary electrophoresis, equations have been derived for the theoretical plate model and stochastic model. The electropherograms were simulated with the ChromWin software which uses the experimental data plateau height h(plateau), peak width at half height Wh, the total migration times of the cis-trans isomers tR and the electroosmotic break-through time t0 as well as the peak ratio [cis]/[trans]. From temperature-dependent measurements, the rate constants k1 and k(-1) and the kinetic activation parameters deltaG#, deltaH# and deltaS# of the cis-trans isomerization of the three dipeptides were obtained.

Decisive structural determinants for the interaction of proline derivatives with the intestinal H+/peptide symporter

To elucidate the decisive structural factors relevant for dipeptide-carrier interaction, the affinity of short amide and imide derivatives for the intestinal H+/peptide symporter (PEPT1) was investigated by measuring their ability to inhibit Gly-Sar transport in Caco-2 cells. Dipeptides with proline or alanine in the C-terminal position displayed affinity constants (Ki) of 0.15-1.2 mM and 0.08-9.5 mM, respectively. There was no clear relationship between hydrophobicity, size or ionization status of the N-terminal amino acid and the affinity of the dipeptides. However, analyzing the individual peptide bond conformations of Xaa-Pro dipeptides, a striking correlation between the cis/trans ratios (trans contents 24-70%) and the affinity constants was observed. After correcting the Ki values for the incompetent cis isomers, the Ki corr values of most dipeptides were in a small range of 0.1-0.16 mM. This result revealed the decisive role of peptide bond conformation even for a transport protein that is quite promiscuous in substrate translocation. When measuring affinity constants of Xaa-Pro and Xaa-Sar dipeptides, the cis/trans ratios cannot be ignored. Lower affinities of Lys-Pro, Arg-Pro and Pro-Pro indicate that additional molecular factors affect their binding at PEPT1. The Ki values obtained for the corresponding Xaa-Ala dipeptides support this conclusion. Potential substrates or inhibitors of peptide transport were found among Xaa-piperidides and Xaa-thiazolidides. Dipeptides with N-terminal proline displayed a very diverse affinity profile. However, in contrast to current knowledge, several Pro-Xaa dipeptides such as Pro-Leu, Pro-Tyr and Pro-Pro are recognized by PEPT1 with appreciable affinities. Binding seems mainly determined by the hydrophobicity of the C-terminal amino acid and the rigidity of the structure.

Analysis of recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor by reversed-charge capillary zone electrophoresis

Reversed-charge capillary zone electrophoresis (RC-CZE) has been developed as a clipping (proteolysis) assay for homodimeric protein recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor (rhPDGF-BB), a major serum mitogenic factor involved in subcutaneous wound healing. When expressed in yeast, the protein is excreted as a fully folded homodimeric protein consisting of two antiparallel B chains held together by two interchain disulfide bonds. During fermentation, internal proteolysis (clipping between residues Arg32 and Thr33) and C-terminal truncation (Arg32 and Thr109) may occur. Internal proteolysis yields three potential forms of rhPDGF-BB: intact (both B chains are intact), single-clipped (one B chain is clipped), and double-clipped (both B chains are clipped). Clipping also creates new C-terminal sites for further C-terminal truncations and leads to a very complex mixture of isoforms. Routine baseline resolution of these three forms by various modes of HPLC proved unsuccessful. When the disulfide bonds of antiparallel chains are reduced, the complex peptide mixture can be analyzed by RP-HPLC; however, only the level of total clipping is identified. Since RC-CZE separation relies upon differences in molecular charge/size ratio, it can resolve the three rhPDGF-BB forms differing in the additional exposed residues. The choice of reversed-charge CZE columns (amine-coated column) allows proteins of high pI such as rhPDGF-BB (pI > 10) to be readily analyzed while minimizing protein loss from column adsorption. To simplify the electropherogram of clipped forms, the sample is treated first with carboxypeptidase B to reduce the charge microheterogeneity of partial Arg32 truncation. Analysis of rhPDGF-BB by RC-CZE yields a baseline separation between the three forms, intact and single- and double-clipped rhPDGF-BB.

Parallel pathways in the folding of a short-term denatured scFv fragment of an antibody

BACKGROUND

Antibodies are prototypes of multimeric proteins and consist of structurally similar domains. The two variable domains of an antibody (VH and VL) interact through a large hydrophobic interface and can be expressed as covalently linked single-chain Fv (scFv) fragments. The in vitro folding of scFv fragments after long-term denaturation in guanidinium chloride is known to be slow. In order to delineate the nature of the rate-limiting step, the folding of the scFv fragment of an antibody after short-term denaturation has been investigated.

RESULTS

Secondary structure formation, measured by H/D-exchange protection, of a mutant scFv fragment of an antibody after short incubation in 6 M guanidinium chloride was shown to be multiphasic. NMR analysis shows that an intermediate with significant proton protection is observed within the dead time of the manual mixing experiments. Subsequently, the folding reaction proceeds via a biphasic reaction and mass spectrometry analyses of the exchange experiments confirm the existence of two parallel pathways. In the presence of cyclophilin, however, the faster of the two phases vanishes (when followed by intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence), while the slower phase is not significantly enhanced by equimolar cyclophilin.

CONCLUSIONS

The formation of an early intermediate, which shows amide-proton exchange protection, is independent of proline isomerization. Subsequently, a proline cis-trans isomerization reaction in the rapidly formed intermediate, producing 'non-native' isomers, competes with the fast formation of native species. Interface formation in a folding intermediate of the scFv fragment is proposed to prevent the back-isomerization of these prolines from being efficiently catalyzed by cyclophilin.

Cyclodextrin aided separation of peptides and proteins by capillary zone electrophoresis

Carboxymethylated-beta-cyclodextrin (CMBCD) in the electrophoretic medium (aqueous 50 mM sodium phosphate, pH 2.5) enhanced the separation using raw fused-silica capillaries in CZE of the four standard proteins: alpha-chymotrypsinogen A, cytochrome c, lysozyme and ribonuclease A. Furthermore, with 20 mM CMBCD in the electrophoretic medium, the cis-trans isomers of angiotensin could be separated at room temperature, whereas the separation of the conformers required subambient temperatures as low as -20 degrees C without CMBCD in the electrophoretic medium [50 mM sodium phosphate (pH 2.5), containing 10% (v/v) methanol]. Addition of heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin (DMBCD) had no effect on the separation of the above proteins and peptides. The results suggest that in microcolumn separation techniques, certain cyclodextrin additives can be useful selectivity enhancers.

Evidence for the absolute conformational specificity of the intestinal H+/peptide symporter, PEPT1

This study was initiated to determine whether the intestinal H+/peptide symporter PEPT1 differentiates between the peptide bond conformers of substrates. We synthesized a modified dipeptide where the peptide bond is replaced by the isosteric thioxo peptide bond. The Ala-Pro derivative Ala-psi[CS-N]-Pro exists as a mixture of cis and trans conformation in aqueous solution and is characterized by a low cis/trans isomerization rate. The compound was recognized by PEPT1 with high affinity. The Ki value of Ala-psi[CS-N]-Pro for the inhibition of the uptake of radiolabeled glycylsarcosine in Caco-2 cells was 0.30 +/- 0.02 mM, determined in solution with 96% trans conformation. In contrast, the Ki value was 0.51 +/- 0.02 mM when uptake media with 62% trans conformer were used. We conclude that only the trans conformer interacts with the transport system. From our data, a significant affinity of the cis conformer at PEPT1 cannot be derived. In a second approach, conformer-specific uptake of Ala-psi[CS-N]-Pro was studied by analyzing the intracellular content of Caco-2 cells following transport as well as the composition of the extracellular medium using capillary electrophoresis. The percentage of trans conformer that was 62% in the uptake medium increased to 92% inside the cells. This is the first direct evidence that an H+/peptide cotransport system selectively binds and transports the trans conformer of a peptide derivative.

Separation of cis/trans conformers of human and salmon calcitonin by low temperature capillary electrophoresis

Conformer-specific recognition of peptides and proteins has often been proved with the aid of indirect methods. Here we provide an analytical approach for a direct investigation of separated isomers. Cis/trans conformers of the peptide hormones human (hCT) and salmon (sCT) calcitonin exhibit different migration properties in capillary zone electrophoresis at subambient temperatures. Calcitonin consists of 32 amino acids with two proline residues incorporated. It is the longest unstructured peptide for which a conformer separation by capillary electrophoresis has yet been achieved. Lowering the temperature yielded a splitting into two and three peaks for sCT and hCT, respectively, in acidic buffer. The peak ratios of 66:34 for sCT and 71:23 for hCT are in good agreement with the conformer distribution previously reported from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies. The addition of different organic modifiers (5-20% v/v) to the running buffer does not improve the separation. The observed merging of conformer peaks in buffer containing 20% v/v 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) is attributed to structure formation.

Capillary zone electrophoresis of interconverting cis-trans conformers of peptidyl-proline dipeptides: estimation of the kinetic parameters

Peptides containing proline residues, except at the N-terminus, exist in cis and trans forms due to the rigidity of the peptidyl-proline bond. Computer-simulated and experimental electropherograms have been used to study the interplay of the electrophoretic migration and the kinetics of the cis-trans interconversion. The measure of the interference by the reaction is the dimensionless Damköhler number (Da) which is the ratio of the migrant's residence time to the characteristic time of reaction in the capillary. The fraction of the trans conformer that is not separable with 90% purity is employed to quantify the extent of overlap between the concentration profiles of the two interconverting migrants and the effect of the various operational variables was examined by simulation. The deterioration of separation, as measured by the degree of overlap, is a quasi sigmoidal function of Da with the selectivity and the intrinsic efficiency of the system as the parameters. At sufficiently low temperatures the interference by reaction kinetics may vanish and the two conformers are separated. At high enough temperatures, when the rate of interconversion is very fast, the two conformers are not separated at all. A simple and rapid method is proposed for estimation of kinetic parameters for the cis-trans isomerization on the basis of data obtained with phenylalanyl-proline dipeptide. The procedure involves determination of the equilibrium constant by measuring equilibrium concentrations of the two conformers using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) or capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) at very low temperature, correlation of the peak shapes in the electropherograms with the Da, and finally, evaluation of the forward rate constants from the assigned Da values in the domain: 0.01 < Da < 0.5. Separations using CZE were performed in the temperature range of 1-40 degrees C by using the Beckman P/ACE unit equipped with an auxiliary cooling system. The kinetic data thus obtained showed good agreement (average error less than 5%) with those measured by NMR.

Displacement chromatography with on-column isomerization

Displacement chromatography was simulated for the separation of two feed components interconverting by a reversible first order reaction and with Langmuirian adsorption behavior. The study was prompted by recent interest in the isolation of cis and trans forms of peptides containing one or more peptidyl-proline residues when the isomerization reaction interferes with the separation. The parameter values used in the simulations are similar to those found experimentally by reversed-phase chromatography and capillary electrophoresis of phenylalanine-proline dipeptide. From the concentration profiles computed by the finite difference scheme, the dependence of both the yield and production rate on the temperature, column length, flow velocity and displacer concentration was evaluated. The most important operational variable of the system is the temperature as it affects both the kinetic and adsorption parameters. The yield and production rate of the component of interest were evaluated as a function of the column length and displacer concentration under conditions that facilitate its efficient separation and the plots show an optimum. Nonetheless, optimal conditions for yield and production rate were considerably different. In the temperature range from 2 to 42 degrees C, the yield always decreases with increasing temperatures and for all the cases, optimum yield by displacement mandates the use of conditions such as pH, solvent and temperature under which the rate of interconversion is reduced to a level where it does not palpably interfere with the separation. On the other hand, under certain conditions optimal production rate can be obtained at higher temperatures.