Analysis of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by mass spectrometric approaches

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2011 Jun;400(8):2427-38. doi: 10.1007/s00216-011-4923-5. Epub 2011 Apr 3.

Abstract

Recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone is an important drug in reproductive medicine. Thorough analysis of the heterodimeric heavily glycosylated protein is a prerequisite for the evaluation of production batches as well as for the determination of "essential similarity" of new biosimilars. The concerted application of different liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry methods enabled the complete depiction of the primary structure of this pituitary hormone. Sequence coverage of 100% for the α- as well as the β-chain was achieved with tryptic peptides. Most of these peptides could be verified by tandem mass spectrometry. Site-specific analysis of all four glycosylation sites was, however, not possible with tryptic but with chymotryptic peptides. Quantification of the glycoforms of each glycopeptide was accomplished with the software MassMap®. Both protein subunits gave interpretable mass spectra upon S-alkylation and separation on a C5 reversed-phase column. Glycan isomer patterns were depicted by separation on porous graphitic carbon, using mass spectrometric detection for the evaluation of the glycopeptide liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization data. The currently marketed product Gonal-f™ and a potential biosimilar were compared with the help of these procedures.

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Recombinant Proteins / analysis
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Substances

  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone