Comparison of reflectometric interference spectroscopy with other instruments for label-free optical detection

On the basis of kinetic measurements of biomolecular interactions, a reflectometric interference spectroscopy (RIfS) setup is compared with two commercial instruments. These instruments are based on evanescent wave techniques, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) (represented by BIAcore 2000) and resonant mirror (RM) technique (using IAsys plus). All methods allow a label-free and time-resolved optical detection of biomolecular interaction. These methods are mainly used in biomolecular interaction analysis (BIA). They provide practical techniques for quantifying equilibrium constants and rate constants over several orders of magnitude. The general parameters of the three detectors, namely baseline noise and drift as well as overall sensitivity and limits of detection were compared. The fluid handling and the related implications on the measurements have also been considered. The interaction between thrombine and thrombine inhibitor (TI) was investigated as a test system with the three different methods and the kinetic rate constants were determined and compared. For this TI was immobilized on the surface and binding of thrombine was monitored time-resolved. Determination of the kinetic rate constants could prove that the RIfS set-up is comparable with SPR using BIAcore 2000 and RM technique represented by IAsys plus.     

Large-scale plasmonic microarrays for label-free high-throughput screening

Microarrays allowing simultaneous analysis of thousands of parameters can significantly accelerate screening of large libraries of pharmaceutical compounds and biomolecular interactions. For large-scale studies on diverse biomedical samples, reliable, label-free, and high-content microarrays are needed. In this work, using large-area plasmonic nanohole arrays, we demonstrate for the first time a large-scale label-free microarray technology with over one million sensors on a single microscope slide. A dual-color filter imaging method is introduced to dramatically increase the accuracy, reliability, and signal-to-noise ratio of the sensors in a highly multiplexed manner. We used our technology to quantitatively measure protein-protein interactions. Our platform, which is highly compatible with the current microarray scanning systems can enable a powerful screening technology and facilitate diagnosis and treatment of diseases.     

Label-free characterisation of oligonucleotide hybridisation using reflectometric interference spectroscopy

The potential of a label-free detection method, reflectometric interference spectroscopy (RIfS), for temperature-dependent DNA hybridisation experiments (for example in single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis) is investigated. Hybridisations of DNA, peptide nucleic acid (PNA), and locked nucleic acid (LNA) to a single stranded DNA were measured for several temperatures, and the melting curves and temperatures were calculated from the changes in optical thickness obtained. These measurements were performed by hybridising surface-immobilised single stranded oligomers with their complementary ssDNA or with ssDNA containing SNPs at different temperatures. DNA was compared to its analogue oligomers PNA and LNA due to their stability against nuclease. A comparison of melting temperatures demonstrated the higher binding affinities of the DNA analogues. Moreover, a continuous melting curve was obtained by first hybridising the functionalised surface with its complementary DNA at room temperature and then heating up in-flow. Measurement of the continuous melting curve was only possible due to the insensitivity of the RIfS method towards temperature changes. This is an advantage over other label-free detection methods, which are based on determining the refractive index.Dedicated to the memory of Wilhelm Fresenius.     

Kinetic assay for high-throughput screening of in vitro transthyretin amyloid fibrillogenesis inhibitors

Stabilization of tetrameric transthyretin (TTR) by binding of small ligands is a current strategy aimed at inhibiting amyloid fibrillogenesis in transthyretin-associated pathologies, such as senile systemic amyloidosis (SSA) and familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP). A kinetic assay is developed for rapid evaluation of compounds as potential in vitro inhibitors in a high-throughput screening format. It is based on monitoring the time-dependent increase of absorbance due to turbidity occurring by acid-induced protein aggregation. The method uses the highly amyloidogenic Y78F mutant of human transthyretin (heterogously expressed in Escherichia coli cells). Initial rates of protein aggregation at different inhibitor concentrations follow a monoexponential dose-response curve from which inhibition parameters are calculated. For the assay development, thyroid hormones and nonsteroidal antiinflamatory drugs were chosen among other reference compounds. Some of them are already known to be in vitro inhibitors of TTR amyloidogenesis. Analysis time is optimized to last 1.5 h, and the method is implemented in microtiter plates for screening of libraries of potential fibrillogenesis inhibitors.     

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay for high-throughput screening of ADAMTS1 inhibitors

A disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type I motifs-1 (ADAMTS1) plays a crucial role in inflammatory joint diseases and its inhibitors are potential candidates for anti-arthritis drugs. For the purposes of drug discovery, we reported the development and validation of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay for high-throughput screening (HTS) of the ADAMTS1 inhibitors. A FRET substrate was designed for a quantitative assay of ADAMTS1 activity and enzyme kinetics studies. The assay was developed into a 50-μL, 384-well assay format for high throughput screening of ADAMTS1 inhibitors with an overall Z' factor of 0.89. ADAMTS1 inhibitors were screened against a diverse library of 40,960 total compounds with the established HTS system. Four structurally related hits, naturally occurring compounds, kuwanon P, kuwanon X, albafuran C and mulberrofuran J, extracted from the Chinese herb Morus alba L., were identified for further investigation. The results suggest that this FRET assay is an excellent tool, not only for measurement of ADAMTS1 activity but also for discovery of novel ADAMTS1 inhibitors with HTS.     

A high-throughput screening assay for hydroxynitrile lyase activity

A high-throughput screening assay for hydroxynitrile lyase activity accepting a wide range of HNL-substrates is presented, which is useful either for enzyme fingerprinting or screening of huge variant libraries generated in metagenome or directed evolution approaches.     

A practical high-throughput screening system for enantioselectivity by using FTIR spectroscopy

For the first time FTIR spectroscopy has been applied to the measurement of enantiomeric purity. The underlying concept is based on the use of pseudo-enantiomers that are (13)C-labeled at appropriate positions. Upon applying Lambert-Beer's law in the determination of the concentrations of both enantiomers, the ee values are accessible, accuracy to within +/-5 % of the true values being possible. The application of a commercially available high-throughput FTIR system results in a slightly decreased accuracy (+/-7% for the ee values), but this allows a throughput of up to 10000 samples per day. The method is of interest in the area of combinatorial symmetric catalysis and directed evolution of enantioselective enzymes.     

Label-free characterization of cell adhesion using reflectometric interference spectroscopy (RIfS)

Reflectometric interference spectroscopy (RIfS) is a label-free, time-resolved technique for detecting interactions of molecules immobilized on a surface with ligands in solution. Here we show that RIfS also permits the detection of the adhesion of tissue culture cells to a functionalized surface in a flow system. Interactions of T cells with other leukocytes or epithelial cells of blood vessels are crucial steps in the regulating immune response and inflammatory reactions. Jurkat T cell leukemia cells rapidly attached to a transducer functionalized with a monoclonal antibody directed against the T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex, followed by activation-dependent cell spreading. RIfS curves were obtained for the Jurkat derivative JCaM 1.6 (which lacks the key signaling protein Lck), cells preincubated with cytochalasin D (an inhibitor of actin polymerization), and for surfaces functionalized with an antibody directed against the coreceptor CD28. These curves differed with respect to the maximum signal and the initial slope of the increase in optical thickness. The testing of chemical inhibitors, cell surface molecules and gene products relevant to a key event in T cell immunity illustrates the potential of label-free techniques for the analysis of activation-dependent cell-surface contacts. The first two authors contributed equally to this paper     

Development of an enrofloxacin immunosensor based on label-free electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

Enrofloxacin is the most widespread antibiotic in the fluoroquinolone family. As such, the development of a rapid and sensitive method for the determination of trace amounts of enrofloxacin is an important issue in the health field. The interaction of the enrofloxacin antigen to a specific antibody (Ab) immobilized on an 11-mercapto-undecanoic acid-coated gold electrode was quantified by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Two equivalent circuits were separately used to interpret the obtained impedance spectra. These circuits included one resistor in series with one parallel circuit comprised of a resistor and a capacitor (1R//C), and one resistor in series with two parallel RC circuits (2R//C). The results indicate that the antigen-antibody reaction analyzed using the 1R//C circuit provided a more sensitive resistance increment against the enrofloxacin concentration than that of the 2R//C circuit. However, the 2R//C circuit provided a better fitting for impedance spectra, and therefore supplies more detailed results of the enrofloxacin-antibody interaction, causing the increase of electron transfer resistance selectively to the modified layer, and not the electrical double layer. The antibody-modified electrode allowed for analysis of the dynamic linear range of 1-1000 ng/ml enrofloxacin with a detection limit of 1 ng/ml. The reagentless and label-free impedimetric immunosensors provide a simple and sensitive detection method for the specific determination of enrofloxacin.     

Identification of exosite-targeting inhibitors of anthrax lethal factor by high-throughput screening

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Highlights? Development of an assay for LF protease using a full-length protein substrate ? Lichen depsidones identified as exosite-targeting LF inhibitors ? Exosite inhibitors protect macrophages from LF cytotoxicity     

Discovery of novel cathepsin S inhibitors by pharmacophore-based virtual high-throughput screening

The cysteine protease cathepsin S (CatS) is involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders, atherosclerosis, and obesity. Therefore, it represents a promising pharmacological target for drug development. We generated ligand-based and structure-based pharmacophore models for noncovalent and covalent CatS inhibitors to perform virtual high-throughput screening of chemical databases in order to discover novel scaffolds for CatS inhibitors. An in vitro evaluation of the resulting 15 structures revealed seven CatS inhibitors with kinetic constants in the low micromolar range. These compounds can be subjected to further chemical modifications to obtain drugs for the treatment of autoimmune disorders and atherosclerosis.     

Gold nanocluster-based fluorescent assay for label-free detection of protein kinase and its inhibitors

Microchimica Acta - A sensitive fluorometric assay is reported for label-free detection of the activity of protein kinase (PKA) and of its inhibitors. It is based on the europium(III)-modulated...     

Identification of selective inhibitors for the glycosyltransferase MurG via high-throughput screening

Nucleotide-glycosyltransferases (NDP-Gtfs) play key roles in a wide range of biological processes. It is difficult to probe the roles of individual glycosyltransferases or their products because, with few exceptions, selective glycosyltransferase inhibitors do not exist. Here, we investigate a high-throughput approach to identify glycosyltransferase inhibitors based on a fluorescent donor displacement assay. We have applied the screen to E. coli MurG, an enzyme that is both a potential antibiotic target and a paradigm for a large family of glycosyltransferases. We show that the compounds identified in the donor-displacement screen of MurG are selective for MurG over other enzymes that use similar or identical substrates, including structurally related enzymes. The donor displacement assay described here should be adaptable to many other NDP-Gtfs and represents a new strategy to identify selective NDP-Gtf inhibitors.     

Novel small-molecule inhibitors of arylamine N-acetyltransferases: drug discovery by high-throughput screening

Arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) are a family of enzymes found in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. While the precise endogenous function of NAT remains unknown for most organisms, recent evidence has shown that the expression of human NAT1 is up-regulated in estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. Additionally, NAT in mycobacteria is required for mycobacterial cell wall biosynthesis and survival of the organisms within macrophage. It is therefore important to develop small molecule inhibitors of NATs as molecular tools to study the function of NATs in various organisms. Such inhibitors may also prove useful in future drug design, for example in the development of anti tubercular agents. We describe a high-throughput screen of a proprietary library of 5016 drug-like compounds against three prokaryotic NAT enzymes and two eukaryotic NAT enzymes.     

A high-throughput microchip-based glycan screening assay for antibody cell culture samples

A high-throughput screening assay was developed to quantify major glycan species in the crude mammalian cell culture samples for monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). This method utilizes high-speed microchip electrophoresis separation following a fast sample preparation procedure. Using a 96-well ultra-filtration membrane, interfering species in the cell culture media were efficiently removed as the samples were concentrated. A commercial microchip electrophoresis instrument was used for high-speed separation, allowing each sample to be analyzed in less than 1 min. This method is well suited for the purpose of high-throughput antibody glycan profiling during cell culture expression, including clone selection and cell culture process optimization. The relative levels of high mannose (HM), fucosylated and galactosylated glycan species in the Fc domain can be determined for hundreds of crude cell culture samples in a few hours.     

A sensitive colorimetric label-free assay for trypsin and inhibitor screening with gold nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) with negative charges aggregate in the presence of Arg(6) due to electrostatic interactions resulting in the red-shift of the plasmon absorption. But, after incubation of Arg(6) with trypsin the aggregation of Au-NPs can be prohibited. Accordingly, a newly designed-Au-NPs based colorimetric assay method for trypsin activity is established. Trypsin with a concentration as low as 1.6 ng mL(-1) can be assayed with this new colorimetric assay. This colorimetric label-free assay for trypsin can be performed in aqueous solution and both Au-NPs and Arg(6) are easily accessible. Thus, this assay method is useful for screening inhibitors of trypsin.     

高通量药物筛选现代检测技术研究进展

高通量药物筛选是发现创新药物的重要技术途径.高通量筛选结果必须通过适当的检测方法才能反映出来,检测技术是实现高通量药物筛选的基础.本文综述了近年来有关光学分析、色谱分析、热分析、电化学分析、质谱、核磁共振等现代检测技术在高通量药物筛选研究中的进展.     

Quantification of the refrigerants R22 and R134a in mixtures by means of different polymers and reflectometric interference spectroscopy

The aim of this study was the quantification of vapors of the ozone-depleting refrigerant R22 in the presence of its most important substitute R134a, by the use of the reflectometric interference spectroscopy and polymers as sensitive layers. First, the sorption characteristic of different types of polymers exposed to the vapors of the two analytes was investigated. Then, binary mixtures of the two refrigerants were measured with an array set-up on the basis of six polymer sensors. The measurements were evaluated by the use of neural networks, whereby low limits of detection of 0.45 percentage volume (vol. %)for R22 and 1.45 vol. % for R134a could be established. Additionally, one polar polymer and one microporous polymer were selected for the measurements with a low-cost set-up. The quantification of R22 in the presence of R134a with this low-cost set-up was possible with a limit of detection of 0.44 vol. %, which would enable a fast and economical monitoring at recycling stations.     

Comparison of virtual high-throughput screening methods for the identification of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors

Reliable and effective virtual high-throughput screening (vHTS) methods are desperately needed to minimize the expenses involved in drug discovery projects. Here, we present an improvement to the negative image-based (NIB) screening: the shape, the electrostatics, and the solvation state of the target protein's ligand-binding site are included into the vHTS. Additionally, the initial vHTS results are postprocessed with molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area (MMGBSA) calculations to estimate the favorability of ligand-protein interactions. The results show that docking produces very good early enrichment for phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5); however, in general, the NIB and the ligand-based screening performed better with or without the added electrostatics. Furthermore, the postprocessing of the NIB screening results using MMGBSA calculations improved the early enrichment for the PDE-5 considerably, thus, making hit discovery affordable.