Peptide epitope-imprinted polymer microarrays for selective protein recognition. Application for SARS-CoV-2 RBD protein

We introduce a practically generic approach for the generation of epitope-imprinted polymer-based microarrays for protein recognition on surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) chips. The SPRi platform allows the subsequent rapid screening of target binding kinetics in a multiplexed and label-free manner. The versatility of such microarrays, both as synthetic and screening platform, is demonstrated through developing highly affine molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for the recognition of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. A characteristic nonapeptide GFNCYFPLQ from the RBD and other control peptides were microspotted onto gold SPRi chips followed by the electrosynthesis of a polyscopoletin nanofilm to generate in one step MIP arrays. A single chip screening of essential synthesis parameters, including the surface density of the template peptide and its sequence led to MIPs with dissociation constants (K_D) in the lower nanomolar range for RBD, which exceeds the affinity of RBD for its natural target, angiotensin-convertase 2 enzyme. Remarkably, the same MIPs bound SARS-CoV-2 virus like particles with even higher affinity along with excellent discrimination of influenza A (H3N2) virus. While MIPs prepared with a truncated heptapeptide template GFNCYFP showed only a slightly decreased affinity for RBD, a single mismatch in the amino acid sequence of the template, i.e. the substitution of the central cysteine with a serine, fully suppressed the RBD binding.

We introduce highly affine epitope-imprinted polymer-based microarrays for selective protein detection by surface plasmon resonance imaging as shown through the selective recognition of the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.     

Molecular imprinting made easy

A simple method of molecular imprinting is presented that uses a single cross-linking monomer N,O-bismethacryloyl ethanolamine (NOBE) along with template, initiator, and solvent. This formulation eliminates the need for additional functional monomers and empirical optimization of relative ratios of functional monomers, cross-linkers, and template. In fact, utilization of NOBE alone often provides molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with higher performance than MIPs incorporating functional monomer (e.g., methacrylic acid).     

STUDY ON THE NON-COVALENT INTERACTION OF APIGENIN MOLECULARLY IMPRINTED POLYMERS BY SPECTROMETRY

The non-covalent interaction between aPigenin （API） and different functional monomers （α-methylacrylic acid （MAA）, acrylamide （AM）, 2-vinylpyridine （2-Vpy） and combined functional monomers （AM/2-Vpy）） was determined by UV spectrometry, and a series of apigenin molecularly imprinted polymers （API-MIPs） was synthesized with different functional monomers through molecular imprinting technology. The relationship between the non-covalent interaction of template/functional monomer and absorption of MIPs also was studied. The results showed that the order of the strength of the non-covalent interaction between API and different functional monomers in tetrahydrofuran （THF） is as follows： 2-Vpy〉 AM/2-Vpy〉AM〉MAA, which is positive correlation to the absorption capability of corresponding MIPs, and 2-Vpy is the optimum functional monomer among the used monomer for preparing API- MIPs.     

Via protoporphyrin to the synthesis of levofloxacin‐imprinted polymer

A new molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for levofloxacin was prepared by the combined use of methacrylic acid and protoporphyrin as functional monomers. The adsorption properties of resultant imprinted polymers were evaluated by equilibrium rebinding experiments. The highest binding capacity of levofloxacin achieved from the optimized imprinted polymer in acetonitrile was 246.26 µmol/g with an imprinting factor of 2.05. A ?uorescence quenching effect was observed when a protoporphyrin‐based imprinted polymer was incubated in the solutions of levofloxacin. The results indicated that the protoporphyrin‐based MIPs were able to create higher binding cavities for template compared with MIPs using only methacrylic acid as a functional monomer. It should be expected that the cooperative use of the protoporphyrin with supplemental different functional monomers may be an alternative to obtain MIP with the improvement of the selectivity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

复合碱性功能单体分子烙印手性固定相

采用丙烯酰胺+2-乙烯基吡啶的复合碱性功能单体体系制备了氨基酸衍生物分子烙印高效液相色谱手性固定相。在优化了功能单体与烙印分子的比例条件下对于烙印分子及其结构相似的对映体具有良好的手性分离能力。考察了烙印分子的化学基团对手性分离的影响,发现氢键作用力和较强的离子作用力在手性分离过程中均有贡献。     

Chromatographic characteristics of cholesterol-imprinted polymers prepared by covalent and non-covalent imprinting methods

Cholesterol-imprinted polymers were prepared in bulk polymerization by the methods of covalent and non-covalent imprinting. The former involved the use of a template-containing monomer, cholesteryl (4-vinyl)phenyl carbonate, while the latter used the complexes of template and functional monomer, methacrylic acid or 4-vinylpyridine prior to polymerization. Columns packed with these molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were all able to separate cholesterol from other steroids. For different combinations of cholesterol and beta-estradiol concentrations in a total of 1 g/l, the peak retention times for both compounds were nearly constant. The adsorption capacity for cholesterol onto the MIPs was found to significantly depend on the use of functional monomers, but the selectivity factors were only slightly different from each other at 2.9 to 3.2 since the separation was all based on the specific binding of cholesterol to recognition sites formed on the imprinted polymers. The capacity factors for cholesterol were determined to be 3.5, 4.0 and 3.1, respectively, for covalently imprinted, 4-vinylpyridine-based, and methacrylic acid-based non-covalently imprinted polymers. However, the covalently imprinted polymer was found to have a higher adsorption capacity for cholesterol and about fivefold higher chromatographic efficiency for cholesterol separation, in comparison with non-covalently imprinted polymers. The use of covalent imprinting significantly reduced the peak broadening and tailing. This advantage along with constant retention suggests that the covalently imprinted polymer has potential for quantitative analysis.     

The development of a semiautomated procedure for the synthesis and screening of a large group of molecularly imprinted polymers

A method for synthesis and evaluation of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) on a semiautomated miniature scale is reported. This technique combines molecular imprinting with the combinatorial chemistry approach, allowing rapid screening and optimizations of libraries of MIPs. The polymers were prepared and evaluated in situ by rebinding utilizing powder dispensing and liquid handling systems. MIPs were prepared by a combinatorial approach using methacrylic acid (MAA), 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP), acrylamide, and styrene as functional monomers, and acetonitrile and toluene as porogenic solvents. A drug substance having aromatic, hydroxyl, -O-CONH2 functional groups was selected as the template molecule for this study. The MIP library results demonstrated that the polymer prepared with MAA as functional monomer shows the strongest binding affinity, and therefore, is preferred for the preparation of this particular template molecule. Due to the low consumption of reagents, and more importantly, the demonstrated ability of this method to effectively identify optimal imprinting conditions, this small-scale combinatorial protocol is well suited for fast and efficient screening and optimizations of MIPs.     

烙印分子刚性对分子烙印手性固定相手性拆分能力的影响

采用丙烯酸胺+2-乙烯基吡啶复合功能单体烙印了刚性较小的苯甲氧羰基-L-丝氨酸、苯甲氧羰基-L-丙氨酸和具有一定刚性的苯甲氧羰基-L-脯氨酸,发现丙烯酸胺+2-乙烯基吡啶体系对于分子刚性较小的分子也具有很好的烙印效果,表明不是烙印分子的刚性而是带有的与功能单体作用的化学功能基团才是实现分子烙印的关键.     

Synthesis and Molecular Recognition of Molecularly Imprinted Polymer with Ibuprofen as Template

Ibuprofen and ketoprofen are chemically similar non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs widely used in the treatment of arthritis. Using a molecular imprinting technique, a simple and rapid method was developed for the simultaneous separation and determination of ibuprofen and ketoprofen. Molecular imprinting introduces artificial binding sites into a synthetic polymer matrix, allowing it to exhibit selective rebinding of template molecules. Imprinted polymers can be regarded as an HPLC stationary phase, important for pharmaceutical analysis. Most molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthesized by free radical polymerization of functional monomers, resulting in an excess of crosslinking monomers. In this study, MIPs have been prepared with a ibuprofen template, which can form intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Methacrylic acid (MAA) and ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) were used as the functional monomer and cross‐linker, respectively. Bulk polymerization was carried out at 4 °C under UV radiation. The resulting MIP was ground into 25?44 μm particles, which were slurry‐packed into analytical columns. Template molecules were removed by methanol‐acetic acid (9:1, v/v). We evaluated the template binding performance of the MIP using HPLC, with ultraviolet (UV) detection at 234 nm. Chromatographic resolution of ibuprofen and ketoprofen on the MIPs were appraised using buffer/acetonitrile (45/55, v/v) as the mobile phase. Results show that the MIPs prepared using ibuprofen as the template had a significant molecular imprinting effect. The method was successfully applied to the separation and analysis of ibuprofen and ketoprofen in pharmaceuticals.     

酚酞分子印迹聚合物的制备及特异吸附性能

以泻药酚酞为模板分子,4-乙烯基吡啶为功能单体制备了模板分子和功能单体不同比例的一系列酚酞分子印迹聚合物。利用扫描电镜对聚合物进行了表面形态分析,采用静态平衡实验法研究了聚合物对模板分子及其类似物的吸附行为和选择性识别能力。实验结果表明,所制备的分子印迹聚合物,吸附 3 h 后基本接近最大吸附量,其中模板分子、4-乙烯基吡啶和交联剂的摩尔比为 1∶6∶20的MIP2的印迹因子为 2.30,效果最佳。Scatchard 分析表明, 在所研究的浓度范围内,吸附过程存在两类结合位点,一类高亲和力结合位点的离解常数为Kd1= 0.63 mmol/L,最大表观结合量 Qmax1 = 25.4 umol/g,另一类低亲和力结合位点的离解常数为 Kd2 =3.5 mmol/L,最大表观结合量 Qmax2 = 61.9 umol/g,通过与酚酞类似物质在酚酞分子印迹聚合物上的吸附行为比较,表明对酚酞具有很好的选择性吸附。     

An orthogonal approach to multifunctional molecularly imprinted polymers

[structure: see text] An "orthogonal" approach to molecularly imprinted polymers has been demonstrated using a crown ether derived monomer that does not exhibit cross-reactivity with other functional monomers. This strategy provides multiple functional groups in the binding site of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) without unproductive interactions between functional monomers. The orthogonal functional group system was shown to act cooperatively in MIPs to bind a template with higher selectivity than any of the individual functional monomers alone.     

An Artificial Estrogen Receptor through Combinatorial Imprinting

Polymeric sorbents targeting endocrine‐disrupting estrogen active compounds (EAC) were prepared by terpolymer imprinting using 17β‐estradiol (E2) as template. From a group of eight functional monomers representing Brønsted acids, bases, hydrogen‐bond donors and acceptors, as well as π‐interacting monomers, a terpolymer library that comprises all possible binary combinations of the functional monomers was prepared. Binding tests revealed that imprinted polymers exhibit a markedly higher affinity for E2 compared to nonimprinted polymers (NIPs) or polymers prepared by using single functional monomers. A combination of methacrylic acid (MAA) and p‐vinylbenzoic acid offered a particularly promising lead polymer, displaying an imprinting factor of 17 versus 2.4 for a benchmark polymer prepared by using only MAA as functional monomer. The saturation capacities ascribed to imprinted sites were four to five times higher for this polymer compared to previously reported imprinted polymers. NMR titrations and molecular dynamics simulations corroborated these results, indicating an orthogonal preference of the two functional monomers with respect to the E2 3‐OH and 17‐OH groups. The optimized polymer exhibited a retentivity for EACs that correlates with their inhibitory effect on the natural receptor. By using the optimized molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) in a model water‐purification system, they were capable of completely removing ppb levels of a small group of EACs from water. This is in contrast to the performance of nonimprinted polymers and well‐established sorbents for water purification (e.g., active carbon), which still contained detectable amounts of the compounds after treatment.     

Preparation and characterization of novel molecularly imprinted polymers based on thiourea receptors for nitrocompounds recognition

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for the recognition of nitro derivatives are prepared from three different (thio)urea-bearing functional monomers. The binding capability of the polymers is characterized by a batch binding experiment. The imprinting factors and affinity constants (K) of the imprinted polymers exhibit the same tendency as the binding constants (K_a) of the functional monomers to the target substance in solution. Not only nitrofurantoin is efficiently bound by these MIPs but also a broad spectrum of other nitro compounds is bound with at the intermediate level, addressing that these (thio)urea-based monomers can be utilized to prepare a family of MIPs for various nitro compounds, which can be applied as recognition elements in separation and analytical application.     

基于磁球表面的抗原决定基印迹法用于选择性识别细胞色素c的研究

本工作合成了一种核壳型的抗原决定基磁性分子印迹聚合物,并用于选择性识别目标蛋白细胞色素c(Cytochrome c,Cyt c)。制备过程中先用溶剂热法合成Fe_3O_4磁性纳米粒子,然后加入Cyt c其C端的九肽作为模板,进行一段时间的预组装,最后加入多巴胺盐酸盐(DA)溶液,调节反应体系的p H使多巴胺聚合在磁球表面。洗脱掉模板后,即得到分子印迹聚合物。优化DA的用量使聚合物达到最佳的吸附效果。在最优条件下,制得的印迹聚合物对目标蛋白有较好的吸附选择性,并且有良好的重复利用性。此外,用抗原决定基做模板制得的聚合物的吸附容量和印迹因子明显优于用相应蛋白质做模板的情况。     

A novel molecular imprinting polymer for the selective adsorption of D-arabinitol from spiked urine

In this research, molecular imprinting polymers (MIPs) for D-arabinitol were synthesized using a bulk polymerization method through a noncovalent approach. The MIPs were prepared by using D-arabinitol as a template, acrylamide as a functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylateas cross-linker, benzoyl peroxide as an initiator and dimethyl sulfoxideas a porogen. MIPS was synthesized in several formulas with a different molar ratio of template to functional monomers and cross-linker. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the MIPs produced. A batch rebinding assay was used to test the binding efficiency of each formula. Batch rebinding test results revealed that MIPsF3 with a molar ratio of the template: monomer and crosslinker ratio respectively (1: 4: 25) had the highest binding capacity at 1.56 mgg ^-1 . The results of isotherm adsorption showed that the MIPs produced followed the Freundlich equation with an R-value of 0.97. The MIPs produced was also selective toward its isomeric compounds (i.e. L-arabinitol, adonitol, xylitol, and glucose). The extraction efficiency of the MIPs against D-arabinitol was 88.98%.     

CEC separation of ofloxacin enantiomers using imprinted microparticles prepared in molecular crowding conditions

Molecular crowding is a new concept to obtain molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with greater capacity and selectivity, which could shift the equilibrium of a print molecule reacting with functional monomers in the direction of complex formation side. In this work, molecular crowding agent was first applied to the preparation of MIPs microparticles by precipitation polymerization. A new system of molecular crowding surrounding was developed, composed of polystyrene and tetrahydrofuran, in the presence of the template (S)-ofloxacin. Partial filling capillary electrochromatography (CEC) was utilized to evaluate imprinting effect of the resulting microparticles by chiral separations of ofloxacin. Some important parameters in the preparation, i.e. template to monomer ratio, influence of cross-linking monomers and functional monomer composition on the CEC separation of MIP microparticles were investigated. Baseline separation of ofloxacin (R(s) =1.53) was obtained under optimized conditions and the highest theory plate of the later eluent (S)-ofloxacin was 5400. The textural and morphological parameters for imprinted particles, such as Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface areas, pore volumes and pore size distributions have also been determined. Compared to the MIP microparticle prepared by conventional precipitation polymerization, the (S)-ofloxacin-imprinted particles formed under molecular crowding conditions showed higher selectivity (α=1.09) and separation efficiency (<25 min) in the CEC mode.     

Capturing molecules with templated materials--analysis and rational design of molecularly imprinted polymers

The creation of synthetic tailor-made receptors capable of recognizing desired molecular targets with high affinity and selectivity is a persistent long-term goal for researchers in the fields of chemical, biological, and pharmaceutical research. Compared to biomacromolecular receptors, these synthetic receptors promise simplified production and processing, less costs, and more robust receptor architectures. During recent decades, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are widely considered mimics of natural molecular receptors suitable for a diversity of applications ranging from biomimetic sensors, to separations and biocatalysis.A remaining challenge for the next generation of MIPs is the synthesis of deliberately designed and highly efficient receptor architectures suitable for recognizing biologically relevant molecules, for which natural receptors are either not prevalent, or difficult to isolate and utilize. Hence, this review discusses recent advances in synthetic receptor technology for biomolecules (e.g. drugs, amino acids, steroids, proteins, entire cells, etc.) via molecular imprinting techniques. Surface imprinting methods and epitope imprinting approaches have been introduced for protein recognition at imprinted surfaces. Imprinting techniques in aqueous solution or organic-water co-solvents have been introduced avoiding denaturation of biomolecules during MIP synthesis. In addition, improved bioreactivity of entire enzyme or active site mimics generated by molecular imprinting will be highlighted. Finally, the emerging importance of molecular modeling and molecular dynamics studies detailing the intermolecular interactions between the template species, the porogenic solvent molecules, and the involved monomer and cross-linker in the pre-polymerization solution will be addressed yielding a rational approach toward next-generation MIP technology.     

三唑酮分子印迹预组装体系的分子模拟与吸附性能

以三唑酮为模板分子, 以丙烯酰胺(AM)、 丙烯酸(AA)、 甲基丙烯酸(MAA)和三氟甲基丙烯酸(TFMAA)为功能单体预组装了分子印迹聚合物体系, 采用半经验法和从头算法, 利用Hyperchem软件模拟了三唑酮与4种功能单体所组成的分子印迹预组装体系的构型、 能量、 反应配比及复合反应的结合能, 选择复合物结合能最高的功能单体用于分子印迹聚合物的合成. 采用密度泛函方法计算了模板与单体在不同致孔剂中的溶剂化能. 结果表明, 三唑酮与三氟甲基丙烯酸所形成复合物的作用力最强, 在非极性溶剂中溶剂化能最弱. 由预组装体系的差示紫外光谱法研究发现, 一分子三唑酮可与两分子三氟甲基丙烯酸在氯仿中形成氢键复合物, 与分子模拟的结果一致. 在最佳模拟条件下, 合成了三唑酮的印迹聚合物, 利用吸附等温线Langmuir和Freundlich模型研究了印迹聚合物的吸附行为及识别机理. 上述方法对于分子印迹体系的筛选及分子印迹聚合物性能的预测有重要的意义.     

分子印迹聚合物在抗生素残留测定中的应用

抗生素的滥用及残留对生物体和环境造成极大危害,其含量低、种类多、基质复杂,通常需要进行样品前处理结合色谱分析以实现灵敏测定。分子印迹聚合物（MIPs）能选择性识别、有效富集目标分析物并消除干扰,已广泛用于抗生素的样品前处理中。该文对MIPs制备中面临的挑战进行了总结;对2016年以来抗生素MIPs的固相萃取应用进行了综述和展望,主要包括固相萃取、分散固相萃取、磁固相萃取、基质固相分散萃取、固相微萃取、搅拌棒吸附萃取。此外,该文重点介绍了抗生素MIPs的印迹新策略,如多模板、多功能单体、虚拟模板、刺激响应、亲水性印迹等。最后,该文对抗生素MIPs的制备和前处理应用进行了展望。     

Suppression of background sites in molecularly imprinted polymers via urea-urea monomer aggregation

The molecular imprinting process provides a synthetically efficient route to polymers with tailored recognition properties. However, the binding properties of the templated binding sites are often masked by the more prevalent background binding sites. Therefore, a strategy for reducing the number of background binding sites was developed and evaluated that uses functional monomer aggregation to suppress the formation of background sites. A series of imprinted and non-imprinted polymers was formed using crosslinking urea monomer and were evaluated for their ability to rebind the anionic template, tetrabutylammonium diphenyl phosphate (TBA-DPP). The urea monomer was shown to form linear hydrogen bonded aggregates in solution and in the solid state. Functional monomer aggregation in the polymerization solution was shown to dramatically reduce the numbers of background binding sites by occupying and blocking the urea recognition groups that were not bound to the template molecule. Despite the low aggregation constant of the urea monomer (3.5 M(-1) in chloroform), the number of background sites was reduced by more than 60%. We predict that this strategy of using monomers that aggregate to reduce background binding sites is a general one for MIPs and other types of polymers with tailored recognition properties. The key is to identify self-assembling monomers where the guest binding processes are stronger than the aggregation processes.