Drug assay using antibody mimics made by molecular imprinting.
Ligand-binding assays are used for determination of minute amounts of substances in the bloodstream. Such assays require a receptor that specifically binds the substance of interest. The receptor used is often an antibody, but antibodies require special handling and a costly production procedure. We have used molecular imprinting, a method for creating selective recognition sites in synthetic polymers, to prepare polymers that mimic antibody combining sites. Molecular imprints made against theophylline and diazepam showed strong binding and cross-reactivity profiles similar to those of antibodies. Here we describe a new radiolabelled ligand-binding assay, the molecularly imprinted sorbent assay, which uses antibody mimics. This assay accurately measures drug levels in human serum, with results comparable to those obtained using a well established immunoassay technique. Antibody mimics, which are stable and readily prepared by molecular imprinting, may provide a useful general alternative to antibodies.
Vlatakis
G
G
Department of Pure and Applied Biochemistry, University of Lund, Sweden.
Andersson
L I
LI
Müller
R
R
Mosbach
K
K
D000906:Antibodies; D001666:Binding Sites, Antibody; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D003975:Diazepam / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D008832:Microchemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry
D000906:Antibodies; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D008689:Methacrylates; D011108:Polymers; C008384:methacrylic acid; C004919:ethylene dimethacrylate; D013806:Theophylline; D003975:Diazepam