Chromatographic characterisation of an estrogen-binding affinity column containing tetrapeptides selected by a combinatorial-binding approach

In our work we performed a combinatorial synthesis in aqueous medium to prepare peptide libraries from which we would select amino acid sequences with binding properties towards estrogens. We prepared an affinity solid-phase by using a tetrapeptide with good selectivity and affinity towards the estradiol (K>104 M−1). Samples of estrogens in buffer, in tap water and in river water were applied to our column in which they were retained (k′>116). These could only be eluted in a few millilitres of methanol mobile phase. In all cases there were quantitative recoveries. The pre-concentration studies were promising.