Sampling and processing of biopsy samples for speciation studies of cytosolic metalloproteins

Studies to specify various metalloproteins in cell cytosol of tissues using chromatographic separation methods and plasma mass spectrometry for element detection require a careful step by step sample preparation. These steps involve (i) bioptic sample removal from tissue, (ii) extraction and preparation of the tissue supernatant, (iii) the chromatographic separation of the proteins, and finally (iv) the on-line transfer of the column eluate into the plasma mass spectrometer. Each of the analytical steps has to be carefully monitored to avoid undesired changes in the sample composition which could be caused by enzymatic and/or oxidative processes as well as by external element contamination. This presentation introduces a concept to ensure that environmental element contamination does not occur to bias the analytical results.