Detection of unwanted protein-bound ligands by capillary zone electrophoresis: the case of hidden ligands that stabilize cholinesterase conformation.
Detection, identification and characterization of compounds present in purified proteins and biopharmaceuticals are of central interest. As well as chemical remedies, proteins of pharmacological interest have to exhibit their nakedness to become therapeutic drugs. Cholinesterases (ChE) are enzymes of major importance for detoxification of poisonous esters. Likewise, ChE are characterized by the high catalytic efficiency of an active site positioned at the bottom of a deep gorge. The gorge can be partially or fully occupied by ligands, i.e., substrates and inhibitors that are currently used in affinity chromatography purification steps. Accordingly, a suitable method allowing to analyse the presence of unwanted ligands and its influence on the functional conformation and stability of these enzymes was essential. We have developed CZE approaches for that purpose. The factors causing discrepancies between data for thermal unfolding of ChE by electrophoretic and by calorimetric methods were investigated. The presence of unwanted hidden ligands bound to purified enzymes was first demonstrated. The incidence of these ligands was discussed. Altogether, our results raised several questions concerning the real conformation of the native state of enzymes. Finally, CZE was proved to be a pertinent tool to validate the conformity of purified enzymes to a status of biopharmaceutical.
Rochu
Daniel
D
Unité d'Enzymologie, Centre de Recherches du Service de Santé des Armées, BP 87, F-38702 La Tronche Cedex, France. rochudan@compuserve.com
Renault
Frédérique
F
Masson
Patrick
P
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D017838:Bungarus; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning / Q000379:methods; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000032:analysis*; D019075:Electrophoresis, Capillary / Q000379:methods; D004795:Enzyme Stability; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D011489:Protein Denaturation; D017510:Protein Folding; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary
D008024:Ligands; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D002802:Cholinesterases