Capillary electrophoresis of biotechnology-derived proteins

Applications of capillary electrophoretic techniques for the analysis of biotechnology-derived proteins continue at a steady pace. This review summarizes the analyses of these proteins achieved using capillary isoelectric focusing, micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography, capillary electrophoresis/mass spectrometry and capillary gel electrophoresis. A very brief summary of each technique is included. Application of capillary isoelectric focusing to the analysis of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in quality control type applications is examined in some detail. Analyses of dosage forms of biotechnology derived proteins of pharmaceutical importance as well as the identification and examination of the peptides, obtained after enzymatic cleavage of proteins, by capillary electrophoresis have been included. Examples of capillary gel electrophoresis as a substitute sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of biotechnology-derived proteins are also reviewed.