Biosensing and biorecognition with water-soluble macrocyclic hosts

Area of Science:

• Chemical Biology
• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Macrocyclic receptors are crucial for molecular recognition.
• Water-soluble receptors offer advantages for biological applications.
• Optical methods provide sensitive detection of biomolecules.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the use of water-soluble macrocyclic receptors for biological target recognition and sensing.
• To highlight the development of optical methods for biomolecule detection and discrimination.
• To explore the application of these systems to a wide range of biological targets.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing multiple host molecules and fluorescent guests in an array format.
• Employing simple optical detection methods for analysis.
• Applying pattern recognition techniques for selectivity.
• Integrating multiple orthogonal recognition mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Selective detection and discrimination of various biomolecules, including post-translationally modified peptides (e.g., lysine methylations, serine phosphorylation) and peptide epimers.
• Detection of enzyme activity, such as methyltransferases, demethylases, kinases, and phosphatases.
• Sensing of anions and non-canonically folded DNA structures.
• Achieving excellent selectivity through pattern recognition and orthogonal recognition mechanisms.

Conclusions:

• Water-soluble macrocyclic receptors provide a powerful and tunable platform for sensing diverse biorelevant species.
• Combining multiple host:guest recognition mechanisms allows for broad target scope without sacrificing selectivity.
• Simple optical methods coupled with advanced recognition strategies enable sensitive and selective biomolecule detection.