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Mosquito-borne pathogens plague much of the world, yet rapid and simple diagnosis is not available for many affected patients. Using a custom stereolithography 3D printer, we created microfluidic devices with affinity monoliths that could retain, noncovalently attach a fluorescent tag, and detect oligonucleotide and viral RNA. We optimized the fluorescent binding and sample load times using an oligonucleotide sequence from chikungunya virus (CHIKV). We also tested the specificity of CHIKV capture relative to genetically similar Sindbis virus. Moreover, viral RNA from both viruses was flowed through capture columns to study the efficiency and specificity of the column for viral CHIKV. We detected ~107 loaded viral genome copies, which was similar to levels in clinical samples during acute infection. These results show considerable promise for development of this platform into a rapid mosquito-borne viral pathogen detection system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is an oxidoreductase enzyme and oxidizes various inorganic and organic compounds. It has wide application areas such as immunological tests, probe-based test techniques, removal of phenolic pollutants from wastewater and organic synthesis. HRP is found in the root of the horseradish plant as a mixture of different isoenzymes, and it is very difficult to separate these enzymes from each other. In this regard, recombinant production is a very advantageous method in terms of producing the desired isoenzyme. This study was performed to produce HRP A2A isoenzyme extracellularly in Pichia pastoris and to purify this enzyme in a single step using a 3-amino-4-chloro benzohydrazide affinity column. First, codon-optimized HRP A2A gene was amplified and inserted into pPICZαC. So, obtained pPICZαC-HRPA2A was cloned in E. coli cells. Then, P. pastoris X-33 cells were transformed with linearized recombinant DNA and a yeast clone was cultivated for extracellular recombinant HRP A2A (rHRP A2A) enzyme production. Then, the purification of this enzyme was performed in a single step by affinity chromatography. The molecular mass of purified rHRP A2A enzyme was found to be about 40 kDa. According to characterization studies of the purified enzyme, the optimum pH and ionic strength for the rHRP A2A isoenzyme were determined to be 6.0 and 0.04 M, respectively, and o-dianisidine had the highest specificity with the lowest Km and Vmax values. Thus, this is an economical procedure to purify HRP A2A isoenzyme without time-consuming and laborious isolation from an isoenzyme mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guanosine analogues (GAs) have been frequently and illegally used as a veterinary drug in the disease prevention and treatment of livestock and poultry, which has becoming one of the major consequences for fatality to human health. Herein, an affinity column for the enrichment and purification of five GAs was fabricated based on a broad-spectrum aptamer. The aptamer affinity column (AAC) was prepared by linking biotin labeled aptamers to streptavidin agarose and loading into an extraction column. When it was applied to sample solution, the GAs would be retained in the AAC due to the high affinity between GAs and aptamers. Following by eluting with organic solvent, the GAs were dissociated from AAC and collected for analysis by UPLC/MS. Under the optimal conditions, the AAC exhibited a maximum column capacity of 200 ng of GAs and can be reused at least 11 times. The AAC was further applied to the analysis of GAs in chicken samples with good recoveries in the range of 83.6–93.5%. These findings demonstrate that this broad-spectrum aptamer affinity column may serve as a promising new platform for effective simultaneous supervision of five GAs. • A broad-spectrum aptamer affinity column was developed for five guanosine analogues. • The aptamer affinity column (AAC) exhibited a maximum column capacity of 200 ng. • The AAC shows a low cross-reactivity (<10%) and can be reused at least 11 times. • The AAC was applied to chicken samples with recoveries of 83.56–93.54%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diospyros lotus fruit polyphenol oxidase was purified using affinity chromatography, resulting in a 15-fold enrichment in specific activity. The purified enzyme, having 16.5 kDa molecular weight on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, exhibited the highest activity toward 4-methylcatechol. Maximum diphenolase activity was reached at pH 7.0 and 60°C in the presence of 4-methylcatechol. Km and Vmax values were calculated as 3.8 mM and 1250 U/mg protein, respectively. Ascorbic acid was a promising inhibitor with an IC50 value of 0.121 µM. The activity of the purified enzyme was stimulated by Fe2+, Sr2+, Zn2+, and K+ and deeply inhibited by Hg2+, at 1 mM final concentration. Aqueous extract of Diospyros lotus L. fruit showed strong substantial urease and acetylcholinesterase inhibition, with IC50 values of 1.55 ± 0.05 and 16.75 ± 0.11 mg/mL, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immobilized lectins are a powerful biotechnological tool for separation and isolation of glycoconjugates. In the present study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and glutaraldehyde (GA) were used as a support for Concanavalin A (Con A) covalent immobilization and for entrapment of Parkia pendula seed gum (PpeG). Con A immobilization yielded approximately 30% and 0.6 M glucose solution was the minimum concentration able to elute fetuin from column. PVA-GA-PpeG column was efficiently recognized by pure P. pendula lectin (PpeL). These findings indicate that PVA-GA interpenetrated network showed to be an efficient support for lectin covalent immobilization and as affinity chromatography matrix after trapping of PpeG.

The rapidly increasing implementation of antibodies in therapeutic and diagnostic applications has necessitated the development of antibody production and purification technologies for both academic and industrial usage. Bacterial Protein A and Protein G are known to bind antibodies with high affinity and have facilitated the isolation and purification thereof. Recently, small peptide ligands (i.e. IgG Fc domain-binding peptides, FcBP) that specifically bind to the Fc-domain of antibodies were reported. In the present study we describe the development of a reusable high affinity column for antibody purification utilizing immobilized FcBP, comprising 13 amino acids residues, on a sepharose resin. In addition to FcBP, Cys to Ser substituted FcBP (FcBP-Ser), reduced FcBP (FcBP-Red), commercial Protein A and Protein G resins, packed into columns, were evaluated for antibody purification. All these columns except the FcBP-Ser one showed good binding capacity for a humanized IgG (trastuzumab) and a chimeric IgG (cetuximab). The column packed with FcBP-Red allowed antibody purification at a less acidic pH (pH 4.8) than was required for the other ligand affinity columns used in our experiments (i.e., pH 3.2 for Protein G and FcBP columns, and pH 3.5 for Protein A column, respectively). Utilizing the FcBP column, antibodies from swine human sera were isolated with a purity of 95%. Interestingly, the FcBP column could be easily regenerated and operated without loss of efficiency for up to 60 runs, the maximum number of runs performed in the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Many environmental endocrine disrupting compounds act as ligands for nuclear receptors. The human pregnane X receptor (hPXR), for instance, is activated by a variety of environmental ligands such as steroids, pharmaceutical drugs, pesticides, alkylphenols, polychlorinated biphenyls and polybromo diethylethers. Some of us have previously reported the occurrence of hPXR ligands in environmental samples but failed to identify them. The aim of this study was to test whether a PXR-affinity column, in which recombinant hPXR was immobilized on solid support, could help the purification of these chemicals. Using PXR ligands of different affinity (10 nM < EC50 < 10 μM), we demonstrated that the PXR-affinity preferentially column captured ligands with medium to high affinities (EC50 < 1 μM). Furthermore, by using the PXR-affinity column to analyze an environmental sample containing ERα, AhR, AR, and PXR activities, we show that (i) half of the PXR activity of the sample was due to compounds with medium to high affinity for PXR and (ii) PXR shared ligands with ERα, AR, and AhR. These findings demonstrate that the newly developed PXR-affinity column coupled to reporter cell lines represents a valuable tool for the characterization of the nature of PXR active compounds and should therefore guide and facilitate their further analysis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 29: 207-215, 2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feeding of Helicoverpa armigera larvae on semi-synthetic diet containing Soybean trypsin inhibitor (STI) resulted in disappearance of STI sensitive protease in salivary and midgut protease extract. This might be due to in situ inhibition by dietary STI. STI was largely degraded within 1 h of incubation with total salivary protease (1:1). Degradation was relatively low in midgut proteases. STI interacting proteins were isolated from saliva and midgut extracts of larvae fed on STI supplemented diet using affinity column. Most of the isolated proteins showed caseinolytic activity in zymogram. Denovo sequencing data of seven different peptides selected from trypsin digested total protein showed similarity to chymotrypsinogen, serine protease, aminopeptidase N, peroxidase, hypothetical protein and muscle specific protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capability of the flame retardants tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and tetrachlorobisphenol A (TCBPA) to activate peroxysome proliferator–activated receptors (PPARs) α, β, and γ and estrogen receptors (ERs) α and β has been recently investigated, but the activity of their biotransformation products and of their lower molecular weight analogues formed in the environment remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the degree of halogenation of BPA analogues and their affinity and activity towards human PPARγ and ERs and to characterize active metabolites of major marketed halogenated bisphenols. The biological activity of all compounds was studied using reporter cell lines expressing these nuclear receptors (NRs). We used NR-based affinity columns to rapidly evaluate the binding affinity of halogenated bisphenols for PPARγ and ERs and to trap active metabolites of TBBPA and TCBPA formed in HepG2 cells. The agonistic potential of BPA analogs highly depends on their halogenation degree: the bulkier halogenated BPA analogs, the greater their capability to activate PPARγ. In addition, PPARγ-based affinity column, HGELN-PPARγ reporter cell line and crystallographic analysis clearly demonstrate that the sulfation pathway, usually considered as a detoxification process, leads for TBBPA and TCBPA, to the formation of sulfate conjugates which possess a residual PPARγ-binding activity. Our results highlight the effectiveness NR-based affinity columns to trap and characterize biologically active compounds from complex matrices. Polyhalogenated bisphenols, but also some of their metabolites, are potential disrupters of PPARγ activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Affibody molecules generated by combinatorial protein engineering to bind the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) have in earlier studies proven to be promising tracers for HER2-mediated molecular imaging of cancer. Amino acid extensions either at the N- or C-terminus of these ZHER2 affibody molecules, have been successfully employed for site-specific radiolabeling of the tracer candidates. Hexahistidyls or other tags, which would be convenient for recovery purposes, should be avoided since they could negatively influence the tumor targeting efficacy and biodistribution properties of the tracer. Using a new ß-lactamase-based protein fragment complementation assay (PCA), an affibody molecule was isolated which bound a ZHER2 affibody molecule with sub-micromolar affinity, but not unrelated affibody molecules. This suggests that the interacting area include the HER2-binding surface of ZHER2. This novel anti-idiotypic affibody molecule ZE01 was produced in Escherichia coli, purified, and chemically coupled to a chromatography resin in order to generate an affibody-based affinity column, suitable for recovery of different variants of ZHER2 affibody molecules, having a common binding surface for HER2. Eight such ZHER2 affibody molecules, designed for future radioimaging investigations, having different C-terminal peptide extensions aimed for radioisotope (99mTc)-chelation, were successfully produced and recovered in a single step to high purity using the anti-idiotypic affibody ligand for the affinity purification. These results clearly suggest a potential for the development of anti-idiotypic affibody-based resins for efficient recovery of related variants of a target protein that might have altered biochemical properties, thus avoiding the cumbersome design of specific recovery schemes for each variant of a target protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibrinogen is an abundant plasma protein with an essential role in blood coagulation and haemostasis thus receiving significant research interest. However, protein purification is time consuming and commercial preparations often have protein contaminants. The aim of this study was to develop a new method to purify high quality and functional fibrinogen. Fibrinogen-specific Affimer protein, isolated using phage display systems, was immobilised to SulfoLink resin column and employed for fibrinogen purification from plasma samples. Fibrinogen was eluted using a high pH solution. Commercial human fibrinogen was also further purified using the Affimer column. Fibrinogen purity was determined by SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry, while functionality was assessed using turbidimetric analysis. Affimer-purified fibrinogen from human plasma showed purity at least comparable to commercially available preparations and was able to form physiological fibrin networks. Further purification of commercially available fibrinogen using the Affimercolumn eliminated multiple contaminant proteins, a significant number of which are key elements of the coagulation cascade, including plasminogen and factor XIII. The Affimercolumn represents a proof of concept novel, rapid method for isolating functional fibrinogen from plasma and for further purification of commercially available fibrinogen preparations. Our methodology provides an efficient way of purifying functional fibrinogen with superior purity without the need of expensive pieces of equipment or the use of harsh conditions. • Proof of concept novel methodology employs fibrinogen-specific Affimer protein for fibrinogen purification from plasma. • Rapid method for further purification of commercially available fibrinogen • Purified fibrinogen has superior purity and retains its biological function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Glycosaminoglycan-binding proteins, with specific emphasis on dermatan sulfate, have been investigated in human plasma by affinity chromatography, mass spectrometry and Western blotting. Diluted plasma was applied to affinity columns and bound protein was eluted with 500 mM NaCl. Dermatan sulfate and heparan sulfate bound 7% of the total protein. Heparin bound 22% of the total protein, but chondroitin sulfate A bound only 0.23%. Mass spectrometric analysis identified 20 proteins as dermatan-sulfate-binding proteins, most of which were confirmed by Western blotting. Some of these binding proteins, such as fibrinogen, fibronectin, apolipoprotein B, LMW kininogen, inter-α-trypsin inhibitor, and factor H, were degraded to various extents during the chromatography step, but this degradation could be prevented by the inclusion of a serine protease inhibitor. The protein fraction binding to the dermatan sulfate column showed amidase activity, whereas that binding to the heparan sulfate and heparin columns showed 1/2 and 1/20, respectively, of the activity of the dermatan sulfate binding fraction. Dermatan sulfate was similar to heparan sulfate with respect to its capacity to bind plasma proteins and its activation of protease, but differed from chondroitin sulfate and heparin in these properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Human haptoglobin (Hp) is classified as three phenotypes: Hp 1-1, 2-1, and 2-2. Previously, we had isolated this protein by affinity columns using either hemoglobin or monoclonal antibody (mAb) prepared against Hp β-chain (clone 8B1-3A). The isolated Hp from both methods, however, contaminates plasma apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I). In the present report, we have developed a novel affinity column procedure using an mAb prepared against α-chain of Hp (clone 3H8) for Hp purification. Plasma was first chromatographed onto the column followed by a normal wash with a buffer containing 0.12M NaCl and 0.02M phosphate, pH 7.4 (PBS). The bound proteins were then prewashed with a 0.04% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)–PBS, pH 7.4, to remove the low-affinity bound apoA-I from Hp. Finally, the bound Hp was eluted with a 0.1% SDS–PBS, pH 11, and collected in tubes containing 1M Tris–HCl, pH 6.8. As a result, the isolated Hp was devoid of apoA-I and was able to retain the biological function by forming an Hp–hemoglobin complex. The homogeneity of each isolated Hp 1-1, 2-1, or 2-2 was greater than 95% with an yield greater than 50%. The procedure described here is significantly improved in time consumption, recovery, and purity. The rationale, design, and optimization for each step are described in detail. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives. : Viral oncogenes E6 and E7 are selectively retained and expressed in carcinoma cells infected with human papillomavirus type 16 and cooperated with each other in immortalization and transformation of primary keratinocytes. This study was performed to identify proteins to be bound or modulated by high risk HPV E7 oncogene by using a proteomics. Methods. : HaCaT normal keratinocyte was prepared to establish a stable cell line expressing E7. The E7-affinity column was also prepared to obtain E7-interacting proteins. In order to search the target molecules modulated by E7 expression, we used 2-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI/TOF) mass spectrometry. Pull down assay was also performed in order to confirm the E7-interacting proteins. Results. : We identified 28 spots that are modulated by E7 in HaCaT/E7 using 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and MALDI/TOF mass spectrometry. Proteomics analyses showed that actin and leukocyte elastase inhibitor were down-regulated, whereas stress-induced phosphoprotein 1, CD2 binding protein 1, catalase, T-complex protein 1, Ku70-binding protein, heat shock 60 kDa protein 1, G1/S-specific cyclin E1 and peroxiredoxin 2 were up-regulated. Western blot revealed that heat shock 60 kDa protein, catalase and peroxiredoxin 2 were also up-regulated. Pull down assay also showed that leukocyte elastase inhibitor (LEI) and Ku70-binding protein were bound to the E7 oncoprotein. By using E7-affinity column and 2-DE/MALDI-TOF, 22 spots were found to interact with E7 recombinant protein. MG11-like proteins, livin inhibitor-of-apoptosis, protein serine kinase c17, CD2 binding protein 1, cyclin E1, TATA box binding protein-associated factor and uridine–cytidine kinase 2 were up-regulated by E7 oncogene and also bound to E7 oncoprotein. Conclusions. : It is presumed that E7 can influence cell status by modulating the factors related to cell signaling, apoptosis and cell cycle regulation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In our work we performed a combinatorial solid-phase synthesis in aqueous medium to prepare peptide libraries from which to select an amino acid sequence with binding properties towards aflatoxins. We used polystyrene beads, functionalised with carboxylic groups as solid support and eight amino acids as monomers. During the first step 64 different sequences of two amino acids were prepared by exploiting the principles of combinatorial chemistry; then the binding properties of all sequences towards aflatoxin B1 were checked. We determined binding constants towards aflatoxin B1 and towards aflatoxins B2, G1 and G2. Results were promising, so we prepared a new library by using the selected dipeptide as the starting solid phase. After selecting the best tetrapeptide sequences, we determined binding constants towards the quoted aflatoxins. We obtained binding constants (K>104 M-1) similar to those shown by human serum albumin for similar compounds. Preliminary studies on an extraction column were promising for the development of an SPE system and for its application in food matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expression of fusion protein trypsin-streptavidin (TRYPSA)4 in Escherichia coli was evaluated and the protein purified. Protein expression was induced by 1 mM isopropylthio-β-D-galactoside (IPTG), and the enzyme activity was measured by the hydrolysis rate of p-toluenesulfonyl-l-arginine methyl ester (TAME). Expression of the fusion protein in the cell-free extract decreased with increased induction time; correspondingly, that in the inclusion bodies increased. The total expression in Luria–Bertani broth (LB) and Terrific Broth (TB) media reached the highest levels in 2 hr at 30°C. The optimum expression level was 35 and 48 U/L in LB and TB, respectively. Expression of the fusion protein was verified by Western Blot analysis using streptavidin antiserum, and the fusion protein was purified using a benzamidine Sepharose 6B affinity column at room temperature. The molecular size of the soluble purified fusion protein was determined by size-exclusion chromatography using Superose 12 FPLC. A molecular weight of 39–40 kDa was obtained, indicating that the soluble protein exists as a monomer; thus, the presence of the trypsin domain must prevent the streptavidin domain from tetramer formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensitive and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were developed to detect Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin serotypes E (BoNT E) and F (BoNT F) in assay buffer and human serum. The assay is based upon affinity-purified horse polyclonal antibodies directed against the ∼50 kD C-fragments of each toxin. Standard curves were linear over 0.5–10 ng/ml (BoNT E) or 2–20 ng/ml (BoNT F). Accurate measurements were achieved at 0.5 ng/ml (BoNT E) or 2 ng/ml (BoNT F) in assay buffer and 10% human serum. Variation between triplicates was typically 5–10%. Less than 1% cross-reactivity occurred between other serotypes A, B, E or F). When tested against toxins complexed to their neurotoxin-associated proteins, interference was absent for BoNT F. However, pure BoNT E and that complexed to associated proteins demonstrated significant quantitative differences. We believe these differences arise from trypsin activation of the toxin. These assays demonstrated sensitivities close to that of the mouse bioassay, without the use of animals, in a much simpler format than other reported assays of similar sensitivity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Escherichia coli PrlC is a trypsin-like proteinase regulating the cell cycle. The Escherichia coli prlC gene has been cloned into the pET28a prokaryotic expression vector. The recombinant fusion protein was produced mostly in the soluble, active form and the expression level amounted to approximately 70% of total protein. The recombinant proteinase was efficiently adsorbed to a resin containing immobilized Ni2+ via its amino terminal fusion hexahistidine tail to give a PrlC proteinase affinity column. The adsorbed fusion proteinase hydrolyzed 4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide of tert-butoxycarbonyl-l-valyl-l-prolyl-l-arginine (Boc-Val-Pro-Arg-NH-Mec), the specific substrate for the trypsin-like proteinase activity of E. coli PrlC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Identification of calcitonin A producing neuroendocrine cells in locusts. • Identification of PDF-immunoreactive peptide in abdominal ganglia in locusts. • Identification of calcitonin B producing enteroendocrine cells in locusts. This work was initiated because an old publication suggested that electrocoagulation of four paraldehyde fuchsin positive cells in the brain of Locusta migratoria might produce a diuretic hormone, the identity of which remains unknown, since none of the antisera to the various putative Locusta diuretic hormones recognizes these cells. The paraldehyde fuchsin positive staining suggests a peptide with a disulfide bridge and the recently identified Locusta calcitonins have both a disulfide bridge and are structurally similar to calcitonin-like diuretic hormone. In situ hybridization and antisera raised to calcitonin-A and -B were used to show where these peptides are expressed in Locusta. Calcitonin-A is produced by neurons and neuroendocrine cells that were previously shown to be immunoreactive to an antiserum to pigment dispersing factor (PDF). The apparent PDF-immunoreactivity in these neurons and neuroendocrine cells is due to crossreactivity with the calcitonin-A precursor. As confirmed by both an PDF-precursor specific antiserum and in situ hybridisation, those calcitonin-A expressing cells do not express PDF. Calcitonin B is expressed by numerous enteroendocrine cells in the midgut as well as the midgut caeca. A guinea pig antiserum to calcitonin A seemed quite specific as it recognized only the calcitonin A expressing cells. However, rabbit antisera to calcitonin-A and-B both crossreacted with neuroendocrine cells in the brain that produce ACP (AKH/corazonin-related peptide), this is almost certainly due to the common C-terminal dipeptide SPamide that is shared between Locusta calcitonin-A, calcitonin-B and ACP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proteins that bind phospholipase A2 (PLA2)isozymes of Trimeresurus flavoviridis (habu snake, crotalinae) venom were fractionated from sera on four columns, each conjugated with one of four PLA2 lsozymes. Five proteins, termed PLA2 inhibitors (Piti) I-V were obtained as the binding components. The combinations of the binding components differed depending on the PLA2 isozymes. PLI-IV and PLI-V correspond to PLI-A and PLI-B, respectively, which were known to bind to a major [Asp49]PLA2, PLA2, and contained a segment similar to the carbohydrate-recognition domain of C-type lectins. PLI-I, which is a major component of inhibitory proteins against three basic PLA2 isozymes, PLA-B (a basic [Asp49]PLA2) and basic proteins I and II (both [Lys49]PLA2s), has been isolated, and its partial amino acid: sequence has been determined, A cDNA encoding PLI-I was isolated from a T. flavoviridis liver eDNA library and sequenced. PLI-I eDNA encoded 200 amino acid residues, including a signal peptide of 19 amino acid residues. One sugar chain was predicted to occur at position 157. A gene coding for PLI-I was isolated. It is 9.6-kb long and consists of five exons and four introns. Comparison of the exonintron structure of the PLI-I gene with those of genes encoding urokinase-type-plasminogcn-activator receptor (uPAR), Ly-6, CD59 and neurotoxins showed that they have characteristic unit encoding approximately 90 amino acid residues, which is divided over two exons. This strongly suggests that the PLI-I gene belongs to the uPAR, Ly-6, CD59 and neurotoxin gene family. There are two types of structurally different inhibitors against PLA isozymes in T. flavoviridis serum with different evolutionary origins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four assays; high pressure liquid chromatography, colorimetric with thiobarbituric acid, affinity columns, and microcolumn cation exchange were compared for (1) ability to discriminate between samples taken from diabetic and normal subjects; (2) correlation with each other; (3) stability over time at different temperatures; and (4) reproducibility between laboratories. The most discriminatory (10 samples from a diabetic and 10 samples from a normal group) was the microcolumn cation exchange method (t=5.25; p<0.001), but all were significantly different at p<0.005. The intra-assay coefficient of variation was 1%-6%, except for the affinity column method which was 13% in normal subjects. High pressure liquid chromatography was used as a reference and the other assays correlated well (r=0.93-0.99). Storage at-80 °C, -20 °C, 4 °C, and 24 °C showed marked differences. The thiobarbituric acid method results were stable except for 24 °C. Microcolumn cation exchange was labile under all conditions. Affinity column was stable for up to 15 days, only if samples were stored as whole blood. High pressure liquid chromatography showed an increase in haemoglobin A and a decrease in the haemoglobin A. Haemoglobin A was reproducible for 4 days when stored at 4 °C and up to 11 days when stored at -80 °C. Samples exchanged between centres at 4 °C and performed within 5 days by high pressure liquid chromatography for haemoglobin A and haemoglobin A correlated well (r=0.98 and 0.99). Samples exchanged between centres after storage (up to 40 days -80°C) correlated ( r=0.99) by the thiobarbituric acid method. Thus, standards can be prepared for the thiobarbituric acid method and this method with high pressure liquid chromatography could be used to establish references for clinical assays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]