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Analysis of Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies by Online Capillary Isoelectric Focusing Directly Coupled to Quadrupole Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (CAT#: STEM-ET-0355-ZJF)

Introduction

In this service, capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF) is online coupled to a Q-TOF MS by a flow-through microvial interface for the analysis of therapeutic mAb. Intact molecular weights obtained from the mass spectrum deconvolution of separated charge variants provide information on the structural heterogeneity of therapeutic mAbs. A sandwich cIEF–MS configuration composed of anolyte, sample, and catholyte segments sequentially injected into a neutrally coated capillary is used for the charge heterogeneity separation of four mAbs.




Principle

Isoelectric focusing (IEF) is a method of electrophoresis that separates proteins according to their isoelectric point. It performs in a particular pH gradient, in which proteins are separated by differences in their isoelectric points. The isoelectric point (pI) is the pH at which the net charge of the protein is zero. Protein is positively charged when its pI is above the solution's pH, so it migrates towards the cathode. Conversely, protein is negatively charged when its pI is below the solution's pH, so it migrates towards the anode. Protein has no net charge at its pl and stops migrating. Based on this principle, proteins can be separated into sharp bands with each protein positioned at a point in the pH gradient corresponding to its pI.

Applications

Monoclonal antibodies, Biopharmaceutics

Procedure

1. Preparation: Prepare the gel containing the sample. Mix the solution and add it to a glass tube to form a gel. Prepare the fixing solution, dyeing solution and decolorization solution.
2. Electrophoresis: Add the appropriate acidic solution in the positive electrophoresis tank, and the appropriate alkaline solution in the negative electrophoresis tank. Switch on the electrophoresis apparatus and set the voltage and current. Perform pre-electrophoresis for a period of time to form a pH gradient in the gel. Then set the electrophoresis apparatus to a higher voltage and perform electrophoresis for a period of time.
3. Determination: Different protein components focus on the corresponding pI. Fix, stain and decolorize the gel. Finally, dry it for storage.

Materials

• Isoelectric focusing apparatus
• Sample solution