Flow-through immunofiltration assay system for rapid detection of E. coli O157:H7.

A flow-through amperometric immunofiltration assay system based on disposable porous filter-membranes for rapid detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 has been developed. The analytical system utilizes flow-through, immunofiltration and enzyme immunoassay techniques in conjunction with an amperometric sensor. The parameters affecting the immunoassay such as selection of appropriate filter membranes, membrane pore size, antibody binding capacity and the concentrations of immunoreagents were investigated and optimized. Non-specific adsorption of the enzyme conjugate was investigated and minimized. A sandwich scheme of immunoassay was employed and the immunofiltration system allows to specifically and directly detect E. coli cells with a lower detection limit of 100 cells/ml. The working range is from 100 to 600 cells/ml with an overall analysis time of 30 min. No pre-enrichment was needed. This immunosensor can be easily adapted for assay of other microorganisms and may be a basis for a new class of highly sensitive bioanalytical devices for rapid quantitative detection of bacteria.

Interactions of calmodulin with metal ions and with its target proteins revealed by conformation-sensitive monoclonal antibodies.

Two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised against bovine calmodulin (CaM), CAM1 and CAM4, enable one to monitor conformational changes that occur in the molecule. The interaction of CAM1 with CaM depends on the Ca2+ occupancy of its Ca(2+)-binding sites. CAM4, in contrast, interacts with CaM in a Ca(2+)-independent manner, interacting with both holoCaM and EGTA-treated CaM to a similar extent. Their interaction with various CaMs, CaM tryptic fragments and chemically modified CaM, as well as molecular graphics, led to identification of the CAM1 and CAM4 epitopes on the C- and N-terminal lobes of CAM respectively. The two mAbs were used as macromolecular probes to detect conformational changes occurring in the CaM molecule upon binding of metal ions and target proteins and peptides. MAb CAM1 successfully detected changes associated with Al3+ binding even in the presence of Ca2+, indicating that Al3+ and Ca2+ ions may bind to the protein simultaneously, leading to a new conformation of the molecule. MAbs CAM1 and CAM4 were used to follow the interactions of CaM with its target peptides and proteins. Complexes with melittin, mastoparan, calcineurin and phosphodiesterase showed different immunological properties on an immuno-enzyme electrode, indicating unique structural properties for each complex.

An amperometric enzyme-channeling immunosensor.

This paper presents a new disposable amperometric, enzyme-channeling immunosensor for a quantitative, rapid, separation-free enzyme immunoassay (EIA) that can be used in clinical diagnostics, as well as in biomedical, biochemical, and environmental research. The sensor consists of a disposable, polymer-modified, carbon electrode on which enzyme 1 is coimmobilized with a specific antibody that binds the corresponding antigen in a test solution. The solution also contains a conjugate of enzyme 2. An immunological reaction brings the two enzymes into close proximity at the electrode surface, and the signal is amplified through enzyme channeling. The localization of both enzymes on the electrode surface limits the enzymatic reactions to the polymer/membrane/electrode interface. The sensor overcomes the problem of discriminating between the signal that is produced by the immuno-bound enzyme label on the electrode surface and the background level of signal that emerges from the bulk solution. Combining enzyme-channeling reactions, optimizing hydrodynamic conditions, and electrochemically regenerating mediators within the membrane layer of the antibody electrode significantly increased the signal-to-noise ratio of the sensor. The amperometric enzyme-channeling immunosensor enabled the performance of separation-free EIAs without washing steps, resulting in a relatively short assay time of 5-30 min for the complete immunoassay, compared with at least 1-3 h for ELISA methods. Model systems using peroxidase-antibody, biotin-avidin, viral antigens (CD4-gp120), and bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) were investigated. S. aureus cells were detected in pure culture at concentrations as low as 1000 cells/ml.

A one-step, separation-free amperometric enzyme immunosensor.

A new one-step, separation-free, amperometric enzyme immunosensor is described. The sensor consists of an antibody electrode that is low cost, disposable, and operates without washing or separation steps. The immunosensor combines the following signal-amplification systems: enzyme-channeling immunoassay; accumulation of the redox mediators (I2/I-); cyclic regeneration of an enzyme (peroxidase) substrate at the (polyethylenimine) polymer/electrode interface; and control of the hydrodynamic conditions at the interface of the antibody electrode. The immunological reactions were monitored electrochemically in situ, and the binding curves were directly visualized on a computer screen. The complete immunoassay can be performed in 5-20 min depending on the complexity of the immunological reactions. Model systems using rabbit IgG and human luteinizing hormone (hLH) in a 'sandwich' immunoassay revealed that the immunosensor can detect concentrations of hLH in human serum as low as 1 ng ml-1.