'Breakthrough' proteomics product simultaneously removes multiple high-abundance proteins from human blood serum
Agilent Technologies has introduced what it says is the first product that enables the simultaneous removal of six high-abundance proteins from human blood serum.
By using immunoaffinity technology to specifically target and remove these proteins, the liquid chromatography (LC) column allows researchers to identify more rare proteins that could serve as drug targets or biological markers in the detection of disease. "The Multiple Affinity Removal System from Agilent has allowed us to rapidly identify three to four different proteins that we believe could act as biomarkers for the onset of disease," said Professor Gary Siuzdak of the Scripps Research Institute and founder of Mass Consortium.
"Previous to this technology we were unsuccessful at identifying markers in this sample because of the masking effect of the high-abundance proteins on the proteins of interest".
Blood serum is considered a rich source of biological markers for disease.
It is believed to contain the largest set of proteins expressed in any biological sample and it can be easily extracted, whereas tissue samples may require biopsy for analysis.
Such biomarkers can be used for applications including early cancer detection, quick detection of myocardial infarction (heart attack), and early assessment of drug toxicity or efficacy.
Human serum/plasma is estimated to contain proteins in concentrations ranging over 12 orders of magnitude.
Six of these proteins account for 85% of the protein mass in blood serum.
These high-abundance proteins obscure the identification of rare proteins, and thus have been a significant barrier to the isolation and analysis of proteins that could serve as biomarkers.
By removing the high-abundance proteins that interfere with biomarker discovery, Agilent's new column technology helps to unlock the potential of the human serum proteome for disease and drug research. "Agilent's Multiple Affinity Removal System is not only a breakthrough in its own right, but has the potential to unleash further research and medical breakthroughs among the proteomics community," said Fran DiNuzzo, vice president and general manager of Agilent's bioreagents, consumables and services operations.
"It is available in an HPLC column format that can be easily combined with our advanced 1100 series multi-dimensional LC/MS systems and Spectrum Mill data analysis software for rapid protein analysis".
The LC column uses affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies to rapidly remove more than 99% of targeted proteins (albumin, immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin A, alpha-1-antitrypsin, transferrin and haptoglobin) with minimal non-specific removal of other proteins. The robustness of the antibody attachment chemistry permits a long column lifetime (200+ injections) without leaching of covalently coupled antibody receptors.
Availability Agilent's Multiple Affinity Removal System is available now.
