Orthogonal separation and identification of long-chain peptides from scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch venom by using two-dimensional mixed-mode reversed phase-reversed phase chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

Peptide components of scorpion venom have been employed as useful pharmacological tools in the study of ion channel function. The isolation of individual components is necessary for determination of their biological significance. Here, we have described a novel reversed phase (RP)/ion exchange stationary phase, Click oligo ethylene glycol (Click OEG), and the chromatographic efficiency of its mixed-mode sorbent in peptide separation experiments. The Click OEG presents a mixed-mode RP/weak anion-exchange type stationary phase at pH 3.5 and mixed-mode RP/weak cation-exchange type stationary phase at pH 6.0, and it was suitable for separation of long-chain peptides in scorpion venom. Subsequently, a two dimensional mixed-mode RP-RP system based Click OEG and C18 with different pH values in two dimensions was developed for orthogonal separation of scorpion venom. Furthermore, two fractions were analyzed in depth, and 11 long-chain peptides were purified and sequences were identified by using tandem mass spectrometry incorporating the tryptic approach. Among these, we isolated six novel peptides including one peptide with a new sequence and five transcript-level peptides, and speculated on their possible bioactivities