Allosteric enzymes as biosensors for molecular diagnosis.
Biosensors are hybrid analytical devices that amplify signals generated from the specific interaction between a receptor and the analyte, through a biochemical mechanism. Biosensors use tissues, whole cells, artificial membranes or cell components like proteins or nucleic acids as receptors, coupled to a physicochemical signal transducer. Allosteric enzymes exhibit a catalytic activity that is modulated by specific effectors, through binding to receptor sites that are distinct from the active site. Several enzymes, catalyzing easily measurable reactions, have been engineered to allosterically respond to specific ligands, being themselves the main constituent of new-generation biosensors. The molecular basis, robustness and application of allosteric enzymatic biosensing are revised here.
Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina and Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain. avillaverde@servet.uab.es
Antonio
A
Villaverde
D000494:Allosteric Regulation; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods; D004800:Enzymes, Immobilized; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
D004800:Enzymes, Immobilized