Sialic acid-specific affinity chromatography for the separation of erythropoietin glycoforms using serotonin as a ligand

AbstractRecombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) is an important CHO cell-derived glycoprotein and the degree of sialylation of this hormone is crucial for its in vivo bioactivity. In order to improve the purification process serotonin as a potential affinity ligand was tested for preparative chromatographic separation of rhEPO glycoforms into fractions of different degrees of sialylation. Therefore, two chromatographic matrices were prepared by immobilizing serotonin on CNBr- and NHS-Sepharose™. First it was shown both matrices bind rhEPO only in its sialylated form. Results indicate that binding is pH independent between pH 3.5 to 8 suggesting it is not only based on electrostatic interactions. Second, after optimal binding conditions were identified, semi-purified rhEPO was loaded onto both matrices and eluted using a stepwise elution gradient of sodium chloride. For comparison same affinity purification experiments were performed using wheat germ agglutinin-coupled agarose, a lectin known for its affinity towards sialylated glycoproteins. To monitor changes in N-glycan fingerprint, eluate fractions were analyzed by multiplexed capillary gel electrophoresis coupled to laser-induced fluorescence (xCGE-LIF). For the serotonin matrices an increasing degree of sialylation was observed from the first to the third elution fraction while purity of rhEPO could be increased at the same time. The late elution fractions of serotonin-coupled CNBr- and NHS-Sepharose™ also showed an overall sialylation degree exceeding that of the starting material. In contrast, for rhEPO bound to wheat germ agglutinin-coupled agarose, no distinct change in the degree of sialylation could be observed after elution. Overall, these encouraging results highlight the potential of serotonin as a chromatographic ligand for the improvement of pharmaceutical purification processes of rhEPO

Cross-linking of the endolysosomal system reveals potential flotillin structures and cargo

Lysosomes are well-established as the main cellular organelles for the degradation of macromolecules and emerging as regulatory centers of metabolism. They are of crucial importance for cellular homeostasis, which is exemplified by a plethora of disorders related to alterations in lysosomal function. In this context, protein complexes play a decisive role, regulating not only metabolic lysosomal processes but also lysosome biogenesis, transport, and interaction with other organelles. Using cross-linking mass spectrometry, we analyze lysosomes and early endosomes. Based on the identification of 5376 cross-links, we investigate protein-protein interactions and structures of lysosome- and endosome-related proteins. In particular, we present evidence for a tetrameric assembly of the lysosomal hydrolase PPT1 and a heterodimeric structure of FLOT1/FLOT2 at lysosomes and early endosomes. For FLOT1-/FLOT2-positive early endosomes, we identify >300 putative cargo proteins and confirm eleven substrates for flotillin-dependent endocytosis, including the latrophilin family of adhesion G protein-coupled receptors

Cross-linking of the Endolysosomal System Reveals Flotillin Structures and Putative Cargo

Lysosomes are well-established as the main cellular organelles for the degradation of macromolecules and emerging as regulatory centers of metabolism. They are of crucial importance for cellular homeostasis, which is exemplified by a plethora of disorders related to alterations in lysosomal function. In this context, protein complexes play a decisive role, regulating not only metabolic lysosomal processes, but also lysosome biogenesis, transport, and interaction with other organelles. Using cross-linking mass spectrometry, we analyzed lysosomes and early endosomes. Based on the identification of 5,376 cross-links, we investigated protein-protein interactions and structures of lysosome- and endosome-related proteins. In particular, we present evidence for a tetrameric assembly of the lysosomal hydrolase PPT1 and heterodimeric/- multimeric structures of FLOT1/FLOT2 at lysosomes and early endosomes. For FLOT1-/FLOT2- positive early endosomes, we identified >300 proteins presenting putative cargo, and confirm the latrophilin family of adhesion G protein-coupled receptors as substrates for flotillin-dependent endocytosis