PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Tiemin Huang

Publications and source records attributed to Tiemin Huang.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Peak identification in capillary isoelectric focusing using the concept of relative peak position as determined by two isoelectric point markers.

In CIEF analysis, sample peaks can be identified by their relative peak positions (RPP) that are determined using only two internal pI markers. The two internal pI marker peaks should bracket, as close as possible, the sample peaks. The RPP values of the sample peaks are then calculated using the pI values, peak positions of the two pI markers, and peak position of the sample. Use of this method can effectively compensate for pH gradient distortions that often occur as a result of salts. Also, as shown by the results of this paper, regardless of the linearity of the pH gradient established by the given carrier ampholytes, sample peaks can be identified within an SD of 0.1 pH unit in RPP (<2% RSD) as long as the sample is run using the same carrier ampholytes and maintaining salt concentrations in the range of 0-15 mM.

Ampholyte Mixtures↗

The transitional isoelectric focusing process.

The transitional isoelectric focusing (IEF) process (the course of pH gradient formation by carrier ampholytes (CAs) and the correlation of the focusing time with CA concentration) were investigated using a whole-column detection capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF) system. The transitional double-peak phenomenon in IEF was explained as a result of migration of protons from the anodic end and hydroxyl ions from the cathodic end into the separation channel and the higher electric field at both acidic and basic sides of the separation channel. It was observed that focusing times increase logarithmically with CA concentration under a constant applied voltage. The correlation of focusing time with CA concentration was explained by the dependence of the charge-transfer rate on the amount of charged CAs within the separation channel during focusing.

Journal Article↗

High-resolution computer simulation of the dynamics of isoelectric focusing of proteins.

A dynamic electrophoresis simulator that accepts 150 components and voltage gradients employed in the laboratory was used to provide a detailed description of the focusing process of proteins under conditions that were hitherto inaccessible. High-resolution focusing data of four hemoglobin variants in a convection-free medium are presented for pH 3-10 and pH 5-8 gradients formed with 20 and 40 carrier ampholytes/pH unit, respectively. With 300 V/cm, focusing is shown to occur within 5-10 min, whereas at 600 V/cm separation is predicted to be complete between 2.5 and 5 min. The time interval required for focusing of proteins is demonstrated to be dependent on the input protein charge data and, however less, on the properties of the carrier ampholytes. The simulation data reveal that the number of transient protein boundaries migrating from the two ends of the column towards the focusing positions is equal to the number of sample components. Each protein is being focused via the well-known double-peak approach to equilibrium, a process that is also characteristic for focusing of the carrier ampholytes. The predicted focusing dynamics for the hemoglobin variants in pH 3-10 and pH 5-8 gradients are shown to qualitatively agree well with experimental data obtained by whole-column optical imaging.

Computer Simulation↗

Analysis of proteins by CE, CIEF, and microfluidic devices with whole-column-imaging detection.

The recently developed whole-column-imaging detection technique for capillary electrophoresis (CE) and capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF), a commercial whole-column-imaged CIEF instrument and its standard operation protocol are introduced. Furthermore, new developments and applications of whole-column-imaging detection in protein-protein interaction study, in protein separation using microfluidic devices and CIEF methods without carrier ampholytes, as well as in 2D separation techniques are reviewed. Miniaturization of whole-column-imaging CIEF and axially illuminated fluorescence whole-column-imaging CIEF are also discussed.

2S Albumins, Plant↗

Microfabrication of a tapered channel for isoelectric focusing with thermally generated pH gradient.

A simple microfabrication technique for the preparation of a tapered microchannel for thermally generated pH gradient isoelectric focusing (IEF) has been demonstrated. The tapered channel was cut into a plastic sheet (thickness was 120 microm), and the channel was closed by sandwiching the plastic sheet between two glass microscope slides. The length of the microchannel was 5 cm. The width of the separation channel was 0.4 mm at the narrow end and 4 mm at the wide end. The channel was coated with polyacrylamide to prevent electroosmotic flow (EOF) during focusing. Two electrolyte vials were mounted on top of each end of the channel with the wide end of the channel connected to the cathodic vial and the narrow to the anodic vial. The feasibility of the thermally generated pH gradient in a tapered channel was demonstrated. Important parameters that determined the feasibility of using a thermally generated pH gradient in a tapered channel were analyzed. Parameters to be optimized were control of EOF and hydrodynamic flow, selection of power supply mode and prevention of local overheating and air bubble formation. Tris-HCl buffer, which has a high pK(a) dependence with temperature, was used both to dissolve proteins and as the electrolyte. The thermally generated pH gradient separation of proteins was tested by focusing dog, cat and human hemoglobins with a whole column detection capillary IEF (CIEF) system.

Hemoglobin A↗