Biotin-Functionalized Block Catiomers as an Active Targeting Approach in Gene Delivery

Recently, biotin (vitamin H) has been described as a ligand for active targeting and it has been found that many cancer cells overexpress the biotin receptor. In this study a biotin-conjugated block copolymer, biotin-poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-block-poly{N '-[N-(2-aminoethyl)-2-aminoethyl]aspartamide} (biotin-pEtOx-b-pASP(DEA) is synthesized by a living cationic polymerization of the pEtOx-block followed by the nucleophilic ringopening polymerization of the pASP-block. The biotin moiety is coupled to the pEtOx-b-pASP precursor by a Cu(I) mediated azide-alkyne click chemistry and finally, the diethylamine (DEA) side chain is introduced by a polymer analogous reaction. The final polymer P1 formed polyplexes in the presence of plasmid DNA that are characterized with respect to N/P ratio, size, zeta potential, and shape compared to a control polymer P2 without biotin. In addition, HEK293 cells are transfected with these polyplexes and the number of fluorescent HEK293 cells is evaluated to assess the influence of polymer nature on the activity of the micelles. Flow cytometric analysis revealed a significantly higher uptake of the biotin-PEtOx-PASP(DEA)/pDNA micelle than the PEtOx-PASP(DEA)/pDNA micelle against HEK293 cells at a low N/P ratio of 20, consistent with the transfection results whereas at higher N/P ratio no difference can be observed anymore between the two polymers.     

Capture of Uropathogenic E. coli by Using Synthetic Glycan Ligands Specific for the Pap‐Pilus

Biotinylated mono‐ and biantennary di‐/trisaccharides were synthesized to evaluate their ability to capture E. coli strains that express pilus types with different receptor specificities. The synthesized biotinylated di‐/trisaccharides contain Galα(1→4)Gal, Galα(1→4)GalNHAc, GalNHAcα(1→4)Gal, Galα(1→4)Galβ(1→4)Glc and GalNHAcα(1→4)Galβ(1→4)Glc as carbohydrate epitopes. These biotinylated oligosaccharides were immobilized on streptavidin‐coated magnetic beads, and incubated with different strains of live E. coli. Capturing ability was assessed by using a luciferase assay that detects bacterial ATP. The trisaccharides containing Galα(1→4)Galβ(1→4)Glc and the disaccharides containing Galα(1→4)Gal as the epitopes exhibited strong capturing ability for uropathogenic E. coli strains with the pap pilus genotype, including CFT073, J96 and J96 pilE. The same ligands failed to capture E. coli strains with fim, prs, or foc genotypes. Uropathogenic CFT073 was also captured moderately by biantennary disaccharides containing a GalNHAc moiety at the reducing end; however, other saccharides containing GalNHAc at the nonreducing end did not capture the CFT073 strain. These synthetic glycoconjugates could potentially be adapted as rapid diagnostic agents to differentiate between different E. coli pathovars.     

A Fluorescent “Allosteric Scorpionand” Complex Visualizes a Biological Recognition Event

We describe a new class of fluorescent reporter and its employment to visualize the biotin/avidin binding interaction. Derivatives of the azamacrocycle cyclam that contain a pendant naphthalimide dye are inherently fluorescent when zinc(II) is coordinated. Introducing a second pendant group—biotin—affords an unsymmetrical bis‐triazole‐scorpionand ligand that interacts specifically with avidin. This ligand has been assembled by using a one‐pot “double‐click” strategy and complexed with copper(II) and zinc(II). The zinc(II) complex is fluorescent, and its fluorescence output changes in the presence of avidin. Upon avidin binding, the fluorescence output is diminished by interaction with the protein, at [complex]/[avidin] ratios of up to 4:1. The observed change might arise from a specific quenching effect in the biotin binding pocket or from a binding‐induced change in the coordination geometry of the complex.     

免疫亲和柱净化-高效液相色谱法测定乳粉中的生物素含量

建立了免疫亲和柱净化-高效液相色谱法测定乳粉中生物素的方法。该方法样品处理为样品用磷酸盐缓冲液溶解后,样液通过生物素免疫亲和柱净化、甲醇洗脱液洗脱、浓缩富集后直接测定。采用紫外检测器,波长为215 nm;C18色谱柱,柱温为35 ℃,流动相为50 mmol/L磷酸缓冲盐,PH=3.5:甲醇(85:15,v/v),流速为1.0 mL／min。标准曲线回归方程y=343.2+20.797x,相关系数r=0.9958;回收率为90.7%;RSD%为2.62。本方法检出限为1.0 μg/kg。该法较国标方法具有样品处理简单方便,灵敏度高,重现性好,分析时间短等优点,可以满足调制乳粉及婴幼儿配方乳粉中生物素含量的测定。     

含生物素的双功能螯合剂合成及[99Tcm(CO)3(H2O)3]+标记

设计合成了一种新的用于生物素偶联的双功能螯合剂N-α-(2-皮考基)-N-ε-D-生物素基-L- 赖氨酸甲酯( PLB )，并完成其Re(CO)3 PLB配合物的合成及化学结构的表征。[99Tc m(CO)3(H2O)3]+ 的标记条件研究表明，PLB配体浓度在10μmol/L以上，pH在正常生理值7.4左右，于95℃加热30min，标记物的放化纯度大于95％，比活度达37～55.5TBq/mmol。     

Active Self‐Assembly of Train‐Shaped DNA Nanostructures via Catalytic Hairpin Assembly Reactions

Biomolecular self‐assembly is a powerful approach for fabricating supramolecular architectures. Over the past decade, a myriad of biomolecular assemblies, such as self‐assembly proteins, lipids, and DNA nanostructures, have been used in a wide range of applications, from nano‐optics to nanoelectronics and drug delivery. The method of controlling when and where the self‐assembly starts is essential for assembly dynamics and functionalization. Here, train‐shaped DNA nanostructures are actively self‐assembled using DNA tiles as artificial “carriages,” hairpin structures as “couplers,” and initiators of catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) reactions as “wrenches.” The initiator wrench can selectively open the hairpin couplers to couple the DNA tile carriages with high product yield. As such, DNA nanotrains are actively prepared with two, three, four, or more carriages. Furthermore, by flexibly modifying the carriages with “biotin seats” (biotin‐modified DNA tiles), streptavidin “passengers” are precisely arranged in corresponding seats. The applications of the CHA‐triggered self‐assembly mechanism are also extended for assembling the large DNA origami dimer. With the creation of 1D architectures established, it is thought that this CHA‐triggered self‐assembly mechanism may provide a new element of control for complex autonomous assemblies from a variety of starting materials with specific sites and times.     

Molecular recognition imaging using tuning fork-based transverse dynamic force microscopy

We demonstrate simultaneous transverse dynamic force microscopy and molecular recognition imaging using tuning forks as piezoelectric sensors. Tapered aluminum-coated glass fibers were chemically functionalized with biotin and anti-lysozyme molecules and attached to one of the prongs of a 32 kHz tuning fork. The lateral oscillation amplitude of the tuning fork was used as feedback signal for topographical imaging of avidin aggregates and lysozyme molecules on mica substrate. The phase difference between the excitation and detection signals of the tuning fork provided molecular recognition between avidin/biotin or lysozyme/anti-lysozyme. Aggregates of avidin and lysozyme molecules appeared as features with heights of 1–4 nm in the topographic images, consistent with single molecule atomic force microscopy imaging. Recognition events between avidin/biotin or lysozyme/anti-lysozyme were detected in the phase image at high signal-to-noise ratio with phase shifts of 1–2°. Because tapered glass fibers and shear-force microscopy based on tuning forks are commonly used for near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM), these results open the door to the exciting possibility of combining optical, topographic and biochemical recognition at the nanometer scale in a single measurement and in liquid conditions.     

Biotinylated vanadium and chromium sulfide nanoparticles as probes for colocalization of membrane proteins

We report the microemulsion synthesis of vanadium and chromium sulfide nanoparticles (NPs) and their biological application as nanoprobes for colocalization of membrane proteins. Spherical V₂S₃ and Cr₂S₃ NPs were prepared in reverse microemulsion droplets, as nanoreactors, obtained by the surfactant sodium bis(2‐ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) in nonpolar organic phase (heptane). Electron microscopic data indicated that the size distribution of the nanoparticles was uniform with an average diameter between 3 ÷ 5 nm. The prepared hydrophobic nanocrystals were transferred in aqueous phase by surface cap exchange of AOT with biotin‐dihydrolipoic ligands. This substitution allows the nanoparticles solubility in aqueous solutions and confer their bioactivity. In addition, we report the conjugation procedure between α‐Lipoic acid (LA) and biotin (abbreviated as biotin‐LA). The biotin‐LA structure was characterized by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The biotinylated vanadium and chromium sulfide nanoparticles were tested as probes for colocalization of glutamate receptors on sodium‐dodecyl‐sulfate‐digested replica prepared from rat hippocampus. The method suggests their high labeling efficiency for study of membrane biological macromolecules. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:799–805, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Biotinylated bi- and tetra-antennary glycoconjugates for Escherichia coli detection

Glycans cover the surface of all mammalian cells. Several toxins and pathogens use these glycans to bind and infect the cell. Using a versatile modular synthetic strategy, we have developed biotinylated bi- and tetraantennary glycoconjugates to capture and detect E. coli and compared the capturing ability of these molecules to commercial polyclonal antibodies. Magnetic beads were coated with biotinylated glycoconjugate or antibody, and these beads were used to capture, isolate, and quantify bacterial recovery by using a luminescence assay. The glycoconjugate-coated magnetic beads outperformed antibody-coated magnetic beads in sensitivity and selectivity when compared under identical experimental conditions. Glycoconjugates could capture Escherichia coli from stagnant water, and the ability of a panel of glycoconjugates to capture a selection of pathogenic bacteria was also evaluated. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first comprehensive study that compares synthetic glycoconjugates and antibodies for E. coli detection. The glycoconjugates are also very stable and inexpensive. The results presented here are expected to lead to an increased interest in developing glycoconjugate-based high affinity reagents for diagnostics.