Effect of Fluorescent Labels on Peptide and Amino Acid Sample Dimensionality in Two Dimensional nLC × μFFE Separations

Anal Chem. 2016 Feb 16;88(4):2177-87. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b03811. Epub 2016 Feb 2.

Abstract

Multidimensional separations present a unique opportunity for generating the high peak capacities necessary for the analysis of complex biological mixtures. We have coupled nano liquid chromatography with micro free flow electrophoresis (nLC × μFFE) to produce high peak capacity separations of peptide and amino acid mixtures. Currently, μFFE largely relies on laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection. We have demonstrated that the choice of fluorescent label significantly affects the fractional coverage and peak capacity of nLC × μFFE separations of peptides and amino acids. Of the labeling reagents assessed, Chromeo P503 performed the best for nLC × μFFE separations of peptides. A nLC × μFFE analysis of a Chromeo P503-labeled BSA tryptic digest produced a 2D separation that made effective use of the available separation space (48%), generating a corrected peak capacity of 521 in a 5 min separation window (104 peaks/min). nLC × μFFE separations of NBD-F-labeled peptides produced similar fractional coverage and peak capacity, but this reagent was able to react with multiple reaction sites, producing an unnecessarily complex analyte mixture. NBD-F performed the best for nLC × μFFE separations of amino acids. NBD-F-labeled amino acids produced a 2D separation that covered 36% of the available separation space, generating a corrected peak capacity of 95 in a 75 s separation window (76 peaks/min). Chromeo P503 and Alexa Fluor 488-labeled amino acids were not effectively separated in the μFFE dimension, giving 2D separations with poor fractional coverage and peak capacity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / isolation & purification*
  • Chromatography, Liquid / instrumentation
  • Electrophoresis / instrumentation
  • Fluorescence*
  • Lasers
  • Nanotechnology* / instrumentation
  • Peptides / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Peptides