At-line coupling of magnetic-nanoparticle-based extraction with gel isoelectric focusing for protein analysis

Sample preparation is a crucial step for protein analysis. Functionalized magnetic nanoparticle (MNP)-based extraction has been developed to be a useful sample preparation technique for proteomic analysis. In this paper, we present a strategy for at-line coupling of MNP-based extraction (MNE) with gel isoelectric focusing (IEF). The key to the at-line combination is to use an anolyte or a catholyte as the desorbing agent. Thus, functionalized MNPs can be facilely at-line coupled with gel IEF, provided that the extraction/desorption process is pH-controlled. MNPs extracted with target proteins are added to the sample well, which can function as a natural adapter. Once a focusing electric field has been applied across the gel, proton ions migrating from the anolyte or hydroxide ions migrating from the catholyte can act as a desorbing agent, releasing the proteins from the MNE probes. The released proteins are consequently focused into distinct bands where the local pH equals their pI values. The at-line combination was well demonstrated with three types of functionalized nanoparticles: (1) phenylboronic acid functionalized MNPs for extracting glycoproteins through boronate affinity; (2) carboxyl-functionalized MNPs for extracting positively charged proteins through a weak cation exchange mechanism; and (3) amino-functionalized MNPs for extracting negatively charged proteins through a weak anion exchange mechanism. The at-line combination exhibited several significant advantages, including selectivity, sensitivity, and speed.