title: Analysis of S-phenyl-L-cysteine in globin as a marker of benzene exposure.
abstract: An assay has been developed to determine S-phenylcysteine (SPC) in globin as a potential biomarker for exposure to benzene. The sensitivity of the assay is less than 20 pmol SPC g(-1) globin. Following acidic hydrolysis of the protein, the modified amino acid is purified by reverse phase cartridge chromatography and HPLC, prior to conversion to the tert-butyldimethylsilyl derivative and GC-MS selected ion recording. Quantitation is achieved using the internal standard [(2)H5]-SPC, and calibration lines were established using a synthetic peptide Leu-His-SPC-Asp-Lys. Control human globin was found to contain ca 30 pmol SPC g(-1) globin in two populations. The source of the apparent background level of SPC is unknown.
authors.affiliation: MRC Toxicology Unit, Hodgkin Building, University of Leicester, PO Box 138, Lancaster Road, Leicester LE1 9HN, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hanway
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cavicchioli
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lamb
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Buckberry
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Farmer