Novel, highly sensitive, in vivo screening method detects estrogenic activity at low doses of bisphenol A.

Low doses of bisphenol A (BPA), a typical endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC), have been reported to exhibit estrogenic action in animals; however, the effects have not been fully clarified because of their non-reproducibility. Here, we developed a novel, short-term screening test for estrogen-like chemicals using in vivo bioluminescence imaging of estrogen-responsive reporter (E-Rep) mice. Comparative studies using 17α-ethinylestradiol and selective estrogen receptor modulators demonstrated that the method provides higher detection sensitivity and requires less time than the uterotrophic bioassay, a well-established, in vivo screening method for estrogen-like chemicals.

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.

Classical light scattering quantitation of protein aggregates: off-line spectroscopy versus HPLC detection.

This paper describes the development and validation of a new off-line approach to quantitate both covalent and noncovalent, in-solution aggregates present in protein formulations and compares the new assay to established HPLC methods. This off-line analysis is well suited for use in QC release testing, formulation development and stability indicating applications. An inexpensive, continuous source HPLC fluorometer has been adapted with the addition of second order filters for use as a sensitive right-angle scatterometer which can determine the molecular weight of protein aggregates in solution.

Evaluation of product equivalence during process optimization for manufacture of a human IgM monoclonal antibody.

We have developed a battery of tests to characterize monoclonal antibodies and assess the effect of potential manufacturing process changes. Tryptic peptide mapping, molecular weight determination by HPLC and classical light scattering, isoelectric focussing, oligosaccharide mapping by HPAE-PAD chromatography, circular dichroism spectra and differential scanning calorimetry were applied as sensitive assays of antibody structure. Biological activity was assessed by measurement of specific antigen binding activity, binding spectrum and opsonic activity.

Analysis of alkyl sulfates in protein solutions by isocratic and gradient ion chromatography.

An ion-chromatographic analysis for separation and quantitation of long-chain alkyl sulfates in both commercial samples of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) (lauryl sodium sulfate) and protein solutions was developed. The separation was performed on a hydrophobic resin-based column utilizing tetrabutylammonium hydroxide as an ion-pair reagent and acetonitrile as an organic modifier. Sensitive and selective detection of alkyl sulfates was achieved with an anion suppressor and a conductivity detector.

Reversible subunit dissociation of tumor necrosis factor during hydrophobic interaction chromatography.

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) of recombinant tumor necrosis factor (TNF) results in reversible dissociation of the quaternary protein structure yielding separation of trimer and monomer peaks. Gel electrophoresis, size exclusion, fluorescence polarization and rechromatography were used to identify the trimeric and monomeric species. Relative amounts of these peaks varied as a function of temperature and column contact time.

Model of protein conformation in the reversed-phase separation of interleukin-2 muteins.

Thirty muteins* of interleukin-2 were studied by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography in a gradient mode. Values of the stoichiometry-factor Z [from Geng and Regnier, J. Chromatogr.

Reversed-phase chromatography of interleukin-2 muteins.

Human recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) and related species have been characterized by chemical modifications, tryptic digestion, and cyanogen bromide digestion. The oxidation states of the cysteines and methionines in several IL-2 muteins have been determined. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography allowed us to distinguish the modifications in these muteins and to correlate retention behavior with their structure.

Improved liquid-chromatographic assay of quinidine and its metabolites in biological fluids.

We describe a simple, rapid, and specific assay for quinidine and its known metabolites in plasma, urine, and bile. Plasma proteins are precipitated by adding acetonitrile, which also contains the internal standard. The supernatant fluid is evaporated and the reconstituted residue is separated on a reversed-phase column, with fluorescence detection.

Simultaneous determinations by theophylline and its major metabolites in urine by reversed-phase ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography.

A new, highly slective high-performance liquid-chromatographic (HPLC) assay for theophylline and its major metabolites in urine is described. The method utilizes an ion-pair extraction followed by separation and quantitation by reversed-phase ion-pair gradient-elution HPLC. Comparison with several other methods showed that interferences were present in too many blank urine samples to allow for the accurate quantitation of the metabolites of theophylline by direct injection--isocratic HPLC assays.

On the mechanism of 2'-deoxyuridylate hydroxymethylase.

dUMP hydroxymethylase from SP01-infected Bacillus subtilis has been purified 160-fold by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and ethylagarose. The enzyme catalyzes exchange of the 5-hydrogen of dUMP for protons of water in the presence or absence of the cofactor CH2-H4folate. Upon treatment with FdUMP and CH2-H4folate, an isolable covalent complex is formed which is believed to be structurally similar to a steady-state intermediate of the normal reaction.