Selective binding of RNase B glycoforms by polydopamine-immobilized concanavalin A

Glycoanalysis is important in the manufacture and quality control of protein therapeutics. An emerging method for glycoanalysis is the use of lectin arrays. Critical to the performance of these arrays is the immobilization of lectin molecules. Polydopamine has recently been shown to adsorb to a wide variety of surfaces. In this study, polydopamine (pDA) was used to modify gold, indium, and iridium surfaces and promote the adhesion of the alpha-mannose-specific lectin concanavalin A (Con A). The activity of the surface-bound lectin was demonstrated with the alpha-mannose-presenting glycoprotein ribonuclease B (RNase B). Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPRS) was used to demonstrate the selective affinity of RNase B for Con A. Surface-MALDI-TOF MS experiments revealed that the affinity of polydopamine-immobilized Con A for the glycoforms of RNase B is significantly affected by slight variations in oligosaccharide structure and composition. Specifically, surface-bound Con A binds certain Man7, Man8, and Man9 RNase B glycoforms more strongly than Man5 and Man6 glycoforms.