Thiols enhance the sensitivity of luminescent assays for non-cross-linked and covalently cross-linked aminophthalhydrazides

Luminescent investigations of terbium(III) biosorption as a surrogate for heavy metals and radionuclides

We describe a metal transport system for investigating the interfacial interactions between the anionic surface charge of a gram-negative bacterium (Escherichia coli) and a trivalent cationic metal, Tb3+. We believe this is the first description of the uptake kinetics, sub- and intracellular distribution, and temporal fate of Tb3+ ion in E. coli. We used the luminescence of the terbium-dipicolinic acid chelate to study metal ion transport. The bacteria had a high tolerance for the metal (IC(50) = 4 mM Tb3+). Metal ion transport was passive and metabolism independent. The uptake kinetics rapidly reached a maximum within 15 min, followed by a stasis for 60 min, and declining thereafter between 120 and 240 min, resulting in a biphasic curve. During this period, greater than one-third of the metal ion was sequestered within the cell. Our choice of a safe Biosafety Level I E. coli bacteria and the relatively non-toxic Tb3+ metal represents a model system for luminescent investigations of biosorption, for studying bacterial-water interfacial chemistry and for the bioremediation of heavy metals and radionuclides.

New high-throughput screening protease assay based upon supramolecular self-assembly

We previously demonstrated that the supramolecular self-assembly of cyanines could be useful for developing fluorescent enzymatic assays. We took that concept a step further by synthesizing a covalent adduct of the tetrapeptide Asp-Glu-Val-Asp (DEVD) and a cyanine (DEVD-cyanine). The DEVD-cyanine due to its canonical sequence was recognized and hydrolyzed by the proteases, Caspase-3 and -7 in 96- or 384-microwell plate reactions. The catalytically liberated cyanine self-assembled upon scaffolds of carboxymethylamylose (CMA), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), or a mixture of CMA and CMC resulting in a J aggregate exhibiting bright fluorescence at a 470 nm emission wavelength (optimum signal/background using excitation wavelengths of 415-440 nm). The fluorescence intensity increased with enzyme and substrate concentrations or reaction time and exhibited classical saturation profiles of a rectangular hyperbola. Saturation of the reaction was at 30 U/mL (1 microg/mL) Caspase-3 and 250 microM DEVD-cyanine. The reaction kinetics was linear between 1 and 20 min and saturated at 60 min. The affinity constant (Km) for DEVD-cyanine was approximately 23 microM, similar to those of previously reported values for other DEVD substrates of Caspase-3. Maximal fluorescence emission was observed by using a mixture of CMA and CMC scaffolds at 65 and 35 microM, respectively. The reaction kinetics of Caspase-7 executed in a 384-well plate was similar to the reaction kinetics of Caspase-3 conducted in a 96-well plate. We believe that this is the first demonstration of a cyanine liberated from a covalent adduct due to protease action, leading to supramolecular self-assembly and the detection of protease activity.

Supramolecular photochemical self-assemblies for fluorescence “turn on” and “turn off” assays for chem-bio-helices

We describe the development of an optical sensing system for the high-throughput screening (HTS) of a broad range of biological molecules, whole cells, organisms and pathogens, and illustrate the technology applications by a hyaluronidase enzyme activity assay as a specific example. At the core of the technology described in this paper, is the exciton concept that is relevant to molecular aggregation. J-aggregates of cyanine dyes have a narrower, red-shifted absorption band compared to monomer. We demonstrate that self-assembly may be driven by the helicogenic nature of the cyanine dye, converting the linear polymers of hyaluronic acid or carboxymethyl cellulose into supramolecular helical assemblies. This self-assembly is accompanied by an intense, sharp, red-shifted J-aggregate fluorescence. We utilized this property to develop an assay for the enzyme hyaluronidase, based upon the concept of "scaffold destruction," whereby the disruption/destruction of the hyaluronic acid polymer by hyaluronidase is accompanied by an attenuation of light emission from the J-aggregate. The extent of light attenuation provides an index of hyaluronidase activity. Other polymers of carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids and chemical polymers (such as the carbon nanotube) might provide a similar scaffold for helicogenic dyes upon which molecular aggregation can occur. A key feature of these assays is that they are label-free.

ZstatFlu-II test: a chemiluminescent neuraminidase assay for influenza viral diagnostics

The ZstatFlu-II test is a highly sensitive, specific, rapid, point-of-care chemiluminescent diagnostic test for influenza infection. Influenza viral neuraminidase-specific substrate, spiroadamantyl-1,2-dioxetane-4,7-dimethoxy-N-acetyl-neuraminic acid, is at the core of the ZstatFlu-II Test. The enzymatic reaction was carried out at 25 degrees C and neutral pH, representing the optimum assay conditions for influenza types A and B viral neuraminidases. The results were outputted on a Polaroid trade mark High Speed Detector Film. Positive results appeared as a '+'-shaped white film image; negative results produced no image. The 'glow' kinetics, facilitated by a unique combination of light enhancers, also 'tuned' the wavelength of emission to match the spectral properties of the film. The substrate hydrolysed non-enzymatically at acid pH or at temperatures above 25 degrees C. In order to minimize false positives, the ZstatFlu-II Test was formatted with 0.3-0.4 K(m) substrate and freezing the test kit until use. The pH optimization of the ZstatFlu-II test is discussed with reference to model compounds of sialyl-glycosides. A nucleophilic attack or an electrostatic stabilization of a developing carbonium ion under the influence of the adjacent carboxyl group was probably responsible for non-enzymatic hydrolysis of the substrate. Intramolecular general acid catalysis is proposed as a mechanism for the lability of the O-glycosidic linkage of the substrate.