Clinical applications of luminescent assays for enzymes and enzyme labels

Activity-Based Diagnostics: Recent Advances in the Development of Probes for Use with Diverse Detection Modalities

Abnormal enzyme expression and activity is a hallmark of many diseases. Activity-based diagnostics are a class of chemical probes that aim to leverage this dysregulated metabolic signature to produce a detectable signal specific to diseased tissue. In this Review, we highlight recent methodologies employed in activity-based diagnostics that provide exquisite signal sensitivity and specificity in complex biological systems for multiple disease states. We divide these examples based upon their unique signal readout modalities and highlight those that have advanced into clinical trials.

Chemiluminescence

Radioactive reagents have been gradually replaced by nonisotopic reagents for some tasks in molecular biology. Concern over laboratory safety and the economic and environmental aspects of radioactive waste disposal have been key factors in this change. Generally, the new nonisotopic systems have improved in terms of analytical sensitivity and the time required to obtain a result. The most prominent nonisotopic analytical methods exploit chemiluminescence, described here. This technique has been particularly effective when used in combination with an enzyme label, so that the amplifying properties of an enzyme label and the high sensitivity of a chemiluminescent detection reaction are combined to produce an ultrasensitive assay (e.g., chemiluminescent detection of peroxidase- and alkaline phosphatase-labeled proteins and nucleic acid probes). In all of the commonly used applications in molecular biology, the analytical performance of the chemiluminescent systems approaches that of ¹²⁵I- or ³²P-based systems. Chemiluminescent systems also avoid the lengthy signal detection times required with ³²P-based methods, yielding results in minutes rather than days. In addition, chemiluminescent probes can be easily stripped from membranes, allowing the membranes to be reprobed many times without significant loss of resolution. Experimental protocols for directly attaching nonisotopic labels to nucleic acids and indirect labeling methods based on biotin, fluorescein, and digoxigenin labels are now well established. The ancillary reagents (e.g., avidin, streptavidin, antidigoxigenin, and antifluorescein enzyme conjugates) required for the indirect methods are widely available.

Development of a reporter peptide that catalytically produces a fluorescent signal through α-complementation

In α-complementation, inactive N-terminal (α-domain) and C-terminal (ω-domain) fragments of β-galactosidase associate to reconstitute the active protein. To date, the effect of α-domain size on α-complementation activity has not been systematically investigated. In this study, we compared the complementation activities of α-domains of various sizes using an in vitro system. We found that the complementation activities are similar for α-domains comprising between 45 and 229 N-terminal residues but are significantly decreased for those containing less than 37 residues. However, these smaller α-domains (15 and 25 residues) exhibited sufficient α-complementation activity for application as reporters.

Peroxidase-like activity of mesoporous silica encapsulated Pt nanoparticle and its application in colorimetric immunoassay

Nanomaterial-based artificial enzymes have received great attention in recent year due to their potential application in immunoassay techniques. However, such potential is usually limited by poor dispersion stability or low catalytic activity induced by the capping agent essentially required in the synthesis. In an attempt to address these challenges, here, we studied the novel Pt nanoparticles (NPs) based peroxidase-like mimic by encapsulating Pt NP in mesoporous silica (Pt@mSiO2 NPs). Compared with other nanomaterial-based artificial enzymes, the obtained Pt@mSiO2 NPs not only exhibit high peroxidase-like activity but also have good dispersion stability in buffer saline solution when grafted with spacer PEG. Results show that when the thickness of silica shell is about 9 nm the resulting Pt@mSiO2 NPs exhibit the catalytic activity similar to that of Pt NPs, which is approximately 26 times higher than that of Fe3O4 NPs (in terms of Kcat for H2O2). Due to the protection of silica shell, the subsequent surface modification with antibody has little effect on their catalytic activity. The analytical performance of this system in detecting hCG shows that after 5 min incubation the limit of detection can reach 10 ng mL(-1) and dynamic linear working range is 5-200 ng mL(-1). Our findings pave the way for design and development of novel artificial enzyme labeling.

Fluorescent artificial enzyme-linked immunoassay system based on Pd/C nanocatalyst and fluorescent chemodosimeter

Artificial enzyme mimics have recently attracted considerable interest because they possess many advantages compared with natural enzymes, such as low cost of preparation and high stability. Herein, we present a novel fluorescent artificial enzyme-linked immunoassay strategy by utilizing Pd/C nanocatalyst as the enzyme mimic and bis-allyloxycarbonyl rhodamine 110 (BI-Rho 110) as the substrate, and the amplification procedure is based on the palladium-catalyzed Tsuji-Trost reaction. Pd/C nanocatalyst with the average size of 150 nm was prepared by the impregnation-reduction method, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses reveal that Pd clusters with an average size of about 1 nm are dispersed uniformly on each carbon nanosphere's surface. Kinetic studies show that this reaction follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics and the fluorescence intensity is proportional to the concentration of Pd/C nanocatalyst under certain conditions. The turnover number of Pd/C nanocatalyst reaches up to 3.3 × 10(7) (h(-1)). The analytical performance of this system in detecting hCG shows that after a 24 h incubation the sensitivity limit can reach 0.1 ng/mL and the dynamic linear working range is 1-10 ng/mL. Our findings pave the way to use Pd-catalyzed reaction for design and development of novel analytical methods.

Enzyme-labeled antibodies in bioassays

Antibody-enzyme conjugates are widely utilized in all spheres of specific analyte detection and measurement, and several trends are evident that will sustain, or even extend, this in the coming years. Of principal importance are the trends toward the development of simplified formats for the rapid and sensitive quantitation of a wide range of analytes without expensive or cumbersome instrumentation, and the exploitation of different types of enzyme and antibody molecules. Advances in hybridoma and recombinant genetics are enabling the practical manipulation of the theoretical repertoire of these reagents, facilitating their availability for a myriad of applications.

Enzymatic detection of protein translocation

Fundamental to eukaryotic cell signaling is the regulation of protein function by directed localization. Detection of these events has been largely qualitative owing to the limitations of existing technologies. Here we describe a method for quantitatively assessing protein translocation using proximity-induced enzyme complementation. The complementation assay for protein translocation (CAPT) is derived from beta-galactosidase and comprises one enzyme fragment, omega, which is localized to a particular subcellular region, and a small complementing peptide, alpha, which is fused to the protein of interest. The concentration of alpha in the immediate vicinity of omega correlates with the amount of enzyme activity obtained in a dose- and time-dependent manner, thus acting as a genetically encoded biosensor for local protein concentration. Using CAPT, inducible protein movement from the cytosol to the nucleus or plasma membrane was quantitatively monitored in multiwell format and in live mammalian cells by flow cytometry.

Bioluminescent fusion conjugates and bioluminescent immunoassays: 1988-1998

The first part of this survey focuses on immunoassays and related ligand:binder assays (receptor:ligand, DNA probe) that use either a luciferase or a photoprotein as a label. In addition, references to assays that use a conventional label detected using a bioluminescent assay are included. The second part of the survey collects together references to publications on recombinant fusion proteins in which one of the fused proteins is bioluminescent (e.g., a luciferase or a photoprotein). References are cited by year and then alphabetically by first author. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A new reliable chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) for prostaglandin E2 using enhanced luminol as substrate

A sensitive and reliable chemiluminescence immunoassay suitable for the quantitative determination of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has been developed using 96 well microtiter plates (MTP). The assay is based on a competitive reaction between a highly specific monoclonal anti-PGE2 antibody (mouse), free antigen and solid phase bound antigen. The MTP was first coated with a bovine serum albumin (BSA)-PGE2 conjugate. Then, after preincubating, the anti-PGE2 antibody (Ab) and the analyte were added. The remaining amount of free antibody was captured by the solid phase bound BSA-PGE2 conjugate. The monoclonal antibody captured on the MTP was determined using biotinylated anti-mouse-Ab and a complex of avidin and biotin-labelled horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Substrate for HRP was the cyclic diacyl hydrazide compound luminol, enhanced by p-iodophenol. Photons emitted during the reaction were measured using a photomultiplier tube. The assay has been validated with assay buffer and human plasma over a concentration range of 10-50,000 pg/ml. The lower limit of quantification is 100 pg/ml (2 pg/well) and 150 pg/ml (3 pg/well) for buffer and plasma, respectively. The intra-day coefficients of variation (CV) for the range of 100-50,000 pg/ml are 3.2-8.9% (buffer) and 4.2-17.7% (plasma) and inter-day CV are 2.9-19.8% (buffer) and 3.6-21.2% (plasma). The method can be used for quantification of PGE2 in biological fluids like plasma and suction blister fluid.

Quantitative assay of PCR-amplified hepatitis B virus DNA using a peroxidase-labelled DNA probe and enhanced chemiluminescence

We have developed a sensitive and quantitative assay for hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in serum or plasma in which PCR and then microtiter hybridization analysis are used. Assay of HBV DNA in serum or plasma is important for demonstrating viral replication, indicating and monitoring antiviral therapy, determining the infectivities of virus carriers, and ensuring the safety of blood products. Under optimum conditions PCR can amplify one HBV DNA molecule to 10(8) copies, but detection of this amount of DNA still requires hybridization with labelled probes or a nested PCR. We labelled one strand of the PCR product with a biotinylated primer. The double-stranded amplicon was incubated in streptavidin-coated microplate wells. The nonlabelled strand was removed after denaturation of the double-stranded DNA with alkali, and the bound strand was hybridized with a peroxidase-coupled single-stranded probe. The amount of bound peroxidase was measured in a luminometer. Four picograms of amplicon was detectable in this system, whereas conventional ethidium bromide staining requires a 1,000 times higher amplicon concentration. The performance of the new assay was compared with those of nested PCR and a PCR system that uses a digoxigenin label, hybridization to a solid-phase adsorbed probe, and colorimetric detection. The chemiluminescence assay was found to be almost as sensitive as nested PCR and approximately five times more sensitive than the colorimetric test.

Detection of anti-hepatitis C virus using chemiluminescence

To determine if chemiluminescence can be used in an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) format to test for hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody and to compare sensitivity and specificity of chemiluminescence to a licensed anti-HCV EIA method, random volunteer donor samples were evaluated. One thousand and seventy-four random volunteer donor samples were collected during a 2-week period. Two aliquots of each sample were tested for anti-HCV. One aliquot was tested using a licensed anti-HCV 2.0 EIA test. The second aliquot was tested using the research anti-HCV chemiluminescence assay. Confirmatory testing was done using Recombinant Immuno Blot Assay (RIBA) 2.0 HCV and HCV RNA. Of the 1074 samples, eight were found to be reactive for anti-HCV. Seven were positive by the anti-HCV 2.0 EIA and the chemiluminescence system. The eighth sample was chemiluminescence reactive, but EIA negative; when tested by an unlicensed EIA 3.0 HCV test, RIBA 3.0 HCV test and an HCV-RNA assay, the sample was still negative. The same sample was also tested by RIBA 2.0 HCV and showed a reactive band to SOD. The chemiluminescence assay has a 100% sensitivity and 99.9% specificity compared to EIA and can be used as an alternative to EIA for detecting antibodies to HCV.

Very early changes in pulmonary protein kinase C-alpha and calpain II contents following injection of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) into mice

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)-induced lung damage in mice is an excellent model system for studying mechanisms of chemically-induced, reversible alveolar injury. Changes in the pulmonary contents of protein kinase C (PKC) and the calcium-dependent protease, calpain, were previously noted during the repair phase following BHT-induced pneumotoxicity. Calpain is believed to initiate PKC down-regulation. PKC-alpha is the major PKC isozyme and calpain II the major calpain isozyme in mouse lung. We have now studied the time course of these enzymatic changes in detail. Pulmonary PKC-alpha concentrations decreased as early as 45 min after an i.p. injection of 200 mg/kg BHT. Calpain II levels rose within the first 40 min after BHT injection, and then declined below control levels. The rapidity of these changes implies a role of these enzymes in mediating the onset of injury. Lung damage and repair, as estimated by measuring the lung weight/body weight ratio, is maximal 6 days after administration of this dose of BHT. The extent of the decreased PKC-alpha and calpain II concentrations at this time was linearly related to the estimated degree of injury based on increased lung weight. This correlation suggests the value of monitoring these enzymes as putative early biomarkers of alveolar injury.

Non-radioactive analysis of biomolecules

An overview on non-radioactive bioanalytical indicator systems is presented. The nature of labels being important for direct as well as indirect systems is discussed. This is followed by the description of enzymatic, photochemical and chemical methods for labeling nucleic acids, proteins and glycans. These methods can be applied either for direct labeling of these biomolecules or for labeling of respective probes (DNA, RNA, oligonucleotides, antibodies, lectins). In the second part, various optical, luminescent and fluorescent detection approaches are described. The possibility to enhance the sensitivity by coupled amplification reactions (signal amplification, target-specific signal amplification, target amplification) is shown in a separate section. Finally, the wide variety of qualitative and quantitative reaction formats related to different applications is collected.

Detection of CMV DNA in clinical samples of AIDS patients by chemiluminescence hybridization

A sensitive chemiluminescence dot-blot hybridization assay for the detection of CMV DNA in clinical samples of AIDS patients is described. In the chemiluminescence hybridization assay, digoxigenin-labelled CMV DNA probes were used and when hybridized they were detected by anti-digoxigenin Fab fragments conjugated with alkaline phosphatase. Adamantyl 1,2-dioxetane phenyl phosphate was used as the chemiluminescent substrate. The results were recorded by instant photographic films. The results obtained with the chemiluminescence hybridization assay were compared with the results obtained by hybridization with colourimetric detection. The chemiluminescent assay proved specific, sensitive and reliable and thus can be used as a valuable routine diagnostic test for the detection of CMV DNA in clinical samples.

Chemiluminescent assay of enzymes using proenhancers and pro-anti-enhancers

Enhanced chemiluminescent assays for hydrolase enzymes have been developed using proenhancer and pro-anti-enhancer substrates. Alkaline phosphatase is measured using disodium para-iodophenyl phosphate (proenhancer) which is converted to para-iodophenol and this in turn enhances the light emission from the horseradish peroxidase catalysed chemiluminescent oxidation of luminol by peroxide. An alternative strategy uses para-nitrophenyl phosphate which is converted by alkaline phosphatase to para-nitrophenol which inhibits the enhanced chemiluminescent reaction. The detection limit for the enzyme using the proenhancer and pro-anti-enhancer assays was 100 attomoles and 1 picomole, respectively. The proenhancer strategy was effective in assays for beta-D-galactosidase, beta-D-glucosidase and aryl sulfatase. A limited comparison of the proenhancer and a conventional colorimetric assay for an alkaline phosphatase label in an enzyme immunoassay for alpha-fetoprotein showed good agreement.

The digoxigenin:anti-digoxigenin (DIG) technology--a survey on the concept and realization of a novel bioanalytical indicator system

A review is given on the novel non-radioactive digoxigenin:anti-digoxigenin (DIG) bioanalytical indicator system. After a general introduction on direct and indirect indicator systems based on previous non-radioactive indicator reactions as well as in vitro and in vivo amplification procedures the principle of the new digoxigenin:anti-digoxigenin technology is demonstrated. The novel system is based on the specific high-affinity interaction between the cardenolide digoxigenin from Digitalis plants and a digoxigenin-specific antibody coupled with a reporter group. A variety of methods for digoxigenin modification of nucleic acids, proteins and glycans are presented. In addition, various applications of the novel non-radioactive indicator system in a variety of direct or indirect detection approaches with either insoluble or soluble substrates are described. It is also shown that with these applications alternative reaction formats are used which are partly characterized by additional amplification steps.

Gene probes

Gene probes are used in virtually all disciplines of the life sciences. Probes will probably have their greatest impact in health care when used as diagnostic tools to detect and identify micro-organisms responsible for infectious disease. This review will use development of gene probes for the clinical laboratory as a theme and review recent patents and publications which have nurtured probe development.