U.S. patent application number 14/039988 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-17 for methods and devices for analyte detection.
This patent application is currently assigned to PROTEINSIMPLE. The applicant listed for this patent is PROTEINSIMPLE. Invention is credited to Arunashree Bhamidipati, Andrei V. Bordunov, James Eugene Knittle, Roger A. O'Neill, Karl O. Voss, Tom Weisan Yang.
Application Number | 20140106372 14/039988 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40347822 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140106372 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yang; Tom Weisan ; et
al. |
April 17, 2014 |
METHODS AND DEVICES FOR ANALYTE DETECTION
Abstract
Methods for detecting one or more analytes, such as a protein,
in a fluid path are provided. The methods include resolving,
immobilizing and detecting one or more analytes in a fluid path,
such as a capillary. Also included are devices and kits for
performing such assays.
Inventors: |
Yang; Tom Weisan;
(Cupertino, CA) ; Bhamidipati; Arunashree; (Palo
Alto, CA) ; Bordunov; Andrei V.; (Campbell, CA)
; Knittle; James Eugene; (San Jose, CA) ; O'Neill;
Roger A.; (San Carlos, CA) ; Voss; Karl O.;
(Foster City, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PROTEINSIMPLE |
SANTA CLARA |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
PROTEINSIMPLE
SANTA CLARA
CA
|
Family ID: |
40347822 |
Appl. No.: |
14/039988 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12950660 |
Nov 19, 2010 |
|
|
|
14039988 |
|
|
|
|
11981404 |
Oct 30, 2007 |
7846676 |
|
|
12950660 |
|
|
|
|
11185247 |
Jul 19, 2005 |
7935489 |
|
|
11981404 |
|
|
|
|
60589139 |
Jul 19, 2004 |
|
|
|
60617362 |
Oct 8, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
435/7.9 ;
436/501 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 27/44743 20130101;
B01L 2200/0668 20130101; G01N 33/54306 20130101; G01N 33/582
20130101; B01L 2400/0421 20130101; B01L 2400/0406 20130101; B01L
2400/0418 20130101; B01L 2400/0487 20130101; G01N 33/54366
20130101; G01N 27/44795 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
435/7.9 ;
436/501 |
International
Class: |
G01N 33/543 20060101
G01N033/543 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: resolving an analyte in a sample disposed
within in a fluid path based on the size of the analyte;
immobilizing the analyte in the fluid path using thermal
activation; after the immobilizing, conveying a detection reagent
through the fluid path; and detecting the analyte by measuring a
signal generated by the detection reagent.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: heating the sample;
and introducing the sample into the fluid path before the
resolving.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the analyte includes a
protein.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample includes a
standard.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample is introduced into the
fluid path by electrokinetic injection.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid path includes at least
one of a capillary, a substrate, a curved surface or a planar
surface.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the analyte is resolved by
electrophoresis.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid path includes a sieving
matrix.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermal activation includes
heating at least a portion of the fluid path.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the detection reagents include
antibodies.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the resolving includes resolving
the analyte prior to the immobilizing to enable the detection of a
physical parameter of the analyte.
12. The method of claim 1, the analyte being one analyte from a
plurality of analytes, wherein the immobilizing is non-specific to
any analyte from the plurality of analytes.
13. A method, comprising: resolving in a fluid path an analyte in a
sample based on the size of the analyte; immobilizing in the fluid
path the analyte, the immobilizing including photo-immobilizing and
thermally immobilizing; and conveying a detection agent through the
fluid path after the immobilizing, the detection agent configured
to bind to or interact with the analyte and facilitate detection of
the immobilized analyte.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the fluid path includes at
least one of a capillary, a substrate, a curved surface or a planar
surface.
15. The method of claim 13, the fluid path being a first fluid path
from a plurality of fluid paths, the plurality of fluid paths
including capillaries.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the analyte is resolved by at
least one of isoelectric focusing, gel electrophoresis, or
electrokinetic chromatography.
17. The method of claim 13, the immobilizing including heating the
fluid path.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the resolving and the
immobilizing occurs in a same location of the fluid path.
19. A method, comprising: resolving a protein in a fluid path based
on the size of the protein; immobilizing the resolved protein by at
least heating the fluid path; contacting the immobilized protein
with an antibody to form an antibody-protein complex in the fluid
path; and detecting the immobilized protein in the fluid path after
a detection agent is conveyed through the fluid path.
20. The method of claim 19, the fluid path including a location,
the resolving, the immobilizing and the detecting occurring
substantially in the location.
21. The method of claim 19, the protein being one protein from a
plurality of proteins, the immobilizing being non-specific with
respect to any the plurality of proteins.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein the immobilizing includes
heating the fluid path while photoimmobilizing.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to and is a continuation
application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/950,660, filed
Nov. 19, 2010, entitled "Methods and Devices for Analyte
Detection," which is a continuation of, and claims priority to U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/981,404, filed Oct. 30, 2007,
entitled "Methods and Devices for Analyte Detection," now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,846,676, which is a continuation-in-part application of, and
claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/185,247,
filed Jul. 19, 2005, entitled "Methods and Devices for Analyte
Detection," now U.S. Pat. No. 7,935,489, which claims benefit under
35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/589,139, entitled "Continuous Determination of Cellular Contents
by Chemiluminescence," filed Jul. 19, 2004 and U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/617,362, entitled "Determination of
Captured Cellular Contents," filed Oct. 8, 2004, the disclosures of
each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TEXT FILE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY
[0002] The contents of the text file submitted electronically
herewith are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: A
computer readable format copy of the Sequence Listing (filename:
CELB.sub.--001.sub.--11US_SeqList.txt, date recorded: Feb. 4, 2011,
file size 1 kilobyte).
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to methods, devices and kits
for analyte detection and various uses thereof.
INTRODUCTION
[0004] Methods and devices for detecting analytes are important
tools for characterizing analytes in biological and industrial
applications. In many applications, it is desirable to detect the
presence of one or more analytes in a sample. For example, rapid
detection of a particular protein in a mixture of proteins is
particularly useful in molecular biology protocols, drug
development and disease diagnosis.
[0005] Although numerous approaches have been developed for
detecting analytes, there is still a great need to find new assay
designs that can be used to inexpensively and conveniently detect
and characterize a wide variety of analytes. However, currently
available assay protocols are inconvenient, expensive, or have
other deficiencies. For example, Western blotting has been in
widespread use for more than two decades for detecting proteins. In
this technique, a sheet of gel is retained between two plates and
usually is mounted vertically with the upper edge of the gel sheet
accessible to the sample to be assayed. The sample is applied in
wells created along the upper edge of the gel and an
electrophoretic potential is applied between the upper and lower
edges of the sheet of gel. The electrophoretic potential is applied
by a DC power supply, and may be in the range of 50 to more than
1000 volts. The electrophoretic potential is applied for a period
of time that allows the proteins in the sample, to distribute
themselves (i.e., separate) vertically through the sheet of gel,
typically for 1-4 hours, but in some cases considerably longer. The
potential must be removed when the proteins are distributed as
desired. The sheet of gel is then removed from between its two
glass retaining plates and is then placed on a sheet of blotting
material such as porous nitrocellulose of length and width
dimensions approximately matching those of the sheet of gel, the
blotting material having already been soaked in a buffer to hydrate
it. Care must be taken at this step to avoid the presence of air
bubbles between the gel and the blotting material, which would
impede the direct transfer of the distributed proteins from the gel
to the blotting material. Two electrode plates are then placed on
either side of the gel and blotting material, thereby sandwiching
the sheets of gel and blotting material between the electrode
plates. The electrode plates should preferably apply a uniform
electrophoretic field across the thicknesses of the sheets of gel
and blotting material. This electrophoretic field, typically
100-500 volts, transfers the proteins from the gel to the blotting
material in the same distribution in which they were captured in
the gel matrix. This transfer process takes approximately 1-2
hours, but can take as much as overnight for some proteins to be
transferred. After the proteins adhere to the blotting material,
the blotting material is removed from the sandwich and is washed in
a buffer containing one or more blocking agents such as skim milk,
bovine serum albumin or tween-20 detergent for 1-4 hours and then
is immersed in a solution of protein-specific reporter antibodies.
During the immersion the blotting paper is typically agitated by a
rocking or circular motion in the plane of the blotting paper. The
immersion step typically takes 1-4 hours, but can take overnight or
longer for some antibody-protein pairs. Reporter antibody detection
can be done with a variety of markers such as optical dyes,
radioactive or chromogenic markers, fluorescent dyes or reporter
enzymes depending upon the analytical method used. These results
are known as Western blots as described by Towbin H., Staehelin T.,
and Gordon J., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA, 76: 4350-4354 (1979),
Burnette W. N., Anal. Biochem., 112: 195-203 (1981), and Rybicki
& von Wechmar in J. Virol. Methods, vol. 5: 267-278 (1982).
[0006] The Western blot technique, while widely used, has a number
of drawbacks and deficiencies. First, as the above description
makes clear, the processing is very complex. There are many
distinctly different steps, including the step of initially
distributing the proteins being analyzed through the gel, the
intermediate step of transferring the distributed proteins to the
blotting material, the later step of binding the reporter
antibodies, and the final step of reading or analyzing the results.
Between these major steps are preparation steps and washing the
variously processed components of the technique. Second, there is
extensive handling of the components of the technique. The gel must
be placed in the distribution apparatus, then removed and located
in the blotting apparatus, then the blotting material must be
handled to bind the reporter substrates. The components can be
damaged during this handling, in particular the fragile sheet of
gel. Third, it takes a considerable amount of time to arrive at
just a single blot. At least a day is required to produce just one
blot, and generally 11/2-2 days are required. During the beginning
of the process the accuracy of the technique is affected by
migration of the proteins until they are immobilized in the
blotting material, which can result in band broadening. Fourth, the
variability introduced by the complexity of the handling and
processing can require the process to be repeated several times
before acceptable results are obtained. Fifth, the variability in
the results often requires subjective decisions to be made in
reading the results of the blot. This subjectivity reduces the
ability to obtain quantifiable, objective results and frequently
limits the technique to practice by highly trained and experienced
personnel. Sixth, the variability and complexity of the process
impedes the ability to automate the process. Seventh, the technique
has low sensitivity and generally is only effective with the
contents of hundreds of thousands or millions of cells. Certainly,
the technique cannot be used to analyze the enzymes of an
individual mammalian cell. Eighth, the quantitation of the
technique is poor. For one example, the agitation process may fail
to cause the uniform binding of reporter substrates to the analytes
in the blotting material. For another example, in the
electroblotting step the time required to transfer some proteins is
sufficient to enable other proteins to pass through the blotting
membrane and be lost. Finally, the process can require large
quantities of expensive probe and reporter antibodies to be used.
In sum, the Western gel blotting technique is generally complex,
time-consuming, expensive, insensitive and inexact.
[0007] Thus, although numerous approaches have been developed for
detecting analytes, there is still a great need to find new methods
and devices that can be used to conveniently and sensitively detect
and characterize a wide variety of analytes.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present invention provides methods, devices, and kits
for detecting one or more analytes of interest in a sample. In some
embodiments, methods of detecting at least one analyte in a sample
are provided, characterized in that: one or more analytes are
resolved in a fluid path and the analyte(s) are immobilized in the
fluid path. Detection agents are conveyed through the fluid path
which bind to or interact with the analyte(s) and permit detection
of the immobilized analyte(s) in the fluid path.
[0009] In another aspect, methods for detecting at least one
protein in a sample are provided comprising the steps of: resolving
one or more proteins in a capillary, photoimmobilizing one or more
proteins in the capillary, contacting antibodies with the
immobilized protein(s) to form antibody-protein complex(es) in the
capillary, and detecting the protein(s).
[0010] In a further aspect, methods of detecting at least one
protein in a sample are provided wherein one or more target
proteins are resolved in a capillary. The capillary comprises at
least one or more photoreactive groups. In some embodiments, the
capillary comprises polymeric material or polymerizable material
comprising one or more photoreactive groups. The protein(s) are
photoimmobilized in the capillary. Antibodies are then contacted
with the photoimmobilized proteins and form antibody-protein
complex(es) in the capillary, and the proteins are detected.
[0011] Further methods of detecting at least one protein in a
sample are provided comprising the steps of: concentrating one or
more proteins in a fluid path, immobilizing the protein(s) in the
fluid path; contacting the immobilized target protein(s) with
detection agents to form a detection agent-protein complex(es) in
the fluid path, and detecting the target protein.
[0012] Additionally, systems for detecting at least one analyte in
a sample are provided, comprising a fluid path with one or more
reactive groups contained therein, where the reactive groups are
capable of immobilizing the analyte(s) in the fluid path. A power
supply is coupled to the fluid path and is configured to apply a
voltage along the fluid path wherein the analytes are resolved in
the fluid path. A detector is provided which detects the analytes
immobilized in the fluid path.
[0013] In another aspect, kits for detecting at least one analyte
in a sample are provided, comprising one or more fluid paths
comprising one or more reactive moieties, buffer and detection
agents.
[0014] These and other features of the present teachings are set
forth below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The skilled artisan will understand that the drawings,
described below, are for illustration purposes only. The drawings
are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any
way.
[0016] FIGS. 1A-D illustrate exemplary embodiments of resolving,
immobilizing and labeling cellular materials in a capillary.
[0017] FIGS. 2A-B illustrate exemplary embodiments of immobilizing
resolved analytes in a polymeric material in a capillary.
[0018] FIGS. 3A-H illustrate exemplary embodiments of detecting one
or more analytes.
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of detecting
cellular materials.
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of analyzing
cell(s).
[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of detecting
cellular materials.
[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of analyzing
cell(s).
[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of analyzing
cell(s).
[0024] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of analyzing
cell(s).
[0025] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of analyzing
cellular materials.
[0026] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of method for
analyzing cellular materials.
[0027] FIGS. 12A-B illustrate exemplary embodiments of (a) a
capillary between two fluid-filled wells and electrodes and (b) a
capillary array device.
[0028] FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an analytical
system detection of cellular materials in a capillary by
chemiluminescence.
[0029] FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an analytical
device.
[0030] FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an analytical
device.
[0031] FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an analytical
device.
[0032] FIG. 17 illustrates fluorescent detection of Green
Fluorescent Protein.
[0033] FIG. 18 illustrates chemiluminescent detection of Green
Fluorescent Protein.
[0034] FIG. 19 illustrates fluorescent detection of horse
myoglobin.
[0035] FIG. 20 illustrates chemiluminescent detection of Akt
protein.
[0036] FIG. 21 illustrates chemiluminescent detection of
phosphorylated Akt protein.
[0037] FIG. 22 illustrates chemiluminescence detection of Akt
protein and phosphorylated Akt protein.
[0038] FIG. 23 illustrates a TIF image of 12 capillaries containing
analytes separated or resolved by size, immobilized, and detected
by probing with HRP labeled antibodies and chemiluminescence,
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 24 shows a line graph of a signal emitted along the
length of one capillary in FIG. 23.
[0040] FIG. 25 is a line graph of the signal emitted from 2
proteins of similar size separated and detected within a
capillary.
[0041] FIG. 26 illustrates a line graph of the signal emitted by a
protein detecting GAPDH in a cell lysate that has been separated or
resolved by size.
[0042] FIG. 27A depicts a line graph of fluorescent signal emitted
by 5 proteins that have been separated by size within a capillary;
and FIG. 27B shows a graph of the molecular weight of the proteins
(Y axis) versus the pixel position of the proteins (X axis) as
shown in FIG. 27A.
[0043] FIG. 28 illustrates line graphs of three ERK proteins
detected in a cell lysate that has been separated by size.
[0044] FIG. 29 shows two (2) images demonstrating immobilization of
a target analyte induced by exposure to heat according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0045] FIG. 30 illustrates data extracted from capillaries 2901 and
2907 of FIG. 29.
[0046] FIG. 31 illustrates data extracted from capillaries 2903 and
2909 of FIG. 29.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0047] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following description are exemplary and
explanatory only and are not restrictive of the methods and devices
described herein. In this application, the use of the singular
includes the plural unless specifically state otherwise. Also, the
use of "or" means "and/or" unless state otherwise. Similarly,
"comprise," "comprises," "comprising," "include," "includes" and
"including" are not intended to be limiting.
[0048] Definitions
[0049] As used throughout the instant application, the following
terms shall have the following meanings:
[0050] "Antibody" has its standard meaning and is intended to refer
to full-length as well antibody fragments, as are known in the art,
including Fab, Fab.sub.2, single chain antibodies (Fv for example),
monoclonal, polyclonal, chimeric antibodies, etc., either produced
by the modification of whole antibodies or those synthesized de
novo using recombinant DNA technologies.
[0051] "Detect" and "detection" have their standard meaning, and
are intended to encompass detection including the presence or
absence, measurement, and/or characterization of an analyte.
[0052] "Label" as used herein refers to a detectable moiety. As
will be appreciated by those in the art, suitable labels encompass
a wide variety of possible moieties. In general, labels include,
but are not limited to, a) isotopic labels, which may be
radioactive or heavy isotopes; b) immune labels, which may be
antibodies or antigens; c) optical dyes, including colored or
fluorescent dyes; d) enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase and
horseradish peroxidase, e) particles such as colloids, magnetic
particles, etc., and combinations thereof such as fluorescent
labeled antibodies, and chemiluminescent labeled antibodies.
[0053] "Protein" has its standard meaning and is intended to refer
to proteins, oligopeptides and peptides, derivatives and analogs,
including proteins containing non-naturally occurring amino acids
and amino acid analogs, and peptidomimetic structures, and includes
proteins made using recombinant techniques, i.e. through the
expression of a recombinant nucleic acid.
[0054] Methods
[0055] Provided herein are methods of detecting one or more
analytes in a sample. In some embodiments, methods of detecting at
least one analyte in a sample are provided, characterized in that:
one or more analytes are resolved in a fluid path and the
analyte(s) are immobilized in the fluid path. Detection agents are
conveyed through the fluid path, which bind to or interact with the
analytes and permit detection of the immobilized analytes in the
fluid path.
[0056] In some embodiments, methods of detecting at least one
analyte of interest in a sample are provided. In some embodiments,
the method comprises resolving one or more analytes in a fluid
path, immobilizing the analytes in the fluid path, and contacting
the immobilized analytes with detection agents, and detecting the
analytes. In some embodiments, the method comprises separating a
sample into two or more components in a fluid path, immobilizing
one or more analytes of interest in the fluid path, and contacting
the immobilized analytes with detection agents, and detecting the
analytes.
[0057] The sample contains the analyte or analytes to be detected.
The sample can be heterogeneous, containing a variety of
components, i.e. different proteins. Alternatively, the sample can
be homogenous, containing one component. The sample can be
naturally occurring, a biological material, or man-made material.
For example, the sample can be a single cell or a plurality of
cells, a blood sample, a tissue sample, a skin sample, a urine
sample, a water sample, or a soil sample. In some embodiments, the
sample comprises the contents of a single cell, or the contents of
a plurality of cells. The sample can be from a living organism,
such as a eukaryote, prokaryote, mammal, human, yeast, or
bacterium, or the sample can be from a virus. In some embodiments,
sequential samples can be assayed from a single animal, such as
sequential cuttings from a rodent tail over time.
[0058] In some embodiments, the sample can be one or more stem
cells. A stem cell is any cell that has the ability to divide for
indefinite periods of time and to give rise to specialized cells.
Suitable examples include embryonic stem cells, such as human
embryonic stem cells (hES), and non-embryonic stems cells, such as
mesenchymal, hematopoietic, or adult stem cells (MSC).
[0059] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art,
virtually any processing may be performed on the sample prior to
detecting the analyte. For example, the sample can be subjected to
a lysing step, denaturation step, heating step, purification step,
precipitation step, immunoprecipitation step, column chromatography
step, centrifugation, etc. In some embodiments, the separation of
the sample and immobilization may be performed on native
substrates, the analyte of interest, i.e. a protein, or may also
undergo denaturation to expose their internal hydrophobic groups
for immobilizing in the fluid path.
[0060] The analyte to be detected can be any analyte selected by
the user. The analyte can comprise any organic or inorganic
molecule capable of being detected. Non-limiting examples of
analytes that can be detected include proteins, oligopeptides and
peptides, derivatives and analogs, including proteins containing
non-naturally occurring amino acids and amino acid analogs. Other
example of analytes that can be detected include carbohydrates,
polysaccharides, glycoproteins, viruses, metabolites, cofactors,
nucleotides, polynucleotides, transition state analogs, inhibitors,
drugs, nutrients, electrolytes, hormones, growth factors and other
biomolecules as well as non-biomolecules, as well as fragments and
combinations of all the forgoing.
[0061] As will be appreciated by those in the art, virtually any
method of loading the sample in the fluid path may be performed.
For example, the sample can be loaded into one end of the fluid
path. In some embodiments, the sample is loaded into one end of the
fluid path by hydrodynamic flow. For example, in embodiments
wherein the fluid path is a capillary, the sample can be loaded
into one end of the capillary by hydrodynamic flow, such that the
capillary is used as a micropipette. FIG. 3b illustrates an
exemplary embodiment of loading a sample in capillary by capillary
action. In some embodiments, the sample can be loaded into the
fluid path by electrophoresis, for example, when the fluid path is
gel filled and therefore more resistant to hydrodynamic flow.
[0062] The fluid path can comprise any structure that allows liquid
or dissolved molecules to flow. Thus, the fluid path can comprise
any structure known in the art, so long as it is compatible with
the methods and devices described herein. In some embodiments, the
fluid path is a bore or channel through which a liquid or dissolved
molecule can flow. In some embodiments, the fluid path is passage
in a permeable material in which liquids or dissolved molecules can
flow.
[0063] The fluid path comprises any material that allows the
detection of the analyte within the fluid path. The fluid path
comprises any convenient material, such as glass, plastic, silicon,
fused silica, gel, or the like. In some embodiments, the method
employs a plurality of fluid paths. A plurality of fluid paths
enables multiple samples to be analyzed simultaneously.
[0064] The fluid path can vary as to dimensions, width, depth and
cross-section, as well as shape, being rounded, trapezoidal,
rectangular, etc., for example. The fluid path can be straight,
rounded, serpentine, or the like. As described below, the length of
the fluid path depends in part on factors such as sample size and
the extent of sample separation required to resolve the analyte or
analytes of interest.
[0065] In some embodiments, the fluid path comprises a tube with a
bore, such as a capillary. In some embodiments, the method employs
a plurality of capillaries. Suitable sizes include, but are not
limited to, capillaries having internal diameters of about 10 to
about 1000 .mu.m, although more typically capillaries having
internal diameters of about 25 to about 400 .mu.m can be utilized.
Smaller diameter capillaries use relatively low sample loads while
the use of relatively large bore capillaries allows relatively high
sample loads and can result in improved signal detection.
[0066] The capillaries can have varying lengths. Suitable lengths
include, but are not limited to, capillaries of about 2 to 20 cm in
length, although somewhat shorter and longer capillaries can be
used. In some embodiments, the capillary is about 3, 4, 5, or 6 ems
in length. Longer capillaries typically result in better
separations and improved resolution of complex mixtures. Longer
capillaries can be of particular use in resolving low abundance
analytes.
[0067] Generally, the capillaries are composed of fused silica,
although plastic capillaries and PYREX (i.e., amorphous glass) can
be utilized. As noted above, the capillaries do not need to have a
round or tubular shape, other shapes, so long as it is compatible
with the methods and devices described herein can also be
utilized.
[0068] In some embodiments, the fluid path can be a channel. In
some embodiments, the method employs a plurality of channels. In
some embodiments, the fluid path can be a channel in a microfluidic
device. Microfluidics employs channels in a substrate to perform a
wide variety of operations. The microfluidic devices can comprise
one or a plurality of channels contoured into a surface of a
substrate. The microfluidic device can be obtained from a solid
inert substrate, and in some embodiments in the form of a chip. The
dimensions of the microfluidic device are not critical, but in some
embodiments the dimensions are in the order of about 100 .mu.m to
about 5 mm thick and approximately about 1 centimeters to about 20
centimeters on a side. Suitable sizes include, but are not limited
to, channels having a depth of about 5 .mu.m to about 200 .mu.m,
although more typically having a depth of about 20 .mu.m to about
.mu.m can be utilized. Smaller channels, such as micro or
nanochannels can also be used, so long as it is compatible with the
methods and devices described herein.
[0069] In some embodiments, the fluid path comprises a gel. In some
embodiments, the gel is capable of separating the components of the
sample based on molecular weight. A wide variety of such gels are
known in the art, a non-limiting example includes a polyacrylamide
gel.
[0070] The methods generally comprise resolving one or more
analytes, contained in a sample, in the fluid path. Methods of
separating a mixture into two or more components are well known to
those of ordinary skill in the art, and may include, but are not
limited to, various kinds of electrophoresis. As used herein,
electrophoresis refers to the movement of suspended or dissolved
molecules through a fluid or gel under the action of an
electromotive force applied to electrodes in contact with a
fluid.
[0071] In some embodiments, resolving one or more analytes
comprises isoelectric focusing (IEF) of a sample. In an electric
field, a molecule will migrate towards the pole (cathode or anode)
that carries a charge opposite to the net charge carried by the
molecule. This net charge depends in part on the pH of the medium
in which the molecule is migrating. One common electrophoretic
procedure is to establish solutions having different pH values at
each end of an electric field, with a gradient range of pH in
between. At a certain pH, the isoelectric point of a molecule is
obtained and the molecule carries no net charge. As the molecule
crosses the pH gradient, it reaches a spot where its net charge is
zero (i.e., its isoelectric point) and it is thereafter immobile in
the electric field. Thus, this electrophoresis procedure separates
molecules according to their different isoelectric points.
[0072] In some embodiments, for example when resolving is by
isoelectric focusing, an ampholyte reagent can be loaded into the
fluid path. An ampholyte reagent is a mixture of molecules having a
range of different isoelectric points. Typical ampholyte reagents
are Pharmalyte.TM. and Ampholine.TM. available from Amersham
Biosciences of Buckinghamshire, England. Ampholytes can be supplied
at either end of the fluid path, or both, by pumping, capillary
action, gravity flow, electroendosmotic pumping, or
electrophoresis, or by gravity siphon that can extend continuously
through the fluid path.
[0073] In some embodiments, resolving one or more analytes
comprises electrophoresis of a sample in a polymeric gel.
Electrophoresis in a polymeric gel, such as a polyacrylamide gel or
an agarose gel separates molecules on the basis of the molecule's
size. A polymeric gel provides a porous passageway through which
the molecules can travel. Polymeric gels permit the separation of
molecules by molecular size because larger molecules will travel
more slowly through the gel than smaller molecules.
[0074] In some embodiments, resolving one or more analytes
comprises micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) of a
sample. In micellar electrokinetic chromatography, ionic
surfactants are added to the sample to form micelles. Micelles have
a structure in which the hydrophobic moieties of the surfactant are
in the interior and the charged moieties are on the exterior. The
separation of analyte molecules is based on the interaction of
these solutes with the micelles. The stronger the interaction, the
longer the solutes migrate with the micelle. The selectivity of
MEKC can be controlled by the choice of surfactant and also by the
addition of modifiers to the sample. Micellar electrokinetic
chromatography allows the separation of neutral molecules as well
as charged molecules.
[0075] The methods comprise immobilizing one or more resolved
analytes in the fluid path. As used herein, immobilizing refers to
substantially reducing or eliminating the motion of molecules in
the fluid path. The immobilization can be via covalent bonds or
non-covalent means such as by hydrophobic or ionic interaction. In
some embodiments, the resolved analytes of the sample are
immobilized in the fluid path by isoelectric focusing.
[0076] In some embodiments, the fluid path comprises one or more
reactive moieties. A reactive moiety can be used to covalently
immobilize the resolved analyte or analytes in the fluid path. The
reactive moiety can comprise any reactive group that is capable of
forming a covalent linkage with a corresponding reactive group of
individual molecules of the sample. Thus, the reactive moiety can
comprise any reactive group known in the art, so long as it is
compatible with the methods and devices described herein. In some
embodiments, the reactive moiety comprises a reactive group that is
capable of forming a covalent linkage with a corresponding reactive
group of an analyte of interest. In embodiments employing two or
more reactive moieties, each reactive moiety can be the same, or
some or all of the reactive moieties may differ.
[0077] The reactive moiety can be attached directly, or indirectly
to the fluid path. In some embodiments, the reactive moiety can be
supplied in solution or suspension, and may form bridges between
the wall of the fluid path and the molecules in the sample upon
activation. The reactive moiety can line the fluid path or, in
another embodiment, may be present on a linear or cross-linked
polymer in the fluid path. The polymer may or may not be linked to
the wall of the fluid path before and/or after activation.
[0078] A wide variety of reactive moieties suitable for covalently
linking two molecules together are well-known. The actual choice of
reactive moieties will depend upon a variety of factors, and will
be apparent to those of skill in the art. For example, the reactive
moiety can bind to carbon-hydrogen (C--H) bonds of proteins. Since
many separation media also contain components with C--H bonds,
chemistries that react with sulfhydryl (S--H) groups may be
advantageous in that S--H groups are found uniquely on proteins
relative to most separation media components. Chemistries that
react with amine or carboxyl groups may also be advantageous due to
the prevalence of such groups on proteins.
[0079] Suitable reactive moieties include, but are not limited to,
photoreactive groups, chemical reactive groups, and thermoreactive
groups.
[0080] Photoimmobilization in the fluid path can be accomplished by
the activation of one or more photoreactive groups. A photoreactive
group comprises one or more latent photoreactive groups that upon
activation by an external energy source, forms a covalent bond with
other molecules. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,002,582 and 6,254,634,
the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. The
photoreactive groups generate active species such as free radicals
and particularly nitrenes, carbenes, and excited states of ketones
upon absorption of electromagnetic energy. The photoreactive groups
can be chosen that are responsive to various portions of the
electromagnetic spectrum, such as those responsive to ultraviolet,
infrared and visible portions of the spectrum. For example, upon
exposure to a light source, the photoreactive group can be
activated to form a covalent bond with an adjacent molecule.
[0081] Suitable photoreactive groups include, but are not limited
to, aryl ketones, azides, diazos, diazirines, and quinones.
[0082] In some embodiments, the photoreactive group comprises aryl
ketones, such as benzophenone, acetophenone, anthraquinone,
anthrone, and anthrone-like heterocycles or their substituted
derivatives. Benzophenone is a preferred photoreactive moiety,
since it is capable of photochemical excitation with the initial
formation of an excited singlet state that undergoes intersystem
crossing to the triplet state. The excited triplet state can insert
into carbon-hydrogen bonds by abstraction of a hydrogen atom to
create a radical pair. The subsequent collapse of the radical pair
leads to formation of a new carbon-carbon bond. If a reactive bond
(e.g., carbon-hydrogen) is not available for bonding, the
ultraviolet light-induced excitation of the benzophenone group is
reversible and the molecule returns to ground state energy level
upon removal of the energy source.
[0083] In some embodiments, the photoreactive group comprises
azides, such as arylazides such as phenyl azide,
4-fluoro-3-nitrophenyl azide, acyl azides such as benzoyl azide and
p-methylbenzoyl azide, azido formates such as ethyl azidoformate,
phenyl azidoformate, sulfonyl azides such as benzenesulfonyl azide,
and phosphoryl azides such as diphenyl phosphoryl azide and diethyl
phosphoryl azide.
[0084] In some embodiments, the photoreactive group comprises diazo
compounds and includes diazoalkanes such as diazomethane and
diphenyldiazomethane, diazoketones such as diazoacetophenone and
1-trifluoromethyl-1-diazo-2-pentanone, diazoacetates such as
t-butyl diazoacetate and phenyl diazoacetate, and
beta-keto-alpha-diazoacetates such as t-butyl alpha
diazoacetoacetate.
[0085] In some embodiments, the photoreactive group comprises
diazirines such as 3-trifluoromethyl-3-phenyldiazirine, and
photoreactive group comprises ketenes such diphenylketene.
[0086] In some embodiments, the photoreactive group comprises a
N-((2-pyridyldithio)ethyl)-4-azidosalicylamide,
4-azido-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzoic acid,
4-azido-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl amine, benzophenone-4-maleimide,
benzophenone-4-isothiocyanate, or 4-benzoylbenzoic acid.
[0087] As described above, in embodiments employing two or more
reactive moieties, each reactive moiety can be the same, or some or
all of the reactive moieties may differ. For example, the fluid
path can comprise photoreactive groups and chemically reactive. In
some embodiments, the fluid path can comprise different
photoreactive groups, non limiting examples include, benzophenone
and 4-azido-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzoic acid (ATFB).
[0088] In addition to the use of photoactivatable chemistry
described above, chemical or thermal activation may also be
employed.
[0089] In some embodiments, the reactive moiety comprises a
functional group that can be used to attach the reactive moiety to
an analyte by forming a covalent linkage with a complementary group
present on the analyte. Pairs of complementary groups capable of
forming covalent linkages are well known in the art. In some
embodiments, the analyte comprises a nucleophilic group and the
reactive group comprises an electrophilic group. In other
embodiments, the reactive group comprises a nucleophilic group and
the analyte comprises an electrophilic group. Complementary
nucleophilic and electrophilic groups, or precursors thereof that
can be suitably activated, useful for forming covalent linkages
stable in assay conditions are well known and can be used. Examples
of suitable complementary nucleophilic and electrophilic groups, as
well as the resultant linkages formed there from, are provided in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,348,596.
[0090] In some embodiments, the methods comprise contacting one or
more analytes with one or more detection agents. A detection agent
is capable of binding to or interacting with the analyte be
detected. Contacting the detection agent with the analyte or
analytes of interest can be by any method known in the art, so long
as it is compatible with the methods and devices described herein.
Examples for conveying detection agents through the fluid path
include, but are not limited to, hydrodymic flow, electroendosmotic
flow, or electrophoresis.
[0091] The detection agents can comprise any organic or inorganic
molecule capable of binding to interact with the analyte to be
detected. Non-limiting examples of detection agents include
proteins, peptides, antibodies, enzyme substrates, transition state
analogs, cofactors, nucleotides, polynucleotides, aptamers,
lectins, small molecules, ligands, inhibitors, drugs, and other
biomolecules as well as non-biomolecules capable of binding the
analyte to be detected.
[0092] In some embodiments, the detection agents comprise one or
more label moiety(ies). In embodiments employing two or more label
moieties, each label moiety can be the same, or some, or all, of
the label moieties may differ.
[0093] In some embodiments, the label moiety comprises a
chemiluminescent label. The chemiluminescent label can comprise any
entity that provides a light signal and that can be used in
accordance with the methods and devices described herein. A wide
variety of such chemiluminescent labels are known in the art. See,
e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,689,576, 6,395,503, 6,087,188, 6,287,767,
6,165,800, and 6,126,870 the disclosures of which are incorporated
herein by reference. Suitable labels include enzymes capable of
reacting with a chemiluminescent substrate in such a way that
photon emission by chemiluminescence is induced. Such enzymes
induce chemiluminescence in other molecules through enzymatic
activity. Such enzymes may include peroxidase, beta-galactosidase,
phosphatase, or others for which a chemiluminescent substrate is
available. In some embodiments, the chemiluminescent label can be
selected from any of a variety of classes of luminol label, an
isoluminol label, ete. In some embodiments, the detection agents
comprise chemiluminescent labeled antibodies.
[0094] In some embodiments, the detection agents comprise
chemiluminescent substrates. Depending on their charge, the
chemiluminescent substrates can be supplied from either end of the
fluid path, once the analyte is immobilized in the fluid path.
Uncharged substrates can be supplied from either end of the fluid
path by hydrodynamic flow or electroendosmotic flow, for example.
Chemiluminescent substrates are well known in the art, such as
Galacton substrate available from Applied Biosystems of Foster
City, Calif. or SuperSignal West Femto Maximum Sensitivity
substrate available from Pierce Biotechnology, Inc. of Rockford,
Ill. or other suitable substrates.
[0095] Likewise, the label moiety can comprise a bioluminescent
compound. Bioluminescence is a type of chemiluminescence found in
biological systems in which a catalytic protein increases the
efficiency of the chemiluminescent reaction. The presence of a
bioluminescent compound is determined by detecting the presence of
luminescence. Suitable bioluminescent compounds include, but are
not limited to luciferin, luciferase and aequorin.
[0096] In some embodiments, the label moiety comprises a
fluorescent dye. The fluorescent dye can comprise any entity that
provides a fluorescent signal and that can be used in accordance
with the methods and devices described herein. Typically, the
fluorescent dye comprises a resonance-delocalized system or
aromatic ring system that absorbs light at a first wavelength and
emits fluorescent light at a second wavelength in response to the
absorption event. A wide variety of such fluorescent dye molecules
are known in the art. For example, fluorescent dyes can be selected
from any of a variety of classes of fluorescent compounds,
non-limiting examples include xanthenes, rhodamines, fluoresceins,
cyanines, phthalocyanines, squaraines, bodipy dyes, coumarins,
oxazines, and carbopyronines. In some embodiments, for example,
where detection agents contain fluorophores, such as fluorescent
dyes, their fluorescence is detected by exciting them with an
appropriate light source, and monitoring their fluorescence by a
detector sensitive to there characteristic fluorescence emission
wavelength. In some embodiments, the detection agents comprise
fluorescent dye labeled antibodies.
[0097] In embodiments, using two or more different detection
agents, which bind to or interact with different analytes,
different types of analytes can be detected simultaneously. In some
embodiments, two or more different detection agents, which bind to
or interact with the one analyte, can be detected simultaneously.
In embodiments, using two or more different detection agents, one
detection agent, for example a 1.degree. antibody, can bind to or
interact with one or more analytes to form a detection
agent-analyte complex, and second detection agent, for example a
2.degree. antibody, can be used to bind to or interact with the
detection agent-analyte complex.
[0098] In some embodiments, two different detection agents, for
example antibodies for both phospho- and non-phospho-forms of
analyte of interest can enable detection of both forms of the
analyte of interest. In some embodiments, a single specific
detection agent, for example an antibody, can allow detection and
analysis of both phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated forms of a
analyte, as these can be resolved in the fluid path. In some
embodiments, multiple detection agents can be used with multiple
substrates to provide color-multiplexing. For example, the
different chemiluminescent substrates used would be selected such
that they emit photons of differing color. Selective detection of
different colors, as accomplished by using a diffraction grating,
prism, series of colored filters, or other means allow
determination of which color photons are being emitted at any
position along the fluid path, and therefore determination of which
detection agents are present at each emitting location. In some
embodiments, different chemiluminescent reagents can be supplied
sequentially, allowing different bound detection agents to be
detected sequentially.
[0099] Analyte detection includes detecting of the presence or
absence, measurement, and/or characterization of an analyte.
Typically, an analyte is detected by detecting a signal from a
label and includes, but is not limited, to detecting isotopic
labels, immune labels, optical dyes, enzymes, particles and
combinations thereof such as chemiluminescent labeled antibodies
and fluorescent labeled antibodies.
[0100] Detecting the analyte can be by any method known in the art,
so long as it is compatible with the methods and devices described
herein. Analyte detection can be performed by monitoring a signal
using conventional methods and instruments, non-limiting examples
include, a photodetector, an array of photodetectors, a charged
coupled device (CCD) array, etc. For example, a signal can be a
continuously monitored, in real time, to allow the user to rapidly
determine whether an analyte is present in the sample, and
optionally, the amount or activity of the analyte. In some
embodiments, the signal can be measured from at least two different
time points. In some embodiments, the signal can be monitored
continuously or at several selected time points. Alternatively, the
signal can be measured in an end-point embodiment in which a signal
is measured after a certain amount of time, and the signal is
compared against a control signal (sample without analyte),
threshold signal, or standard curve.
[0101] A signal can be a monitored, in real time, to allow the user
to rapidly determine whether an analyte is present in the sample,
and optionally, the amount or activity of the analyte. In some
embodiments, the signal can be measured from at least two different
time points. In some embodiments, the signal can be monitored
continuously or at several selected time points. Alternatively, the
signal can be measured in an end-point embodiment in which a signal
is measured after a certain amount of time, and the signal is
compared against a control signal (sample without analyte),
threshold signal, or standard curve.
[0102] Typically, detecting the analyte comprises imaging the fluid
path. In some embodiments, the entire length of the fluid path can
be imaged. Alternatively, a distinct part or portion of the fluid
path can be imaged. The amount of the signal generated is not
critical and can vary over a broad range. The only requirement is
that the signal be measurable by the detection system being used.
In some embodiments, a signal can be at least 2-fold greater than
the background. In some embodiments, a signal between 2 to 10-fold
greater than the background can be generated. In some embodiments,
a signal can be 10-fold greater than the background.
[0103] The amount of the signal generated is not critical and can
vary over a broad range. The only requirement is that the signal be
measurable by the detection system being used. In some embodiments,
a signal can be at least 2-fold greater than the background. In
some embodiments, a signal between 2 to 10-fold greater than the
background can be generated. In some embodiments, a signal can be
10-fold greater than the background.
[0104] FIGS. 1A-D illustrate exemplary embodiments of resolving,
immobilizing and labeling cellular materials in a capillary. FIG.
1A is a longitudinal cross-sectional illustration of a capillary 10
which is lined with a photoreactive group 12. Located within a
fluid inside the capillary is a mixture of cellular proteins 14 of
differing electrophoretic mobility as indicated by the different
shading. In FIG. 1B an electric field has been applied to the fluid
to separate the proteins in accordance with their isoelectric
points by isoelectric focusing (IEF) into groups 14a, 14b, and 14c.
In FIG. 1C light 15 at the appropriate wavelength is applied to
activate the photoreactive group which, when activated as indicated
at 12a, binds the proteins 14 at their separated locations within
the capillary. Detection antibodies 16 carrying a label are then
flowed through the capillary as indicated by arrow 18 in FIG. 1D.
The detection antibodies 16 will bind to the proteins 14 they
encounter as shown in FIG. 1D. When the detection antibodies
contain chemiluminescent label, the bound proteins are then labeled
in their bound locations for luminescent detection. In this
embodiment, a stream of chemiluminescence reagents can be flowed
through the capillary, reacting when encountering the label linked
to the proteins. The luminescence from the sites of the proteins is
detected by a photon detector and recorded, enabling identification
of the proteins by the light emitted from their bound locations.
The technique advantageously permits the identification of cellular
materials and, in the case where modification of cellular materials
(substrates) is being monitored, allows the use of these native
substrates without the need to introduce any identification
substances prior to the separation of the cellular materials by
IEF.
[0105] Generally, the methods described herein yield results
similar to those obtained by a Western blot but in a fraction of
the time. For example, the separation of cellular materials by IEF
can take 5 minutes or less, and subsequent immobilization takes 2
minutes or less. This means that the detection agents can be linked
to the separated sample within 10 minutes or less of the
commencement of separation, and that the detection agents can be
analyzed within 30 minutes of the separating step. The entire
process is faster, simpler, more sensitive, more accurate and more
automatable than the Western blot analytical technique. The
immobilization step obviates the need to assess the detection
agents (such as enzyme-labeled antibodies) for homogeneity of
molecular form prior to use and obviates the need for excessive
purification not typical of these types of reagents. Thus, less
costly probing antibodies can be used in the methods described
herein.
[0106] While the separation technique shown in the previous
embodiment is isoelectric focusing, free solution electrophoresis,
sieving electrophoresis, or micellar electrokinetic chromatography
for example, may also be used to resolve the analytes.
[0107] In some embodiments, methods of detecting at least one
analyte is provided, comprising, resolving one or more proteins in
a fluid path, immobilizing the analytes in the fluid path; and
contacting the immobilized analytes with detection agents to form
one or more detection agent-analyte complexes in the fluid path,
and detecting the analyte. In some embodiments, the detection agent
comprises a label. In some embodiments, the method further
comprises contacting the detection agent-analyte complex with a
labeled detection agent. In some embodiments, the method comprises
detecting a chemiluminescent signal. In some embodiments, the
method comprises detecting a fluorescent signal.
[0108] In some embodiments, methods of detecting at least one
protein of interest in a sample are provided, comprising: resolving
one or more proteins in a capillary, photoimmobilizing the proteins
in the capillary, and contacting the immobilized proteins with
antibodies to form one or more antibody-protein complexes in the
capillary and detecting the protein. In some embodiments, the
antibodies comprise a label. In some embodiments, the method
further comprising contacting the antibody-protein complex with a
labeled antibody. In some embodiments, the method comprises
detecting a chemiluminescent signal. In some embodiments, the
method comprises detecting a fluorescent signal.
[0109] In some embodiments, methods of detecting at least one
analyte in a sample are provided, comprising: resolving one or more
analytes in a fluid path, wherein the fluid path comprises one or
more reactive groups and, optionally, polymeric or polymerizable
materials comprising one or more reactive groups, and immobilizing
the analytes in the fluid path and contacting detection agents to
the immobilized analytes and detecting the analytes.
[0110] FIGS. 2A-B illustrate exemplary embodiments of immobilizing
resolved analytes, in a polymeric material in a capillary. FIG. 2A
illustrates a longitudinal cross section of a capillary 10. The
upper panel shows capillary 10 walls coated on their interior
surface with a photoreactive group 12, represented by closed ovals.
A suitable, non-limiting example of such material is polyacrylamide
containing photoreactive groups, such as benzophenone moieties.
Also present in FIG. 2A are polymeric materials 24 in solution,
represented by four-armed structures terminated in circles, where
the circles represent photoreactive groups 12. A suitable,
non-limiting example of such material is branched polyethylene
glycol bearing photoreactive groups 12 such as benzophenone, ATFB
etc. In addition, two bands of resolved proteins 14a, 14b are
shown, represented by the cross-hatched structures. FIG. 2B shows
the structures described above after photoactivation 15. Activation
of the photoreactive groups is depicted by the concave semicircular
structures 12a on both the walls and the polymeric materials
filling the capillary. Many of these photoreactive groups 12a are
associated with each other, with lengths of polymer, and with the
proteins in bands, effectively cross-linking each of these
together. Thus, the resolved protein bands are bound in place via a
loose network of covalent bonds and polymeric materials. In some
embodiments, it is desirable that the network form open-pored
structures permitting the movement of materials such as detection
agents, such as antibodies, through the loose network.
[0111] FIGS. 3A-H illustrate exemplary embodiments for detecting
one or more analytes in a fluid path. FIG. 3A illustrates a
capillary 10 and a sample 1 comprising a mixture of components
containing one or more analytes of interest. FIG. 3B illustrates
loading the sample 1 into the capillary 10 by capillary action.
FIG. 3C illustrates the sample 1 loaded capillary 10, comprising
one or more reactive moieties, extending between two fluid-filled
wells or troughs 20a, 20b. The components of the sample 1 are
separated such that the analyte 1a or analytes 1a and 1b of
interests are resolved by one or more electrodes in contact with a
solution on one side of the capillary 10 and another one or more
electrodes is in contact with a solution on the other side of the
capillary 10 as illustrated in FIG. 3D. FIG. 3E illustrates the
activation of one or more reactive moieties capable of immobilizing
the analytes 1a and 1b of interests in the capillary 10 with light
source 15a. Detection agents 2 are then flowed through the
capillary 10 as indicated by the arrow in FIGS. 3F and 3G.
Detection agents 2 are then detected 3, enabling detection of the
analyte of interest in their immobilized locations in the capillary
by the signal emitted as illustrated in FIG. 3H.
[0112] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of method for
analyzing cellular materials. In step 61 the cellular materials to
be analyzed are located at one end of a capillary. In step 61a the
cellular materials are loaded in to the capillary. In step 62 the
cellular materials are separated within the capillary, for example
by IEF. In step 63 the separated materials are immobilized in the
capillary. In step 64 detection agents, for example reporter
antibodies, are bound to the immobilized analytes, such as proteins
in the capillary. In step 65 a chemiluminescent reagents, or other
detection agents, are flowed through the capillary to produce the
event to be detected, such as chemiluminescence. The emitted light
is then detected in step 66.
[0113] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method of
analyzing cell(s). In step 60 one or more cells to be analyzed are
positioned at the end of a capillary. In step 60a one or more cells
are drawn into the capillary and are lysed. In step 62 the cellular
materials are separated within the capillary, for example by IEF.
In step 63 the separated materials are immobilized in the
capillary. In step 64 detection agents, for example reporter
antibodies, are bound to the immobilized analytes, such as proteins
in the capillary. In step 65 a chemiluminescent reagent, or other
detection agents, are flowed through the capillary to produce the
event to be detected, such as chemiluminescence. The emitted light
is then detected in step 66.
[0114] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method for
analyzing cellular materials. In step 61 the cellular materials to
be analyzed are located at one end of a capillary. In step 61a the
cellular materials are loaded into the capillary. In step 62 the
cellular materials are separated within the capillary, for example
by IEF. In step 63 the separated materials are immobilized in the
capillary. In step 64 detection agents, for example reporter
antibodies, are bound to the immobilized analytes, such as proteins
in the capillary. In step 65a fluorophores on the detection agents,
for example fluorescent labeled antibodies, are excited with light.
The emitted light is then detected in step 66.
[0115] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of analyzing
cells. In step 60 one or more cells to be analyzed are positioned
at the end of a capillary. In step 60a one or more cells are drawn
into the capillary and are lysed. In step 62 the cellular materials
are separated within the capillary, for example proteins are
resolved by IEF. In step 63 the separated materials are immobilized
in the capillary. In step 64 detection agents, for example reporter
antibodies, are bound to the immobilized analytes, such as proteins
in the capillary. In step 65a fluorophores on the detection agents,
for example fluorescent labeled antibodies, are exited with light.
The emitted light is then detected in step 66.
[0116] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which labeled
cellular materials are released from the cell at the moment of
their introduction into the capillary. The cellular materials are
then separated and immobilized. In step 91 one or more cells
containing detection agents are located at one end of a capillary.
The cell or cells are then lysed in step 92 to release their
labeled proteins and transported in the capillary. In step 93 the
cellular materials are separated, for example within the capillary
by IEF. In step 94 the separated materials are immobilized in the
capillary. In step 95 a chemiluminescent reagent is then flowed
through the capillary to produce photons by chemiluminescence. The
emitted photons are then detected in step 96.
[0117] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which analytes
are labeled prior to separation. In step 101 one or more cells are
located at one end of a capillary. The cell or cells are then lysed
in step 102 to release their contents. In step 103 detection agents
are bound to the released cellular contents, for example proteins.
In step 104 the cellular materials are separated within the
capillary by IEF. In step 105 the separated labeled materials are
immobilized in place in the capillary. In step 106 a
chemiluminescence substrate is then flowed through the capillary to
produce photons by chemiluminescence. The emitted photons are then
detected in step 107.
[0118] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment for
chemiluminescent detection of analytes. In step 302 an ampholyte
reagent for the pH gradient is loaded into the fluid path. In step
304 enzyme-labeled antibodies able to catalyze chemiluminescence
and able to bind the analyte of interest are loaded into the fluid
path. The cell contents are loaded into the fluid path in step 306,
whereupon the enzyme-tagged antibodies will bind with the analyte
or analytes of interest. A focusing isoelectric field is applied in
step 308 to resolve and then immobilize the enzyme-tagged
antibodies and analytes in a pH gradient. A chemiluminescent
substrate compatible with the enzyme-labeled antibodies is supplied
in step 310 and chemiluminescent emissions are then detected from
the interaction of the chemiluminescent substrate with the
enzyme-labeled antibodies and bound to analyte in step 312. In some
embodiments, the analyte is immobilized by IEF and the
chemiluminescent reagent is flowed through the fluid path by
carryings its own charge at all pH's of the gradient.
[0119] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary embodiment for
chemiluminescent detection of analytes. In this embodiment, a cell
is lysed into or at the inlet of a capillary in step 402. The lysis
releases cellular contents which react with detection agents, for
example chemiluminescent labeled antibodies, in step 404. The
labeled and bound cellular contents are resolved in the capillary
by isoelectric focusing in step 406. In step 408 a chemiluminescent
reagent is supplied which will react with the enzyme of the
antibodies bound to the cellular contents. In this embodiment, the
analyte is immobilized by IEF and the chemiluminescent reagent is
flown through the fluid path by carryings it's own charge at all
pH's of the gradient. In step 410 chemiluminescence is detected
with a photon detector such as a photocell or CCD array
detector.
[0120] Variations of order of the steps of the methods described
herein will readily occur to those skilled in the art. For example,
the sample can be separated and then the analyte(s) immobilized at
their resolved locations in the fluid path, prior to contacting the
analyte(s) with the detection agents. In some embodiments,
detection agents are contacted with the analyte(s) to form a
complex and then the complex is resolved in the fluid path. In some
embodiments, the detection agents could be preloaded into the
sample thereafter loaded into the system. As another example, the
resolving step, such as isoelectric focusing can be applied after
the chemiluminescent reagents are supplied.
[0121] Also provided herein are methods of detecting at least one
protein in a sample, characterized in that: one or more proteins
are resolved from the sample in a capillary and the proteins are
photoimmobilized in the capillary and antibodies are conveyed
through said capillary which bind to or interact with the proteins
or an antibody-protein complex and permit the detecting of the
proteins while immobilized in said capillary.
[0122] Also, provided herein are methods of detecting at least one
protein in a sample, comprising concentrating one or more analytes
in a fluid path, immobilizing one or more analytes in the fluid
path; and contacting the immobilized analyte with detection agents,
and detecting the analyte of interest.
[0123] As used herein, concentrating means to make less dilute.
Methods of concentrating a sample are well known to those of
ordinary skill in the art, and may include, but are not limited to,
various kinds of electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing etc.
[0124] Also provided are methods of detecting at least one protein
in a sample, comprising, concentrating one or more proteins in a
fluid path, immobilizing the proteins in the fluid path, and
contacting the immobilized protein with antibodies to form one or
more antibody-protein complexes in the fluid path, and detecting
the protein.
[0125] FIGS. 23-28 illustrate exemplary embodiments for
electrophoretic separation of a protein followed by detection.
[0126] FIG. 23 illustrates an oligonucleotide by size an image
taken by a CCD camera of 12 capillaries described in Example 6. Two
protein analytes of different molecular weight, one 4.4 kDA (2301)
the other 70 kDa (2302) were separated by size within a capillary.
The analytes were immobilized to the wall. Uncaptured material was
washed away, and then the proteins were allowed to come in contact
with a first antibody that binds to both proteins. The unbound
antibody was washed away. A horseradish peroxidase (HPR)-conjugated
antibody that binds to said first antibody was then introduced into
the capillary and allowed to contact said first antibody. Unbound
material was then washed away. Chemiluminescent reagents were then
flowed into the capillary and allowed to react with the HRP
inducing a chemiluminescent glow that could be detected by the
camera. The glow is greatest where the second antibody bound to the
first antibody which, in turn, had bound to the analyte.
[0127] The image shows the light produced by chemiluminescence. The
exposure is such that a background signal is bright enough to show
the entire length of all 12 capillaries. However the signal emitted
by antibodies bound to the immobilized antibody is more than 10
times the background.
[0128] FIG. 24 illustrates data extracted from a single capillary
of Example 6 is shown in graph form with the signal emitted (the
glow) on the Y axis and the capillary length in pixels on the X
axis. The CCD camera produces a 1024 by 1024 16 bit TIF file. The
signal produced along the length of a capillary was extracted and
plotted as signal versus capillary length.
[0129] What can clearly be seen in the graph is the strong signal
produced by the 2 proteins that were separated in the capillary.
They can therefore be unambiguously identified from each other.
These proteins are very different in size, they were the only
components of the sample, and the signal is very strong so there is
no doubt that the two proteins have been separated, captured, and
detected.
[0130] FIG. 25 shows results very similar to FIG. 24 of Example 6.
This time however the two analytes only differ in size by less than
3%. Again the simplicity of the sample and the strong signal leaves
no doubt as to the identity of the analytes. Also, the peaks were
not produced in identical experiments that lacked primary antibody.
The experiment from Example 7 demonstrates the impressive
resolution that is obtainable with the invention.
[0131] FIG. 26 shows data extracted from the experiment described
in Example 8. A cell lysate contains over one hundred thousand
different chemical species. Sample separation can be challenging,
as can capture and probing. Background signal could be expected
from nonspecific binding by the detection reagents.
[0132] A fluorescent standard was added to the capillary so that
separation could be tracked. The standard was slightly smaller in
size than the analyte so a strong signal just behind the
fluorescent standard would be the presumed target protein (data not
shown). Also, ampholytes were used to block sites of non-specific
protein/protein interaction.
[0133] As expected a strong signal (2601) was detected just behind
the fluorescent protein (which was run nearly to the end of the
capillary). This was the presumed analyte, GAPDH. This signal was
not detecting in controls lacking primary antibody or in
experiments where a different antibody was used.
[0134] FIG. 27A shows fluorescent scanning traces of dye-labeled
proteins that had been separated by size. To better identify
proteins of interest, the performance of a sizing ladder needed to
be established. Several proteins of known molecular weight were
labeled with the fluorescent dye TAMRA. These were then combined
and separated by size. An image was then taken using the same CCD
camera through filters designed to block the light that excited the
fluorescent dye, TAMRA. FIG. 27B shows a semilogarithmic graph of
the molecular weight of the protein on the Y axis versus the
distance the protein was mobilized from the origin in the X axis.
The approximate molecular weight of an analyte can be determined by
comparing the mobility of the analyte to that of the standards on
graphs such as these. The proteins used in this experiment are:
Bovine Serum Albumen (66 kDa; 2704, 2705), Ovalbumen (45 kDa; 2703,
2706), GAPDH (37 kDa; 2702, 2707) Trypsinogen (24 kDa; 2701, 2708),
and Myoglobin (17 kDa; 2700, 2709).
[0135] FIG. 28 shows the data from three capillaries in which ERK
protein(s) are detected in a cell lysate by means of the invention.
A cell lysate was added to the capillary, the sample was separated
by size, the sample was immobilized to the wall of the capillary,
and detection reagents were flowed through the capillary. A
fluorescent size ladder used in the experiment indicates that the
analyte is the expected size of the ERK proteins (data not shown).
The peak(s) are not seen in capillaries where the primary antibody
(specific to ERK1 and 2) is omitted. Lastly, there are 2 forms of
ERK that this antibody binds to that differ in size slightly.
Presumably the smaller ERK2 protein is the faster moving peak of
the doublets (2801) and the larger ERK1 protein is peak 2802.
[0136] FIGS. 29-31 illustrates exemplary embodiments where analytes
are resolved within the fluid path by performing an electrophoretic
separation. The analytes are then immobilized within the fluid path
using heat. Detection reagents are then flowed through the fluid
path and allowed to come in contact with the analytes. The analytes
are then detected
[0137] FIG. 29 contains 2 images demonstrating immobilization of a
target analyte is induced by exposure to heat. The contrast of the
images has been adjusted to allow visualization of background
signal so that the location of the capillaries could be visualized.
The capillaries in the two images are identical except that the
capillaries in image 2900 were exposed to heat and the capillaries
in image 2920 were not. All capillaries contain 38 .mu.g/ml of a
cell lysate that expressed an ERK-GFP fusion protein. Capillaries
from top to bottom contain increasing amounts of recombinant GFP: 0
ng/ml (2901 and 2907), 20 ng/ml (2902 and 2908), 40 ng/ml (2903 and
2909), 80 ng/ml (2904 and 2910), 150 ng/ml (2905 and 2911), and 300
ng/ml (2906 and 2912).
[0138] FIG. 30 shows graphs of the data extracted from the TIF
images used to produce FIG. 29. Specifically, data from heated
capillary 2901 is shown as solid line 3001 and data from unheated
control capillary 2907 is shown as dashed line 3002. The analyte,
ERK-GFP was clearly immobilized by heat as shown by the peak that
is several hundred times the background signal and the signal seen
in the unheated control.
[0139] FIG. 31 shows graphs of the data extracted from the TIF
images used to produce FIG. 29. Specifically the data from heated
capillary 2903 is shown as solid line 3101 and data from unheated
control capillary 2909 is shown as dashed line 3102. The data shows
a peak signal 3103 not seen in samples in which GFP was not added
(FIG. 30), confirming that the anti-GFP antibody is performing as
expected and that the other peak (3104) corresponds to ERK-GFP. The
presence of both peaks is dependent on heat to immobilize the
analytes within the fluid path for probing with the detection
reagents, as seen by the absence of peaks in data extracted from
capillary 2909, dashed line 3102.
[0140] Devices
[0141] Provided herein are systems and devices for detecting one or
more analytes in a sample. The device generally comprises a fluid
path; a power supply for applying a voltage along the fluid path
for separating individual components of a sample in the fluid path;
and a detector capable of detecting analyte(s) in the fluid
path.
[0142] Also provided is a system for detecting at least one analyte
of interest in a sample, comprising a fluid path comprising one or
more reactive groups capable of immobilizing one or more analytes,
a power supply for applying a voltage along the fluid path capable
of resolving one or more analytes in the fluid path; and a detector
capable of detecting the analyte(s) in said fluid path.
[0143] Also provided is a system for detecting at least one analyte
of interest in a sample, comprising a fluid path comprising one or
more reactive groups capable of immobilizing one or more analytes,
a power supply for applying a voltage along the fluid path capable
of concentrating one or more analytes in the fluid path; and a
detector capable of detecting the analyte(s) in said fluid
path.
[0144] FIG. 12A illustrates an exemplarily embodiment wherein the
fluid path comprises a capillary between fluid filled wells and
electrodes. A capillary 10 comprising one or more reactive moieties
extends between two fluid-filled wells or troughs 20a, 20b. A
sample is placed in one of the troughs, preferably at the orifice
of the capillary. For example, the sample can be cellular contents
that have been loaded into the capillary. In some embodiments, the
one or more cells are drawn into the capillary and lysed in-situ.
In some embodiments, one or more cells may be placed in a well,
trough or capillary opening and lysed to release the cellular
contents. The sample is then flowed through the capillary as by
electrophoresis and separated within the capillary, for example by
isoelectric focusing. An electrode 22a, 22b is located in the
solution at each end of the capillary to apply the electric field
necessary for electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. The
detection agents used to label the analyte of interest can be
located in the other trough, preferably after separation and
immobilization have taken place, and flowed through the capillary
by electrophoresis, electroendosmotic flow, or hydrodynamic flow
(typically achieved by siphoning or pumping). In some embodiments,
the detection agents can be loaded into the capillary from a
vessel, such a test tube. The detection agents are then introduced
into one of the troughs and flowed through the capillary to elicit
the detection events.
[0145] FIG. 12B illustrates an exemplary embodiment comprising an
array of capillaries 30 extending between a plurality of wells 32a,
on one side and another plurality of wells 32b on the other side.
In some embodiments an array of capillaries can be extended between
a trough, on one side and another trough on the other side. In some
embodiments, an array of capillaries can extend between a common
buffer reservoir, on one side and another common buffer reservoir
on the other side. One or more electrodes 34a is in contact with
the solution on one side of the capillaries and another one or more
electrodes 34b is in contact with the solution on the other side of
the capillaries. A portion of the electrodes may be integral to the
reservoir structure. The reservoirs and capillaries are located on
or in a substrate 36 such as a slide.
[0146] FIG. 13 is an exemplary embodiment, the separation and
detection of antibody-analyte complexes within a capillary 122 is
illustrated in a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a section of
the capillary. Located at positions along the capillary 122 are
antibody-analyte complexes 160. Each antibody-analyte complex 160
has a net charge 164 which determines the charge-neutral location
162b to which the complex will migrate. Each complex is located at
its charge-neutral location 162a, 162b, 162c in the pH gradient
created by isoelectric focusing of the ampholyte reagent. The
applied voltage potential focuses the analytes into narrow bands at
these isoelectric locations as illustrated in the drawing. Passing
through the capillary are chemiluminescent substrates 170 which
travel in electrophoretic flow direction 172. When a
chemiluminescent substrate 170 encounters a labeled
antibody-analyte complex 160 such as a peroxidase enzyme attached
to an electrofocused antibody-protein complex, the chemiluminescent
substrate is converted to a product plus light. The substrate 170a
represents a chemiluminescent substrate which is being converted.
The conversion causes light 180 to be emitted by the substrate
170a. Substrate products 170b which result from such conversions
continue to flow in the direction of arrow 172. This process
continues as long as unconverted chemiluminescent substrates 170
continue to flow through the capillary and encounter new
chemiluminescent enzymes with which to react.
[0147] FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary analytical device. An array
of capillaries 40 which are loaded with the necessary one or more
reactive moieties to immobilize the analytes, buffer, and sample to
be analyzed is located in a light-tight box 42. A controllable
power supply 46 is coupled to the electrodes on either end of the
capillaries to apply the voltages needed to separate the sample and
to flow the detection agents and/or chemiluminescent reagents
through the capillaries. A voltage is applied to flow the sample
into the capillary and to separate the sample, for example by
isoelectric focusing. Alternatively, the sample may be loaded into
the capillary by hydrodynamic flow and thereafter separated, for
example by isoelectric focusing. An energy source (not shown)
capable of activating the reactive moieties is provided. For
example, a light source such as an ultraviolet lamp provides
illumination inside the box to immobilize the individual components
of the sample in their separated locations. In some embodiments,
the system comprises a light source for induction of fluorescent
label. One or more detection agents, such as those described
herein, are introduced into the wells at one end of the capillaries
and flowed through the capillaries, binding to the analytes. In
some embodiments, detection reagent is introduced into the wells
and flowed through the capillaries. In some embodiments, detection
agents may be introduced from separate smaller wells. Additional
smaller wells can be used to conserve detection agents. Viewing the
capillaries within the box 42 to receive the photons emitted from
the immobilized analytes and detection molecules is a CCD camera
44. The system is controlled by a computer 48 which switches the
power supply 46 and the light, controls the application of
detection molecules and reagents, and records and analyzes the
photon signals received by the CCD camera 44. Similarly, a light
source for induction of fluorescence of molecular standards run in
the separation may allow detection with the same CCD camera used to
detect chemiluminescence-produced light. Internal standards serve
to calibrate the separation with respect to isoelectric point, or
for an alternative separation mode, molecular weight. Internal
standards for IEF are well know in the art, for example see,
Shimura, K., Kamiya, K., Matsumoto, H., and K. Kasai (2002)
Fluorescence-Labeled Peptide pI Markers for Capillary Isoelectric
Focusing, Analytical Chemistry v74: 1046-1053, and U.S. Pat. No.
5,866,683. Standards to be detected by fluorescence could be
illuminated either before or after chemiluminescence, but generally
not at the same time as chemiluminescence.
[0148] In some embodiments, the analyte and standards are detected
by fluorescence. The analyte and standards can each be labeled with
fluorescent dyes that are each detectable at discrete emission
wavelengths, such that the analyte and standards are independently
detectable.
[0149] FIG. 15 is an exemplary embodiment in which the photons
emitted from the detection molecules are received by a CCD array
located beneath the capillary array 40. The CCD array 52 is
monitored by a CCD controller 54 which provides amplified received
signals to the computer 48.
[0150] FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an analytical
device for capillary detection of cellular material by
chemiluminescence. The system 110 comprises a microscope 112 having
a video ocular readout 114 such as a CCD camera displayed on a CRT
screen and/or recorded by a videotape recorder or digital recorder
(not shown). In some embodiments, the system allows digital storage
of the images and pattern processing in a computer system for
automated cell processing and analysis. The CCD video camera system
114 is capable of recording a real time bright field image of a
target cell. The device may optionally comprise a cell lysis device
116, such as a laser, sonic generator, electronic pulse generator,
or electrodes positioned adjacent to target cell(s) on a cover slip
136. For laser lysis, a pulsed Nd:YAG laser is directed to
microscope objective scope 120 of microscope 112. The laser pulse
is focused at the interface of the cell chamber cover slip 136 and
the buffer solution 154. In the illustrated embodiment, after cell
lysis, cell contents are loaded into the end of the capillary by
hydrodynamic flow or electrophoresis. In some embodiments, this end
of the capillary has already been loaded with a short (few mm or
less) slug of labeled antibodies at the time of cell lysis.
Thereafter, following a hybridization period, if necessary,
separation for example by isoelectric focusing is initiated.
[0151] A fused silica capillary 122 is positioned with a
micromanipulator (not shown) so that the inlet 126 of capillary 122
is located above the cover slip 136 or slide or microwell plate
positioned on a microscope stage 130. The buffer solution around
the cell and above the cover slip or similar container is coupled
to a high voltage potential. Hybridization can be performed by
loading the cell with detection agents prior to lysis or
hybridization may be performed in the buffer solution subsequent to
lysis. In the latter event, a high concentration of detection
agents surrounds or is located adjacent to the cell. One method for
achieving the desired high concentration of cell contents in
contact with a high concentration of detection agents is to draw
the cell contents by hydrodynamic or electrophoretic means into a
short length of the capillary adjacent to the capillary end. In
this mode this short region of the capillary may be pre-loaded with
detection agents from another source such as a tube or well (not
shown), or may be drawn into the capillary end along with the cell
contents. The distal end 132 or proximal end 126 of capillary 122
is disposed in a solution 134 of chemiluminescent substrates. In
some embodiments, resolving and immobilizing the analyte or
analytes of interest can occur prior to adding the detection
agents. The detection agents are then flowed though the fluid path
after the separating the sample and immobilization.
[0152] Ampholyte reagent 142 is electrically coupled to a high
voltage potential which, when applied to the capillary solution,
causes the development of a pH gradient within the capillary 22 by
ampholyte migration. A high voltage power supply, such as model CZE
1000R manufactured by Spellman of Plainview, N.Y., which is capable
of providing a 20,000 volt potential can be used to maintain the pH
gradient in column or capillary 122.
[0153] Fused silica capillary 122 may typically exhibit a 100
micron inner diameter and 360 micron outer diameter. The lumen
walls can be coated with a neutral coating such as that
manufactured by Supelco of Phoenix, Ariz. The coating is used to
minimize the electroosmotic flow and thus shorten the migration
times for the antibody-target complexes. The total length of the
capillary in this embodiment can be as long as 90 to 100 cm, but
preferably is considerably shorter, in the range of 10 to 30 cm, or
3 to 6 cm. The cell chamber 136 serves as an inlet reservoir for
targeted cell molecules and optionally the ampholyte reagent and
chemiluminescent reagent(s) and can be held at ground potential
relative to the high voltage potential at the other end of the
capillary. In some embodiments either end of the capillary may be
at high voltage potential and the other ground, or either end may
be positive and the other negative. The outlet reservoir 134 may be
held at 15 to 20 kV relative to ground at the proximal end of the
capillary, for example. The actual potential used is generally
chosen by the desired voltage drop per cm of capillary. Distal
outlet 132 of capillary 122 is placed about 5 centimeters below
inlet 126 in the case of hydrodynamic loading. For the case of
electrophoretic loading, which may be equally or more effective, no
particular elevation of the distal end of the capillary is
required. Inlet 126 of capillary 122 is used as a micropipette for
introducing the cellular contents into capillary 122 after cell
lysis. Alternatively, the cell may be drawn intact into the
capillary and then lysed in the capillary.
[0154] After removing 5 mm of polyimide coating from capillary 122
above inlet 126, inlet 126 is mounted perpendicular to cover slip
136 by a micromanipulator (not shown). The micromanipulator enables
precise positioning of the capillary lumen with respect to the
target cell to be loaded or lysed and loaded into capillary
122.
[0155] Capillary 122 includes an optical observation window 138
through which chemiluminescent or fluorescence events are observed
and detected by a CCD array 140 or similar detector. An extended
observation window 138 is desirable as it enables the parallel
detection of a greater number of events than can be observed
through the limited length of a shorter window. Generally the
length of the observation window will be chosen in consideration of
the length of the CCD array 140 being used. If a non-clear coated
capillary is used the polyimide coating of capillary 122 is removed
over at least the length of the capillary which opposes the CCD
array 140. The observation window 138 is maintained in a fixed
position in relation to the CCD array 140 either by mechanical or
adhesive means. Preferably the observation window and CCD array are
enclosed in darkness so that the only light detected by the CCD
array is that emitted by the chemiluminescent or fluorescent events
within the capillary. The signals from the detected
chemiluminescent or fluorescent events are coupled to a personal
computer 144 where they are recorded. In some embodiments the event
data may be recorded along with the position in the CCD array at
which the event occurred. The data is plotted and total signal
corresponding to each focused band calculated using Origin software
available from Microcal of North Hampton, Mass., DAX software
available from Van Mierlo, Inc. of Eindhoven, The Netherlands,
LabVIEW.RTM. software available from National Instruments Corp.,
Austin, Tex., or similar data analysis packages. Data may be
presented as a histogram, electropherogram, or other graphical
representation, or as a spreadsheet or other numerical format.
[0156] In some embodiments, a cell or cells which have not been
preloaded with detection agents, the inlet 126 of the capillary 122
is positioned directly above the target cell or cells to be lysed.
The cell or cells can be in contact with a high concentration of
detection agents, or preferably, a high concentration of detection
agents has already been loaded into the capillary end at the time
of cell lysis. The lysis device 116 is aimed to create a lysing
shock wave or other cell lysing disruption adjacent to the cell or
cells. When the lysing pulse is applied the cellular contents are
released and the force of the lysing event may aid in propelling
the cellular contents into the lumen of the capillary by
hydrodynamic flow, electrophoresis, or electroendosmotic flow.
Hybridization of the analytes of interest and the detection agents
takes place rapidly, either outside the capillary prior to loading
of the cell contents, or inside the capillary. The degree of
hybridization will be linearly related to the concentrations of the
detection agent and the sample. For example, tight-binding (high
binding avidity) antibodies provide molecules which will retain
their linking characteristics during capillary transport and
isoelectric focusing. Examples of such antibodies are those
typically used in ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assays).
Preferably the hybridization is done under non-denaturing
conditions. By causing the antibodies and their analytes to be in a
natural state, recognition between the antibodies and their -target
complexes and the chemiluminescent reporters is enhanced. The
isoelectric focusing field is applied, causing the antibody-target
complexes to migrate to pH points of the pH gradient in the
capillary at which their net charge is neutral. The complexes will
become stationary in the capillary at pH points where the charge of
their molecular components (e.g., phospho, carboxyl, amino, and
other charged functional groups) nets out to zero. If forces from
flow or diffusion should cause the complexes to drift away from
their respective isoelectric points, the gradient field will
migrate them back into their charge-neutral positions. The
antibody-target complexes are thus resolved along the observation
window 138 by capillary isoelectric focusing. In some embodiments,
resolving and immobilizing the analyte or analytes of interest can
occur prior to adding the detection agents. The detection agents
are then flowed though the fluid path after the separating the
sample and immobilization.
[0157] The electrophoretic potential is then used to cause the
chemiluminescent substrate solution 134 to flow through the
capillary. This may be initiated at the same time as the electric
field which is first applied to establish the pH gradient, or after
the gradient has already been established and the antibody-target
complexes have been focused. The substrate or substrate(s) are
chosen such that they exhibit(s) a net charge at all pH conditions
encountered within the capillary so that the substrates do not
resolve within the capillary but continue to flow in a continuous
stream. As the substrates encounter antibody-target complexes along
the capillary they are cleaved by the reporter enzyme of the
antibody of the complexes, causing release of photons. Thus, as the
stream of chemiluminescent substrate continuously flows through the
capillary, the resolved antibody-target complexes will continue to
emit photons. Alternatively, an excitation source may be used
allowing fluorescence detection. In embodiments where
chemiluminescence is used, emission is continuous for as long as
the flow of chemiluminescent substrates is promoted, and the noise
associated with stray excitation light in fluorescence-based
systems is avoided.
[0158] The photon emission events are detected by the adjacent CCD
array 140 and the detected events accumulated by the computer.
Detection and accumulation can be continued for a selected period
of time, enabling long detection periods to be used for sensitive
detection of very small amounts of targeted cellular molecules.
When only a single labeled antibody is used, the number of events
accumulated will be a measure of the amount of analytes in the cell
or cells used to prepare the lysate. To measure the amounts of
different cell proteins or molecules, different antibodies which
create different antibody-target complexes at different isoelectric
points can be employed. By recording the number of photon events
and the locations along the CCD array at which the events were
detected (corresponding to the focused bands or isoelectric points
along the gradient field of the capillary) the photon events
emanating from the differently labeled analytes can be segmented.
For increased throughput, multiple parallel capillaries or channels
can be run past one or more CCD arrays incorporated into a single
instrument. In another embodiment, multiple antibodies labeled with
different fluorescent dyes having spectrally resolvable signals can
be used to enable multiplexed analysis of different proteins in a
single capillary.
[0159] Fluorescent standards can be read separately if desired,
using the same detector before or after the chemiluminescence
signals have been collected, by exposing the fluors to excitation
light. For an all fluorescence system, the analyte and standards
can be discerned by using differentially excitable and detectable
dyes.
[0160] While the CCD array is preferred for its ability to detect
in parallel the photon events occurring along the array, it is
understood that more restricted detection techniques may be
acceptable in a given embodiment. For instance, a single photon
sensor may be swept or moved along the observation window 138 to
detect the chemiluminescent or fluorescent photon events. This
approach, however, may miss an event at one point of the capillary
when the sensor is aimed or located at a different point of the
capillary. Furthermore the use of an extended detection device such
as the CCD array eliminates several drawbacks of a focused
window-based detector. If the isoelectric gradient were moved past
a single window for detection, as is common with commercially
available capillary IEF separation systems designed for commonly
available fixed window location capillary electrophoresis
instruments, resolution can be deteriorated by laminar flow within
the capillary, and chemiluminescent or fluorescent sensitivity
would be reduced due to the limited time that a photon source is in
the observation window.
[0161] Kits
[0162] Also provided are kits for performing the methods, and for
use with the systems and devices of the present teachings.
Materials used in the present invention include but are not limited
to a fluid path, capillaries, buffer, detection agents, one or more
reactive moieties, polymeric or polymerizable materials comprising
one or more reactive moieties; chemiluminescent substrates,
blocking solutions, and washing solutions. In some embodiments, the
kit can further comprise immobilization agents, ampholytes, and one
or more reactive moieties. In some embodiments, the kit can further
comprise chemicals for the activation of the reactive moiety. These
other components can be provided separately from each other, or
mixed together in dry or liquid form.
EXAMPLES
[0163] Aspects of the present teachings may be further understood
in light of the following examples, which should not be construed
as limiting the scope of the present teachings in any way.
Example 1
Fluorescence Detection of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)
[0164] Preparation of GFP sample for analysis: In a microcentrifuge
tube, 40 .mu.L of DI water, 1 .mu.L of GFP at 1 mg/ml (Part number
632373, Beckton-Dickinson, San Jose, Calif., USA), 5 .mu.L of
bioPLUS pI 4-7 (Bio-World, Dublin, Ohio), and 2 .mu.L of ATFB-PEG
cross-linking agent (2 mM) were combined. The ATFB-PEG
cross-linking agent consists of 15,000 MW branched polyethylene
glycol (product number P4AM-15, SunBio, Anyang City, South Korea)
in which each branch terminus was derivatized with an ATFB
(4-azido-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzoic acid) functionality (product
number A-2252, Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.).
[0165] Preparation of capillary: 100.mu. I.D..times.375 .mu.L O.D.
Teflon-coated fused silica capillary with interior vinyl coating
(product number 0100CEL-01, Polymicro Technologies, Phoenix, Ariz.)
was surface grafted on its interior with polyacrylamide containing
1 mole percent benzophenone. 4cm sections of this capillary
material were cleaved from longer lengths and used as described
below.
[0166] Sample loading into capillary: The sample as prepared above
was loaded into sections of capillary prepared as described above
by touching the tip of the empty capillary to the sample as
illustrated in FIG. 3B. Capillary action was sufficient to
completely fill the capillary in less than five seconds.
[0167] Separation by isoelectric focusing (IEF): Capillaries loaded
as described above were placed in a capillary holder as illustrated
in FIG. 12B. A 20 mM NaOH solution was placed in the cathode end
and a 10 mM H.sub.3PO.sub.4 solution was placed in the anode end of
the holder, in contact with the electrodes and capillaries. A
potential of 300 V was then applied for 900 seconds to facilitate
isoelectric focusing, which is often achieved within the first few
minutes of this period. GFP was resolved in a 4-7 pI gradient.
[0168] Immobilization by ultraviolet light: After the focusing
period the capillaries were irradiated for 30 seconds with UV light
using an 1800 Watt F300S lamp (Fusion Systems, Inc., Gaithersburg,
Md.) at 5 inches distance from the capillaries to cause
photo-crosslinking.
[0169] Washing, blocking and probing step: After immobilization as
described above, the capillaries were removed from the capillary
holder and the anodic end of each capillary was placed in contact
with a TBST solution consisting of 10 mM Tris-HCl, 150 mM NaCl,
0.05% Tween 20, pH 6.8. A .gtoreq.5 mmHg vacuum source was applied
to the cathodic end of each capillary and TBST solution was pulled
through each capillary for 5 minutes. Using the same .gtoreq.5 mmHg
vacuum source and capillary orientation, a 5% powdered skim milk
solution (w/v) in TBST was pulled through each capillary for 20
minutes. Fluorescent dye labeled primary antibody solution (1:1000
dilution of Alexa-555-labeled rabbit anti-GFP, Part number A-31851,
Molecular Probes, Eugene, Oreg., USA in 5% milk in TBST) was then
introduced to each capillary using the same vacuum source applied
for 2 minutes, followed by 10 minutes incubation with vacuum off.
This antibody application procedure was repeated a total of 5
times. Then, the same approach was used to flush the capillary with
5% milk solution in TBST for 20 minutes. Finally the capillaries
were flushed for 5 minutes with TBST, and then 2 minutes TBS (10 mM
Tris-HCl, 150 mM NaCl).
[0170] Detection by fluorescence: For fluorescence detection,
capillaries were read using a Molecular Dynamics Avalanche.TM.
scanner with excitation at 532 nm and emission detection at 575 nm.
The relative fluorescence units along the length of the capillary
as pixel number is shown in FIG. 17. The pixel number scale in
FIGS. 17-22 varies because of different CCDs and positioning
relative to the capillary.
Example 2
Chemiluminescence Detection of GFP
[0171] Preparation of GFP sample for analysis: In a microcentrifuge
tube, 40 .mu.L of DI water, 1 .mu.L of GFP at 1 mg/ml (Part number
632373, BD Biosciences, San Jose, Calif., USA), 5 .mu.L of bioPLUS
pI 4-7 (Bio-World, Dublin, Ohio), and 2 .mu.L of ATFB-PEG
cross-linking agent (2 mM) were combined. The ATFB-PEG
cross-linking agent consists of 15,000 MW branched polyethylene
glycol (product number P4AM-15, SunBio, Anyang City, South Korea)
in which each branch terminus was derivatized with an ATFB
(4-azido-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzoic acid) functionality (product
number A-2252, Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif.).
[0172] Preparation of capillary: 100.mu. I.D..times.375.mu. O.D.
Teflon-coated fused silica capillary with interior vinyl coating
(product number 0100CEL-01, Polymicro Technologies, Phoenix, Ariz.)
was surface grafted on its interior with polyacrylamide containing
1 mole percent benzophenone. 4cm sections of this capillary
material were cleaved from longer lengths and used as described
below.
[0173] Sample loading into capillary: The sample as prepared above
was loaded into sections of capillary prepared as described above
by touching the tip of the empty capillary to the sample as
illustrated in FIG. 3B. Capillary action was sufficient to
completely fill the capillary in less than five seconds.
[0174] Separation by isoelectric focusing (IEF): Capillaries loaded
as described above were placed in a capillary holder as illustrated
in FIG. 12B. A 20 mM NaOH solution was placed in the cathode end
and a 10 mM H.sub.3PO.sub.4 solution was placed in the anode end of
the holder, in contact with the electrodes and capillaries. A
potential of 300 V was then applied for 900 seconds to facilitate
isoelectric focusing, which is often achieved within the first few
minutes of this period. GFP was resolved in a 4-7 pI gradient.
[0175] Immobilization by ultraviolet light: After the focusing
period the capillaries were irradiated for 30 seconds with UV light
using an 1800 Watt F300S lamp (Fusion Systems, Inc., Gaithersburg,
Md.) at 5 inches distance from the capillaries to cause
photo-crosslinking.
[0176] Washing, blocking and probing step: After immobilization as
described above, the capillaries were removed from the capillary
holder and the anodic end of each capillary was placed in contact
with a TBST solution consisting of 10 mM Tris-HCl, 150 mM NaCl,
0.05% Tween 20, pH 6.8. A .gtoreq.5 mmHg vacuum source was applied
to the cathodic end of each capillary and TBST solution was pulled
through each capillary for 5 minutes. Using the same .gtoreq.5 mmHg
vacuum source and capillary orientation, a 5% powdered skim milk
solution (w/v) in TBST was pulled through each capillary for 20
minutes. Primary antibody solution (1:1000 dilution of rabbit
anti-GFP, Part number A-11122, Molecular Probes, Eugene, Oreg.,
USA, in 5% milk in TBST) was then introduced to each capillary
using the same vacuum source applied for 2 minutes, followed by 10
minutes incubation with vacuum off. This antibody application
procedure was repeated a total of 5 times. Then, the same approach
was used to flush the capillary with 5% milk solution in TBST for
20 minutes. A secondary (2.degree.) antibody solution was then
applied (1:10,000 anti-rabbit HRP in 5% milk in TBST, Cat #81-6120,
Zymed, South San Francisco, Calif.), again by flowing antibody
solution for 2 minutes with vacuum on followed by 10 minutes of
incubation with vacuum off, repeating a total of 5 times. The
capillaries were then again flushed with a 5% milk solution in TBST
for 20 minutes. Finally the capillaries were flushed for 5 minutes
with TBST, and then 2 minutes TBS (10 mM Tris-HCl, 150 mM
NaCl).
[0177] Detection by chemiluminescence: For chemiluminescence
detection, a mixture of equal parts of SuperSignal.RTM. West Femto
Stable Peroxide buffer (Cat #1859023, Pierce, Rockford, Ill.) and
Luminol/Enhancer solution (Cat #1859022, Pierce, Rockford, Ill.)
was supplied to the capillaries and flushed through with SmmHg
vacuum. Chemiluminescence signal was collected for 60 seconds using
a CCD camera in a prototype chemiluminescence detection module
produced by Cell Biosciences, U.S. Patent Application 60/669,694
filed Apr. 9, 2005. The relative luminescence signal along the
length of a capillary as pixel number is shown in FIG. 18.
Example 3
Fluorescent Detection of Horse Myoglobin
[0178] Preparation of protein sample: was prepared at 20 .mu.g/ml
in ** buffer and stored at 4.degree. C. until use, or frozen at
-70.degree. C. for long-term storage.
[0179] Preparation of sample for analysis: In a microcentrifuge
tube, 40 .mu.L of DI water, 2 .mu.L of 4 mg/ml purified horse
myoglobin (Part number M-9267, Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo., USA)
myoglobin solution, 5 .mu.L of Pharmalyte ampholyte pI 3-10 (Sigma,
St. Louis), and 2 .mu.L of ATFB-PEG cross-linking agent (2 mM) were
combined. The ATFB-PEG cross-linking agent consists of 15,000 MW
branched polyethylene glycol (product number P4AM-15, SunBio,
Anyang City, South Korea) in which each branch terminus was
derivatized with an ATFB (4-azido-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzoic acid)
functionality (product number A-2252, Invitrogen Corporation,
Carlsbad, Calif.).
[0180] Preparation of capillary: 100.mu. I.D..times.375.mu.. O.D.
Teflon-coated fused silica capillary with interior vinyl coating
(product number 0100CEL-01, Polymicro Technologies, Phoenix, Ariz.)
was surface grafted on its interior with polyacrylamide containing
1 mole percent benzophenone. 4 cm sections of this capillary
material were cleaved from longer lengths and used as described
below.
[0181] Sample loading into capillary: The sample as prepared above
was loaded into sections of capillary prepared as described above
by touching the tip of the empty capillary to the sample as
illustrated in FIG. 3B. Capillary action was sufficient to
completely fill the capillary in less than five seconds.
[0182] Separation by isoelectric focusing (IEF): Capillaries loaded
as described above were placed in a capillary holder as illustrated
in FIG. 12B. A 20 mM NaOH solution was placed in the cathode end
and a 10 mM H.sub.3PO.sub.4 solution was placed in the anode end of
the holder, in contact with the electrodes and capillaries. A
potential of 300 V was then applied for 900 seconds to facilitate
isoelectric focusing, which is often achieved within the first few
minutes of this period. Horse myoglobin was resolved in a 3-10 pI
gradient.
[0183] Immobilization by ultraviolet light: After the focusing
period the capillaries were irradiated for 30 seconds with UV light
using an 1800 Watt F300S lamp (Fusion Systems, Inc., Gaithersburg,
Md.) at 5 inches distance from the capillaries to cause
photo-crosslinking.
[0184] Washing, blocking and probing step: After immobilization as
described above, the capillaries were removed from the capillary
holder and the anodic end of each capillary was placed in contact
with a TBST solution consisting of 10 mM Tris-HCl, 150 mM NaCl,
0.05% Tween 20, pH 6.8. A .gtoreq.5 mmHg vacuum source was applied
to the cathodic end of each capillary and TBST solution was pulled
through each capillary for 5 minutes. Using the same .apprxeq.5
mmHg vacuum source and capillary orientation, a 5% powdered skim
milk solution (w/v) in TBST was pulled through each capillary for
20 minutes. Fluorescent labeling of goat anti-horse myoglobin
primary antibody (part number A150-103A, Bethyl Labs, Montgomery,
Tex.) was performed by NHS ester coupling chemistry with Alexa-647
dye (part number A20006, Molecular Probes, Eugene, Oreg.). The
primary antibody solution (1:50 dilution of Alexa-647-labeled goat
anti-horse myoglobin in 5% milk in TBST) was then introduced to
each capillary using the same vacuum source applied for 2 minutes,
followed by 10 minutes incubation with vacuum off. This antibody
application procedure was repeated a total of 5 times. Then, the
same approach was used to flush the capillary with 5% milk solution
in TBST for 20 minutes. Finally the capillaries were flushed for 5
minutes with TBST, and then 2 minutes TBS (10 mM Tris-HCl, 150 mM
NaCl).
[0185] Detection by fluorescence: For fluorescence detection,
capillaries were read using a Molecular Dynamics Avalanche.TM.
scanner with excitation at 633 nm and emission detection at 675 nm.
The relative fluorescence units along the length of a capillary as
pixel number is shown in FIG. 19.
Example 4
Chemiluminescence Detection of Akt protein from LNCaP Cell Lysate
Sample
[0186] Preparation of cell lysate: Cell lysate was prepared for
analysis by lysing 1.times.10.sup.6 LNCaP cells (Human prostate
cancer cell line) in one ml of 4.degree. C. HNTG lysis buffer (20
mM HEPES pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 0.1% Triton-X 100, 10% Glycerol). The
resulting lysate was clarified of insoluble cellular debris through
centrifugation at 11,000 g for 15 min. at 4.degree. C. The
supernatant was decanted to a fresh tube and stored at 4.degree. C.
until use, or frozen at -70.degree. C. for long-term storage.
[0187] Preparation of lysate sample for analysis: In a
microcentrifuge tube, 40 .mu.L of DI water, 50 .mu.L of cell
lysate, 5 .mu.L of bioPLUS pI 4-7 (Bio-World, Dublin, Ohio), and 2
.mu.L of ATFB-PEG cross-linking agent (2 mM) were combined. The
ATFB-PEG cross-linking agent consists of 15,000 MW branched
polyethylene glycol (product number P4AM-15, SunBio, Anyang City,
South Korea) in which each branch terminus was derivatized with an
ATFB (4-azido-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzoic acid) functionality
(product number A-2252, Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad,
Calif.).
[0188] Preparation of capillary: 100.mu. I.D..times.375.mu. O.D.
Teflon-coated fused silica capillary with interior vinyl coating
(product number 0100CEL-01, Polymicro Technologies, Phoenix, Ariz.)
was surface grafted on its interior with polyacrylamide containing
1 mole percent benzophenone. 4 cm sections of this capillary
material were cleaved from longer lengths and used as described
below.
[0189] Sample loading into capillary: The sample as prepared above
was loaded into sections of capillary prepared as described above
by touching the tip of the empty capillary to the sample as
illustrated in FIG. 3B. Capillary action was sufficient to
completely fill the capillary in less than five seconds.
[0190] Separation by isoelectric focusing (IEF): Capillaries loaded
as described above were placed in a capillary holder as illustrated
in FIG. 12B. A 20 mM NaOH solution was placed in the cathode end
and a 10 mM H.sub.3PO.sub.4 solution was placed in the anode end of
the holder, in contact with the electrodes and capillaries. A
potential of 300 V was then applied for 900 seconds to facilitate
isoelectric focusing, which is often achieved within the first few
minutes of this period. Akt was resolved in a 4-7 pI gradient.
[0191] Immobilization by ultraviolet light: After the focusing
period the capillaries were irradiated for 30 seconds with UV light
using an 1800 Watt F300S lamp (Fusion Systems, Inc., Gaithersburg,
Md.) at 5 inches distance from the capillaries to cause
photo-crosslinking Washing, blocking and probing step: After
immobilization as described above, the capillaries were removed
from the capillary holder and the anodic end of each capillary was
placed in contact with a TBST solution consisting of 10 mM
Tris-HCl, 150 mM NaCl, 0.05% Tween 20, pH 6.8. A .gtoreq.5 mmHg
vacuum source was applied to the cathodic end of each capillary and
TBST solution was pulled through each capillary for 5 minutes.
Using the same .gtoreq.5 mmHg vacuum source and capillary
orientation, a 5% powdered skim milk solution (w/v) in TBST was
pulled through each capillary for 20 minutes. Primary antibody
solution (1:100 dilution of rabbit anti-AKT, sc8312, Santa Cruz
Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, Calif., in 5% milk in TBST) was then
introduced to each capillary using the same vacuum source applied
for 2 minutes, followed by 10 minutes incubation with vacuum off.
This antibody application procedure was repeated a total of 5
times. Then, the same approach was used to flush the capillary with
5% milk solution in TBST for 20 minutes. A secondary (2.degree.)
antibody solution was then applied (1:10,000 anti-rabbit HRP in 5%
milk in TBST, Cat #81-6120, Zymed, South San Francisco, Calif.),
again by flowing antibody solution for 2 minutes with vacuum on
followed by 10 minutes of incubation with vacuum off, repeating a
total of 5 times. The capillaries were then again flushed with a 5%
milk solution in TBST for 20 minutes. Finally the capillaries were
flushed for 5 minutes with TBST, and then 2 minutes TBS (10 mM
Tris-HCl, 150 mM NaCl).
[0192] Detection by chemiluminescence: For chemiluminescence
detection, a mixture of equal parts of SuperSignal.RTM. West Femto
Stable Peroxide buffer (Cat #1859023, Pierce, Rockford, Ill.) and
Luminol/Enhancer solution (Cat #1859022, Pierce, Rockford, Ill.)
was supplied to the capillaries and flushed through with SmmHg
vacuum. Chemiluminescence signal was collected for 60 seconds using
a CCD camera in a prototype chemiluminescence detection module
produced by Cell Biosciences U.S. Patent Application 60/669,694
filed Apr. 9, 2005. The relative luminescence signal along the
length of a capillary as pixel number is shown in FIG. 20 and the
upper panel of FIG. 22.
Example 5
Chemiluminescence Detection of Akt Protein from LNCaP Cell Lysate
Using Anti-Phospho-S473-Antibody
[0193] Preparation of cell lysate: Cell lysate was prepared for
analysis by lysing 1.times.10.sup.6 LNCaP cells (Human prostate
cancer cell line) in one ml of 4.degree. C. HNTG lysis buffer (20
mM HEPES pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 0.1% Triton-X 100, 10% Glycerol). The
resulting lysate was clarified of insoluble cellular debris through
centrifugation at 11,000 g for 15 min. at 4.degree. C. The
supernatant was decanted to a fresh tube and stored at 4.degree. C.
until use, or frozen at -70.degree. C. for long-term storage.
[0194] Preparation of lysate sample for analysis: In a
microcentrifuge tube, 40 .mu.L of DI water, 50 .mu.L of cell
lysate, 5 .mu.L of Pharmalyte ampholyte pI 3-10 (Sigma, St. Louis),
and 2 .mu.L of ATFB-PEG cross-linking agent (2 mM) were combined.
The ATFB-PEG cross-linking agent consists of 15,000 MW branched
polyethylene glycol (product number P4AM-15, SunBio, Anyang City,
South Korea) in which each branch terminus was derivatized with an
ATFB (4-azido-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzoic acid) functionality
(product number A-2252, Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad,
Calif.).
[0195] Preparation of capillary: 100.mu. I.D..times.375.mu. O.D.
Teflon-coated fused silica capillary with interior vinyl coating
(product number 0100CEL-01, Polymicro Technologies, Phoenix, Ariz.)
was surface grafted on its interior with polyacrylamide containing
1 mole percent benzophenone. 4cm sections of this capillary
material were cleaved from longer lengths and used as described
below.
[0196] Sample loading into capillary: The sample as prepared above
was loaded into sections of capillary prepared as described above
by touching the tip of the empty capillary to the sample as
illustrated in FIG. 3B. Capillary action was sufficient to
completely fill the capillary in less than five seconds.
[0197] Separation by isoelectric focusing (IEF): Capillaries loaded
as described above were placed in a capillary holder as illustrated
in FIG. 12B. A 20 mM NaOH solution was placed in the cathode end
and a 10 mM H.sub.3PO.sub.4 solution was placed in the anode end of
the holder, in contact with the electrodes and capillaries. A
potential of 300 V was then applied for 900 seconds to facilitate
isoelectric focusing, which is often achieved within the first few
minutes of this period. Protein was resolved in a 4-7 pI
gradient.
[0198] Immobilization by ultraviolet light: After the focusing
period the capillaries were irradiated for 30 seconds with UV light
using an 1800 Watt F300S lamp (Fusion Systems, Inc., Gaithersburg,
Md.) at 5 inches distance from the capillaries to cause
photo-crosslinking
[0199] Washing, blocking and probing step: After immobilization as
described above, the capillaries were removed from the capillary
holder and the anodic end of each capillary was placed in contact
with a TBST solution consisting of 10 mM Tris-HCl, 150 mM NaCl,
0.05% Tween 20, pH 6.8. A .gtoreq.5 mmHg vacuum source was applied
to the cathodic end of each capillary and TBST solution was pulled
through each capillary for 5 minutes. Using the same .gtoreq.5 mmHg
vacuum source and capillary orientation, a 5% powdered skim milk
solution (w/v) in TBST was pulled through each capillary for 20
minutes. Primary antibody solution (1:100 dilution of rabbit
anti-phospho-5473 AKT, Part number 4051, Cell Signaling
Technologies, Beverly, Mass., USA, in 5% milk in TBST) was then
introduced to each capillary using the same vacuum source applied
for 2 minutes, followed by 10 minutes incubation with vacuum off.
This antibody application procedure was repeated a total of 5
times. Then, the same approach was used to flush the capillary with
5% milk solution in TBST for 20 minutes. A secondary (2.degree.)
antibody solution was then applied (1:10,000 anti-rabbit HRP in 5%
milk in TBST, Cat #81-6120, Zymed, South San Francisco, Calif.),
again by flowing antibody solution for 2 minutes with vacuum on
followed by 10 minutes of incubation with vacuum off, repeating a
total of 5 times. The capillaries were then again flushed with a 5%
milk solution in TBST for 20 minutes. Finally the capillaries were
flushed for 5 minutes with TBST, and then 2 minutes TBS (10 mM
Tris-HCl, 150 mM NaCl).
[0200] Detection by chemiluminescence: For chemiluminescence
detection, a mixture of equal parts of SuperSignal.RTM. West Femto
Stable Peroxide buffer (Cat #1859023, Pierce, Rockford, Ill.) and
Luminol/Enhancer solution (Cat #1859022, Pierce, Rockford, Ill.)
was supplied to the capillaries and flushed through with SmmHg
vacuum. Chemiluminescence signal was collected for 60 seconds using
a CCD camera in a prototype chemiluminescence detection module
produced by Cell Biosciences, U.S. Patent Application 60/669,694
filed Apr. 9, 2005. The relative luminescence signal along the
length of a capillary as pixel number is shown in FIG. 21 and the
lower panel of FIG. 22.
[0201] FIG. 22 compares the chemiluminescence signals generated in
FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrating the resolving of phosphorylated and
non-phosphorylated forms of the Akt protein by a single,
total-protein-specific antibody in the upper panel FIG. 21. The
lower panel FIG. 21, showing the signal generated using the
phospho-specific antibody, indicates that the peaks resolved in box
A are phosphorylated forms, while those resolved in box B are
non-phosphorylated at serine 473.
Example 6
Electrophoretic Separation of a Protein and an Oligonucleotide by
Size
[0202] In this example analytes are resolved within the fluid path
by performing an electrophoretic separation through a polymer that
separates molecules by size in a manner similar to
SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The analytes are then
immobilizing within the fluid path. Detection reagents are flowed
through the fluid path and allowed to come in contact with the
analytes. The analytes are then detected.
[0203] Synthesis of TAMRA-labeled Erk Peptide: The ERK immunogen
peptide sequence was obtained from the manufacturer (Millipore
Corp, Billerica, Mass.) of the cognate antibody. The peptide,
sequence PFTFDMELDDLPKERLKELIFQETARFQPGAPEAP [SEQ ID No.1], was
synthesized on a 0.1 M scale using FastMOC chemistry on an Applied
Bio systems 433 Peptide Synthesizer using standard protocols,
leaving an FMOC group on the terminal proline residue. This
protected peptide on resin was then treated in two different
ways.
[0204] One portion was transferred to glassware, and the terminal
FMOC was removed by standard treatment with piperidine. Cleavage
and deprotection was followed by preparative reverse-phase HPLC
purification to yield 1.0 mg of peptide. Purity was determined to
be greater than 90% by HPLC.
[0205] The protected peptide (still bound to resin) was transferred
to glassware, and the terminal FMOC was then removed by standard
treatment with piperidine, followed by treatment with 5-TAMRA-SE
under basic conditions (DIEA). After standard deprotection and
cleavage, the labeled peptide was purified by preparative
reverse-phase HPLC to give 0.3 mg of a reddish solid, which was
determined to be about 90% pure by HPLC, monitoring at 556 nm. In
this example the exact amount of standard added to the sample is
not as important as that the same amount be precisely added to all
tubes.
[0206] Sample preparation: The sample was created by combining the
TAMRA-labeled Erk peptide (4.5 kDa) with recombinant Erk2-GST (70
kDa; cat. no. 14-539, Upstate) in IX SDS sample loading buffer (50
mM Tris-HCl at pH 8.8 and 1% SDS) at a final concentration of 0.23
mg/ml and 40.8 ng/ml respectively. The sample was incubated at
95.degree. C. for 3 min.
[0207] Resolving the analytes by size and immobilizing them to the
surface of the fluid path: Five (5) cm sections of Teflon coated
100 micron ID capillaries were prepared as described in U.S. patent
Ser. No. 11/654,143 from commercially available capillaries
(Polymicro Technologies, cat #TSU100375). It should be noted that
capillaries prepared as specified in the parent application to this
application are also suitable. Capillary action was used to
(nearly) fill 12 capillaries with commercially available sieving
matrix (Beckman PN 391-163). The remaining volume of the capillary
(about 1 to 10 nl) was filled with the sample by capillary action
to create 12 replicates. SDS-MW gel buffer (included with polymer
solution) was used as separation buffer. Separation was done at a
constant voltage of 250V for 2000 seconds. Electrophoresis progress
was monitored by following the TAMRA-labeled polypeptides migration
down the capillary. Separated proteins were immobilized by
irradiation with UV light using an 1800 Watt F300S lamp (Fusion
Systems, Inc., Gaithersburg, Md.) at 5 inches distance for 60
seconds.
[0208] Washing and Probing: After UV immobilization, capillaries
were repeatedly washed with TBST-CTAB solution containing TBST (10
mM Tris-HCl at pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 0.05% Tween20, and 5% CTAB
(Cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide)). Immobilized proteins were then
incubated for 1 hr with anti-Erk1/2 primary antibodies (cat. no.
06-182, Upstate) diluted to 1:300 in TBST (10 mM Tris-HCl at pH
7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 0.05% Tween20). This was followed by another
TBST-CTAB wash to remove non-specifically bound antibodies.
Immobilized proteins were then incubated with HRP conjugated goat
anti-rabbit secondary antibodies (cat. no. 81-6120, Zymed) diluted
to 1:500 in TBST for 10 mins. Capillaries were washed with
TBST-CTAB and chemiluminescence detection was done used West Femto
Stable Peroxide buffer and Luminol/Enhancer solution (cat. no.
1859023, 1859022, Pierce).
[0209] An image of the capillaries was taken using a CCD camera
(Princeton Instruments) for 30 sec as shown in FIG. 23. Images are
stored in a 16 bit TIF file format. Data was extracted from the
image and analyzed using Imagequant (Molecular Dynamics) and DAX
software (Van Mierlo Software Consultancy). Graphed data from a
representative capillary is shown in FIG. 24. More specifically,
two protein analytes of different molecular weight, one 4.4 kDA
(2301) the other 70 kDa (2302) were separated by size within a
capillary. The analytes were immobilized to the wall. Uncaptured
material was washed away, and then the proteins were allowed to
come in contact with a first antibody that binds to both proteins.
The unbound antibody was washed away. A horseradish peroxidase
(HPR)-conjugated antibody that binds to said first antibody was
then introduced into the capillary and allowed to contact said
first antibody. Unbound material was then washed away.
Chemiluminescent reagents were then flowed into the capillary and
allowed to react with the HRP inducing a chemiluminescent glow that
could be detected by the camera. The glow is greatest where the
second antibody bound to the first antibody which, in turn, had
bound to the analyte.
[0210] The graph displays chemiluminescent signal intensity on the
`Y` axis and pixel position on the `X` axis. The exposure is such
that a background signal is bright enough to show the entire length
of all 12 capillaries. However the signal emitted by antibodies
bound to the immobilized antibody is more than 10 time the
background. As can clearly be seen the 4.5 kDa peptide fragment
migrated through the capillary faster then the 70 kDA protein. Thus
the proteins were separated by size, immobilized within the fluid
path, and detected by reagents flowed through the capillary.
Example 7
An Example of High Resolution Size Separation
[0211] Methodologies were the same as in Example 6 with the
following exceptions:
[0212] Recombinant proteins ERK1-GST and ERK2-GST were purchased
from Upstate (Cat #14536 and 14539 respectively). The molecular
weight of ERK1-GST is 68 kDA and ERK2-GST is 70 kDa; thus the
proteins differ in size by less than 3%. TAMRA dye-labeled
myoglobin was produced in-house using NHS-ester methodologies well
known to those skilled in the art. The three proteins were mixed in
1.times.SDS buffer at a concentration of 2.5 .mu.g/ml. The sample
was heated to 95.degree. C. for 3 min.
[0213] Ten .mu.l of sample was placed into a sample well, and then
introduced into the capillary by electrokinetic injection using
100V for 300 sec. This commonly used method of introducing sample
into capillaries and has been published extensively, Wehr et al.,
Capillary Electrophoresis of Proteins. CRC Press (1999), and is
used by a variety of commercially available instruments.
[0214] Capillaries were transferred to running buffer and
electrophoresis proceeded at 250V until the dye-labeled myoglobin
(.about.17 kDa) reached the end of the capillary, about 2500
seconds.
[0215] The proteins were immobilized by UV illumination for 180
sec. Washing was performed as described in the previous example. A
blocking step was introduced just prior to the first probing step
consisting of 30 min exposure to TBST containing 1% ampholytes (pH
range 2 to 12; Bioworld, Cat. #764-032) to lower non-specific
binding by the primary antibody. Probing and detection were
performed as described previously.
[0216] FIG. 25 presents data of the separation of the two proteins
that differ in size by less than 3%. This degree of resolution was
remarkable considering that the capillary in which the separation
was preformed was only 5 cm long. Further the proteins had only
migrated two cm through the capillary. Again the simplicity of the
sample and the strong signal leaves no doubt as to the identity of
the analytes. Also, the peaks were not produced in identical
experiments that lacked primary antibody. The experiment from
Example 7 demonstrates the impressive resolution that is obtainable
with the present invention.
Example 8
Detection of a Protein in a Cell Lysate
[0217] Methodologies were the same as in Example 6 with the
following differences.
[0218] The sample was prepared as follows: a 1.5 mg/ml preparation
of Hela cells in HNTG (20 mM Hepes (pH 7.5), 2 5 mM NaCl, 0.1%
Triton, 10% glycerol and 0.1% protease inhibitor cocktail (cat. no.
539134; Calbiochem)) was diluted to 0.5 mg/ml with sample buffer
(50 mM Tris pH 8.8 and 1% SDS). Dye labeled myoglobin was added to
a concentration of 2 .mu.g/ml.
[0219] The sample was introduced into the capillary by
electrokinetic injection. Dye-labeled myoglobin was used as a means
of following electrophoretic progress, as in the previous example.
An ampholyte blocking step was used before probing with primary
antibody.
[0220] The primary antibody used was mouse anti GAPDH (Novus Inc.,
cat #NB-300-221F). An HRP-conjugated anti-mouse antibody (Zymed,
Cat #816520) was used as the secondary antibody.
[0221] FIG. 26 shows data extracted from the experiment described
in this Example 8. A cell lysate contains over one hundred thousand
different chemical species. Sample separation can be challenging,
as can capture and probing. The background signal could be expected
from nonspecific binding by the detection reagents. A fluorescent
standard was added to the capillary so that separation could be
tracked (data not shown). The standard was slightly smaller in size
than the analyte so a strong signal just behind the fluorescent
standard would be the presumed target protein. Also, ampholytes
were used to block sites of non-specific protein/protein
interaction. As expected a strong signal (2601) was detected just
behind the fluorescent protein (which was run nearly to the end of
the capillary). This was the presumed analyte, GAPDH. This signal
was not detecting in no primary antibody controls or in experiments
where a different antibody was used. Data in FIG. 26 shows a peak
(2601) around the 300 pixel point with a signal greater than 5
times the noise. This peak is presumed to correspond to the
detection of GAPDH in the Hela lysate. A control capillary that
lacked the GAPDH primary antibody did not give rise to this peak
(data not shown).
Example 9
Detection of ERIC in a Cell Lysate
[0222] In this example we detect native ERK1 and ERK2 in a K562
cell lysate. The protocol was the same as in Example 8 with the
following modifications:
[0223] Introduction of a size ladder: Proteins of known size are
commonly run in SDS-PAGE gels in parallel to samples to assist in
identifying analytes. A TAMRA dye-labeled size ladder of proteins
was assembled composed of TAMRA-labeled alpha-lactalbumin,
myoglobin, ovalbumin, GLDH and BSA. TAMRA labeled proteins were
either obtained from commercial sources or made in-house using
NHS-ester chemistry well known to those practiced in the art. We
established that we were able to separate these proteins within our
capillaries. FIGS. 27A and 27B show fluorescent scanning data from
a slightly different sizing ladder separated in the same
capillaries described in these examples. In this example a sizing
ladder composed of the proteins listed above was used to identify
the size of the analyte of interest.
[0224] A lysate of K562 cells (10.8 mg/ml) in RIPA buffer (25 mM
Tris-HCl pH 7.6, 150 mM NaCl, 1% NP-40, 1% Sodium deoxycholate and
0.1% SDS) was diluted into SDS buffer to a final concentration of
4.5 mg/ml. A size ladder composed as described above was added to
give a final concentration of approximately 2 .mu.g/ml of each
protein. The sample was introduced into the capillary by
introducing a small (.about.10 nl) plug into the end as in Example
6. Electrophoretic separation was performed using 100V. The
fluorescent standards were used to follow the progress of
electrophoresis. UV immobilization was performed for 180 sec. The
wash, block, and probe protocol was 300s with TBST-CTAB, block for
30 min with TBST with 1% Ampholytes, probe with a 1:300 dilution of
ERK1/2 primary antibody (Millipore, CS 4695) in TBST for 1 hr, Wash
for 60 s in TBST-CTAB, probe with a 1:100 dilution of secondary
antibody (Pierce anti-rabbit, cat #1858415) in TBST for 1 hr, wash
for 60 sec in TBST-CTAB. Detection was as described previously.
[0225] Turning again to FIG. 27A fluorescent scanning traces of
dye-labeled proteins that had been separated by size are shown. To
better identify proteins of interest, the performance of a sizing
ladder needed to be established. Several proteins of known
molecular weight were labeled with the fluorescent dye TAMRA. These
were then combined and separated by size. An image was then taken
using the same CCD camera through filters designed to block the
light that excited the fluorescent dye, TAMRA. FIG. 27B shows a
semilogarithmic graph of the molecular weight of the protein on the
Y axis versus the distance the protein was mobilized from the
origin in the X axis. The approximate molecular weight of an
analyte can be determined by comparing the mobility of the analyte
to that of the standards on graphs such as these. The proteins used
in this experiment are: Bovine Serum Albumen (66 kDa; 2704, 2705),
Ovalbumen (45 kDa; 2703, 2706), GAPDH (37 kDa; 2702, 2707)
Trypsinogen (24 kDa; 2701, 2708), and Myoglobin (17 kDa; 2700,
2709).
[0226] FIG. 28 shows the data from three capillaries in which ERK
protein(s) are detected in a cell lysate by means of the invention.
A cell lysate was added to the capillary, the sample was separated
by size, the sample was immobilized to the wall of the capillary,
and detection reagents were flowed through the capillary. A
fluorescent size ladder was used in the experiment indicates that
the analyte is the expected size of the ERK proteins. The peak(s)
were not seen in capillaries where the primary antibody (specific
to ERK1 and 2) was omitted (data not shown). Lastly, there are 2
forms of ERK that this antibody binds to that differ in size
slightly. Presumably the smaller ERK2 protein is the faster moving
peak of the doublets (2801) and the larger ERK1 protein is peak
2802. FIG. 28 clearly shows a strong peak with a signal greater
than 10 times the background noise. Comparison to the fluorescent
trace (data not shown) reveals the peak is of the expected
molecular weight of the ERK proteins. Further all three of the
traces appear to be doublets (2801 and 2802), suggesting that we
have successfully resolved ERK1 (43.1 kDa) from ERK2 (41.3 kDa); a
difference in molecular weight of less than 5%.
Example 10
Immobilization in a Fluid Path can be Activated by Heat
[0227] In this example analytes are resolved within the fluid path
by performing an electrophoretic separation. The analytes are then
immobilized within the fluid path using heat according to another
embodiment of the present invention. Detection reagents are then
flowed through the fluid path and allowed to come in contact with
the analytes. The analytes are then detected.
[0228] Sample preparation: The sample was prepared by combining the
following reagents to their indicated final concentrations: 10 mM
HEPES, 12.5 mM NaCl, 20% D-sorbitol, 225 mM NDSB 256, 5% glycerol,
phosphatase inhibitors (1:200 dilution; Cal Biochem, cat #524627),
protease inhibitors (1:2000 dilution; Sigma, cat #P2850), 5%
ampholytes (3-10 gradient; Sigma, cat #P1522), 38 ng/ml HEK239
cells that contain a plasmid that expresses an ERK-GFP fusion and
varying amounts (from 0 to 300 ng/ml) of GFP (Clontech, cat
#632373).
[0229] Separation: Five (5) cm sections of Teflon coated 100 micron
ID capillaries were prepared as in U.S. patent Ser. No. 11/654,143
from commercially available capillaries (Polymicro Technologies,
cat #TSU100375). It should be noted that capillaries prepared as
specified in the parent application to this application are also
suitable. Capillary action was used to fill capillaries with
sample. The capillaries were placed in custom electrophoresis tray
containing anolyte and catholyte prepared as in O'Neill et al,
PNAS, Vol. 103 (44). 16153-16158, and subjected to the following
electrophoresis regime: 200 V for 200 sec, 400 V for 200 sec, 800 V
for 1000 sec, and finally 800 V for 200 sec. This protocol will
result in proteins being resolved by their isoelectric focusing
point (pI).
[0230] Immobilization: Half of the capillaries were subjected to
immobilization by simply pouring hot water (nearly boiling) over
the capillaries for 60 sec. The other half was used as
no-immobilization controls.
[0231] Washing and Probing: After heat immobilization, capillaries
were repeatedly washed with a TBST solution (10 mM Tris-HCl at pH
7.5, 150 mM NaCl, and 0.05% Tween20). Immobilized proteins were
then incubated for 1 hr with anti-GFP primary antibodies
(Invitrogen, cat #A1112) that had been diluted 1:2000 in TBST).
This was followed by another TBST wash to remove non-specifically
bound antibodies. Immobilized proteins were then incubated with HRP
conjugated goat anti-rabbit secondary antibodies (Zymed, cat
#81-6120 diluted to 1:4000 in TBST) for 10 mins. Capillaries were
washed with TBST.
[0232] Detection: Chemiluminescence detection was performed by
flowing West Femto Stable Peroxide buffer and Luminol/Enhancer
solution (Pierce, cat #1859023, 1859022) into the capillary and
imaging the capillaries using a CCD camera (Princeton Instruments)
for 30 sec. Images are stored in a 16 bit TIF file format as
illustrated in FIG. 29. Data was extracted from the image and
analyzed using Igor Pro (Wave Metrics). The signal produced along
the length of a capillary was extracted and plotted as signal
versus capillary length. Graphs display chemiluminescent signal
intensity on the `Y` axis and pixel position (along the capillary)
on the `X` axis as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31.
[0233] Results: FIG. 29 is an Image 2900 showing a set of 6
capillaries prepared by practicing embodiments of the present
invention. The contents of a complex mixture of compounds, in this
case a cell lysate, were resolved, immobilized and probed with
detection reagents resulting in the detection of analytes. The
analyte detected in this case was an ERK-GFP fusion protein. The
detection was conducted by flowing an antibody to GFP through the
capillary so that it came in contact with the ERK-GFP that was
immobilized. A secondary antibody against the first contained horse
radish peroxidase attached to it, an enzyme commonly used in well
established chemiluminescent detection applications. When luminol
and peroxide are then flowed through the capillary, light is
produced at the location of the analyte 2915.
[0234] A second protein rGFP was added to the sample. As increasing
amounts of rGFP were added, a new peak 2913 could be seen in the
images. Neither peak was visible in samples that were not treated
with heat, image 2920. Graphs showing data extracted from the TIF
images used to produce 2900 and 2920 of FIG. 29 are shown in FIGS.
30 and 31. These graphs show that the signals from the analytes are
hundreds of times greater than that produces when the samples were
not exposed to heat.
[0235] More specifically, FIG. 29 depicts two (2) images 2900 and
2920 demonstrating immobilization of a target analyte is induced by
exposure to heat. The contrast of the images has been adjusted to
allow visualization of background signal so that the location of
the capillaries could be visualized. The capillaries in the two
images are identical except that the capillaries in image 2900 were
exposed to heat and the capillaries in image 2920 were not. All
capillaries contain 38 .mu.g/ml of a cell lysate that expressed an
ERK-GFP fusion protein. Capillaries from top to bottom contain
increasing amounts of recombinant GFP: 0 ng/ml (2901 and 2907), 20
ng/ml (2902 and 2908), 40 ng/ml (2903 and 2909), 80 ng/ml (2904 and
2910), 150 ng/ml (2905 and 2911), and 300 ng/ml (2906 and
2912).
[0236] Turning again to FIGS. 30 and 31, FIG. 30 shows graphs of
the data extracted from the TIF images used to produce FIG. 29.
Specifically, data from heated capillary 2901 is shown as solid
line 3001 and data from unheated control capillary 2907 is shown as
dashed line 3002. The analyte, ERK-GFP was clearly immobilized by
heat as shown by a peak that is several hundred times the
background signal or the signal seen in the unheated control.
[0237] FIG. 31 shows graphs of the data extracted from the TIF
images used to produce FIG. 29. Specifically the data from heated
capillary 2903 is shown as solid line 3101 and data from unheated
control capillary 2909 is shown as dashed line 3102. The data shows
a peak signal 3103 not seen in samples in which GFP was not added
(FIG. 30), confirming that the anti-GFP antibody is performing as
expected and that the other peak 3104 (illustrated in FIG. 29 as
2914) corresponds to ERK-GFP. The presence of both peaks is
dependent on heat to immobilize the analytes within the fluid path
for probing with the detection reagents, as seen by the absence of
peaks in data extracted from capillary 2909, dashed line 3102.
[0238] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the
present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration
and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to
best explain the principles of the invention and its practical
application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best
utilize the invention and various embodiments with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It
is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the
Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
[0239] All patents, patent applications, publications, and
references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference to
the same extent as if each individual publication or patent
application was specifically and individually indicated to be
incorporated by reference.
Sequence CWU 1
1
1135PRTArtificial SequenceERK immunogen peptide sequence 1Pro Phe
Thr Phe Asp Met Glu Leu Asp Asp Leu Pro Lys Glu Arg Leu 1 5 10 15
Lys Glu Leu Ile Phe Gln Glu Thr Ala Arg Phe Gln Pro Gly Ala Pro 20
25 30 Glu Ala Pro 35
* * * * *