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Proteomics and Protein Markers: Minna Ala-Kopsala, Jarkko Magga, Keijo Peuhkurinen, Jaana Leipälä, Heikki Ruskoaho, Juhani Leppäluoto, and Olli Vuolteenaho Molecular Heterogeneity Has a Major Impact on the Measurement of Circulating N-Terminal Fragments of A- and B-Type Natriuretic Peptides Clin Chem 2004; 50: 1576-1588 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Novel proANP sandwichimmunoassay avoids problems of molecular heterogeneity

Joachim Struck, Nils G. Morgenthaler, Barbara Thomas, and Andreas Bergmann   (5 October 2004)

Novel proANP sandwichimmunoassay avoids problems of molecular heterogeneity 5 October 2004
Joachim Struck, Biochemist BRAHMS Aktiengesellschaft, Neuendorfstr. 25, D-16761 Hennigsdorf, Germany, Nils G. Morgenthaler, Barbara Thomas, and Andreas Bergmann Send letter to journal: Re: Novel proANP sandwichimmunoassay avoids problems of molecular heterogeneity j.struck{at}brahms.de Joachim Struck, et al.	In a recent article in this journal (Clin Chem 2004;50:1576-1588) Ala -Kopsala and colleagues demonstrate that circulating proANP1-98 – an important analyte in the diagnosis and prognosis of cardiac diseases – can be subject to partial degradation at either the N- or the C-terminus. Consequently, immunoassays for proANP involving epitopes locted in these very termini might underestimate actual concentrations of the analyte. It is broadly accepted that - for a number of reasons - sandwichimmunoassays are principally preferable over competitive immunoassays. Until recently, however, all sandwichimmunoassays described for proANP1-98 involved at least one terminal epitope. Since previous reports have already indicated partial fragmentation of proANP1-98, we have developed a sandwichimmunoassay utilizing mid-regionally located epitopes of proANP1- 98 (Morgenthaler NG, Struck J, Thomas B, Bergmann A. Clin Chem 2004;50:234-236). This assay is available for routine use and should be well suited to avoid the problems outlined by Ala-Kopsala and colleagues.