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Hybrid Aptamer-Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (aptaMIP) Nanoparticles from Protein Recognition-A Trypsin Model
Mark V Sullivan1, Oliver Clay1, Michael P Moazami2,3
1Leicester School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester, LE1 9BH, UK.
Macromolecular Bioscience
|March 24, 2021
Summary
This study introduces aptamer-MIP hybrids (aptaMIPs) for protein detection. These novel aptaMIP nanoparticles show enhanced binding affinity and lower detection limits compared to conventional MIPs and aptamers alone.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Molecular Recognition
Background:
- Aptamers offer potential antibody replacement but suffer from degradation.
- Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) provide robustness but often lack recognition performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an aptamer-MIP hybrid (aptaMIP) for robust and high-performance molecular recognition.
- To detect the target protein trypsin using the novel aptaMIP nanoparticles.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized aptaMIP nanoparticles by incorporating DNA aptamers into MIP scaffolds.
- Evaluated binding affinity using dissociation constant (KD) measurements.
- Determined limit of detection (LOD) using surface plasmon resonance (SPR).
Main Results:
- AptaMIP nanoparticles exhibited superior binding affinity (KD = 6.8 × 10-9 m) compared to conventional MIP nanoparticles (KD = 12.3 × 10-9 m) and aptamers alone (KD = 10.3 × 10-9 m).
- The aptaMIP demonstrated a twofold lower limit of detection (2 nm) than nanoMIPs (4 nm) via SPR.
- Selective protein detection against other targets was observed.
Conclusions:
- Integrating aptamers as "macro-monomers" into MIPs significantly enhances polymer performance.
- AptaMIPs represent a promising advancement for robust and sensitive molecular detection systems.
- This hybrid approach offers potential for substantial improvements in MIP-based sensor technology.
