Application of high-performance magnetic nanobeads to biological sensing devices.

Nanomaterials have extensive applications in the life sciences and in clinical diagnosis. We have developed magnetic nanoparticles with high dispersibility and extremely low nonspecific binding to biomolecules and have demonstrated their application in chemical biology (e.g., for the screening of drug receptor proteins). Recently, the excellent properties of nanobeads have made possible the development of novel rapid immunoassay systems and high-precision technologies for exosome detection. For immunoassays, we developed a technology to encapsulate a fluorescent substance in magnetic nanobeads. The fluorescent nanobeads allow the rapid detection of a specific antigen in solution or in tissue specimens. Exosomes, which are released into the blood, are expected to become markers for several diseases, including cancer, but techniques for measuring the absolute quantity of exosomes in biological fluids are lacking. By integrating magnetic nanobead technology with an optical disc system, we developed a novel method for precisely quantifying exosomes in human serum with high sensitivity and high linearity without requiring enrichment procedures. This review focuses on the properties of our magnetic nanobeads, the development of novel biosensors using these nanobeads, and their broad practical applications. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

In vivo identification of sentinel lymph nodes using MRI and size-controlled and monodispersed magnetite nanoparticles.

PURPOSE: To develop a sentinel lymph node (SN) identification method using accurately synthesized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), as an enhanced specific SN tracer in combination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in intact rodent and SN metastasis models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three sizes of MNPs were originally synthesized. We developed an experimental rat SN model, with brachial lymph nodes (Br) as the SN and the axillary lymph node (Ax) as the second lymph node, and injection of MNPs via the front paw. SN detectability was evaluated in vivo using T1 -weighted MR images after injection of the synthesized MNPs, and the amount of iron in the Br and in the Ax was assessed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. RESULTS: The highest ratios of the amount of iron in the Br versus the Ax were 3.1 and 3.3, using 20-nm MNPs after 2- and 24-hour injections. The appropriate dose and particle diameter for MRI detection was optimized, and the SN was optimally distinguished in the normal and metastatic rat models using MRI after a 0.4 mg/kg 20-nm MNP injection. CONCLUSION: We developed and optimized a useful SN identification method using MRI in rodent models.

Tools and methodologies capable of isolating and identifying a target molecule for a bioactive compound.

Elucidating the mechanism of action of bioactive compounds, such as commonly used pharmaceutical drugs and biologically active natural products, in the cells and the living body is important in drug discovery research. To this end, isolation and identification of target protein(s) for the bioactive compound are essential in understanding its function fully. And, development of reliable tools and methodologies capable of addressing efficiently identification and characterization of the target proteins based on the bioactive compounds accelerates drug discovery research. Affinity-based isolation and identification of target molecules for the bioactive compounds is a classic, but still powerful approach. This paper introduces recent progress on affinity chromatography system, focusing on development of practical affinity matrices and useful affinity-based methodologies on target identification. Beneficial affinity chromatography systems with using practical tools and useful methodologies facilitate chemical biology and drug discovery research.

Characterization of the testis-specific promoter region in the human pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) gene.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a pleiotropic neuropeptide localized in the testis at concentration comparable to that found in the brain, suggesting involvement in spermatogenesis. In this study, we identified the human PACAP testis-specific exon (TSE) 10.9 kb upstream from the translational start site and found that the testis-specific transcript of the human PACAP gene was found to be spliced from the TSE into a region of intron 2 without a frameshift. The resulting PACAP precursor has no signal peptide, suggesting that PACAP functions physiologically in an intracrine manner in the testis. The 5'-flanking region of the TSE contains an 80-bp fragment with potent promoter activity in testicular F9 cell. Electrophoresis mobility shift assays showed that proteins from the F9 nuclear extract interacted specifically with the 80-bp fragment. DNA affinity chromatography allowed isolation of the specific proteins bound to the 80-bp fragment, two of which were identified as Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and TIA-1-related protein (TIAR) by mass spectrometry. By using their siRNAs, the depletion of their proteins in F9 cells affected the potent promoter activity of the 80-bp fragment, suggesting that they might be involved in the testis-specific gene expression of PACAP.

High-performance affinity chromatography method for identification of L-arginine interacting factors using magnetic nanobeads.

L-Arginine exhibits a wide range of biological activities through a complex and highly regulated set of pathways that remain incompletely understood at both the whole-body and the cellular levels. The aim of this study is to develop and validate effective purification system for L-arginine interacting factors (AIFs). We have recently developed novel magnetic nanobeads (FG beads) composed of magnetite particles/glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)-styrene copolymer/covered GMA. These nanobeads have shown higher performance compared with commercially available magnetic beads in terms of purification efficiency. In this study, we have newly developed L-arginine methyl ester (L-AME)-immobilized beads by conjugating L-AME to the surface of these nanobeads. Firstly, we showed that inducible nitric oxide synthase, which binds and uses L-arginine as a substrate, specifically bound to L-AME-immobilized beads. Secondly, we newly identified phosphofructokinase, RuvB-like 1 and RuvB-like 2 as AIFs from crude extracts of HeLa cells using this affinity chromatographic system. The data presented here demonstrate that L-AME-immobilized beads are effective tool for purification of AIFs directly from crude cell extracts. We expect that the present method can be used to purify AIFs from various types of cells.

Development and application of high-performance affinity beads: toward chemical biology and drug discovery.

In drug development research, the elucidation and understanding of the interactions between physiologically active substances and proteins that numerous genes produce is important. Currently, most commercially available drugs and physiologically active substances have been brought to market without knowledge of factors interacting with the drugs and the substances. Affinity purification is a useful and powerful technique employed to understand factors that are targeted by drugs and physiologically active substances. However, use of conventional matrices for affinity chromatography often causes a decrease in efficiency of affinity purification and, as a result, more practical matrices for affinity purification have been developed for application in drug discovery research. In this paper, we describe the development of high-performance affinity beads (SG beads and FG beads) that enable one-step affinity purification of drug targets and the elucidation of the mechanism of the action of the drugs. We also describe a chemical screening system using our affinity beads. We hope that utilization of the affinity beads will contribute to the progress of research in chemical biology.

Development of novel magnetic nano-carriers for high-performance affinity purification.

We developed novel magnetic nano-carriers around 180 nm in diameter for affinity purification. Prepared magnetic nano-carriers possessed uniform core/shell/shell nano-structure composed of 40 nm magnetite particles/poly(styrene-co-glycidyl methacrylate (GMA))/polyGMA, which was constructed by admicellar polymerization. By utilizing relatively large 40 nm magnetite particles with large magnetization, the magnetic nano-carriers could show good response to permanent magnet. Thanks to uniform polymer shell with high physical/chemical stability, the magnetic nano-carriers could disperse in a wide range of organic solvent without disruption of core/shell structure and could immobilize various kinds of drugs. We examined affinity purification using our prepared magnetic nano-carriers with anti-cancer agent methotrexate (MTX) as ligand. Our magnetic nano-carriers showed higher performance compared to commercially available magnetic beads in terms of purification efficiency of target including extent of non-specific binding protein.

SV40 VP1 major capsid protein in its self-assembled form allows VP1 pentamers to coat various types of artificial beads in vitro regardless of their sizes and shapes.

The icosahedral capsid structure of simian virus 40 (diameter, 45 nm) consists of 72 pentameric subunits, with each subunit formed by five VP1 molecules. Electron microscopy, immuno-gold labeling, and ζ-potential analysis showed that purified recombinant VP1 pentamers covered polystyrene beads measuring 100, 200, and 500 nm in diameter, as well as silica beads. In addition to covering spherical beads, VP1 pentamers covered cubic magnetite beads, as well as the distorted surface structures of liposomes. These findings indicate that VP1 pentamers could coat artificial beads of various shapes and sizes larger than the natural capsid. Technology based on VP1 pentamers may be useful in providing a capsid-like surface for enclosed materials, enhancing their stability and cellular uptake for drug delivery systems.

Design and synthesis of a solid-supported FR225659 derivative for its receptor screening.

[structure: see text] We describe the design and synthesis of latex particles attached to an FR225659 derivative to identify its receptor proteins. Two key building blocks were prepared by two-step degradation of FR225659 under basic conditions. The designed ligand showed an acceptable level of biological activity to make it of potential value for use in affinity-supported receptor identification. Affinity purification of FR225659-binding proteins using the latex nanoparticles provided three candidate receptor peptides for the biological activity.

Viral protein-coating of magnetic nanoparticles using simian virus 40 VP1.

Artificial beads including magnetite and fluorescence particles are useful to visualize pathologic tissue, such as cancers, from harmless types by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or fluorescence imaging. Desirable properties of diagnostic materials include high dispersion in body fluids, and the ability to target specific tissues. Here we report on the development of novel magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) intended for use as diagnosis and therapy that are coated with viral capsid protein VP1-pentamers of simian virus 40, which are monodispersive in body fluid by conjugating epidermal growth factor (EGF) to VP1. Critically, the coating of MNPs with VP1 facilitated stable dispersion of the MNPs in body fluids. In addition, EGF was conjugated to VP1 coating on MNPs (VP1-MNPs). EGF-conjugated VP1-MNPs were successfully used to target EGF receptor-expressing tumor cells in vitro. Thus, using viral capsid protein VP1 as a coating material would be useful for medical diagnosis and therapy.

Affinity identification of delta-opioid receptors using latex nanoparticles.

Three types of latex nanoparticles carrying naltrindole (NTI) derivatives were synthesized as probes for the affinity isolation of their binding proteins including the delta-opioid receptor. The effect of the attachment of NTI to different positions on the linker was investigated. Only latex nanoparticles in which the NTI derivative was linked through the phenol group were useful for isolating the recombinant delta-opioid receptor solubilized from CHO cell membrane. These latex nanoparticles could be a useful tool for investigations of the pharmacological activity of NTI.

A new mechanism of methotrexate action revealed by target screening with affinity beads.

Methotrexate (MTX) is the anticancer and antirheumatoid drug that is believed to block nucleotide synthesis and cell cycle by inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase activity. We have developed novel affinity matrices, termed SG beads, that are easy to manipulate and are compatible with surface functionalization. Using the matrices, here we present evidence that deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), an enzyme that acts in the salvage pathway of nucleotide biosynthesis, is another target of MTX. MTX modulates dCK activity differentially depending on substrate concentrations. 1-beta-D-Arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C), a chemotherapy agent often used in combination with MTX, is a nucleoside analog whose incorporation into chromosome requires prior phosphorylation by dCK. We show that, remarkably, MTX enhances incorporation and cytotoxicity of ara-C through regulation of dCK activity in Burkitt's lymphoma cells. Thus, this study provides new insight into the mechanisms underlying MTX actions and demonstrates the usefulness of the SG beads.

Development of polymer latex particles for selective cleavage of mismatched DNA and their application for DNA diagnosis.

We developed functional polymer latex particles that can catch and cleave mismatched DNA selectively and propose a new mismatch detection system using the functional particles. The aimed particles possess two functional units composed of mismatch binding protein (MutS) and an anthraquinone derivative (AQ), a light-activated agent that photocleaves dsDNA. Use of the functional particles made it possible to discriminate complementary and mismatched DNAs and photocleave mismatched DNA selectively. The efficiency of photocleavage of mismatched DNA by the functional particles increased with UV irradiation time. It was also found that the functional particles were reusable and had dissociation constants (K(d)) of 1000 and 68.5 nM for G/C homoduplex and G/T heteroduplex, respectively. Using the functional particles and a dsDNA-binding fluorescent dye, SYBR-Gold, we could construct the system for detection of mismatched DNA that was 40 base pairs. The functional particles prepared in this study will be an absolutely new tool for mismatch detection in DNA diagnosis.

Selective ligand purification using high-performance affinity beads.

Since the development of affinity chromatography, affinity purification technology has been applied to many aspects of biological research, becoming an indispensable tool. Efficient strategies for the identification of biologically active compounds based on biochemical specificity have not yet been established, despite widespread interest in identifying chemicals that directly alter biomolecular functions. Here, we report a novel method for purifying chemicals that specifically interact with a target biomolecule using reverse affinity beads, a receptor-immobilized high-performance solid-phase matrix. When FK506-binding protein 12 (FKBP12) immobilized beads were used in this process, FK506 was efficiently purified in one step either from a mixture of chemical compounds or from fermented broth extract. The reverse affinity beads facilitated identification of drug/receptor complex binding proteins by reconstitution of immobilized ligand/receptor complexes on the beads. When FKBP12/FK506 and FKBP12/rapamycin complexes were immobilized, calcineurin and FKBP/rapamycin-associated protein were purified from a crude cell extract, respectively. These data indicate that reverse affinity beads are powerful tools for identification of both specific ligands and proteins that interact with receptor/ligand complexes.

Total analysis and purification of cellular proteins binding to cisplatin-damaged DNA using submicron beads.

A high-performance affinity purification technique has been developed for cisplatin (CDDP)-damaged DNA binding proteins directly from crude nuclear extracts of HeLaS3 cell using novel submicron beads synthesized by copolymerization of styrene and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). The beads dramatically decreased both nonspecific protein adsorption on solid surfaces and elution volume and simplified the handling procedure. Preparation of the beads for purification was carried out by immobilization of telomeric repeats, (TTAGGG)(n), on the surface after the reaction with CDDP. At least nine proteins clearly showed higher affinity to CDDP-DNA and were identified by amino acid sequence analysis including HMGB (high mobility group), hUBF (human upstream binding factor), and Ku autoantigen, which were previously reported to be components of CDDP-damaged DNA binding proteins.