Further Studies on the Interaction of Immobilized Folate Binding Protein and Enzyme-Folate Conjugates; An Enzyme-Linked Competitive Binding Assay for Folate

Abstract

The kinetic and thermodynamic properties of the folate interaction with immobilized folate binding protein (FBP) are examined. The use of enzyme-rather than radio-labeled folate provides insight into the complex binding mechanism of folate with FBP and indicates that polymerization of the binding protein (evident for FBP-folate association in solution) is not a prerequisite for the cooperative behavior observed. An enzyme-linked competitive binding assay for folate based on this interaction is described and dose-response curves demonstrate the sensitivity and selectivity of the method. The accuracy of the assay is tested by determining folate in infant formula.     

Fluorescence polarization detection for affinity capillary electrophoresis

Affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE) with laser-induced fluorescence polarization (LIFP) detection is described, with examples of affinity interaction studies. Because fluorescence polarization is sensitive to changes in the rotational motion arising from molecular association or dissociation, ACE-LIFP is capable of providing information on the formation of affinity complexes prior to or during CE separation. Unbound, small fluorescent probes generally have little fluorescence polarization because of rapid rotation of the molecule in solution. When the small fluorescent probe is bound to a larger affinity agent, such as an antibody, the fluorescence polarization (and anisotropy) increases due to slower motion of the much larger complex molecule in the solution. Fluorescence polarization results are obtained by simultaneously measuring fluorescence intensities of vertical and horizontal polarization planes. Applications of CE-LIFP to both strong and weak binding systems are discussed with antibody-antigen and DNA-protein binding as examples. For strong affinity binding, such as between cyclosporine and its antibody, complexes are formed prior to CE-LIFP analysis. For weaker binding, such as between single-stranded DNA and its binding protein, the single-stranded DNA binding protein is added to the CE separation buffer to enhance dynamic formation of affinity complexes. Both fluorescence polarization (and anisotropy) and mobility shift results are complementary and are useful for immunoassays and binding studies.     

Cocaine detection by structure-switch aptamer-based capillary zone electrophoresis

Aptamers, which are nucleic acid oligonucleotides that can bind targets with high affinity and specificity, have been widely applied as affinity probes in capillary electrophoresis (CE). Due to relative weak interaction between aptamers and small molecules, the application of aptamer-based CE is still limited in certain compounds. A new strategy that is based on the aptamer structure-switch concept was designed for small molecule detection by a novel CE method. A carboxyfluorescein (fluorescein amidite, FAM) label DNA aptamer was first incubated with partial complementary strand (CS), and then the free aptamer and the aptamer-CS duplex were well separated and determined by metal cation mediated CE/laser-induced fluorescence. When the target was introduced into the incubated sample, the hybridized form was destabilized, resulting in the changes of the fluorescence intensities of the free aptamer and the aptamer-CS duplex. The length of CS was investigated and 12 mer CS showed the best sensitivity for the detection of cocaine. The presented CE-LIF method, which combines the separation power of CE with the specificity of interactions occurring between target, aptamer, and CS, could be a universal detection strategy for other aptamer-specified small molecules.     

Affinity capillary electrophoresis for identification and investigation of human Gc-globulin (vitamin D-binding protein) and its isoforms interacting with G-actin

A CE procedure was established for the nondenaturing separation and identification of the isoforms of the actin-binding human plasma protein Gc-globulin. To characterize interactions with globular actin (G-actin), a novel method was developed for the simultaneous qualitative assessment of the binding interaction between the three major isoforms of Gc-globulin and G-actin using pre-equilibrium affinity CE and UV detection. Evidence was found that some difference in binding affinity existed among the isoforms, although the quantification of this difference was not feasible by UV detection because of the high affinity nature of the binding. The difference in affinity appeared to be related to the pI of the isoforms; a high pI corresponding to a high affinity. For quantitative binding studies Gc-globulin was fluorescently labeled with 5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein, succinimidyl ester (CFSE). Data suggested that extensive labeling interfered with actin binding but with moderately labeled Gc-globulin it was possible to determine a dissociation constant of K(d) = 21 +/- 1 nM for the binding between labeled Gc-globulin and G-actin using pre-equilibrium affinity CE and LIF detection.     

Capillary electrophoresis as a probe of enantiospecific interactions between photoactive transition metal complexes and DNA

Recently, we have demonstrated the capacity to separate chiral transition metal (TM) complexes of the type [M(diimine)(3)](n+) using CE buffers containing chiral tartrate salts. In separate work, several chromium(III)-tris-diimine complexes in particular have been shown to bind enantioselectively with calf-thymus (CT) DNA, and a qualitative assessment of the relative strength and enantiospecificity of this interaction is of significant interest in the characterization of these complexes as potential DNA photocleavage agents. Here, we describe two convenient approaches to investigate such binding behavior using chiral CE. For complexes with lower DNA affinities exhibiting primarily surface binding, DNA itself is used as the chiral resolving agent in the electrophoretic buffer. In this approach, resolution of the TM complexes into their Lambda and Delta isomers is achieved with the isomer eluting later exhibiting superior binding affinity toward DNA. For more strongly bound TM complexes containing ligands known to intercalate with DNA, the [Cr(diimine)(3)](3+) complexes are preincubated with oligonucleotide and subsequently enantiomerically resolved in a dibenzoyl-L-tartrate buffer system that facilitates analysis of the unbound TM species only. Differences in isomer binding affinity are distinguished by the relative peak areas of the Lambda- and Delta-isomers, and relative binding strengths of different complexes can be inferred from comparison of the total amount of unbound complex at equivalent DNA/TM ratios.     

Electrophoretic screening of ligands under suppressed EOF with an inert phospholipid coating

The applicability of dual injection CE for affinity selection of biopolymers that contain multiple binding sites is demonstrated. The efficient analysis of biomolecules such as carbohydrates and proteins, as well as pharmaceuticals by CE requires the reduction or elimination of nonspecific interactions with the capillary surface. Phospholipids are integral components of cell membranes and aqueous phospholipid liquid crystals adopt a bilayer structure on fused-silica. This phospholipid surface does not interact significantly with the following biomolecules: serum albumin, the 96-110 heparin binding domain of amyloid precursor protein (APP), polydisperse glycosaminoglycans, and variable chain-length oligosaccharides. Pharmaceuticals including five anionic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, three cationic analgesics, and two cationic beta-blockers, also show minimal interaction with the surface. In addition, the use of a phospholipid coating suppresses EOF, which enables reversed-polarity separations, dual opposite injection CE, affinity screening via CE by dual opposite injection, and serial target-ligand injections.     

HPLC analysis of functionalized poly(amidoamine) dendrimers and the interaction between a folate-dendrimer conjugate and folate binding protein

Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers of different generations with carboxyl, acetyl, and hydroxyl terminal groups and a folic acid (FA)-dendrimer conjugate were separated and analyzed using reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Analysis of both the individual PAMAM derivatives and the separation of mixed generations can be achieved using a linear gradient 0-50% acetonitrile (ACN) (balance water) within 40 min. We also show that PAMAMs with defined acetylation and carboxylation degrees can be analyzed using HPLC. Furthermore, a generation 5 dendrimer-FA conjugate (G5.75Ac-FA4; Ac denotes acetyl) was analyzed and its specific binding with a bovine folic acid binding protein (FBP) was monitored. The HPLC and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) results indicate the formation of three complexes after the binding of G5.75Ac-FA4 with FBP. Dendrimers with FA moieties show much higher specific binding capability with FBP than those without FA moieties. Findings from this study indicate that HPLC is an effective technique not only for characterization and separation of functionalized PAMAM dendrimers and conjugates but also for investigation of the interaction between dendrimers and biomolecules.     

Cover Picture: Electrophoresis 16'2011

Issue no. 16 is a regular issue with “Emphasis on Sensitivity Enhancement and Detection” consisting of 18 contributions distributed over 5 distinct parts and a Fast Track paper. The Fast Track paper is on “Barcoding of Giardia duodenalis isolates and derived lines from an established cryobank by a mutation scanning‐based approach”. The remaining 18 papers are grouped into 5 different parts. Part I and Part II represent the emphasis of this issue which involves “Sample Extraction and Enrichment and Sensitivity Enhancement” and “Detection Approaches” based on coupling CE with EC, ECL and MS. Part I has a series of 6 research papers on multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles for the enrichment of proteins, magnetic microspheres solid phase extraction of eight illegal drugs in human urine, hollow‐fiber liquid phase microextraction of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs in wastewater, solid phase extraction to enhance sensitivity of CE for the determination of pharmaceuticals in river water, in‐line preconcentration CZE for the analysis of haloacetic acids in water, and dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction coupled with CE for the determination of sulfonamides. Part II has 5 papers concerned with CE coupled with EC and ECL detection for the analysis of beta‐blockers, determination of nicotine and its metabolite cotinine in urine and cigarette samples by CE coupled with ECL, CE‐ECL detection for the analysis of ibandronate in drug formulation and human urine, CE‐ESI‐MS method for carbohydrate analysis, and analysis of phospholipids using MIP‐OTC in CEC‐ESI‐MS. Part III has 3 contributions on binding interaction and affinity capillary electrophoresis involving mobility shift assay for binding of DNA with NFAT3, rapid CE‐UV binding tests of environmentally hazardous compounds with polymer‐modified magnetic nanoparticles, and quantitative evaluation of lectin‐reactive glycoforms of alpha1‐acid glycoprotein using affinity CE with fluorescence detection. Part IV is on protein analysis by gel electrophoresis and has 2 contributions while Part V has 2 research papers on rice genotyping and determination of contrast agents by MEKC in urine and serum samples. Featured articles include: FAST TRACK: Barcoding of Giardia duodenalis isolates and derived lines from an established cryobank by a mutation scanning‐based approach. (( 10.1002/elps.201100283 )) Applications of multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles for the enrichment of proteins for PAGE separation. (( 10.1002/elps.201000657 )) Dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction coupled with capillary electrophoresis for simultaneous determination of sulfonamides with the aid of experimental design. (( 10.1002/elps.201100142 )) Carbohydrate analysis by capillary electrophoresis‐microelectrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry. (( 10.1002/elps.201100027 )) Quantitative evaluation of lectin‐reactive glycoforms of α1‐acid glycoprotein using lectin affinity capillary electrophoresis with fluorescence detection. (( 10.1002/elps.201100146 )) High throughput functional marker assay for detection of Xa/xa and fgr genes in rice (Oryza sativa L.). (( 10.1002/elps.201100196 ))     

Pre-equilibrium capillary zone electrophoresis or frontal analysis: advantages of plateau peak conditions in affinity capillary electrophoresis

The feasibility of using the affinity CE methodologies pre-equilibrium CZE and CE frontal analysis was tested on interaction systems exhibiting rapid on-and-off kinetics. Experimentally, the methodologies differ only with respect to the volume of sample introduced into the capillary. Pre-equilibrium CZE has been considered amendable to interactions with slow on-and-off kinetics only; however, it has recently been applied in studies of interactions with fast on-and-off kinetics. The effect of varying the sample volume introduced hydrodynamically into the capillary on the apparent degree of complexation was studied. For two different binding systems, the fraction of free analyte was found to be overestimated using pre-equilibrium CZE as compared to volumes providing plateau peak conditions as used with frontal analysis. Results indicate that frontal analysis conditions lead to more robust binding assays and thus more reliable data. The validity of data obtained by pre-equilibrium CZE may be low, thus the use of an experimental setup providing plateau peaks is highly recommended. It is suggested that the effect of altering the sample volume on the degree of binding should be investigated as part of method development and validation.     

Applications of affinity interactions in capillary electrophoresis

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) has proven useful for the study of reversible molecular interactions. This is because highly efficient and reproducible separations take place in an environment where molecular interactions may contribute to selectivity without being inhibited by adverse buffer conditions. Affinity CE may be used to estimate quantitative binding data (binding constants and in some cases binding stoichiometries and rate constants) for various molecular interactions. Specific binding interactions (e.g., based on antibodies or aptamers) may also be utilized to quantitatively measure specific analytes using CE. Applications within these areas are here reviewed with focus on the last three years and with emphasis on novel concepts as well as innovative methodology and technology. It is concluded that the affinity CE approach is of growing versatility and will continue to play an integral role in discovering, characterizing, and exploiting biomolecular interactions.     

Immunoassays using capillary electrophoresis laser induced fluorescence detection for DNA adducts

Human DNA is exposed to a variety of endogenous and environmental agents that may induce a wide range of damage. The critical role of DNA damage in cancer development makes it essential to develop highly sensitive and specific assays for DNA lesions. We describe here ultrasensitive assays for DNA damage, which incorporate immuno-affinity with capillary electrophoresis (CE) separation and laser induced fluorescence (LIF) detection. Both competitive and non-competitive assays using CE/LIF were developed for the determination of DNA adducts of benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE). A fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide containing a single BPDE adduct was synthesized and used as a fluorescent probe for competitive assay. Binding between this synthetic oligonucleotide and a monoclonal antibody (MAb) showed both 1:1 and 1:2 complexes between the MAb and the oligonucleotide. The 1:1 and 1:2 complexes were separated by CE and detected with LIF, revealing binding stoichiometry information consistent with the bidentate nature of the immunoglobulin G antibody. For non-competitive assay, a fluorescently labeled secondary antibody fragment F(ab′)₂ was used as an affinity probe to recognize a primary antibody that was specific for the BPDE-DNA adducts. The ternary complex of BPDE-DNA adducts with the bound antibodies was separated from the unbound antibodies using CE and detected with LIF for quantitation of the DNA adducts. The assay was used for the determination of trace levels of BPDE-DNA adducts in human cells. Analysis of cellular DNA from A549 human lung carcinoma cells that were incubated with low doses of BPDE (32 nM–1 μM) showed a clear dose–response relationship. BPDE is a potent environmental carcinogen, and the ultrasensitive assays for BPDE-DNA adducts are potentially useful for monitoring human exposure to this carcinogen and for studying cellular repair of DNA damage.     

On-line post-capillary affinity detection of immunoglobulin G subclasses and monoclonal antibody variants for capillary electrophoresis

Human immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses each play a unique role in an immune response to foreign antigens. Three of the human IgG subclasses have distinct electrophoretic mobilities and are resolved by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). A post-capillary reactor is constructed to allow on-line addition of fragment B (of protein A)-fluorescein to form affinity complexes with separated IgG subclasses. Post-capillary affinity detection provides selective identification of human IgG subclasses and illustrates the effect of affinity binding constant on detection sensitivity. Additionally, post-capillary affinity detection for CZE facilitates rapid and selective heterogeneity analysis of mouse monoclonal anti-(human-₁-antitrypsin) and anti-human follicle stimulating hormone in complex sample matrices. A constant mobility difference is observed between the antibody isoforms, likely the result of charge heterogeneity due to deamination, degradation or variation in sialic acid content.     

Protein-aptamer binding studies using microchip affinity capillary electrophoresis

The use of traditional CE to detect weak binding complexes is problematic due to the fast-off rate resulting in the dissociation of the complex during the separation process. Additionally, proteins involved in binding interactions often nonspecifically stick to the bare-silica capillary walls, which further complicates the binding analysis. Microchip CE allows flexibly positioning the detector along the separation channel and conveniently adjusting the separation length. A short separation length plus a high electric field enables rapid separations thus reducing both the dissociation of the complex and the amount of protein loss due to nonspecific adsorption during the separation process. Thrombin and a selective thrombin-binding aptamer were used to demonstrate the capability of microchip CE for the study of relatively weak binding systems that have inherent limitations when using the migration shift method or other CE methods. The rapid separation of the thrombin-aptamer complex from the free aptamer was achieved in less than 10 s on a single-cross glass microchip with a relatively short detection length (1.0 cm) and a high electric field (670 V/cm). The dissociation constant was determined to be 43 nM, consistent with reported results. In addition, aptamer probes were used for the quantitation of standard thrombin samples by constructing a calibration curve, which showed good linearity over two orders of magnitude with an LOD for thrombin of 5 nM at a three-fold S/N.     

色谱技术在药物-血浆蛋白相互作用研究中的应用进展

小分子药物进入人体血液循环系统后与人血清白蛋白(HSA)、α1-酸性糖蛋白(AGP)等血浆蛋白存在广泛的相互作用,这些相互作用深刻影响药物在体内的分布及其与靶标蛋白的结合,进而影响药物效应的发挥.深入探究药物与血浆蛋白间的相互作用对于候选药物的成药性优化、新药研发、联合用药的风险评控等意义重大.而发展高效、灵敏、准确的...     

The differences in heparin binding for the C-terminal basic-sequence-rich peptides of HPV-16 and HPV-18 capsid protein L1

The high-risk types of human papillomaviruses (HPV) HPV-16 and -18 are the predominant types associated with cervical cancer. HPV-16 and -18 account for about 50% and 20%, respectively, of cervical cancers worldwide. While the reason and molecular mechanism of the distinct prevalence and distributions between them remain poorly understood, the binding affinity of cell surface receptor with capsid proteins, especially L1, may be involved. We examined heparin binding with two synthetic peptides corresponding to the 14 amino acid C-terminal peptides of HPV-16 and -18 L1 with the goal of comparing the equivalent residues in different HPV types. Using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and static right-angle light scattering (SLS), we determined the binding constant K, reaction enthalpy ΔH, and other thermodynamic parameters in the interaction. Especially, we assessed the role of specific residues in binding with heparin by comparing the NMR spectra of free and heparin-bound peptides.     

两种表征核酸适配体-靶蛋白亲和作用的毛细管电泳方法比较

适配体-靶分子间的亲和作用表征是理解和应用核酸适配体发挥特异亲和作用的基本前提,CE技术则为上述表征提供了多模式的简捷途径,但多种模式体系间的结果往往存在差异,导致CE亲和评价可靠性和进一步应用受到限制,亟须建立多CE方法测定适配体-靶分子间亲和作用的系统比较研究。该研究以凝血酶及其特异性作用于肝素结合位点的适配体29mer为模型体系,基于CE-激光诱导荧光检测,引入CE-迎头分析（FA）评价方法,并比较其与预平衡-毛细管区带电泳（PE-CZE）的异同。首先进行了CE-FA方法分离条件的优化,37 ℃、0.5 h孵育完全后进样,进样时间为30 s,在较低工作温度（15 ℃）、较短毛细管长度（30 cm）及生物相容性好的缓冲体系2×TG（Tris-甘氨酸缓冲液,pH 8.5）条件下,经15 kV分离时,得到了稳定的荧光标记29mer（F29mer）-凝血酶复合物及游离F29mer平台峰。加入1 g/L牛血清白蛋白（BSA）,有效提高了CE-FA平台峰高及迁移时间的重复性。详细讨论了两种方法下6种拟合方式的结果及特点。针对CE-FA和PE-CZE法,以结合适配体/游离适配体的浓度比对游离适配体浓度非线性拟合、平台峰高变化对浓度间的非线性拟合、平衡混合物的非平衡CE（NECEEM）计算等进行拟合。结果表明,6种拟合结果中5种不存在显著性差异,得到的解离常数（K_d）值均介于24~64 nmol/L范围。CE-FA法中的3种拟合结果符合度较好,说明CE-FA法易于在非平衡的CE分离体系下保持适配体-复合物间的结合-解离平衡,所测得K_d准确度较高。PE-CZE法中,借由降低的游离F29mer峰高对凝血酶浓度间的非线性拟合所得K_d值偏差过大;选择凝血酶浓度为F29mer浓度的0.5~2倍,且观察到明显的两峰间"指数桥"为前提,可经NECEEM法进行数据计算求解得到较为准确的K_d值。CE-FA法可与PE-CZE法互为印证,提高了亲和作用评价的可靠性。首选推荐使用多浓度平台峰高变化进行非线性拟合的CE-FA法,可相对有效克服高压电场对复合物稳定性的影响,具有适用范围广、方法稳定、结果拟合简便准确等特点。     

Recent applications of affinity interactions in capillary electrophoresis

Systems biology depends on a comprehensive assignment and characterization of the interactions of proteins and polypeptides (functional proteomics) and of other classes of biomolecules in a given organism. High-capacity screening methods are in place for ligand capture and interaction screening, but a detailed dynamic characterization of molecular interactions under physiological conditions in efficiently separated mixtures with minimal sample consumption is presently provided only by electrophoretic interaction analysis in capillaries, affinity CE (ACE). This has been realized in different fields of biology and analytical chemistry, and the resulting advances and uses of ACE during the last 2.5 years are covered in this review. Dealing with anything from small divalent metal ions to large supramolecular assemblies, the applications of ACE span from low-affinity binding of broad specificity being exploited in optimizing selectivity, e.g., in enantiomer analysis to miniaturized affinity technologies, e.g., for fast processing immunoassay. Also, approaches that provide detailed quantitative characterization of analyte-ligand interaction for drug, immunoassay, and aptamer development are increasingly important, but various approaches to ACE are more and more generally applied in biological research. In addition, the present overview emphasizes that distinct challenges regarding sensitivity, parallel processing, information-rich detection, interfacing with MS, analyte recovery, and preparative capabilities remain. This will be addressed by future technological improvements that will ensure continuing new applications of ACE in the years to come.     

Synthetic polymer nanoparticle-polysaccharide interactions: a systematic study

The interaction between synthetic polymer nanoparticles (NPs) and biomacromolecules (e.g., proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides) can profoundly influence the NPs fate and function. Polysaccharides (e.g., heparin/heparin sulfate) are a key component of cell surfaces and the extracelluar matrix and play critical roles in many biological processes. We report a systematic investigation of the interaction between synthetic polymer nanoparticles and polysaccharides by ITC, SPR, and an anticoagulant assay to provide guidelines to engineer nanoparticles for biomedical applications. The interaction between acrylamide nanoparticles (~30 nm) and heparin is mainly enthalpy driven with submicromolar affinity. Hydrogen bonding, ionic interactions, and dehydration of polar groups are identified to be key contributions to the affinity. It has been found that high charge density and cross-linking of the NP can contribute to high affinity. The affinity and binding capacity of heparin can be significantly diminished by an increase in salt concentration while only slightly decreased with an increase of temperature. A striking difference in binding thermodynamics has been observed when the main component of a polymer nanoparticle is changed from acrylamide (enthalpy driven) to N-isopropylacryalmide (entropy driven). This change in thermodynamics leads to different responses of these two types of polymer NPs to salt concentration and temperature. Select synthetic polymer nanoparticles have also been shown to inhibit protein-heparin interactions and thus offer the potential for therapeutic applications.     

Determination of the binding parameters for antithrombin-heparin fragment systems by affinity and frontal analysis continuous capillary electrophoresis

The suitability of affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE) and frontal analysis continuous capillary electrophoresis (FACCE) for binding constant determination was investigated for complexes between heparin fragments and antithrombin III, one of the main target proteins in the coagulation cascade. In a 100 mM ionic strength phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), ACE was suitable to determine weak to medium interactions developed by short oligomeric heparin fragments, but it failed for decasaccharide, which presents a more complex irreversible interaction. However FACCE allowed evaluating the binding constant for these longer oligomeric fragments. Both experimental approaches were complementary for a wide variety of heparinic fragments.     

The F130L mutation in streptavidin reduces its binding affinity to biotin through electronic polarization effect

Recently, Baugh et al. discovered that a distal point mutation (F130L) in streptavidin causes no distinct variation to the structure of the binding pocket but a 1000‐fold reduction in biotin binding affinity. In this work, we carry out molecular dynamics simulations and apply an end‐state free energy method to calculate the binding free energies of biotin to wild type streptavidin and its F130L mutant. The absolute binding affinities based on AMBER charge are repulsive, and the mutation induced binding loss is underestimated. When using the polarized protein‐specific charge, the absolute binding affinities are significantly enhanced. In particular, both the absolute and relative binding affinities are in line with the experimental measurements. Further investigation indicates that polarization effect is indispensable in both the generation of structural ensembles and the calculation of interaction energies. This work verifies Baugh's conjecture that electrostatic polarization effect plays an essential role in modulating the binding affinity of biotin to the streptavidin through F130L mutation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.