Multiple-injection affinity capillary electrophoresis to estimate binding constants of receptors to ligands

Multiple-injection affinity capillary electrophoresis (MIACE) is used to determine binding constants (K _b) between receptors and ligands using as model systems vancomycin and teicoplanin from Streptomyces orientalis and Actinoplanes teichomyceticus, respectively, and their binding to D-Ala-D-Ala peptides and carbonic anhydrase B (CAB. EC 4.2.1.1) and the binding of the latter to arylsulfonamides. A sample plug containing a non-interacting standard is first injected followed by multiple plugs of sample containing the receptor and then a final injection of sample containing a second standard. Between each injection of sample, a small plug of buffer is injected which contains an increasing concentration of ligand to effect separation between the multiple injections of sample. Electrophoresis is then carried out in an increasing concentration of ligand in the running buffer. Continued electrophoresis results in a shift in the migration time of the receptor in the sample plugs upon binding to their respective ligand. Analysis of the change in the relative migration time ratio (RMTR) or electrophoretic mobility (μ) of the resultant receptor–ligand complex relative to the non-interacting standards, as a function of the concentration of ligand yields a value for K _b. The MIACE technique is a modification in the ACE method that allows for the estimation of binding affinities between biological interactions on a timescale faster than that found for standard ACE. In addition sample volume requirements for the technique are reduced compared to traditional ACE assays. These findings demonstrate the advantage of using MIACE to estimate binding parameters between receptors and ligands.