Separation-free amperometric enzyme immunoassay

A new technique for conducting a separation-free amperometric enzyme immunoassay is described using DNP-aminocaproic acid as the analyte. The technique is based on the combined use of a recently described separation-free enzyme immunoassay (19) and an electrode system that senses H₂O₂. Oxidation of glucose to gluconate and H₂O₂ by the enzyme reconstituted from DNP-conjugate apoglucose oxidase (DPN-CAGO) and FAD was continuously measured amperometrically. The reconstitution was inhibited by preincubation with anti-DNP antibody before adding FAD. This antibody-induced inhibition of the reconstituting of the holoenzyme was reversed by adding DNP-amino caproic acid to DNP-CAGO before adding the antibody to DNP-CAGO. Based on (a) the antibody-induced inhibition of holoenzyme reconstitution, (b) a specific ligand-induced reversal of the inhibition, and (c) an electrochemical system that measures H₂O₂, we developed a separation-free (homogeneous) amperometric enzyme immunoassay.