Ligand loading at the surface of an optical biosensor and its effect upon the kinetics of protein-protein...

Optical biosensors are finding increasing use in the determination of kinetic and equilibrium constants for a variety of biomolecular interactions. Usually these biosensors require one biomolecule, the ligand, to be covalently attached to a hydrogel matrix which itself is bonded to the sensing surface. The ligands partner, the ligate, then binds from solution resulting in a measurable change in response which the instrument records as a function of time. Although in many cases, optical biosensors are used in order to obtain parameters that relate to interactions in solution, it is becoming clear that measurements involving the interaction of ligate with immobilized ligands on surfaces require careful experimental design. Here we report on how the density of ligand loading within the hydogel matrix affects the measured interaction kinetics. It is found that crowding of ligand within this matrix results in a significant reduction in the measured association rate constant, with a corresponding effect in the calculated overall affinity. However, measurements at low ligand loadings show association rate constants that are comparable to those measured in solution. Clearly, where this comparison is required, it is important to perform measurements under such conditions.