Abstract: A peptide is cleaved at various bonding sites into oligopeptides or similar fragments by digestion using proteinase K (S3). The obtained fragments are separated according to their kinds by reversed-phase chromatography and fractionated (S4), and each fragment is subjected to mass spectrometry to determine its mass (S6). For each peptide fragment, an amino-acid composition is calculated from the measured mass, and amino-acid sequence candidates are deduced from that composition. The amino-acid sequence candidates of the other peptide fragments are searched for a fragment having an overlapping portion available for combining two peptide fragments to obtain amino-acid sequence candidates of the original peptide (S7). The masses of the amino-acid sequence candidates are compared with a measured mass derived from a result of mass spectrometry of the original peptide to select a correct sequence (S6 and S8).

Abstract: Peptide-fragment mixtures obtained by fragmenting a sample with each of multiple enzymes which cause cleavage at different sites are subjected to mass spectrometry. De novo sequencing is performed on the obtained results to deduce partial sequence candidates for various kinds of fragments (S1 and S2). Using the fact that a specific amino acid residue should appear at the cleavage site depending on the enzyme, a partial sequence candidate including the terminal of the original amino acid sequence is extracted from a number of candidates (S6). The task of searching for and combining non-terminal partial sequence candidates including an overlapping portion is repeated (S7 and S8). The sequence candidates including the terminal are subsequently connected to the ends of the sequence obtained through the repetitive task (S9). The eventually obtained amino acid sequence is highly likely to be the correct solution (S10 and S11).

Abstract: Problems to be Solved The present invention provides an affinity support capable of trapping a substance by cooperative binding that is less likely to Surface of cause dissociation even when the substance is a molecule other than an antibody, and a trapping method using the same. Means to Solve the Problems A method of trapping a substance comprising the step of contacting an objective to be trapped with an affinity support comprising a support, a spacer bound to the support and an affinity substance bound to the spacer, so as to bind the objective to be trapped to the affinity substance, wherein each one of the objective to be trapped has a plural of affinity sites and the affinity substance binds to at least two of the affinity sites simultaneously.

Abstract: A peptide is cleaved at various bonding sites into oligopeptides or similar fragments by digestion using proteinase K (S3). The obtained fragments are separated according to their kinds by reversed-phase chromatography and fractionated (S4), and each fragment is subjected to mass spectrometry to determine its mass (S6). For each peptide fragment, an amino-acid composition is calculated from the measured mass, and amino-acid sequence candidates are deduced from that composition. The amino-acid sequence candidates of the other peptide fragments are searched for a fragment having an overlapping portion available for combining two peptide fragments to obtain amino-acid sequence candidates of the original peptide (S7). The masses of the amino-acid sequence candidates are compared with a measured mass derived from a result of mass spectrometry of the original peptide to select a correct sequence (S6 and S8).

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple method which is capable of evaluating the binding activities of an antibody to both an antigen and an Fe receptor. Disclosed is a method of measuring the binding activities of an antibody to both an antigen or antigen epitope and an Fc receptor or a fragment thereof, comprising a step of mixing the antibody with the antigen or antigen epitope labeled with one member of a set of donor and acceptor capable of fluorescent resonance energy transfer and the Fc receptor or fragment thereof labeled with the other member of the set of donor and acceptor; a step of 10 irradiating the resultant mixture with light having a wavelength capable of exciting the donor; and a step of measuring the fluorescence level of the mixture. Also provided are a method of estimating the ADCC activity of an antibody, a method of controlling the quality of an antibody, a method of manufacturing an antibody, a method of screening for antibodies, and kits for use in these methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an erythropoietin-containing solution preparation containing a poloxamer and having a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. The present invention also relates to a method for quantifying a protein in a trace amount, the method including the following steps: binding a protein sample to a high-intensity fluorescent dye; separating a desired analyte from the obtained sample by an appropriate separation means; and quantifying the desired analyte and converting the amount of the analyte into the amount of the protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an erythropoietin-containing solution preparation containing a poloxamer and having a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. The present invention also relates to a method for quantifying a protein in a trace amount, the method including the following steps: binding a protein sample to a high-intensity fluorescent dye; separating a desired analyte from the obtained sample by an appropriate separation means; and quantifying the desired analyte and converting the amount of the analyte into the amount of the protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple method which is capable of evaluating the binding activities of an antibody to both an antigen and an Fc receptor. Disclosed is a method of measuring the binding activities of an antibody to both an antigen or antigen epitope and an Fc receptor or a fragment thereof, comprising a step of mixing the antibody with the antigen or antigen epitope labeled with one member of a set of donor and acceptor capable of fluorescent resonance energy transfer and the Fc receptor or fragment thereof labeled with the other member of the set of donor and acceptor; a step of irradiating the resultant mixture with light having a wavelength capable of exciting the donor; and a step of measuring the fluorescence level of the mixture. Also provided are a method of estimating the ADCC activity of an antibody, a method of controlling the quality of an antibody, a method of manufacturing an antibody, a method of screening for antibodies, and kits for use in these methods.

Abstract: A method of producing a silica gel by hydrolyzing a silicon alkoxide and subjecting the resulting hydrogel to a hydrothermal treatment substantially without aging it is described. Also described in a silica gel produced by such a method and a silica gel which has the following characteristics: (a) the pore volume is from 0.6 to 1.6 ml/g, (b) the specific surface area is from 300 to 900 m2/g, (c) the mode diameter (Dmax) of pores is less than 20 nm, (d) the volume of pores having diameters within ±20% of Dmax is at least 50% of the total pore volume, (e) it is amorphous, and (f) the content of metal impurities is at most 500 ppm.

Abstract: A method of producing a silica gel by hydrolyzing a silicon alkoxide and subjecting the resulting hydrogel to a hydrothermal treatment substantially without aging it is described. Also described in a silica gel produced by such a method and a silica gel which has the following characteristics: (a) the pore volume is from 0.6 to 1.6 ml/g, (b) the specific surface area is from 300 to 900 m2/g, (c) the mode diameter (Dmax) of pores is less than 20 nm, (d) the volume of pores having diameters within ±20% of Dmax is at least 50% of the total pore volume, (e) it is amorphous, and (f) the content of metal impurities is at most 500 ppm.

Abstract: A method of producing a silica gel by hydrolyzing a silicon alkoxide and subjecting the resulting hydrogel to a hydrothermal treatment substantially without aging it is described. Also described in a silica gel produced by such a method and a silica gel which has the following characteristics: (a) the pore volume is from 0.6 to 1.6 ml/g, (b) the specific surface area is from 300 to 900 m2/g, (c) the mode diameter (Dmax) of pores is less than 20 nm, (d) the volume of pores having diameters within ±20% of Dmax is at least 50% of the total pore volume, (e) it is amorphous, and (f) the content of metal impurities is at most 500 ppm.

Abstract: A method of producing a silica gel by hydrolyzing a silicon alkoxide and subjecting the resulting hydrogel to a hydrothermal treatment substantially without aging it is described.