A procedure involving directly coupled HPLC-ICP-.MS is described for t
he quantification of metals associated with cytosolic proteins, Select
ivity is achieved by sequential fractionation bq size exclusion (TSK S
W2000) followed by ion exchange chromatography (Showdex DEAE). Spectra
on up to II masses for six elements were acquired simultaneously by s
canning the quadrapole in the peak hopping mode. A flow injection loop
inserted downstream of the columns was used to monitor analyte recove
ry and quantify the ion intensity profiles from the MS. Reproducibilit
y of analysis was approximately 2-5% and absolute detection limits wer
e typically between 10 and 60 pg of analyte. The utility, of the techn
ique for: (i) detecting abnormal distributions in cytosolic metals die
to metal exposure; and (ii) determining the biological turnover of Cu
and other metals associated with proteins is demonstrated using the m
arine shellfish Littorina littorea exposed to elevated concentrations
of Cd and Cu-65. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.