Chemiluminescent assay of enzymes using proenhancers and pro-anti-enhancers

Enhanced chemiluminescent assays for hydrolase enzymes have been developed using proenhancer and pro-anti-enhancer substrates. Alkaline phosphatase is measured using disodium para-iodophenyl phosphate (proenhancer) which is converted to para-iodophenol and this in turn enhances the light emission from the horseradish peroxidase catalysed chemiluminescent oxidation of luminol by peroxide. An alternative strategy uses para-nitrophenyl phosphate which is converted by alkaline phosphatase to para-nitrophenol which inhibits the enhanced chemiluminescent reaction. The detection limit for the enzyme using the proenhancer and pro-anti-enhancer assays was 100 attomoles and 1 picomole, respectively. The proenhancer strategy was effective in assays for beta-D-galactosidase, beta-D-glucosidase and aryl sulfatase. A limited comparison of the proenhancer and a conventional colorimetric assay for an alkaline phosphatase label in an enzyme immunoassay for alpha-fetoprotein showed good agreement.