Analysis of S-phenyl-L-cysteine in globin as a marker of benzene exposure
R Hanway1, A Cavicchioli, B Kaur
1MRC Toxicology Unit, Hodgkin Building, University of Leicester, PO Box 138, Lancaster Road, Leicester LE1 9HN, UK.
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.
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