Sub-nanomolar detection of prostate-specific membrane antigen in synthetic urine by synergistic, dual-ligand phage

J Am Chem Soc. 2013 May 22;135(20):7761-7. doi: 10.1021/ja4028082. Epub 2013 May 13.

Abstract

The sensitive detection of cancer biomarkers in urine could revolutionize cancer diagnosis and treatment. Such detectors must be inexpensive, easy to interpret, and sensitive. This report describes a bioaffinity matrix of viruses integrated into PEDOT films for electrochemical sensing of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a prostate cancer biomarker. High sensitivity to PSMA resulted from synergistic action by two different ligands to PSMA on the same phage particle. One ligand was genetically encoded, and the secondary recognition ligand was chemically synthesized to wrap around the phage. The dual ligands result in a bidentate binder with high-copy, dense ligand display for enhanced PSMA detection through a chelate-based avidity effect. Biosensing with virus-PEDOT films provides a 100 pM limit of detection for PSMA in synthetic urine without requiring enzymatic or other amplification.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alkynes* / chemistry
  • Antigens, Surface / urine*
  • Azides* / chemistry
  • Bacteriophages / chemistry
  • Bacteriophages / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / urine*
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Cyclization
  • Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II / urine*
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Limit of Detection
  • Male
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / urine*
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds* / chemistry

Substances

  • Alkynes
  • Antigens, Surface
  • Azides
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Ligands
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds
  • FOLH1 protein, human
  • Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II