Protein nanotubes with an enzyme interior surface

This report describes the synthesis and enzyme activities of multilayered protein nanotubes with an α-glucosidase (αGluD) interior surface. The nanotubes were prepared by using an alternating layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of human serum albumin (HSA) and oppositely charged poly-L-arginine (PLA) into a track-etched polycarbonate (PC) membrane (pore size=400 nm) followed by addition of αGluD as the last layer of the wall. Subsequent dissolution of the PC template yielded (PLA/HSA)(2)PLA/αGluD nanotubes. SEM measurements revealed the formation of uniform hollow cylinders with (413±17) nm outer diameter and (52±3) nm wall thickness. In aqueous media, the nanotubes captured a fluorogenic glucopyranoside, 4-methyl-umbelliferyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (MUGlc), into their one-dimensional pore space and hydrolyzed the substrate efficiently to form α-D-glucose. We determined the enzyme parameters (Michaelis constant, K(M), and catalytic constant, k(cat), values) of the protein nanotubes. The several-micrometers-long cylinders were of sufficient length to be spun down by centrifugation at 4000 g, so the product could therefore be easily separated. Similar biocatalysts were prepared by complexation of biotinylated-αGluD into HSA-based nanotubes bearing a single avidin layer as an internal surface. The obtained hybrid nanotubes also exhibited the same enzyme activity for the MUGlc hydrolysis.     

Protein nanotubes comprised of an alternate layer-by-layer assembly using a polycation as an electrostatic glue

We present the synthesis and structure of various protein nanotubes comprised of an alternate layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly using a polycation as an electrostatic glue. The nanotubes were fabricated by sequential LbL depositions of positively charged polycations and negatively charged proteins into a porous polycarbonate (PC) membrane, followed by release of the cylindrical core by quick dissolution of the template with CH(2)Cl(2). This procedure provides a variety of protein nanotubes without interlayer cross-linking. The three-cycle depositions of poly-L-arginine (PLA) and human serum albumin (HSA, M(w)=66.5 kDa) into the porous PC template (pore diameter, D(p)=400 nm) yielded well-defined (PLA/HSA)(3) nanotubes with an outer diameter of 419+/-29 nm and a wall thickness of 46+/-8 nm, revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations. The outer diameter of the tubules can be controlled by the pore size of the template (200-800 nm), whereas the wall thickness is always constant, independent of the D(p) value. The (PEI/HSA)(3) (PEI: polyethylenimine) nanotubes showed a slightly thin wall of 39+/-5 nm. CD spectra of the multilayered (PEI/HSA)(n) film on a flat quartz plate suggested that the secondary structure of HSA between the polycations was almost the same as that in aqueous solution. The three-cycle LbL depositions of PLA and ferritin (M(w)=460 kDa) or myoglobin (Mb, M(w)=1.7 kDa) into the porous PC membrane also gave cylindrical hollow structures. The wall thickness of the (PLA/ferritin)(3) and (PLA/Mb)(3) nanotubes were 55+/-5 nm and 31+/-4 nm; it depends on the globular size of the protein (ferritin>HSA>Mb). The individual ferritin molecule was clearly seen in the tubular walls by SEM and TEM measurements.     

Human Serum Albumin Nanotubes with Esterase Activity

A nanocylindrical wall structure was obtained by layer‐by‐layer (LbL) assembly of poly‐L ‐arginine (PLA) and human serum albumin (HSA) and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning force microscopy (SFM), and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo‐TEM). SEM and SFM measurements of a lyophilized powder of (PLA/HSA)₃ nanotubes yielded images of round, chimney‐like architectures with approximately 100 nm wall thickness. Cryo‐TEM images of the hydrated sample revealed that the tube walls are composed of densely packed HSA molecules. Moreover, when small‐angle X‐ray scattering was used to characterize the individual PLA and HSA components in aqueous solutions, maximum diameters of approximately 28 nm and 8 nm were obtained, respectively. These values indicate the minimum thickness of wall layers consisting of PLA and HSA. It can also be concluded from SEM as well as from cryo‐TEM images that the protein cylinders are considerably swollen in the presence of water. Furthermore, HSA retains esterase activity if assembled in nanotubes, as indicated by measurements of para‐nitrophenyl acetate hydrolysis under semi‐physiological conditions (pH 7.4, 22 °C). The enzyme activity parameters (Michaelis constant, K_m, and catalytic constant, k_cat) were comparable to those of free HSA.     

Potentiometric Immunosensor Based on Immobilization of Hepatitis B Surface Antibody on Platinum Electrode Modified Silver Colloids and Polyvinyl Butyral as Matrixes

A highly sensitive immunosensor based on immobilization of hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) on platinum electrode (Pt) modified silver colloids and polyvinyl butyral (PVB) as matrixes has been developed for potentiometric immunoanalysis to detect hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in this study. HBsAb molecules were immobilized successfully on nanometer‐sized silver colloid particles associated with polyvinyl butyral on a platinum electrode surface. The modification procedure was electrochemically monitored by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The HBsAb‐silver‐PVB‐modified electrode exhibited direct electrochemical behavior toward HBsAg. The factors influencing the performance of the resulting immunosensor were studied in detail. More than 94.7% of the results of human serum samples obtained by this method were in agreement with those obtained by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The resulting immunosensor exhibited a sigmoid curve with log HBsAg concentration, high sensitivity (39.8 mV/decade), wide linear range from 16.0 to 800 ng mL^?1 with a detection limit of 3.6 ng mL^?1, fast potentiometric response (<3 min) and long‐term stability (>4 months). The response mechanism of the immunosensors was also studied with AC impedance techniques.     

Preparation of Functional Magnetic Nanoparticles and its Application in Diagnostic Analysis

The magnetic nanoparticles modified with carboxyl functional group were synthesized and characterized. These nanoparticles covalently bound with hepatitis B surface antibody（HBsAb）, were used to detect hepatitis B surface antigen （HBsAg） in immunovoltammetry. The detection limit was found to be 0.06 ng/mL, which is much higher than that of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） used in clinical analysis.     

化学发光成像法测定人体血清中乙型肝炎病毒

基于对碘苯酚增强的luminol-H2O2-HRP化学发光反应,利用化学发光成像法检测乙肝病毒(HBV)。用该法对人体血清中的乙型肝炎表面抗原、表面抗体、e抗原、e抗体以及核心抗体进行测定,其结果与ELISA法所得结果一致,对表面抗原检测结果为阳性的病人血清测定9次,结果的相对标准偏差为4．2％。     

Polydiacetylene/Anti‐HBs Complexes for Visible and Fluorescent Detection of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen on a Nitrocellulose Membrane

The immunochromatographic assay (ICA) using a nitrocellulose (NC) membrane offers several advantages. This technique is a rapid and straightforward method in contrast to other immunoassays. Polydiacetylene (PDA) vesicles have unique optical properties, displaying red color and red fluorescence at the same time. In this system, red‐phase PDA vesicles are used as a fluorescent dye as well as a surface for immobilized hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb). PDA has a remarkable stability compared with other fluorescent dyes. In this study, the most suitable PDA/HBsAb complexes are introduced for detecting hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Then, the PDA/HBsAb complexes affixed antibody is attached to NC membrane, which has two lines to confirm detection of HBsAg. The main advantage of this system is that the detection of HBsAg can be observed in both visible and fluorescent images due to the optical properties of polydiacetylene. Detection of HBsAg is observed up to 0.1 ng mL⁻¹ by fluorescent analysis and confirmed by red line on the NC membrane up to 1 ng mL⁻¹ (HBsAg) using the naked eye. Consequently, these results show that PDA/HBsAb complexes were successfully applied to ICA for the diagnosis of hepatitis B.     

A novel amperometric immunosensor based on three-dimensional sol-gel network and nanoparticle self-assemble technique

A novel hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) immunosensor has been developed by self-assembling gold nanoparticles to a thiol-containing sol-gel network. A cleaned gold electrode was first immersed in a hydrolyzed mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS) sol-gel solution to assemble three-dimensional silica gel, and then gold nanoparticles were chemisorbed onto the thiol groups of the sol-gel network. Finally, hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) was adsorbed onto the surface of the gold nanoparticles. Thus, an interfacial design of bare gold electrode (BGE)/MPS/Au/HBsAb was prepared to detect HBsAg in human serum based on the specific reaction of HBsAb and HBsAg. The electrochemistry of ferricyanide redox reaction was used as a marker to probe the interface and as a redox probe to determinate HBsAg. The main conditions of the assembly of MPS sol-gel, gold nanoparticles, the immobilization of HBsAb, and incubation time were investigated in detail. Compared with the glutaraldehyde binding approach, the antibodies immobilized by this method present larger amount and higher immunoactivity. The linearity of HBsAg in the range of 2-360 ng/mL with the correlation coefficient of 0.998 was obtained. This immunosensor system was evaluated on several clinical sample, the analytical results obtained by this method were in agreement with those detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, indicating a promising alternative tool for clinical diagnosis. Moreover, the studied immunosensor exhibited good reproducibility, long-term stability, high sensitivity and specificity.     

Ultrasensitive potentiometric immunosensor based on SA and OCA techniques for immobilization of HBsAb with colloidal Au and polyvinyl butyral as matrixes

A novel potentiometric immunosensor for detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) has been developed by means of self-assembly (SA) and opposite-charged adsorption (OCA) techniques to immobilize hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) on a platinum electrode. A cleaned platinum electrode was first pretreated in the presence of 10% HNO3 and 2.5% K2CrO4 solution and held at -1.5 V (vs SCE) for 1 min to make it negatively charged and then immersed in a mixing solution containing hepatitis B surface antibody, colloidal gold (Au), and polyvinyl butyral (PVB). Finally, HBsAb was successfully immobilized onto the surface of the negatively charged platinum electrode modified nanosized gold and PVB sol-gel matrixes. The modified procedure was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The immobilized hepatitis B surface antibody exhibited direct electrochemical behavior toward hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The performance and factors influencing the performance of the resulting immunosensor were studied in detail. More than 95.7% of the results of the human serum samples obtained by this method were in agreement with those obtained by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The resulting immunosensor exhibited fast potentiometric response (<3 min) to HBsAg. The detection limit of the immunosensor was 2.3 ng.mL(-1), and the linear range was from 8 to 1280 ng.mL(-1). Moreover, the studied immunosensor exhibited high sensitivity, good reproducibility, and long-term stability (>6 months).     

A Label‐Free Amperometric Immunosensor Based on Redox‐Active Ferrocene‐Branched Chitosan/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Conductive Composite and Gold Nanoparticles

A novel immunosensor has been developed by self‐assembling Au NPs onto a ferrocene‐branched chitosan/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CS‐Fc/MWCNTs) modified electrode for the sensitive determination of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The formation of CS‐Fc effectively avoids the leakage of Fc and retains its electrochemical activity. Incorporation of MWCNTs and Au NPs into CS‐Fc further increases the electrochemical active Fc in the CS films and provides interactive sites for the immobilization of HBsAb. The morphologies and electrochemistry of the formed biofilm were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical techniques. The immunosensor exhibits a specific response to HBsAg in the range of 1.0–420 ng mL^?1. Excellent analytical performance, fabrication reproducibility and operational stability of the proposed immunosensor indicated its promising application in clinical diagnostics.     

Signal‐Enhanced Amperometric Immunosensor Based on Ferrocene‐Branched Poly(allylamine)/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Redox‐Active Composite

A signal‐enhanced immunosensor has been developed by self‐assembling Au NPs onto a ferrocene‐branched poly(allylamine)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PAA‐Fc/MWNTs) modified electrode for the sensitive determination of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) as a model protein. The formation of PAA‐Fc/MWNTs composite not only effectively avoided the leakage of Fc and retained its electrochemical activity, but also enhanced the conductivity and charge‐transport properties of the composite. Further adsorption of Au NPs into the PAA matrix provided both the interactive sites for the immobilization of hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) and a favorable microenvironment to maintain its activity. Tests performed with this immunosensor showed a specific response to HBsAg in the range of 0.1–350.0 ng mL^?1 with a detection limit of 0.03 ng mL^?1.     

Pushing the size limits in the replication of nanopores in anodized aluminum oxide via the layer-by-layer deposition of polyelectrolytes

We report on the successful replication of the smallest pores in anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) via the layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition of polyelectrolytes to date to yield free-standing, open nanotubes with inner and outer diameters (±2σ) down to 37 ± 4 and 52 ± 19 nm, respectively. This work is based on the fabrication of defined arrays of highly regular nanopores by anodic oxidation of aluminum. Pores with pore diameters between 53 ± 9 and 356 ± 14 nm and interpore distances between 110 ± 3 and 500 ± 17 nm were obtained using an optimized two-step anodization procedure. 3-(Ethoxydimethylsilyl)propylamine-coated pores were replicated by alternating LBL deposition of poly(styrenesulfonate) and poly(allylamine). The detrimental adsorption of polyelectrolyte on the top surface of the template that typically results in partial pore blocking was eliminated by controlling the surface energy of the top surface via deposition of an ultrathin gold layer. The thickness of the deposited LBL multilayer assembly at the pore orifice agreed to within the experimental error with the thicknesses measured by variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM) for layers assembled on flat substrates. The selective dissolution of the alumina template afforded free-standing, open polymer nanotubes that were stable without any cross-linking procedure. The nanotubes thus obtained possessed mean outer diameters as small as 52 nm, limited by the size of the AAO template.     

Fabrication, characterization, and application of potentiometric immunosensor based on biocompatible and controllable three-dimensional porous chitosan membranes

A novel three-dimensional porous chitosan membrane material was prepared as a matrix to encapsulate hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) for fabrication of immunosensors. The porous chitosan matrix was prepared by electrodepositing a designer nanocomposite solution of chitosan-encapsulated silica nanoparticle hybrid film on an ITO electrode, and then removing the silica nanoparticles with HF solution. Using HBsAb as a model, the potentiometric immunosensor was constructed by linking HBsAb molecules to the three-dimensional porous chitosan film using glutaraldehyde as a cross-linker. Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the surface morphology of the three-dimensional porous chitosan films. Cyclic voltammograms and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to probe the interfacial properties of the immunosensor. Results showed that the fabricated immunosensor with three-dimensional porous structure possessed high surface area, good mechanical stability, and good hydrophilicity, which provided a biocompatible microenvironment for maintaining the bioactivity of the immobilized protein and increased the protein loading. Therefore, the present immunosensor exhibits a wide linear range from 6.85 to 708 ng mL(-1) with a low detection limit of 3.89 ng mL(-1) for the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). This work implied that the biocompatible and controllable three-dimensional porous chitosan membrane possessed potential applications for biosensing.     

Enhancement of the effectiveness of electroporation-augmented cutaneous DNA vaccination by a particulate adjuvant

DNA vaccines are attracting increased attention due to multiple advantages over conventional vaccines. Attempts to improve these vaccines focus on enhancing DNA delivery and employing novel immunoadjuvants. Electroporation (EP) has emerged as an effective method for delivering DNA vaccines, significantly enhancing humoral and cellular responses. To further improve EP-augmented DNA vaccination, we used micron-size gold particles as a particulate adjuvant. DNA is not bound, or adsorbed, to the particles. Gold particles were coinjected intradermally with plasmid DNA encoding the hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) into mice, both in the absence and presence of noninvasive EP. The particles enhanced the percentage of responding animals, and shortened the time for reaching maximal antibody titers by 2 weeks. Subtyping of the produced antibodies revealed a predominantly Th1-like response which did not change significantly with the absence or presence of particles. The particles likely function as an attractant for antigen-presenting cells (APCs), and probably do not affect EP or antigen expression to a significant extent. We conclude that micron-size gold particles injected intradermally together with DNA followed by EP give rise to an accelerated, potent immune response with a strong cellular component. This method may become important for the development of fast-acting therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines.     

Encapsulation of RNA by negatively charged human serum albumin via physical interactions

Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant plasma protein and has an inherent ability to target tumor cells. It is an excellent candidate for drug delivery. However, HSA cannot form complex with DNA or RNA, because it is negatively charged under physiological conditions. In this work, we reported a simple method to prepare HSA/RNA nanoparticles mainly by physical interaction. Firstly, the solution pH is adjusted to 4.0, under which condition HSA is positively charged. It forms complex with RNA via electrostatic interaction. The solution is then heated at 75 oC for 15 min to stabilize the structure and the size of the formed complex. The HSA/RNA nanoparticle prepared by this method has a diameter about 110 nm and a narrow distribution. It is also stable for days under physiological conditions. Cellular essays demonstrate that these particles exhibit a high cellular uptake efficiency and non-toxicity to HeLa cells.     

Characterization of hepatitis B virus capsids by resistive-pulse sensing

We report characterization of hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsids by resistive-pulse sensing through single track-etched conical nanopores formed in poly(ethylene terephthalate) membranes. The pores were ～40 nm in diameter at the tip, and the pore surface was covalently modified with triethylene glycol to reduce surface charge density, minimize adsorption of the virus capsids, and suppress electroosmotic flow in the pore. The HBV capsids were assembled in vitro from Cp149, the assembly domain of HBV capsid protein. Assembled T = 3 (90 Cp149 dimer) and T = 4 (120 dimer) capsids are 31 and 36 nm in diameter, respectively, and were easily discriminated by monitoring the change in current as capsids passed through an electrically biased pore. The ratio of the number of T = 3 to T = 4 capsids transiting a pore did not reflect actual concentrations, but favored transport of smaller T = 3 capsids. These results combined with longer transit times for the T = 4 capsids indicated that the capsids must overcome an entropic barrier to enter a pore.     

Electrophoretic transport of latex particles in lipid nanotubes

Lipid vesicles can be connected by membrane nanotubes to build networks with promising bioanalytical properties. Here we characterize electrophoretic transport in such membrane tubes, with a particular eye to how their soft-material nature influences the intratube migration. In the absence of field, the tube radius is 110 +/- 26 nm, and it remains in this range during electrophoresis even though the applied electric field causes a slight decrease in the tube radius (approximately 6-11%). The electrophoretic velocity of the membrane wall (labeled with quantum dots) varies linearly with the field strength. Intratube migration is studied with latex spheres of radii 15, 50, 100, and 250 nm. The largest particle size does not enter the tube at fields strengths lower than 1250 V/m because the energy cost for expanding the tube around the particles is too high. The smaller particles migrate with essentially the same velocity as the membrane at low fields. Above 250 V/cm, the 15 nm particles exhibit an upward deviation from linear behavior and in fact migrate faster than in free solution whereas the 100 nm particles deviate downward. We propose that these nonlinear effects arise because of lipid adsorption to the particles (dominating for 15 nm particles) and a pistonlike compression of the solvent in front of the particles (dominating for 100 nm). As expected from such complexities, existing theories for a sphere migrating in a rigid-wall cylinder cannot explain our velocity results in lipid nanotubes.     

基于双层纳米金修饰的高灵敏电位型乙肝表面抗原免疫传感器研究

基于电沉积和层层自组装技术，提出了一种新的生物分子固定化方法，研制成一种高灵敏电位型乙肝表面抗原免疫传感器。利用L-半胱胺酸（LCys）的双官能团结合双层纳米金，从而通过比表面积大，生物相容性好的纳米金胶吸附大量抗体，同时用聚乙烯醇缩丁醛（PVB）薄膜的笼效应把乙肝表面抗体（HBsAb）和纳米金固定在玻碳电极上，从而制得了高灵敏度、高稳定性的电位型免疫传感器。采用循环伏安法（CV）对电极的层层自组装过程进行了考察，并对该免疫传感器的性能进行了详细的研究。该免疫传感器线性范围是8．5～256．0ng／mL，线性相关系数为0．9978，灵敏度为89．0，检出限为3．1ng／mL。已用于病人的血清样品分析。     

Palladium nanoparticle-decorated iron nanotubes hosted in a polycarbonate porous membrane: development, characterization, and performance as electrocatalysts of ascorbic acid

One-dimensional iron metallic nanotubes were prepared by electroless deposition within the pores of polycarbonate (PC) membranes. The longitudinal nucleation of the nanotubes along the pore walls was achieved by mounting the PC membrane between two halves of a U-shaped reaction tube. Palladium nanoparticles were post-deposited on the inner wall of the nanotubes. The composition, morphology, and structure of the Pd/Fe nanotubes were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy. A glassy carbon (GC) electrode modified with the free Pd/Fe bimetallic nanotubes (isolated after the dissolution of the host membranes) showed small improvement on the overpotential oxidation of ascorbic acid in comparison to the bare GC electrode. Alternatively, the Pd/Fe-polycarbonate membrane was covered with a sputtered gold thin layer of 10?nm from one side and mounted in a homemade electrochemical cell acting as the working electrode. The potential use of these functional membranes as catalytic surfaces for the electrochemical monitoring of ascorbic acid was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and amperometry. In the presence of a phosphate buffer solution, pH?7, Pd/Fe-polycarbonate membranes showed excellent electrocatalytic properties toward the oxidation of ascorbic acid even at potentials as low as 0?mV versus a Ag/AgCl reference electrode. In addition to the substantial lower overpotential, these electrodes offered selectivity over acetaminophen and uric acid, and a prolonged working stability without the need for maintenance. The electrodes were kept dry between different working days and retained their original activity for more than 1?week. Pd-polycarbonate and Fe-polycarbonate membranes were also developed for comparison purposes.