Novel fluorescent biosensor for α-glucosidase inhibitor screening based on cationic conjugated polymers

A new fluorescent biosensor has been designed to screen α-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) sensitively by utilizing signal amplification effect of conjugated polymers. The fluorescence of cationic poly(fluorenylene phenylene) (PFP) was quenched in the presence of para-nitrophenyl-α-d-glucopyranoside and α-glucosidase, and turned on upon addition of AGIs. Thus, a new method was developed for AGIs screening based on the fluorescence turn-off/turn-on. The IC(50) values obtained for inhibitors were compared with that reported using absorption spectroscopy. All results present the new method is more sensitive and promising in screening AGIs and inhibitors of other enzymes whose hydrolysis product is 4-nitrophenol.