Toward a Universal Method for Preparing Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Nanoparticles with Antibody-like Affinity for Proteins

Biomacromolecules. 2016 Jan 11;17(1):345-53. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5b01454. Epub 2015 Dec 16.

Abstract

We describe a potentially universal, simple and cheap method to prepare water-compatible molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (MIP-NPs) as synthetic antibodies against proteins. The strategy is based on a solid phase synthesis approach where glass beads (GBs) are functionalized with a metal chelate, acting as a general affinity ligand to attract surface-bound histidines present on proteins. This configuration enables an oriented immobilization of the proteins, upon which thermoresponsive MIP-NPs are synthesized. The GBs play the role of both a reactor and a separation column since, after synthesis, the MIP-NPs are released from the support by a simple temperature change, resulting in protein-free polymers. The resulting MIP-NPs are endowed with improved binding site homogeneity, since the binding sites have the same orientation. Moreover, they are stable (no aggregation) in a buffer solution for prolonged storage time and exhibit apparent dissociation constants in the nanomolar range, with little or no cross-reactivity toward other proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies / chemistry*
  • Antibodies / immunology
  • Binding Sites
  • Molecular Imprinting / methods*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Protein Binding
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • Solid-Phase Synthesis Techniques

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Polymers
  • Proteins