Artifact-free quantification of free 3-chlorotyrosine, 3-bromotyrosine, and 3-nitrotyrosine in human plasma by electron capture-negative chemical ionization gas chromatography mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry
ANALYTICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
Authors: Gaut, JP; Byun, J; Tran, HD; Heinecke, JW
Abstract
Halogenation and nitration of biomolecules have been proposed as key mechanisms of host defense against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Reactive oxidants also have the potential to damage host tissue, and they have been implicated in disease. In the current studies, we describe specific, sensitive, and quantitative methods for detecting three stable markers of oxidative damage: 3-chlorotyrosine, 3-bromotyrosine, and 3-nitrotyrosine. Our results indicate that electron capture-negative chemical ionization-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (EC-NCI GC/MS) is 100-fold more sensitive than liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for analyzing authentic 3-chlorotyrosine, 3-bromotyrosine, and 3-nitrotyrosine. Using an isotopomer of tyrosine to evaluate artifactual production of the analytes during sample preparation and analysis, we found that artifact generation was negligible with either technique. However, LC-MS/MS proved cumbersome for analyzing multiple samples because it required 1.5 h of run and equilibration time per analysis. In contrast, EC-NCI GC/MS required only 5 min of run time per analysis. Using EG-NCI GC/MS, we were able to detect and quantify attomole levels of free 3-chlorotyrosine, 3-bromotyrosine, and 3-nitrotyrosine in human plasma. Our results indicate that EC-NCI GC/MS is a sensitive and specific method for quantifying free 3-chlorotyrosine, 3-bromotyrosine, and 3-nitrotyrosine in biological fluids in a single, rapid analysis and that it avoids generating any of the analytes ex vivo. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science.
The role of reactive N-bromo species and radical intermediates in hypobromous acid-induced protein oxidation
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
Authors: Hawkins, CL; Davies, MJ
Abstract
Activated eosinophils, and hypobromous acid (HOBr) generated by these cells, have been implicated in the tissue injury in asthma, allergic reactions, and some infections. Proteins are major targets for this oxidant, but limited information is available on the mechanisms of damage and intermediates formed. Reaction of HOW with proteins is shown to result in the formation of bromarnines and bromamides, from side-chain and backbone amines and amides, and 3-bromo- and 3,5-dibromo-Tyr, from Tyr residues; these materials account for ca. 70% of the oxidant consumed. Protein carbonyls, dityrosine, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine are also formed, though these are minor products (< 5% of HOBr added). With BSA, extensive (selective and nonspecific) protein fragmentation and limited aggregation are also observed. The bromamines/bromamides are unstable and induce further oxidation and free radical formation as detected by EPR spin trapping. Evidence was obtained for the generation of nitrogen-centered radicals on side-chain and backbone amide groups of amino acids, peptides, and proteins. These radicals readily undergo rearrangement reactions to give carbon-centered radicals. With proteins, a-carbon (backbone) radicals are detected, which may play a role in protein fragmentation. A novel damage transfer pathway from Gln side-chain amide groups to backbone sites was also observed. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.