scholarly journals Molecular super-gluing: a straightforward tool for antibody labelling and its application to mycotoxin biosensing

Author(s):  
Fernando Pradanas-González ◽  
Bettina Glahn-Martínez ◽  
Elena Benito-Peña ◽  
Henri O. Arola ◽  
Tarja K. Nevanen ◽  
...  

AbstractMycotoxins are low molecular weight toxic compounds, which can cause severe health problems in animals and humans. Immunoassays allow rapid, simple and cost-effective screening of mycotoxins. Sandwich assays with a direct readout provide great improvement in terms of selectivity and sensitivity, compared to the widely used competitive assay formats, for the analysis of low molecular weight molecules. In this work, we report a non-competitive fluorescence anti-immune complex (IC) immunoassay, based on the specific recognition of HT-2 toxin with a pair of recombinant antibody fragments, namely antigen-binding fragment (Fab) (anti-HT-2 (10) Fab) and single-chain variable fragment (scFv) (anti-IC HT-2 (10) scFv). The SpyTag and SpyCatcher glue proteins were applied for the first time as a bioconjugation tool for the analysis of mycotoxins. To this aim, a SpyTag-mScarlet-I (fluorescent protein) and scFv-SpyCatcher fusion proteins were constructed, produced and fused in situ during the assay by spontaneous Tag-Catcher binding. The assay showed an excellent sensitivity with an EC50 of 4.8 ± 0.4 ng mL−1 and a dynamic range from 1.7 ± 0.3 to 13 ± 2 ng mL−1, an inter-day reproducibility of 8.5% and a high selectivity towards HT-2 toxin without cross-reactivity with other Fusarium toxins. The bioassay was applied to the analysis of the toxin in an oat reference material and in oat samples, with a LOD of 0.6 µg kg−1, and the results were validated by analysing a certificate reference material and by HPLC–MS/MS. Graphical abstract

1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (05) ◽  
pp. 466-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Colucci ◽  
L G Cavallo ◽  
G Agnelli ◽  
A Mele ◽  
R Bürgi ◽  
...  

SummaryTwo hybrid plasminogen activators (K2tu-PA and FK2tu-PA), linking the kringle 2 domain or the finger plus the kringle 2 domains of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) to the catalytic domain of single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (scu-PA) were studied. At variance with similar constructs previously reported, they were obtained by fusion of the t-PA and scu-PA derived portions at their plasmin cleavage site (between Arg275 of t-PA and Ile159 of scu-PA), thus eliminating from scu-PA the two peptide bonds (Glu143-Leu144 and Arg156-Phe157) that lead to low molecular weight scu-PA and to thrombin-inactivated tcu-PA. The specific activities of K2tu-PA and FK2tu-PA, as measured by fibrin plate were 2.5 × 106 and 1.0 × 106 t-PA equivalent units/mg, respectively. Activation of plasminogen by hybrid PAs was stimulated by both CNBr-digested fibrinogen (40- and 80-fold) and Des-A-fibrin monomers (6- and 12-fold). The relatively weak stimulation of chimeric PAs by minimally degraded fibrin monomers was consistent with their reduced fibrin binding capacity. Like scu-PA, the chimeric PAs, in the single-chain form, were insensitive to inhibition, as they retained full activity after prolonged incubation in plasma and did not interact with SDS-reactivated recombinant PAI-1. The concentration producing 50% lysis of blood clots in 3 h was 0.5 μg/ml for K2tu-PA and 1 μg/ml for FK2tu-PA, as compared to 0.5 μg/ml and >2 μg/ml for t-PA and scu-PA, respectively. Plasminogen and α2-antiplasmin consumption induced by the hybrid PAs in clot-free plasma was comparable to (K2tu-PA) or lower than (FK2tu-PA) that induced by either t-PA or scu-PA. When exposed to plasmin, the hybrids were completely converted into two-chain molecules with full enzymatic activity. At variance with u-PA, however, the two-chain recombinant activators still required fibrin for full expression of activity. These data indicate that the products of such “artificial” fusion behave like true chimeras without loss of biological activity. The insensitivity to thrombin inactivation and to the proteolytic cleavage leading to low molecular weight scu-PA might confer enhanced stability to the molecules, especially at thrombus level. Moreover, if the thrombolytic activity observed in vitro is maintained in vivo, the prolonged half life of these hybrids should result in higher plasma levels of activator and thus in more extensive and rapid lysis.


1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (03) ◽  
pp. 161-162
Author(s):  
Thomas Hyers

SummaryProblems with unfractionated heparin as an antithrombotic have led to the development of new therapeutic agents. Of these, low molecular weight heparin shows great promise and has led to out-patient therapy of DVT/PE in selected patients. Oral anticoagulants remain the choice for long-term therapy. More cost-effective ways to give oral anticoagulants are needed.


2000 ◽  
Vol 182 (15) ◽  
pp. 4310-4318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett J. Pellock ◽  
Hai-Ping Cheng ◽  
Graham C. Walker

ABSTRACT The soil bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti is capable of entering into a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with Medicago sativa (alfalfa). Particular low-molecular-weight forms of certain polysaccharides produced by S. meliloti are crucial for establishing this symbiosis. Alfalfa nodule invasion by S. meliloti can be mediated by any one of three symbiotically important polysaccharides: succinoglycan, EPS II, or K antigen (also referred to as KPS). Using green fluorescent protein-labeled S. meliloti cells, we have shown that there are significant differences in the details and efficiencies of nodule invasion mediated by these polysaccharides. Succinoglycan is highly efficient in mediating both infection thread initiation and extension. However, EPS II is significantly less efficient than succinoglycan at mediating both invasion steps, and K antigen is significantly less efficient than succinoglycan at mediating infection thread extension. In the case of EPS II-mediated symbioses, the reduction in invasion efficiency results in stunted host plant growth relative to plants inoculated with succinoglycan or K-antigen-producing strains. Additionally, EPS II- and K-antigen-mediated infection threads are 8 to 10 times more likely to have aberrant morphologies than those mediated by succinoglycan. These data have important implications for understanding how S. meliloti polysaccharides are functioning in the plant-bacterium interaction, and models are discussed.


1990 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Hampson ◽  
J. R. L. Mhoma ◽  
B. G. Combs ◽  
J. I. Lee

SUMMARYTwo Australian isolates ofTreponema hyodysenteriaewhich did not fit within the current serological grouping system for these bacteria wrere examined by agarose gel double immunodiffusion tests (AGDP). Isolate Vic1 was serologically unique, and we propose that it becomes the type organism for a new sixth serological group ofT. hyodysenteriae(Group F). Isolate Q1 was unusual in that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extracted from it reacted strongly in AGDP with serum raised against the type organism for serogroup D (A1), and also weakly with serum raised against the type organism for serogroup B (WA1). The nature of this cross-reactivity was examined by using cross-absorbed antisera in AGDP, and by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blot analysis.The pattern of serological cross-reactivity between Q1, A1 and WA1 was complex and was not fully defined, but the isolate Q1 apparently shared low molecular weight ‘serogroup’ LPS antigens with A1, and shared higher molecular weight LPS antigens with WA1. On this basis Q1 was designated as belonging to serogroup D, although it was recommended that this be qualified as D (B) to indicate the presence of weak cross-reactivity with serogroup B. Such serological cross-reactivity may have significance in relation to the development of immunity toT. hyodysenteriae. Isolate Q1 may be a potentially useful organism for vaccine development because of its ability to induce a good serological response to LPS of treponemes from both serogroups D and B.


1998 ◽  
Vol 80 (08) ◽  
pp. 292-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Newman ◽  
Rebecca Swanson ◽  
Beng Chong

SummaryEarly diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality. We report an enzyme immunoassay which detects the binding of HIT IgG to PF4-heparin in the fluid phase. Our fluid phase assay produces consistently low background and can detect low levels of anti-PF4-heparin. It is suited to testing alternative anticoagulants because, unlike in an ELISA, a clearly defined amount of antigen is available for antibody binding. We were able to detect anti-PF4-heparin IgG in 26/28 (93%) HIT patients. We investigated cross-reactivity of anti-PF4-heparin antibodies with PF4 complexed to alternative heparin-like anticoagulants. Low molecular weight heparins cross-reacted with 23/26 (88%) of the sera from HIT patients while half of the HIT sera weakly cross-reacted with PF4-danaparoid (Orgaran). The thrombocytopenia and thrombosis of most of these patients resolved during danaparoid therapy, indicating that detection of low affinity antibodies to PF4-danaparoid by immunoassay may not be an absolute contraindication for danaparoid administration.


1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 152-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Jay Newsted ◽  
Sandra Polvi ◽  
Bob Papish ◽  
Ed Kendall ◽  
Mohammed Saleem ◽  
...  

Evidence for a small size protein (ca. 3500 kDa) exhibiting epitopic homology to the Atlantic winter flounder antifreeze protein (AFP) is found in the snow molds Coprinus psychromorbidus, Myriosclerotinia borealis, and Typhula incarnata. The protein shows strong cross-reactivity with antisera specific for the flounder AFP. Preliminary studies suggest that the protein is synthesized in response to lowering the culture temperature, and that it is membrane associated and, therefore, may function in an analogous capacity to the fish AFP. Also, the protein is shown to have antifreeze properties as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance microimaging experiments.Key words: antifreeze proteins, low temperature stress, snow mold, winter flounder.


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