Click chemistry mediated Eu-tagging: activity-based specific quantification and simultaneous activity evaluation of...

P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is one of the most important isoforms in the human cytochrome P450 superfamily. It was used as an example in this proof-of-concept study in order to demonstrate an activity-based labeling and then click chemistry (CC) mediated element-tagging strategy for simultaneously specific quantification and activity measurement of an enzyme using species-unspecific isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SUID ICPMS). A dual functional hexynylated 17α-ethynylestradiol activity-based probe was synthesized for specifically labeling CYP3A4 and then CC-mediated Eu-tagging with an azido-DOTA-Eu complex for CYP3A4 quantification and activity measurement in human liver microsome and serum samples using (153)Eu SUID ICPMS. The LOD (3σ) of CYP3A4 reached 20.3 fmol when monitoring (151/153)Eu ICPMS signals, in addition to the merits of specificity and simultaneous activity measurement achieved. We believe that this activity-based CC-mediated element-tagging strategy will liberate more potential advantages of ICPMS in bioanalysis.