Site-selective surface modification using enzymatic soft lithography

Surface modification with functional polymers or molecules offers great promise for the development of smart materials and applications. Here, we describe a versatile and easy-to-use method of site-selective surface modification based on the ease of microcontact printing and the exquisite selectivity of enzymatic degradation. A micropatterned poly-L-lysine (PLL) layer on solid substrates was prepared by enzymatic degradation using trypsin enzyme immobilized on a prestructured poly(dimethlylsiloxane) (PDMS) stamp. After the enzymatic degradation of PLL and the removal of the degradation products, very well defined patterning was revealed over a large scale by fluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). We investigate the advantage of our method by comparison with traditional microcontact printing and found that lateral diffusion was reduced, yielding a more accurate reproduction of the master. We also demonstrate that the stamp can be reused without reinking. The patterned surface was used for site-selective modification. The strategy was applied to two applications: the first is dedicated to the creation of amino-silane patterned surfaces, and the second illustrates the possibility of patterning polyelectrolyte multilayered thin films.     

Development of Enzyme Biosensor Based on ISFETs for Quantitative Analysis of Serine Proteinases

A new potentiometric biosensor allowing quantitative determination of the proteinases through their esterase activity has been developed. The biosensor, specific for ester artificial substrates of serine proteinases has been fabricated using a pH‐sensitive field effect transistor (pH‐FET) and an immobilized complex of trypsin and α₂‐macroglobulin. It has been shown that created biosensor is able to determine the activity of the soluble trypsin in the range of 0.1–30 U/mL (substrate BAEE). The relative standard deviation for the trypsin determination was approximately 3%. The operation stability of the biosensor was no less than 12 h (40 measurements). The response of the biosensor stored at +4 °C was stable for 30 days.     

Electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of peptides derived by enzymatic digestion of oxidized globin subunits: An improved method to determine amino acid substitution in the hemoglobin “core”

The determination of an amino acid substitution in the “core” region of abnormal hemoglobin is technically difficult and is time- and labor-intensive both by conventional and by mass spectrometry techniques. Underivatized subunits cleaved with trypsin and lysyl endopeptidase were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionizationmass spectrometry. The core peptides showed a series of multiply charged ions of homo- and heterodimers. Abnormal peptides in the core region could be detected in dimeric form. The sequence of core peptides was determined by product ion spectra of the peptides from oxidized globin digested with trypsin and lysyl endopeptidase. Oxidation of cysteine residues to cysteic acids in the core region resulted in the strong promotion of y-series ions by product ion analysis with a tryptic peptide from apoprotein B-100 as previously reported by Burlet, Yang, and Gaskell (J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom. 1992, 3, 337–344). These techniques were used to prove that substitution of an unstable hemoglobin, known as Hb Santa Ana (β88 leucine → proline), occurred in a patient with congenital hemolytic anemia. The tandem mass spectrometry analysis with oxidized globin digested with trypsin and lysyl endopeptidase offers a novel method to detect substitutions in the core region of hemoglobin.     

Quartz crystal microbalance determination of organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides

We have developed a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) biosensor for the determination of organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides. A change in resonant frequency is observed as a result of mass adsorption, and we have used this as the basis for sensor development. Specifically, we have used a two-enzyme system (acetylcholine-esterase and choline oxidase) which converts acetylcholine to betaine producing hydrogen peroxide as a by-product. In a third enzyme reaction (peroxidase), the peroxide is able to oxidise benzidines (3,3′-diaminobenzidine) into an insoluble product that precipitates out and can adsorb to surfaces. Non-ionic surfactants have been used for the first time to enhance the surface deposition of suspended precipitate, thereby improving sensor sensitivity. Pesticides are known to inhibit esterase activity (thereby reducing the amount of QCM-detectable precipitate produced). We have shown that the QCM-enzyme sensor system can be used to determine carbaryl and dichlorvos down to 1 ppm.     

Iodate Sensing Electrodes Based on Phosphotungstate‐ Doped‐Glutaraldehyde‐Cross‐Linked Poly‐L‐lysine Coatings

Glassy carbon electrode modified with phosphotungstate‐doped‐glutaraldehyde‐cross‐linked poly‐L ‐lysine (PLL‐GA‐PW) film was employed for iodate determination. The PLL‐GA‐PW film electrode shows excellent electrocatalytic activity towards iodate reduction with significant reduction of overpotential. Under optimized experimental conditions, a linear range from 5×10^?8 to 2.27×10^?2 M with a sensitivity of 61.75 μA mM^?1 was obtained. Possible interfering species, in iodate determination, were evaluated and the applicability of proposed sensor for iodate estimation in table salt was also demonstrated. The PLL‐GA‐PW film electrode shows fast response, wider linear range, and good selectivity and stability.     

Highly Sensitive and Selective Amperometric Sensor for Iodate Based on 9,10-Phenanthrenequinone Derived Graphene

We reported on a new amperometric sensor for the sensitive and selective determination of iodate in table salt. The iodate sensor was constructed by the integration of a novel nanocomposite which was made from 9,10-phenanthrenequinone(PQ) and graphene(GP) with a glassy carbon electrode(GCE). The synthesized graphene and the nanocomposite were well characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. We fully studied the electrochemical behavior and kinetic characteristics of the PQ/GP nanocomposite at GCE. The PQ/GP electrode shows a good electrochemical catalytic activity towards the reduction of iodate, which makes itself a sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor for iodate. The iodate sensor displays a high sensitivity(1.04 mA·mmol·L^-1), a low detection limit(1.0×10^-8 mol/L), a rapid response(less than 2 s), and a broad linear range(from 5.0×10^-8 mol/L to 6.0×10^-3 mol/L ). In addition, the sensor is interference free. The practical application of the proposed sensor was tested by the detection of iodate in table salt.     

人胰酶抑制剂的固相合成

本文用固相多肽合成法以逐步和片段缩合并用的方武首次合成了人胰酶抑制剂,其中采用了TMSOT_t-硫代茴香醚/TFA糸统切断载体-肽的连接键及脱除全部侧链保护基,合成产物经脱氢胰酶亲合层析与HPLC精制,总产率6.3％.合成品对牛胰酶有很强的抑制能力,其活性约为天然产物的97％。     

Sensitive Detection of Trypsin using Liquid‐Crystal Droplet Patterns Modulated by Interactions between Poly‐L‐Lysine and a Phospholipid Monolayer

Liquid‐crystal (LC) droplet patterns are formed on a glass slide by evaporating a solution of nematic LC dissolved in heptane. In the presence of an anionic phospholipid, 1,2‐dioleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phospho‐rac‐(1‐glycerol) (DOPG), the LCs display a dark cross pattern, indicating a homeotropic orientation. When LC patterns are incubated with an aqueous mixture of DOPG and poly‐L ‐lysine (PLL), there is a transition in the LC pattern from a dark cross to a bright fan shape due to the electrostatic interaction between DOPG and PLL. Known to catalyze the hydrolysis of PLL into oligopeptide fragments, trypsin is preincubated with PLL, significantly decreasing the interactions between PLL and DOPG. LCs adopt a perpendicular orientation at the water–LC droplet interface, which gives rise to a dark cross pattern. This optical response of LC droplets is the basis for a quick and sensitive biosensor for trypsin.     

Surface acoustic wave sensor system applied to the kinetic study of urease in plant seeds

A new type of the surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor system was delivered. Ure-ase from several kinds of plant seeds was extracted with different extracting solvents. The urease activity, Michaelis constant and other kinetic parameters were estimated for the first time by means of the new device-SAW sensor system. Some factors such as pH, temperature, activators and inhibitors are also discussed. The method can be applied to the determination of urea content in human urine and the experimental results consist with those reported.     

Automated high-performance liquid chromatographic assay of enzymatic activities

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is a powerful technique which enables a reliable and quantitative determination of enzyme activities. The purpose of the work reported here was to develop an automatic assay of enzymatic activity. Using an automatic sample processor and injector, a program was developed which allows the complete automation of each step of analysis (calibration, enzymatic reaction, HPLC determination). This program can be adapted to different experimental requirements as each step can be performed independently and each input (time, volume, number of standards) is made by answering questions asked by instrument. Using this approach both kinetic and single-point determinations can be carried out, and in the latter case different samples can be analysed sequentially. This paper reports the automated analysis of trypsin.     

Production, Purification, and Biochemical Characterization of a Fibrinolytic Enzyme from Thermophilic Streptomyces sp. MCMB-379

Production of the fibrinolytic enzyme was carried out using 2.5-L glass fermentor, culture of thermophilic Streptomyces sp., and glucose yeast extract peptone medium of pH 8.0. Five successive batches were carried out under controlled fermentation conditions viz., agitation 140 rpm, aeration 0.5 vvm, 55 °C, and 18 h. The total protein extracellularly produced in the cell-free broth was ~300-500 mg/L. The enzyme belongs to serine endopeptidase type. Studies on the fibrin degradation indicate that the enzyme degrades the fibrin into small molecular weight products as seen from HPLC profile. Phase-contrast microscopic structure of fibrin showed that enzyme cleaves the fibrin filaments. The ex vivo activity of the actinokinase was compared with 500 IU of urokinase and 350 IU of streptokinase. The ex vivo clot lysis was found to be faster as compared to the commercial available enzymes.     

A light-activated probe of intracellular protein kinase activity

The first example of a photoactivated probe of intracellular enzymatic activity is described. The caged derivative of a fluorescent protein kinase C peptide-based sensor was prepared by modifying the free hydroxyl group of a phosphorylatable serine moiety with a photolabile appendage that blocks phosphoryl transfer. We have demonstrated that the caged sensor allows one to (1) sample PKC activity with exquisite temporal precision, (2) control the relative amount of active sensor available for phosphorylation, and (3) examine protein kinase activity at multiple time points.     

Comparison of two glutaraldehyde immobilization techniques for solid-phase tryptic peptide mapping of human hemoglobin by capillary zone electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

Stabilization of proteolytic enzymes, especially by immobilization, is of considerable interest because of their potential applications in medicine and the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. We report here a detailed comparison of two procedures for trypsin immobilization using the same homobifunctional agent, glutaraldehyde, for the purpose of peptide mapping. These methods include covalent coupling either to controlled pore glass (solid support) or via a cross-linking reaction (without any solid support). The immobilized trypsin preparations were characterized by the determination of immobilization efficiency, which ranged from 68 to > 95%, and measurement of apparent kinetic parameters toward a synthetic peptide-like substrate. Batch digestions of whole denaturated human normal adult hemoglobin (HbA) were performed to obtain peptide maps by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). Migration time reproducibility of the CZE maps was excellent, with a mean relative standard deviation of 1.5%. Moreover, the two immobilized enzyme preparations showed excellent reproducibility for repeated digestions. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-mass spectrometry was also used for peptide mass mapping of denaturated HbA digested using the two immobilized trypsin preparations. Even though the two immobilized trypsin preparations do not behave identically, similar sequence coverages of 57% and 61% (for the two HbA chains merged) were achieved for the support-based and cross-linked trypsin preparations, respectively.     

分子印迹膜协同银增强电化学信号高灵敏特异性检测啶虫脒

以啶虫脒为模板分子,壳聚糖为功能单体,戊二醛为交联剂,协同Ag颗粒增强导电性,在丝网印刷电极表面合成分子印迹膜,研制了测定啶虫脒的分子印迹传感器。通过循环伏安法(CV)对传感器的性能进行研究,在扫描速率100 mV/s的最优条件下,CV测试表明,啶虫脒浓度在0.01~1.0μmol/L的浓度范围内呈现良好的线性关系(线性相关系数R^2=0.9342)。分子印迹传感器具有良好的印迹效果,相较于其他农药如吡虫啉、水胺硫磷、乙草胺,对啶虫脒有较高的特异性识别能力。构建了啶虫脒分子印迹传感器的动力学吸附模型,测得传感器的印迹因子(β)为3.61,结合速率(k)为19.46 s。传感器用于水样中啶虫脒的测定,加标回收率在92.9%~100.4%。     

Application of a Nanosensor Based on MWCNT‐Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Modified Electrode for the Analysis of a Novel Drug,Alpha‐Hydrazinonitroalkene in Human Blood Serum

The sensitivity enhancing properties of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were associated to construct a nanosensor based on carbon paste electrode (CPE) by adopting drop cast method. The drop cast method makes use of minimum modifier and the entire modified surface of the sensor is available for the analyte. Surface characterization of the electrodes was carried out using FE‐SEM and EDX. EIS was used for the electrochemical characterization. We report for the first time the electrochemical analysis based on the oxidation of the ‐OH group of a novel drug, alpha‐hydrazinonitroalkene ( I ) which was found to have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. The electron transfer kinetic parameters such as the charge transfer coefficient α and heterogeneous rate constant k′ were calculated and they have been found to be 0.64 and 9.62 × 10⁻² cm s⁻¹ respectively. The linear response ranges for ( I ) obtained at this sensor are 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ M − 7.0 × 10⁻⁷ M and 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ M – 4.5 × 10⁻⁵ M with a detection limit of (7.03 ± 0.41) × 10⁻⁸ M (S/N=3). The interference study suggested that the sensor was free from 1000‐fold excess of UA in the determination of ( I ). It was important to note that the sensor completely eliminated Ascorbic acid (AA) signal which offered a significant analytical advantage for the determination of the drug at this sensor. The practical usefulness of the modified sensor was demonstrated by the analysis of ( I ) in blood serum.     

Optimizing electrode-attached redox-peptide systems for kinetic characterization of protease action on immobilized substrates. Observation of dissimilar behavior of trypsin and thrombin enzymes

In this work, we experimentally address the issue of optimizing gold electrode attached ferrocene (Fc)-peptide systems for kinetic measurements of protease action. Considering human α-thrombin and bovine trypsin as proteases of interest, we show that the recurring problem of incomplete cleavage of the peptide layer by these enzymes can be solved by using ultraflat template-stripped gold, instead of polished polycrystalline gold, as the Fc-peptide bearing electrode material. We describe how these fragile surfaces can be mounted in a rotating disk configuration so that enzyme mass transfer no longer limits the overall measured cleavage kinetics. Finally, we demonstrate that, once the system has been optimized, in situ real-time cyclic voltammetry monitoring of the protease action can yield high-quality kinetic data, showing no sign of interfering effects. The cleavage progress curves then closely match the Langmuirian variation expected for a kinetically controlled surface process. Global fit of the progress curves yield accurate values of the peptide cleavage rate for both trypsin and thrombin. It is shown that, whereas trypsin action on the surface-attached peptide closely follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics, thrombin displays a specific and unexpected behavior characterized by a nearly enzyme-concentration-independent cleavage rate in the subnanomolar enzyme concentration range. The reason for this behavior has still to be clarified, but its occurrence may limit the sensitivity of thrombin sensors based on Fc-peptide layers.     

Enzyme‐Mediated,Site‐Specific Protein Coupling Strategies for Surface‐Based Binding Assays

Covalent surface immobilization of proteins for binding assays is typically performed non‐specifically via lysine residues. However, receptors that either have lysines near their binding pockets, or whose presence at the sensor surface is electrostatically disfavoured, can be hard to probe. To overcome these limitations and to improve the homogeneity of surface functionalization, we adapted and optimized three different enzymatic coupling strategies (4′‐phosphopantetheinyl transferase, sortase A, and asparaginyl endopeptidase) for biolayer interferometry surface modification. All of these enzymes can be used to site‐specifically and covalently ligate proteins of interest via short recognition sequences. The enzymes function under mild conditions and thus immobilization does not affect the receptors’ functionality. We successfully employed this enzymatic surface functionalization approach to study the binding kinetics of two different receptor–ligand pairs.     

Enzyme‐Mediated,Site‐Specific Protein Coupling Strategies for Surface‐Based Binding Assays

Covalent surface immobilization of proteins for binding assays is typically performed non‐specifically via lysine residues. However, receptors that either have lysines near their binding pockets, or whose presence at the sensor surface is electrostatically disfavoured, can be hard to probe. To overcome these limitations and to improve the homogeneity of surface functionalization, we adapted and optimized three different enzymatic coupling strategies (4′‐phosphopantetheinyl transferase, sortase A, and asparaginyl endopeptidase) for biolayer interferometry surface modification. All of these enzymes can be used to site‐specifically and covalently ligate proteins of interest via short recognition sequences. The enzymes function under mild conditions and thus immobilization does not affect the receptors’ functionality. We successfully employed this enzymatic surface functionalization approach to study the binding kinetics of two different receptor–ligand pairs.     

Adsorption and hydrolytic activity of trypsin on a carboxylate-functionalized cation exchanger prepared from nanocellulose

Immobilization of enzymes on polymer supports has been considered as a powerful technique in biomedical applications. In this study, a cellulose-based hydrogel, poly(acrylic acid)-modified poly(glycidylmethacrylate)-grafted nanocellulose (PAPGNC) was synthesized by graft copolymerization technique and well characterized. A pancreatic serine protease trypsin (TRY) was immobilized onto PAPGNC, under different optimized conditions. The optimum pH for TRY adsorption was found to be 6.5, and the adsorption attained equilibrium within 90 min. The kinetic data were found to follow pseudo-first-order model, which is based on solid capacity. The well agreement of equilibrium data with Langmuir isotherm model confirms the monolayer coverage of TRY onto PAPGNC surface, and the maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 140.65 mg/g at 30 °C. The temperature dependence indicates an endothermic process. The relative activity of immobilized TRY in the hydrolysis of casein was higher than that of the free enzyme over broader temperature ranges. The immobilized TRY had high temperature and long-storage stability as compared to free TRY. Spent adsorbent was effectively degenerated using 0.1 M KSCN with the retention in catalytic activity of 87% even after four cycles. The present investigation shows that PAPGNC is a valuable polymer support for the recovery of TRY from aqueous solutions and subsequent casein hydrolysis.     

Comparative evaluation of bioactivity change of crystalline trypsin during compression by chemoinformatics and 2-D Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy

The purpose of this study is to develop a method of evaluating the enzymatic activity of trypsin in a solid-state based on Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra using chemoinformatics and two-dimensional (2-D) correlation spectroscopy. Crystalline trypsin powders are compressed at 0-4000 kg cm-2 by a compression/tension tester. The enzymatic activity of trypsin is assayed by the kinetic degradation method. Spectra of 10 calibration sample sets are recorded 3 times with a FT-IR spectrometer. The maximum intensity of FT-IR spectra and enzymatic activity of trypsin decrease as the compression pressure increases. The FT-IR spectra of trypsin samples are subjected to a principal component regression (PCR). A plot of the calibration data obtained is made between the actual and predicted trypsin activity based on a two-component model with gamma2=0.909 (n=30). The regression vector is almost the same as the loading vector for PC1. On the other hand, a generalized two-dimensional (2-D) correlation spectroscopic method is applied to FT-IR spectra of compressed trypsin. The result is consistent with that of the chemoinformatics method. The FT-IR chemoinformatics method allows for solid-state quantitative analysis of the bioactivity of the bulk powder of a polypeptide drug.