A biosensor for estrogenic substances using the quartz crystal microbalance.
This article describes a biosensor that detects estrogenic substances using a quartz crystal microbalance with a genetically engineered construct of the hormone-binding domain of the alpha-estrogen receptor. The receptor was immobilized to a piezoelectric quartz crystal via a single exposed cysteine, forming a uniform orientation on the crystal surface. Our results illustrate that this sensor responds to a variety of ligands that are known to bind to the estrogen receptor. No response was observed for nonbinding substances such as testosterone and progesterone. The sensitive response of this biosensor to estrogenic substances results from changes in the structural rigidity of the immobilized receptor that occurs with ligand binding. Agonist and antagonist show different responses.
Carmon
Kendra S
KS
Department of Chemistry, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699, USA.
Baltus
Ruth E
RE
Luck
Linda A
LA
D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003545:Cysteine / Q000737:chemistry; D004563:Electrochemistry; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004967:Estrogens / Q000819:agonists / Q000032:analysis*; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D008024:Ligands; D008958:Models, Molecular; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D009154:Mutation; D011485:Protein Binding; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011791:Quartz; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013455:Sulfur / Q000737:chemistry
D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D004967:Estrogens; D008024:Ligands; D011791:Quartz; D013455:Sulfur; D006046:Gold; D003545:Cysteine