We present a method for rapid, reversible immobilization of small molecules and functionalized nanoparticle assemblies for Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) studies, using sequential on-chip bioorthogonal cycloaddition chemistry and antibody-antigen capture.
Methods for rapid surface immobilization of bioactive small molecules with control over orientation and immobilization density are highly desirable for biosensor and microarray applications. In this Study, we use a highly efficient covalent bioorthogonal [4+2] cycloaddition reaction between trans-cyclooctene (TCO) and 1,2,4,5-tetrazine (Tz) to enable the microfluidic immobilization of TCO/Tz-derivatized molecules. We monitor the process in real-time under continuous flow conditions using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). To enable reversible immobilization and extend the experimental range of the sensor surface, we combine a non-covalent antigen-antibody capture component with the cycloaddition reaction. By alternately presenting TCO or Tz moieties to the sensor surface, multiple capture-cycloaddition processes are now possible on one sensor surface for on-chip assembly and interaction studies of a variety of multi-component structures. We illustrate this method with two different immobilization experiments on a biosensor chip; a small molecule, AP1497 that binds FK506-binding protein 12 (FKBP12); and the same small molecule as part of an immobilized and in situ-functionalized nanoparticle.
Efficient conjugation reactions are valuable tools for attaching bioactive molecules to surfaces for a variety of biotechnology applications. Recently, the very fast bioorthogonal [4+2] cycloaddition reaction between trans-cyclooctene (TCO) and 1,2,4,5-tetrazine (Tz) has been used to label cell surfaces, subcellular structures, antibodies and nanoparticles.1-7 Here, we use the [4+2] cycloaddition reaction in combination with antigen/antibody capture (GST/anti-GST) for reversible on-chip synthesis of multi-component structures for Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) interaction analysis and monitor the process in real-time (Figure 1).8,9 Notably, the capture-cycloaddition strategy enables surface regeneration using an established protocol.8 As a consequence, assembly of stable sensor surfaces with control over ligand orientation and density for variety of new assay formats is now possible. Using this strategy we demonstrate the immobilization of TCO/Tz-derivatized small molecules and characterize the cycloaddition rates in a variety of buffer conditions. We chose the well-known interaction between FKBP12 and a molecule AP1497 that binds FKBP1210-12 as an example to verify that the capture-cycloaddition strategy preserves the ability of the small molecule to interact with its target when either directly attached to immobilized GST antigens or to immobilized nanoparticles (NPs).
This method offers several benefits. First, the reversible immobilization of small molecules on sensor chips is now possible. Second, TCO/Tz immobilization of small molecules also enables label-free interaction studies that reverse the orientation of canonical SPR studies, and may provide a complementary view of a binding interaction. Third, this method enables the microfluidic synthesis of targeted nanoparticles, and immediate evaluation of their binding properties. This promises to improve the efficiency of evaluating or screening targeted nanoparticles, and also decrease the amounts of nanoparticles required.13-15 Fourth, this approach can measure the reaction kinetics of bioorthogonal cycloaddition reactions in real-time under continuous flow. Finally, the TCO/Tz immobilization chemistry is robust in the presence of serum. Taken together, we anticipate that this versatile approach will broadly facilitate construction of stable sensor surfaces for a wide variety of microfluidic studies with relevance to in vitro and in vivo cellular applications.
1. Preparation of GST and Nanoparticle (NP) Conjugates
2. Surface Preparation
All surface plasmon resonance assays are performed on a Biacore T100 instrument (GE Healthcare) at 25 °C using a CM5 sensor chip and PBS-P as the running buffer unless otherwise noted. Biacore Control and Evaluation software supplied with the instrument are employed for setting up experiments and analyzing data. Two modes of operation, application wizards and manual run will be used for surface preparation and monitoring on-chip capture-cycloaddition. The method builder mode will be used for setting up reverse orientation binding experiments and for measuring cycloaddition reaction rates. Data are double reference subtracted and kinetic analyses are performed using a 1:1 Langmuir binding model.
3. Monitoring On-chip Capture-cycloaddition of Functionalized Molecules
4. Monitoring Immobilization Density and Determination of Cycloaddition Rates
5. Measuring the Binding of FKBP12 to Immobilized AP1497
Reversed-orientation binding studies employ FKBP12 as the analyte and compound AP1497 as immobilized ligand (Figure 5). The general method for this assay is set up as follows using the method builder tool:
6. Measuring the Binding of FKBP12 to AP1497 Attached to Immobilized NPs
The general method for nanoparticle immobilization, small molecule derivatization and FKBP12 binding assay is set-up as follows using the method builder tool:
Data and figures have been adapted from reference 8.
Efficient reversible immobilization of bioactive small molecules with control over orientation and density plays a key role in development of new biosensor applications. Using the fast bioorthogonal reaction between TCO and Tz, we describe a method for the stepwise assembly and regeneration of ligand surfaces with retention of biological activity. Figure 2 shows the real-time monitoring of Tz-BnNH2 immobilization. A solution of GST-TCO is injected over a pre-immobilized anti-GST surface resulting in ~400 RU rise in response. A second injection with Tz-BnNH2 shows a fast ~15 RU rise in response. No dissociation of the derivatized antigen is observed after switching to running buffer providing evidence for structure stability. The surface is regenerated in the last step of the cycle to enable multiple capture-cycloaddition cycles. Using this procedure and replacing the Tz-BnNH2 moiety with the AP1497-Tz molecule generates a bioactive surface used for interaction studies with its target FKBP12 (Figure 5). Disruption of the antibody/antigen interaction (as shown in Figure 2) regenerates the anti-GST surface, allowing a new molecular assembly to be built. In this case, a GST-Tz injection (capture of ~800 RU) is followed with an injection of NP-TCO (cycloaddition ~600 RU), effectively immobilizing the nanoparticle to the sensor surface (Figure 3). Unreacted TCO groups on the NP are available for cycloaddition with injected Tz-BnNH2 (~22 RU). Alternatively, AP1497-Tz is used to monitor functionalized nanoparticle-FKBP12 interactions (Figure 5). No dissociation of the multi-component structures (GST-Tz/NP-TCO/Tz-BnNH2) are observed providing evidence for structure stability and bioactivity (AP1497-Tz/FKBP12 binding).
With capabilities for real-time immobilization (cycloaddition) reaction monitoring and surface regeneration, the straightforward characterization of the association rate ka (cycloaddition rate) is accomplished as shown in Figure 4. Knowledge of reaction kinetics provides guidelines for controlling immobilization density (contact time and concentration), an important parameter for biosensor assays. Injecting increasing concentrations of Tz-BnNH2 or NP-TCO in duplicate over GST-TCO or GST-TZ surfaces, respectively, generates the binding data (red lines). The binding data for two sequential analyte samples of the same concentration over the same surface are nearly superimposable reflecting minimal loss of antibody binding capacity due to multiple cycles of capture-cycloaddition and regeneration. The Evaluation software provides the best-fit kinetic analyses (black lines) for the cycloaddition reaction rates ka shown in Figure 4.
Figure 1. Bioorthogonal conjugation strategy for the reversible immobilization of derivatized molecules. A. [4+2] cycloaddition reaction between trans-cyclooctene (TCO) and 1,2,4,5-tetrazine (Tz) moieties to give the 1,4-dihydropyridazine adduct. B. Experimental scheme for reversible immobilization of Tz/TCO tagged molecules. C. Experimental scheme for reversible nanoparticle immobilization and functionalization. Click here to view larger figure.
Figure 2. Real-time monitoring of small molecule immobilization. 1) Baseline: pre-immobilized anti-GST. 2) Capture of injected GST-TCO by anti-GST antibody (t = 0-420 sec), followed by injection of running buffer (t = 420-540 sec) showing persistence of interaction. 3) Cycloaddition between captured GST-TCO and tetrazine (Tz-BnNH2; ~15 RU rise in response; t = 540-1,140 sec). No signal decay occurs despite switching the mobile phase to running buffer (t = 1,140-1,820 sec). 4) Regeneration of the anti-GST surface with 2 short injections of 10 mM glycine, pH 2.1 (t = 1,820-2,000 sec).
Figure 3. Real-time monitoring of nanoparticle immobilization and functionalization. 1) Baseline. 2) Capture of injected GST-Tz (t = 0-60 sec). 3) Cycloaddition between captured GST-Tz and injected NP-TCO (t = 135-195 sec), followed by injection of running buffer with no decay in signal (t = 195-300 sec). 4) Cycloaddition between immobilized NP-TCO and injected Tz-BnNH2 (~22 RU rise in response, t = 300-360 sec). There is no signal decay despite switching the mobile phase to running buffer (t = 360-480 sec) providing evidence for multi-component stability.
Figure 4. Representative sensorgrams showing binding data (red lines) and kinetic analyses (black lines) for the cycloaddition reaction between Tz and TCO tagged molecules in the presence or absence of 100% FBS. Table summarizes association (cycloaddition) rate constants, ka.
Figure 5. SPR studies of small molecule/protein interactions in varying configurations. (Top) Synthetic derivatives of FK506: AP1497 and AP1497-Tz. The table shows kinetic and equilibrium rate constants derived from binding data. Data from binding experiments where the protein is immobilized (i.e. traditional SPR experiments) are included for comparison.
The capture-cycloaddition method described here enables rapid, reversible immobilization of modified nanoparticles and small molecules for label-free chip-based interaction and kinetic studies. The immobilization protocol can be performed in minutes requiring <10 μM concentrations of small-molecule ligands. By modulating ligand concentration and contact time immobilization densities can be closely controlled. Our data show that on-chip bioorthogonal reactions preserve the ability of in situ functionalized nanoparticles or immobilized small molecules to interact with their targets. We have also characterized bimolecular cycloaddition rates between two small molecules, (TCO and Tz) with low molecular weights. We envision that similar assays can be performed to measure and compare rates of other fast bioorthogonal reactions.
Reversible, continuous flow on-chip nanoparticle immobilization and in-situ functionalization provides rapid access to a variety of modified nanoparticles for screening and interaction analysis all in the same experiment.13-15 Compared to conventional nanoparticle synthesis, which requires different steps for purification, immobilization and screening, our method greatly reduces input quantities of biomaterials, solvents and reagents, while simultaneously decreasing environmental concerns dealing with nanoparticle use and disposal.16 Importantly, nanoparticle functionalization reactions are robust to the presence of serum concentrations typically used for cell culture experiments, and even to extremely high serum concentrations. This feature can facilitate structure-activity relationships for nanoparticle design in the presence of serum (which can affect the protein corona and surface properties of the nanoparticle).17,18
In most SPR assays, where protein-small molecule interactions are studied, the protein (ligand) is immobilized through an affinity tag (GST, biotin, etc.) or through covalent amide linkages. The analyte is then passed over the ligand where binding results in surface mass variations, which are detected as refractive index changes. Reversing the canonical SPR orientation and immobilizing the small molecule in a convenient and reversible manner provides facile access to study direct binding of soluble macromolecular targets and clarifies phase-specific (immobilized vs. soluble) artifacts.19,20 Assay formats of this type are especially valuable for inhibition and competition studies.21 Reversal of orientation can also be advantageous under several circumstances, i.e. a) with analytes of low molecular weight, considering that binding signal is proportional to surface mass change b) aggregation and non-specificity of hydrophobic analytes22 is eliminated making data analysis straightforward c) characterization of high affinity binders can be challenging due to long residence times (slow off-rates, especially when dealing with covalent inhibitors)23 and the need for surface regeneration conditions in preparation for the next analysis cycle d) regeneration agents may have degrading effects on the structure or function of the immobilized protein.
By incorporating the bioorthogonal capture-cycloaddition method as part of our immobilization strategy, we circumvent some of the difficulties associated with conventional small molecule immobilization techniques. These require much higher ligand concentrations since electrostatic attractions leading to surface pre-concentrations typical for protein immobilization protocols are ineffective with small molecules. Accordingly, increasing concentrations of ligands leads to increasing ratios of organic co-solvent for ligand dissolution. Both of these conditions are not compatible with micro-fluidic flow systems and as a consequence, conventional immobilizations must be performed outside the instrument where real-time monitoring is not possible.24 Lastly, in the event of a successful conventional immobilization, covalent surface modification prevents surface regeneration and limits the experimental range of biosensor surfaces resulting in increased investments in time, effort and costs.
The authors have nothing to disclose.
We acknowledge funding from NIH (NHLBI Contract No. HHSN268201000044C to R.W., S.H. and S.Y.S.).
Reagent | |||
Sensor Chip CM5 | GE Healthcare | BR-1005-30 | |
Amine coupling kit | GE Healthcare | BR-1000-50 | |
GST capture kit | GE Healthcare | BR-1002-23 | |
NAP-10 Columns | GE Healthcare | 17-0854-01 | |
GST, lyophilized in 1X PBS | Genscript | Z02039 | 1 mg/ml |
rhFKBP12 | R&D Systems | 3777-FK | |
Surfactant P-20 | GE Healthcare | BR-1000-54 | |
Glycine 2.0 | GE Healthcare | BR-1003-55 | |
Zeba spin desalting column | Thermo | 89882 | 7 K MWCO |
Amicon Ultra 4 | Fisher | UFC810096 | 100 K centrifugal filter |
TCO-OH | Ref. 8 | Synthesized in-house | |
TCO-NHS | Ref. 8 | Synthesized in-house, *Commercially available from Click Chemistry Tools # 1016-25 | |
Tz-BnNH2 | Ref. 8 | Synthesized in-house | |
Tz-NHS | Ref. 8 | 764701 | Synthesized in-house, *Commercially available from Sigma Aldrich # 764701 |
NP-NH2 = CLIO-NH2 | Ref. 8 | Synthesized in-house | |
AP1497, AP1497-Tz | Ref. 8 | Synthesized in-house | |
Equipment | |||
SPR Biosensor | GE Healthcare | Biacore T100 |