Direct assay for α-amylase using fluorophore-modified cyclodextrins

Viscosity-Based Flow Sensor on Paper for Quantitative and Label-Free Detection of α-Amylase and Its Inhibitor

α-Amylase (AMS) in human serum is a critical biomarker for the early diagnosis of pancreatic damage. In addition, the inhibition of α-amylase has long been thought to decrease the occurrence of diabetes. Thus, it is critical to construct a facile and convenient method for the determination of AMS and its inhibitor. In this study, we demonstrate a novel amylase sensor based on translating the viscosity change of the aqueous solution into the difference of the water diffusion length on a pH paper strip. AMS can be quantitatively detected by measuring the viscosity change of the amylopectin solution in the presence of AMS with different concentrations. The paper-based AMS sensor has a very high sensitivity with a detection limit of 0.017 U/mL and also shows excellent specificity. In addition, the inhibitory effect of acarbose on AMS is demonstrated with the IC₅₀ value determined to be 21.66 ± 1.13 μg/mL. Furthermore, it is also evaluated for the detection of AMS in human serum samples of healthy people and acute pancreatitis patients. The difference in amylase levels between the two groups is unambiguously distinguished. Overall, this study provides a very simple, cost-effective, equipment-free, high-throughput, and label-free method for rapid and quantitative detection of α-amylase and may have significant applications in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and the screening of AMS inhibitors.

Synthetic studies of bi-fluorescence-labeled maltooligosaccharides as substrates for α-amylase on the basis of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)

A series of bi-fluorescence-labeled maltooligosaccharides that lead to fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) was systematically synthesized. Effective FRETs were observed with all of the synthesized probes. Digestion of probes having tetra-, quintet-, hexa- or hepta-saccharidic chain lengths with human saliva α-amylase resulted in disappearance of FRET when an excitation wavelength of at 290nm was used followed by detection at ca. 520nm due to emission from the dansyl moiety. However, continuous FRET was observed when probes having di- or trisaccharidic chain lengths were used as substrates. In addition to the substrate characteristics based on saccharidic chain length, the reaction rates of digestion for the substrates by amylase were different and also depended on their saccharidic chain length.

Analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: an update for the period 2005-2006

This review is the fourth update of the original review, published in 1999, on the application of MALDI mass spectrometry to the analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates and brings coverage of the literature to the end of 2006. The review covers fundamental studies, fragmentation of carbohydrate ions, method developments, and applications of the technique to the analysis of different types of carbohydrate. Specific compound classes that are covered include carbohydrate polymers from plants, N- and O-linked glycans from glycoproteins, glycated proteins, glycolipids from bacteria, glycosides, and various other natural products. There is a short section on the use of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for the study of enzymes involved in glycan processing, a section on industrial processes, particularly the development of biopharmaceuticals and a section on the use of MALDI-MS to monitor products of chemical synthesis of carbohydrates. Large carbohydrate-protein complexes and glycodendrimers are highlighted in this final section.

Simple and conveniently accessible bi-fluorescence-labeled substrates for amylases

Synthesis of bi-fluorescence-labeled maltooligosaccharides for amylase assay was accomplished. Preliminary biological evaluation of both bi-fluorescence-labeled maltohexasaccharide and maltose using alpha-amylase was carried out, and the hexaosyl derivative showed unique variation on the basis of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET).

Enzyme assays

Enzyme assays are analytical tools to visualize enzyme activities. In recent years a large variety of enzyme assays have been developed to assist the discovery and optimization of industrial enzymes, in particular for "white biotechnology" where selective enzymes are used with great success for economically viable, mild and environmentally benign production processes. The present article highlights the aspects of fluorogenic and chromogenic substrates, sensors, and enzyme fingerprinting, which are our particular areas of interest.

Cyclomaltoheptaose mixed esters of anti-inflammatory drugs and short-chain fatty acids and study of their enzymatic hydrolysis in vitro

In an effort to enhance the drug-loading capacity of cyclomaltoheptaose (beta-cyclodextrin, betaCD) and to combine the function of anti-inflammatory drugs with short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), ternary esters incorporating seven copies of an anti-inflammatory drug and 14 copies of a SCFA onto a beta-cyclodextrin core were designed and prepared. Acetic, propionic, or butyric esters were introduced at secondary OH groups, and ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, or felbinac was attached to primary OH groups through ester bonds. Heptakis[2,3-di-O-butanoyl-6-O-2-(biphenyl-4-yl)-ethanoyl]-cyclomaltoheptaose was very stable in aqueous and esterase solution. It was hydrolyzed by alpha-amylase (4 units/mL) with t(1/2) value of 18h. The total released amount of biphenyl acetic acid was 38% after 24h when the esterase was added after the alpha-amylase hydrolysis. The present results suggest that these nine betaCD conjugates may release the anti-inflammatory drug in the colonic contents.