Time-resolved fluorometry in nucleic acid hybridization and western blotting techniques

Synthesis and evaluation of phosphorescent oligonucleotide probes for hybridisation assays

Monofunctional, p-isothiocyanatophenyl-derivatives of platinum (II)-coproporphyrin-I (PtCP-NCS) were evaluated as phosphorescent labelling reagents for synthetic oligonucleotides containing a 3'- or 5'-amino modification. Synthesis and purification conditions were optimised to generate high yields and purity of PtCP-labelled oligonucleotide probes. Phosphorescent properties of the PtCP label have been shown to be largely unaffected by conjugation to oligonucleotides of various length, GC composition and label attachment site. 5'-PtCP-labelled oligonucleotides were shown to work efficiently as primers in a standard PCR. A dedicated 532 nm laser-based time-resolved fluorescence plate reader enabled highly sensitive detection of PtCP-labelled oligonucleotides and PCR products, both in solution and in agarose gels, with limits of detection in the order of 0.3 pM. A model system employing two complementary oligonucleotides labelled with PtCP and QSY 7 dye (dark quencher) showed strong (approximately 20-fold) and specific proximity quenching of PtCP label upon hybridisation in solution. The potential applications of PtCP-labelled probes in hybridisation assays were discussed.

Diamandis E. Streptavidin-Polyvinylamine Conjugates Labeled with a Europium Chelate: Applications in Immunoassay, Immunohistochemistry, and Microarrays

Background: The favorable properties of lanthanide chelates compared with conventional fluorescent probes have attracted considerable interest. A Eu3+ chelator, 4,7-bis(chlorosulfophenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxylic acid (BCPDA), has been synthesized previously.

Methods: We here describe immunoassay, immunohistochemistry, and microarray applications of a new streptavidin-based universal polyvinylamine (PVA) detection reagent that is multiply labeled with the europium chelate of BCPDA. Solid-phase time-resolved immunofluorometric assays for biotinylated mouse IgG and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were developed using the new conjugate as a detection reagent. The new conjugate was also used for the immunohistochemical localization of PSA expression in paraffin-embedded prostatic tissues. A model microarray with spotted biotinylated antibody as target was also performed.

Results: Approximately 50–100 BCPDA moieties were covalently bound to PVA, which was then linked to streptavidin via biotin interaction. The macromolecular complex successfully recognized and bound biotinylated detection reagents, e.g., antibodies. The new reagent enabled measurement of solid phase-immobilized biotinylated mouse IgG with a detection limit of ∼1 pg/assay and demonstrated excellent linearity. In an ELISA-type sandwich PSA assay that included two PSA monoclonal antibodies using the new conjugate as detection reagent, we detected 0.001 μg/L PSA (∼100 fg or ∼3 amol/assay). Serum samples analyzed for PSA by this method and a commercial assay gave highly correlated results. The new reagent enabled excellent immunohistochemical localization of PSA expression in prostate tissues. Using the new reagent in a model microarray experiment with biotinylated mouse IgG as target, we demonstrated excellent spatial resolution of 5- to 10-nL microspots.

Conclusions: The new detection reagent may find important applications in biotechnology.

A rapid plate assay for the screening of inhibitors against herpesvirus DNA polymerases and processivity factors

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a newly identified human pathogen with tumorigenic potential. The DNA polymerase (Pol-8) and processivity factor (PF-8) of KSHV were cloned recently. It was shown that PF-8 forms specifically a complex with Pol-8 in vitro and allows it to synthesize fully-extended DNA. Since both Pol-8 and PF-8 are apparently essential for viral DNA replication and since they cannot be substituted by any other cellular or viral proteins, they are potentially excellent antiviral targets. The development of a mechanistic plate assay is now described, which is suitable for rapid high-throughput screening of antiviral agents against Pol-8 and PF-8. The assay allows the measurement of not only total DNA synthesis activity (i.e. nucleotide incorporation) but also processivity (i.e. fully-extended DNA product). In this plate assay, any of the screen-compounds with an inhibitory effect against the total DNA synthesis activity and/or the processivity could be potential antiviral agents that target Pol-8 and/or PF-8. Particularly, since PF-8 is highly specific for Pol-8, the discovery of inhibitory agents against PF-8 may lead to specific antiviral therapies with minimal toxicity to host cells. This assay should be suitable for screening for inhibitory compounds against polymerases and processivity factors of other herpesviruses as well.

Polyvinylamine-streptavidin complexes labeled with a europium chelator: a universal detection reagent for solid-phase time resolved fluorometric applications

OBJECTIVES

To describe the synthesis and characteristics of a new streptavidin-based universal detection reagent which is multiply labeled with the europium chelate of 4,7-bis(chlorosulfophenyl)-1, 10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxylic-acid (BCPDA).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Polyvinylamine (PVA) was first labeled with biotin(b) and then with BCPDA to create (b)(x)-PVA-(BCPDA)(y). By mixing controlled amounts of this complex with streptavidin (SA) and a fixed amount of Eu(3+), we were able to produce the conjugate (SA)(z)-(b)(x)-PVA(BCPDA)(y)-Eu(3+). This conjugate is reactive, highly fluorescent, and stable for at least 12 months. It was used to develop model solid-phase time-resolved fluoroimmunoassays for biotinylated mouse IgG and prostate specific antigen (PSA). Detection limits achieved were around 1 to 2 ng/L ( approximately 3 x 10(-18) moles/assay).

CONCLUSIONS

A new universal detection reagent was synthesized, which can be used in combination with biotinylated reagents (e.g., antibodies, DNA probes, etc.) for the development of highly sensitive solid-phase time-resolved fluorescence-based assays.

Ultrasensitive bioanalytical assays using time-resolved fluorescence detection

This article reviews the use of time-resolved fluorimetric detection of lanthanide chelate luminescence as a detection method for ultrasensitive bioanalytical assays. Assay formats and detection methods, and the principle of time-resolved fluorimetric detection, are described. Detection systems, assay formats, reagents, and instrumentation for time-resolved fluorimetric detection are outlined. A review of published and commercially available immunoassays and DNA hybridization assays using time-resolved fluorimetric detection of lanthanide chelate luminescence is given.

Time-resolved detection of lanthanide luminescence for ultrasensitive bioanalytical assays

The principles and practice of the application of time-resolved lanthanide chelate luminescence (or fluorescence) as a detection method for ultrasensitive bioanalytical assays such as immunoassays and nucleic acid hybridization assays are reviewed. The various lanthanide chelate-based detection systems which have been developed for use in heterogeneous and homogeneous assay formats are described, including reagents, assay methods, and instrumentation, along with recent improvements in these methods. Detection systems described include those based on dissociative enhancement of lanthanide ions, direct labeling with luminescent chelates, enzyme-amplified lanthanide luminescence, lanthanide luminescence quenching, and energy transfer.