Potential of receptor-ligand interactions for sample handling in liquid and gas chromatography

The use of receptor proteins for biospecific sample handling in liquid and gas chromatography is described. As a model system the uterine estrogen receptor was chosen for the isolation of 17 beta-estradiol and its synthetic agonist diethylstilbestrol. Biochemical characteristics relevant for the use of receptors in sample handling such as the kinetics of receptor-ligand binding, reproducibility and capacity are examined by means of an estrogen radioreceptor assay. Different techniques for the non-covalent immobilization of the estrogen receptor were investigated. Both protamine-coated glass fibre filters and silica particles which bind the receptor via electrostatic interactions have been used for this purpose. The use of the estrogen receptor in the isolation of 17 beta-estradiol and diethylstilbestrol prior to GC-MS analysis is demonstrated and discussed.