Electrochemical potentiometric method for selectively determining alkaline phosphatase content in aqueous fluids

Abstract

Electrochemical apparatus and potentiometric method for rapidly, accurately and selectively determining alkaline phosphatase content in aqueous fluids. Electrochemical apparatus of this invention can comprise a D-serine deaminase electrode (hereinafter also referred to as a D-serine specific or enzyme electrode) referenced to either a constant or variable potential reference electrode. According to the method of this invention, a known quantity of D-phosphoserine is added to an aqueous fluid sample containing an unknown concentration of alkaline phosphatase. The D-phosphoserine is hydrolyzed by the alkaline phosphatase to inorganic phosphate and D-serine at a rate proportional to the concentration of alkaline phosphatase in the sample, while the sample is continuously monitored with the apparatus of this invention at regular intervals for changes in D-serine content. The incremental increases in D-serine content in the fluid sample are reflected in increases in electrical potential as a result of the deamination of D-serine at the enzyme electrode. The particular combination of enzyme electrode, together with the ionic composition of the aqueous fluid sample to be subjected to such assay, will directly affect the selection and sequence of steps in conducting such analysis. For example, where the aqueous fluid sample contains sodium, potassium and/or ammonium ions in concentrations sufficient to generate an electrical potential at the ammonium ion membrane of the enzyme electrode, the sample need be contacted with cation-exchange resin either prior to or concurrent with such analysis. The apparatus and method of this invention are readily adaptable for clinical assay of clinical samples of biologic fluids for alkaline phosphatase content in the diagnosis of various forms of obstructive jaundice and other hepatic diseases.

Parent Case Text

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application of the same Title, Ser. No. 193,468, filed Oct. 28, 1971, now abandoned.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an improved electrochemical apparatus and a potentiometric method for selectively determining alkaline phosphatase content of aqueous fluids. More specifically, the apparatus and method of this invention enable selective determination of alkaline phosphatase content of industrial and biologic fluids also containing ionic and proteinaceous materials ordinarily considered incompatible with this type analysis. Analysis of alkaline phosphatase content is achieved by determining its rate of hydrolysis of D-phosphoserine. As D-phosphoserine is hydrolyzed by the alkaline phosphatase, D-serine is produced at a rate and in concentrations proportional to alkaline phosphatase in the sample. The rate of change in D-serine concentration in the sample is subsequently monitored at regular intervals by selective deamination of this compound at a D-serine specific enzyme electrode and the recording of the potential generated as a result of change in ammonium ion concentration in the sample with an electrode sensitive to such changes.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Traditionally, analytical electrochemical apparatus have had a sensing electrode and a constant potential-type reference electrode. The sensing electrode of this type of apparatus is ordinarily designed to respond to ionic activity of a compound in solution whose concentration is sought to be determined or from whose activity the concentration of another compound can be determined; whereas, the constant potential-type reference electrode (e.g. a saturated Calomel electrode) only puts out a constant electrical signal irrespective of the ionic activity of the background materials in solution.

With the development of various types of cation-sensitive glass electrode membranes by Eisenman (U.S. Pats. Nos. 2,829,090 and 3,041,252) and other researchers has come a resurgence in interest in the field of analytical potentiometry. Electrodes are now currently available that directly measure ionic activity, that are nondestructive, easy to use and relatively inexpensive. These ion-selective electrodes generally fall into three major categories: (a) glass electrodes; (b) solid-state or precipitate electrodes; and (c) liquid-liquid membrane electrodes.

Paralleling the development of the ion-sensitive glass membrane has been the increasing interest in the use of enzymes in analytical chemistry as a result of the ability of researchers to effectively insolubilize these biocatalysts in a form which permits subsequent recovery and reuse without substantial loss of the enzyme's activity. Early attempts to combine these two technologies achieved only marginal success because of the inability of the ion-sensitive membranes of the so-called "enzyme electrodes" to effectively discriminate between products of the enzyme-substrate reaction and those materials indigenous to the aqueous sample which were also capable of generating an electrical potential at the enzyme electrode. Initial attempts to reduce the effect these indigenous materials have on enzyme electrode response through the pre-treatment of the aqueous fluid sample with ion-exchange resins has resulted in substantial improvement in accuracy in enzyme electrode response, although such pre-treatment dramatically increases the time required to complete such analysis.

Even after separate pre-treatment of the sample solution with cation-exchange resin, those apparatus wherein the enzyme electrode is referenced to a traditional type of constant potential reference electrode are still unable to accurately determine low concentrations (.about.10.sup..sup.-4 to 10.sup..sup.-6 M) of substrate in test samples without substantial error. The deficiency in this type of system is believed attributable, in part, to the fact that all traditional types of constant potential reference electrodes have a narrow aperture in their immersion tip which provides for the controlled flow of an electrolyte, ordinarily a potassium salt, from the internal chamber of the immersion tip into the sample being analyzed. This constant low-volume flow of potassium ions into the sample solution can result in the independent generation of an electrical potential at the enzyme electrode reflecting this potassium ion leakage.

Attempts to compensate for this leakage by the addition of cation-exchange resin directly to the sample during analysis have not proven very practical or successful. Cation-exchange resin, when added directly to the solution being assayed, reportedly results in the generation of an electrical potential independent of the concentration of other cations also present in the sample, Guilbault et al., Anal. Chim. Acta, 52, 287 (1970). This change in potential has been attributed by Eisenman to a change in liquid junction potential in solutions of colloids or in suspensions, G. Eisenman, Glass Electrodes for Hydrogen and Other Cations, Marcel Dekker, New York, (1967). The independent generation of potential by the ion-exchange resin can, however, be controlled by limiting the quantities of these resins that are present in the sample during analysis and by rigorous buffering of the test sample. This limited addition of cation-exchange resin, however, appears to be inadequate in controlling both the interfering cations indigenous to the sample and the electrolyte seepage from the traditional type of reference electrode.

The development of an analytical system apparently free from the problems associated with reference electrode contamination of the sample has recently been reported in the literature, Guilbault et al., Anal. Chim. Acta, 52, 287 (1970). Guilbault observed that by the use of reference electrode having a continuous cation-sensitive glass membrane at its immersion tip in place of a standard saturated calomel electrode, urea content of test samples could be potentiometrically determined relatively free from the problems discussed previously.

The Guilbault system is, however, subject to error where successive samples, having variable concentrations of ionic contaminants (Na.sup.+ , K.sup.+ , NH.sub.4.sup.+ etc.), are analyzed. The variable potential reference electrode of his system will vary in its response with those variations in ionic composition and, therefore, result in an artificial shift in the magnitude of the potential unless a series of calibration curves are also made reflecting the shifting concentrations of these so-called ionic contaminants.

In order to avoid the problems encountered by electrolyte contamination from the reference electrode and yet provide a system capable of measuring successive samples without recalibration of the apparatus for each and every ionic contaminant, a system is needed wherein the reference electrode has a continuous nonporous membrane and is sensitive to an ion in solution whose concentration is constant from sample to sample or whose concentration in such samples can be readily maintained at a constant level by buffering. The referencing of an enzyme electrode to a pH electrode, for example, provides one possible solution to this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is an electrochemical apparatus comprising an enzyme electrode and a reference electrode electrically connected in series to a potentiometer, wherein the enzyme electrode is provided with an ammonium ion-sensitive membrane in contact with and substantially encapsulated by a coating of immobilized D-serine deaminase, said coating containing a catalytically effective amount of D-serine deaminase and being permeable to both the aqueous fluid sample and reaction products of the aqueous fluid sample and the D-serine deaminase. The D-serine specific electrode of this apparatus can be referenced to either a constant potential or variable potential electrode.

In the preferred apparatus of this invention, the D-serine specific electrode is referenced to either a pH or a cation-sensitive variable potential electrode.

Accordingly, the potentiometric method of this invention for selectively determining alkaline phosphatase content of an aqueous fluid comprises initially diluting the sample in an appropriate buffer having a pH in the range of from about 8.5 to about 9. The degree of dilution of the sample with buffer should be sufficient to reduce the native concentration of alkaline phosphatase in a typical sample of, for example, blood serum, from about 60 to 100 m Units (International Units) per milliliter at 25.degree.C. to about 30 to about 50 m Units. Subsequent to dilution, the sample is contacted with an enzyme electrode and reference electrode of an apparatus of the type described above and the background activity of the sample recorded. Once an activity base-line for the sample has been ascertained, D-phosphoserine is added to the diluted sample in concentrations ranging anywhere from about 5.times.10.sup..sup.-4 to about 5.times.10.sup..sup.-1 moles per liter for each 50 m Units of alkaline phosphatase activity. After the D-phosphoserine is added, incremental changes in electrical potential are recorded at regular intervals for a period ranging anywhere from about 5 to about 15 minutes or until sufficient data is available for determination of the rate of hydrolysis of D-phosphoserine by the alkaline phosphatase present into the sample.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side-elevational view of the electrochemical apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the constant potential reference electrode of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the enzyme electrode of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side-elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the electrochemical apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the variable potential reference electrode of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the enzyme electrode of FIG. 4 (substantially identical to FIG. 3).

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Electrodes

An electrode which can be used in the preparation of the D-serine specific electrode and as a variable potential reference electrode of the apparatus of this invention can be any ion-sensitive device capable of detecting changes in ammonium ion activity in aqueous solution and converting it to an electrical signal; e.g. cation-sensitive glass electrode, Model No. 39137, and ammonium ion-sensitive solid-state electrode, Model No. 39626, both manufactured by Beckman Instruments, Inc., Fullerton, Calif.

Structurally, the D-serine specific enzyme electrodes 1, 1', shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, each comprise a hollow glass stem 2, 2' having an opening at each end thereof. One end of each glass stem is tightly capped with a lid 3, 3' which acts both as a closure and as a support for an electrically conductive lead 4, 4' which forms part of the internal reference electrode 5, 5'. The opposite end of each glass stem, the immersion tip 9, 9' of the enzyme electrodes is sealed with a continuous ammonium ion-sensitive membrane 6, 6', which is itself encapsulated by a coating of insolubilized enzyme 7, 7'. A mesh material 8, 8' anchored to the immersion tip of each electrode by means of an elastic O-ring 10, 10' provides additional mechanical support for the insolubilized enzyme coating. The interior chamber 11, 11' of each immersion tip is partially filled with an electrolytic medium 12, 12' capable of transmitting the electrical potential, generated by the presence of ammonium ions at the outer surface of the glass membrane, from the interior wall of the glass membrane to the internal reference electrode.

The variable potential reference electrode 25 illustrated in partial section in FIG. 5 is of substantially identical physical structure to those D-serine specific enzyme electrodes 1, 1' illustrated in partial section in FIGS. 3 and 6 respectively; its physical structure, however, differing, of course, in that the ion-sensitive membrane 6" of its immersion tip 9" remains fully exposed to the aqueous test sample 20.

The ion-sensitive membrane of these electrodes can be bulbous in shape, that is substantially spherical and of a diameter equal to or larger than the terminal end of the glass stem of the electrode, or blunt ended. The ionic sensitivity and selectivity of this membrane will vary directly with its permselectivity, which in turn is determined by the membrane's chemical composition. The ion-sensitive membranes of these variable potential electrodes can be continuous non-porous diaphragms selectively permeable to one or more cations and/or anions. For example, the glass composition of the ion-sensitive membrane of Beckman's cation-sensitive glass electrode (Model No. 39137) is believed to be based on an alkali-alumina-silica composition in the nature of that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,278,399. The cation-sensitive electrode referred to above has been reported by its manufacturer to be equipped with an ion-sensitive membrane having the following ionic selectively H.sup.+ > Ag.sup.+ >K.sup.+, NH.sub.4.sup.+ > Na.sup.+ > Li.sup.+ >> Mg.sup.2.sup.+, Ca.sup.2.sup.+. The variable potential electrode of the apparatus of this invention can be alternatively equipped with a highly selective membrane sensitive only to hydrogen ions (and in some instances, sodium ions, but only at higher pH levels). These electrodes, commonly referred to as pH electrodes, are readily available commercially in a variety of shapes and sensitivities, e.g. Model No. 39000, (general purpose electrode) and 39004 (Type E-2 electrode having low-sodium ion error), Beckman Instruments, Inc., Fullerton, Calif.

A second type of electrode which can be used as a variable potential electrode of the apparatus and in the method of this invention is the highly selective solid-state ammonium ion-sensitive electrode briefly referred to previously. This particular type of solid-state electrode is not, however, as durable as the glass electrode, the organic sensor material of its immersion tip being gradually chemically and physically eroded over relatively brief periods of use. Other solid-state variable potential electrodes which, for example, can also be referenced to the enzyme electrode of this invention are selective for the detection of activity of calcium ions; chloride ions; or fluoride ions.

The constant potential electrode that can be referenced to the D-serine specific electrode of the apparatus of this invention can be any device which has a chemically-inert junction, a low electrical resistance, a low-volume flow rate of electrolytic solution and, of course, enables measurements of the potential developed at the enzyme electrode by completion of the electrical circuit across the test sample, e.g. Quartz Junction reference electrode (Calomel Internal) Model No. 39400 or Fiber Junction reference electrode (Calomel Internal) Model No. 39170, Beckman Instruments, Inc., Fullerton, Calif.

The constant potential reference electrode 13 illustrated in partial section in FIG. 2 comprises a hollow glass stem 14 tapered to a narrow aperture 15 at the immersion tip end 16 and open at the opposite end thereto. The open end of the glass stem is capped by a lid 17, serving both as a closure and as a supportive means for an electrically conductive lead 18 which forms part of the internal reference electrode 19. The aperture at the immersion tip of the constant potential reference electrode permits communication between the solution 20 being assayed and the electrolyte 21, normally a saturated potassium chloride solution, occupying the internal chamber 22 of the immersion tip of the electrode. An asbestos fiber wad 23 in the lower portion of the internal reference electrode allows a controlled flow of Calomel 24 through the aperture 25 at the base of the internal reference electrode into the internal chamber of the immersion tip, thereby establishing electrical contact between the test solution and the internal reference electrode.

The D-serine specific electrode used in the apparatus of this invention is prepared by encapsulation of the ammonium ion-sensitive portion of the immersion tip of an electrode with a substrate permeable layer of insolubilized D-serine deaminase. The manner of insolubilization of the D-serine deaminase does not appear to be of critical importance to the apparatus and method of this invention, to the extent that the D-serine deaminase retains substantial catalytic activity and can be intimately affixed to the sensing portion of the immersion tip, either by physical or chemical means.

Several of the standard methods currently available for the insolubilization of enzymes can be used in the preparation of the encapsulating layer of the enzyme electrode of the apparatus of this invention. Among those methods which have been found suitable in this regard are entrapment of the enzyme in a polymer hydrogel, covalent bonding of the enzyme to the functional groups of both natural and synthetic polymeric substances or absorption of a solution of the enzyme on a netting and then covering the netting with a dialysis membrane permeable to substrate trasport but impermeable to the passage of the enzyme. The insolubilization of enzymes by entrapment in a highly cross-linked polymer hydrogel, especially polyacrylamide, can often adversely affect the conformation of the enzyme macromolecule resulting in denaturation and loss of biocatalytic activity, Degani and Miron, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 212,362-364 (1970). Therefore, adjustment of the concentration of cross-linking agents should be carefully controlled, as suggested in the above article, in order to permit retention of maximum biocatalytic activity of the enzyme. Such adjustment in the degree of cross-linking of the polymer hydrogel need also take into full account the permeability requirements of the system. An excellent review of the techniques and mechanisms involved in enzyme insolubilization has recently been published by Klaus Mosbach; his article appearing in the Mar. 1971 issue of Scientific American, Vol. 224:3, 26 (1971); see also generally Katchalski's article, appearing in Structure Function Relationship of Proteolytic Enzymes (Desnuelle, Neurath and Ottesen, Eds.) Munksgaard, Copenhagen, Denmark, pp. 198-220 (1970); and Inman and Dintzis, Biochemistry 8, 4074 (1969).

During insolubilization of the D-serine deaminase, especially during entrapment in a polymer hydrogel, the co-enzyme, pyridoxal 5-phosphate, may become dissociated from the enzyme protein and dialyzed away, rendering the insolubilized enzyme partially inactive. In order to provide for this contingency, it is advisable to add this coenzyme to the polymerization medium during insolubilization in the hydrogel. Ordinarily, 5.times.10.sup..sup.-6 mole per liter of coenzyme added directly to the polymerization medium will minimize such activity loss. As a further precaution, a like amount of the coenzyme can also be added directly to the sample during assay.

The physical form of the insolubilized enzyme may, however, determine the form of the encapsulating layer, and the means required to achieve encapsulation of the sensing tip of the electrode. The physical shape of the sensing tip of the electrode can also influence the form of the encapsulating layer, and the technique required to achieve such encapsulation. Encapsulation of the ammonium ion-sensitive membrane of the immersion tip of the electrode need not be complete, nor need the enzyme itself be in intimate contact with the ammonium ion-sensitive portion of the electrode. AS long as the insolubilized D-serine deaminase substantially (.about.90%) and intimately covers the ammonium ion-sensitive tip of the electrode and the insolubilized enzyme is itself permeable to both the substrate and ionic transport of ammonium ions, hydrolysis of D-serine by D-serine deaminase either occurring within the insolubilized enzyme matrix or on the surface of the encapsulating layer will generate an increase in electrical potential at the sensing membrane surface. Encapsulation of the ammonium ion-sensitive membrane of the immersion tip of the enzyme electrode should, however, be as complete as possible; especially in those instances where the test sample has not been pre-treated with ion-exchange resin for the complete removal of ionic interferants which are also capable of generating a potential at the enzyme electrode. If this ammonium ion-sensitive membrane is not totally encampsulated, only that portion of the membrane so enveloped should be exposed to the aqueous fluid sample.

The physical and chemical nature of the insolubilizing medium selected will, to a certain extent, be determined by the operating conditions to which the enzyme electrode is exposed. For example, if the insolubilizing medium is sensitive to degradation upon exposure to alkali, it would probably not prove suitable where potentiometric measurement is to be made with the enzyme electrode in a highly caustic solution. Similarly, an insolubilizing medium that did not have sufficient physical durability would probably not be suitable in the preparation of an enzyme electrode for a continuous or a semicontinuous monitoring system because of consequent hydrodynamic erosion of the encapsulating layer from the continuous flow-through of the solution being analyzed. The problems encountered by hydrodynamic erosion of the encapsulating layer can be ameliorated to a limited degree by covering the encapsulating layer with a dialysis membrane anchored to the stem of the electrode by an elastic O-ring. Of course, the dialysis membrane used to shield the enzyme layer should itself be permeable to substrate molecules.

Because physical and chemical durability of the enzyme layer is essential in a semicontinuous or continuous monitoring system, the method of choice for enzyme insolubilization in the preparation of the enzyme electrode favors covalent bonding of the enzyme to the insolubilizing medium.

In some instances, it may be advisable and necessary to provide a mesh material to lend additional physical support to the enzyme layer or as a means of attaching the insolubilized enzyme to the ion-sensitive membrane of the enzyme electrode.

Although the nature and physical parameters with respect to the mesh size of such supporting materials do not appear to be of critical importance, the thickness of such supporting materials can, to a limited degree, affect the response time of the enzyme electrode by indirectly affecting the thickness of the encapsulating enzyme layer. Mesh materials are also available that can be used as an absorption medium or carrier for the soluble enzyme; however, unless the mesh material is itself subsequently covered, after attachment to the electrode tip, with a layer of dialysis type material impermeable to diffusion of these larger proteinaceous molecules, the soluble enzyme will be readily stripped from the mesh upon immersion of the enzyme electrode into an aqueous medium. Mesh materials which have very fine sizes (.about.60 micron pores or less) can be used to attach the insolubilized enzyme (ordinarily a powder or granular material) to the electrode, provided the pore size of the mesh is sufficiently retentive of the insolubilized enzyme. The thickness of the encapsulating enzyme layer should not exceed one-tenth of a millimeter and preferably should be about half that thickness in order for the system's response times to be within the range of from about 60 to about 120 seconds.

The quantity of enzyme that need be affixed to the ammonium ion-sensitive portion of the enzyme electrode is determined ultimately by the enzyme's activity. If, for example, the activity of a deaminase enzyme, such as urease, is 375 Sumner Units per gram, the concentration of urease needed to effectively and yet economically catalyze the deamination of urea in sufficient quantities to generate a reproducible Nernstian response which accurately reflects (to the extent practically possible) the concentration of urea in the sample, will generally not exceed about 20 milligrams enzyme per cubic centimeter of polymeric insolubilizing medium.

Although higher concentrations of urease on the enzyme electrode have reportedly been used to generate higher potentials and therefore a more accurate measurement of the sample's urea content, this slight increase in accuracy, except for special limited situations, does not justify the added increase in cost expended on the additional enzyme in extensive clinical use, Guilbault and Montalvo, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 90, 2533 (1970). This level of optimum enzyme concentration and point of diminishing returns can be determined for the D-serine specific electrodes of this invention in the same manner described in the Guilbault article.

D-serine deaminase isolated from any source could conceivably be used (provided it is specific for D-amino acids) in the preparation of the D-serine specific electrode of the apparatus of this invention. Two of the better-known sources of this enzyme and techniques for their isolation can be found in the technical literature in separate articles by Dupourque et al. and Labow et al. appearing in J. Biolog. Chem., Vol. 241:5, 1233 (1966) and J. Biolog. Chem., Vol. 241:5, 1239 (1966) respectively.

For most practical clinical applications of the apparatus of this invention, anywhere from about 5 to about 50 milligrams of highly purified D-serine deaminase (prepared according to the Dupourque article -- 300 Units of activity per milligram of enzyme) per cubic centimeter of polymeric insolubilizing medium should prove adequate to effectively catalyze the selective deamination of the D-serine produced as a result of the hydrolysis of D-phosphoserine by the alkaline phosphatase present in the sample. Because of the relative thinness of the encapsulating enzyme layer on the enzyme electrode, usually less than 0.1 millimeter, the total amount of active enzyme present in such layer will generally not exceed about 1 to about 2 milligrams.

METHOD

The electrochemical apparatus of this invention enables the accurate and selective determination of alkaline phosphatase content in aqueous fluids. Those aqueous fluids which can be subjected to potentiometric assay according to the method of this invention are industrial fluids and biologic fluids whose liquid content comprises in excess of 95% water by volume. Biologic fluids which can be assayed according to the method of this invention are those aqueous fluids extracted from any animal (vertebrate or invertebrate), vegetable or bacterial source and excretions from such sources.

According to the method of this invention, an aqueous fluid sample having an unknown concentration of alkaline phosphatase is diluted with an appropriate buffer; contacted with a pair of electrodes of an apparatus of this invention; a base-line potential for the sample recorded; about 5.times.10.sup..sup.-1 to about 5.times.10.sup..sup.-4 mole per liter of D-phosphoserine for each 50 m Units of activity of alkaline phosphatase added to the sample; and incremental changes in electrical potential recorded at regular intervals at the enzyme electrode.

The aqueous fluid sample is ordinarily prepared for assay by the method of this invention by dilution with an aqueous buffer such that the approximate concentration of alkaline phosphatase in the resultant solution will not generally exceed approximately 30 to 50 m Units of activity per milliliter at 25.degree.C. as monitored by p-nitrophenyl phosphate, Rich and Hausamen, Zeitschr. Anal. Chem. 212, 267 (1965). Ordinarily, dilution of a biologic fluid, such as blood serum with an equivolume amount of buffer provides this sufficient degree dilution of the sample.

Often during extraction and dilution of the aqueous fluid sample prior to actual assay, some of the metal activator groups of alkaline phosphatase can be washed away or bound to ion-exchange resin, thereby rendering the enzyme partially inactive. This can be readily remedied by the addition of, for example, selected divalent metal salts of Mg.sup.2.sup.+, Ca.sup.2.sup.+ and Sr.sup.2.sup.+ to the sample during assay in concentrations of up to 10.sup..sup.-2 moles per liter of sample. In the event that selected Zn.sup.2.sup.+ salts are used to restore the alkaline phosphatase to full potency, the concentration fo the Zn.sup.2.sup.+ should not exceed .about.10.sup..sup.-6 to .about.10.sup..sup.-5 moles per liter of sample or inhibition of the alkaline phosphatase may occur.

The above sequence of steps, of course, assumes that the sample does not contain any ionic interferants, e.g. monovalent of divalent cations, having sufficient ionic activity to independently generate an electrical potential at the D-serine specific electrode of sufficient magnitude to significantly alter or distort the potential generated by the increase in ammonium ions resulting from the deamination of D-serine.

In the event that ionic interferants are present in the sample, the sample need be pre-treated with cation-exchange resin prior to potentiometric assay; or, alternatively, the sample assayed with an apparatus that can be selectively discriminate between these interferants and the ammonium ions generated by deamination of the D-serine. In most instances, the selectivity of such apparatus cannot help but be enhanced by some pre-treatment of the sample, either prior to or during analysis with similar cation-exchange resins. Whether or not pre-treatment of the sample, known to contain ionic interferants, with cation-exchange resin is required is largely dependent upon the type of apparatus being used to conduct the assay of the sample. For example, if the apparatus is provided with a D-serine specific solid-state enzyme electrode, referenced to a constant potential electrode, the presence of sodium, potassium and/or ammonium ions in the sample should have little, if any, effect on the highly selective ammonium ion-sensitive membrane of the D-serine specific electrode. Where, however, the more durable ammonium ion-sensitive glass electrode is used in place of a solid-state ammonium ion-sensitive device in preparation of the D-serine specific electrode, the aqueous fluid sample need be contacted with ion-exchange resin prior to or during potentiometric assay, depending upon whether or not the D-serine glass electrode is referenced to a constant or variable potential reference electrode. When the apparatus is provided with a constant potential or pH reference electrode, the sample should be contacted with cation-exchange resin prior to potentiometric assay. If, on the other hand, the D-serine specific glass electrode is referenced to a variable potential electrode having substantially the same ionic sensitivity and selectivity as the enzyme electrode, the sample can be contacted with cation-exchange resin during analysis.

Ordinarily, one to two grams of strongly acidic cation-ion exchange resin present in about 50 milliliters of buffered sample solution during analysis is sufficient to remove approximately 90% of the ionic interference caused by the presence of sodium, potassium and/or ammonium ions in a typical sample of blood serum. The addition of ion-exchange resin in excess of the above concentration to the sample during analysis has been found to reduce the sensitivity of the enzyme electrode and often results in fluctuation of the sensing electrode's signal.

The cation-exchange resins which can be added to the test solution to further reduce the effect of sodium, potassium and/or ammonium ion interferants on enzyme electrode response generally have a high degree of sulfonic acid functionality. Among those strongly acidic resins which can be effectively used to improve enzyme electrode sensitivity are Amberlite CG50 (Rohm and Haas, Philadelphia, Pa.), Dowex 50W-X.sub.2 (Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich.), and Dowex 50W-X.sub.2 (Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich.).

The strongly acidic cation-exchange resin marketed by Dow Chemical Company under the brand name "Dowex 50W-X.sub.2 " is preferred over other similar materials presently commercially available because of the selectivity, exchange capacity and compatiblity of these resins with the equipment and materials being analyzed.

Because the resins used in the reduction in concentration of ionic interferants are highly acidic, they tend to substantially lower the pH of the system. Since the activity of both alkaline phosphatase and D-serine deaminase, as is true for all enzymes, is pH dependent and the ammonium ion-sensitive membranes of D-serine specific electrodes and pH reference electrode are sensitive to hydrogen ion activity, the pH of the sample need be adjusted and maintained within a pH range which both favors maximum enzyme activity and yet minimizes hydrogen ion activity. The maintenance of pH stability is achieved through the use of any of a number well-known buffering systems, see generally Good, N.E., et al., Biochem. 5, 467-477 (1966). For the purpose of this invention, the pH range of the buffered test sample during analysis should be maintained within about 8.5 to about 9. Representative of those buffering systems which can be used in the dilution and maintenance of pH stability of the aqueous fluids being assayed according to the method of this invention are Bicene (N, N-bis [2-hydroxyethyl] glycine); tricene (N-tris-[hydroxymethyl]]methyl glycine; and TAPS (tris [hydroxymethyl] methylaminopropane sulfonic acid). The use of a TRIS buffering system should generally be avoided because of the tendency of this buffer to cause inhibition of the D-serine deaminase on the enzyme electrode.

Once the buffered solution containing the D-phosphoserine has been added to the sample, and contacted with the unknown quantity of alkaline phosphatase present therein, the D-phosphoserine will undergo enzymatic hydrolysis to inorganic phosphate and D-serine. Either concurrent with or immediately after this contacting of the D-phosphoserine with the sample, this sample should be subjected to semicontinuous potentiometric assay for detection of changes in D-serine concentration; the potential at the D-serine specific electrode being noted at regular intervals for a period ranging from about 1 to 10 minutes. The rate of change in D-serine concentration in the sample, as determined by such analysis, is proportional to the log of the concentration of alkaline phosphatase in the sample. Of course, the temperature of the test solution during such analysis must be maintained at a constant value.

The temperature of the test solution during assay should be kept below about 37.degree.C. in order to prevent denaturation of either the alkaline phosphatase in solution or D-serine deaminase on the enzyme electrode. As a practical matter, the temperature of the test solution should be maintained in excess of 15.degree.C. in order to facilitate the enzymatic hydrolysis of both D-phosphoserine in the test solution and the D-serine at the enzyme electrode. Contacting the electrodes and the sample at room temperature generally provides the preferred mode of conducting such analysis both from the standpoint of speed of electrode response times and simplicity.

In order to further improve the response times of both the enzyme and reference electrodes, it is often advisable to hydrate their ion-sensitive membranes overnight in either distilled water, 0.1 M Bicene buffer, pH 8.5 or other suitable buffer. After analysis of each successive sample, the electrodes, especially the enzyme electrode, need be thoroughly washed in buffer or distilled water to remove traces of substrate and ionic materials that may be adjacent to the ammonium ion-sensitive membrane of the electrode or dispersed within the insolubilization medium encapsulating the electrode. The enzyme electrode should be stored in buffer when not in use. Permitting the encapsulating enzyme coating of the enzyme electrode to dry out often results in loss of biocatalytic activity as a result of denaturation of the enzyme. The enzyme electrode employed in such method can be reused to preform numerous analyses, often having a useful life of about 21 days.

Where the enzyme electrode is intended to be used over such extended periods of time to conduct numerous analyses of several samples or in a continuous analysis routine, it is advisable to add .about.5.times.10.sup..sup.-6 moles per liter sample of the D-serine deaminase cofactor, pyridoxal 5-phosphate directly to the sample during analysis in order to restore that original complement of this compound associated with the enzyme protein which may have been washed out during insolubilization and/or potentiometric analysis.

The examples which follow further illustrate the preparation and operation of the apparatus and the method of this invention. The parts and percentages appearing in these examples are by weight unless otherwise stipulated.

EXAMPLE I

An enzyme immobilizing medium is prepared by dissolving 4.0 grams of acrylamide monomer and 0.2 grams of N, N'-methylene-bisacrylamide (Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y.) in 25 milliliters 0.1 M Bicene buffer, pH 7.0. Once the monomer and cross-linking agent have been substantially dissolved in the buffer, 0.0027 grams riboflavin and 0.0027 grams potassium persulfate are added to the buffered solution. This buffered monomer stock solution can be used immediately or stored in the dark at room temperature for up to two days.

One milliliter of monomer stock solution is pipetted into a 5 milliliter centrifuge tube containing 0.100 grams D-serine deaminase (Mutant C.sub.6, E. Coli W. -- activity 300 International Units) and 5.times.10.sup..sup.-5 M pyridoxal phosphate. The resulting enzyme-monomer suspension is stirred for about two minutes and then set aside for about 20 minutes at room temperature to permit more complete dissolution of the enzyme. After the enzyme has dissolved in the monomer solution to the extent permitted under the above conditions, the tube and its contents are refrigerated at 2.degree.C. for 10 minutes, centrifuged for 10 minutes at 3000 rpm (1470 g's), and the supernatant drawn off in a pipette.

Immediately preceding the preparation of the enzyme-monomer solution, the immersion tip of an ammonium ion-sensitive glass electrode, (Model 39137, Beckman Instruments, Inc., Fullerton, Calif.) is washed in distilled water, wiped dry with lintless tissue paper and mounted on a supporting bracket in an inverted position. A two-inch square of nylon netting, 350.mu. pore size (from a sheer nylon stocking, J.C. Penney, Inc.) is draped over the cation-sensitive membrane of the immersion tip of the electrode, where it is anchored in place by means of an elastic O-ring.

Two drops (.about.0.1 milliliters) of monomer-D-serine deaminase is applied to the cation-sensitive membrane and nylon netting covering the immersion tip of the electrode. The electrode, still in the inverted position, is placed in a water-jacketed tube provided with a nitrogen gas inlet. The air in the space between the interior wall of the water-jacketed tube and the inverted electrode is displaced by purging with nitrogen for about 15 minutes. Once the oxidizing environment has been replaced with nitrogen, the immersion tip of the electrode, still under a blanket of nitrogen, is irradiated with a General Electric BBA photoflood lamp equipped with a reflector. The temperature of the photochemical polymerization is carefully monitored with a mercury bulb thermometer that is strapped to the bracket supporting the electrode. During this exposure to the photoflood lamp, nitrogen is continually passed over the immersion tip of the electrode, for the purpose of both maintaining an oxygen-free polymerization environment and controlling the temperature of the polymerization which should be maintained between about 22.degree. and 28.degree.C. Ordinarily, the D-serine deaminase is entrapped and monomer fully polymerized within the first 10 to 15 minutes of exposure to the photoflood lamp; however, irradiation of the monomer-enzyme coating for at least 60 minutes is recommended.

After the D-serine specific electrode has been prepared in the manner described above, it, together with a Quartz Junction constant potential reference electrode (Model 39400, Beckman Instruments, Inc., Fullerton, Calif.), are electrically connected to a Beckman Zeromatic Model II pH meter which in turn is electrically connected to a Brown potentiometric recorder. The cation-sensitive glass membrane of the D-serine specific electrode is then hydrated prior to use by immersion in distilled water for about 24 hours. After hydration of the ion-sensitive membrane of the electrode, the cell is calibrated by measuring the D-serine concentratrion of a number of solutions having known and varying concentrations of D-serine in 0.5 M Bicene buffer containing 2.0 grams Dowex 50W-X.sub.2 cation-exchange resin.

Ten milliliters of a sample of human blood serum is contacted with 1 gram Dowex 50W-X.sub.2 cation-exchange resin for the removal of ionic interferants. Subsequent to this exposure to ion-exchange resin, the sample is placed in a thermostated chamber (22.degree.C. .+-. 0.1C..degree.), and 8.5, with an equivolume amount of Bicene buffer, pH 8.5, containing 5.times.10.sup..sup.-4 M MgCl.sub.2 per liter of sample. The solution is mildly agitated with a magnetic stiring bar while a base-line potential is recorded for the sample. After the ionic background activity of the sample is recorded, D-phosphoserine is added to the diluted solution in an amount such that its concentration in the sample is about 5.times.10.sup..sup.-3 moles per liter of solution. With the addition of D-phosphoserine to the solution, the D-serine content of solution immediately begins to rise. As the D-serine content of the solutions increase, so too does the potential at the enzyme electrode. This change in potential of the D-serine specific electrode is continually monitored for a period of 10 minutes as the solution is agitated periodically; the results being recorded on the Brown potentiometric recorder.

EXAMPLE II

The analytical rountine described in Example I is repeated except for the referencing of the D-serine specific electrode to a pH electrode (Model No. 39000, Beckman Instruments, Inc., Fullerton, Calif.

EXAMPLE III

The analytical routine described in Example I is repeated except for: (a) the addition of one gram of Dowex 50W-X.sub.2 cation-exchange resin directly to the diluted sample immediately preceding analysis instead of the separate pretreatment step used previously and, (b) the referencing of the D-serine specific electrode to a variable potential electrode of substantially the ionic sensitivity and selectivity as the enzyme electrode (Model No. 39137, Beckman Instruments, Inc., Fullerton, Calif.).

EXAMPLE IV

0.1 grams agarose, reagent grade, is added to 50 milliliters distilled water, and allowed to swell for 2 hours with constant agitation. The suspension is permitted to settle for two minutes, the supernatant decanted off and the swollen agarose resuspended in sufficient quantities of distilled water such that total volume of the suspension is 5 milliliters. The pH of the agarose suspension is then adjusted to a pH 11.0 with 0.1 M NaOH. One-tenth of a gram of finely divided cyanogen bromide, reagent grade, is then added to the suspension while the pH is maintained at 11.0 by constant titration with 2.0 N NaOH, and the temperature held at about 20.degree.C. (room temperature) by the addition of ice to the reaction mass as necessary. The reaction is deemed complete when there is no additional base consumed. The suspension is then quickly transferred to a Buchner funnel and washed with equal portions of cold (.about.4.degree.C.) distilled water and cold (.about.4.degree.C.) 0.1 M Bicene buffer, pH 8.0. Washing of the filtrate is performed by aspiration and ordinarily is complete within two minutes.

The activated agarose is transferred from the funnel to a beaker containing five milliliters 0.1 M Bicene buffer, pH 8.0, 0.100 grams D-serine deaminase (same activity as in Example I) and 5.times.10.sup..sup.-5 M pyridoxal phosphate. The resulting monomer-enzyme suspension is stirred for 16-20 hours at 0.degree. to 3.degree.C. Once formation of the polymer-enzyme conjugate is complete, the suspension is thoroughly washed with alternating solutions of Bicene buffer and distilled water.

Immediately preceding the preparation of the polymer-enzyme conjugate, the immersion tip of a cation-sensitive electrode, Model 39137 (Beckman Instruments, Inc., Fullerton, Calif.) is washed in distilled water and wiped dry with a lintless tissue paper. Approximately one milliliter of cyanogen bromide modified agarose-D-serine deaminase conjugate is placed in the center of a two-inch square of nylon netting, 60.mu. pore size (Pharmacia Fine Chemicals Inc., Piscataway, N.J.). The immersion tip of the electrode is then centered in the polymer-enzyme conjugate mass, the nylon netting folded up along the barrel of the electrode and anchored in place by means of an elastic O-ring. The netting is then manually manipulated so that an even layer of conjugate is distributed over the cation-sensitive bulb of the electrode.

The D-serine specific electrode prepared in the manner described above can be referenced to either a constant or variable potential electrode and potentiometric assay of an aqueous fluid sample conducted according to the procedures described in the foregoing Examples.

EXAMPLE V

Ten grams of polyacrylamide beads (Bio-Gel P-300, Bio Rad Laboratories, Richmond, Calif.) together with 15 milliliters distilled water are placed in a siliconized flask, the flask stopped and beads allowed to swell overnight (.about.12 hours). The swollen polyacrylamide hydrogel is then crushed in a Waring blender and the hydrogel separated into major fractions of like particle size by standard gravity sedimentation techniques. Two milliliters polyacrylamide hydrogel is added to a flask containing a stoichiometric amount of anhydrous hydrazine, based on polyacrylamide hydrogel, reagent grade, (Matheson, Coleman and Bell, Norwood, Ohio, assayed 99-100%, 20.4 M); the flask containing the anhydrous hydrazine being pre-heated in a constant temperature oil bath at 49.degree.C. for 45 minutes prior to the addition of the polyacrylamide hydrogel. The hydrogel-hydrazine mixture is reacted at 49.degree.C. for about 20 hours, during which time the mixture is continually agitated by an immersible magnetic stirring bar. At the end of the reaction interval, the hydrazine modified hydrogel is washed with 0.1 N NaC1 aqueous solution until the supernatant tests negative for the presence of free hydrazine, as indicated by a failure of the development of a pale violet color in the reaction of the supernatant with trinitrobenzenesulfonate. The hydrazine modified hydrogel, obtained as described above, is reacted with stoichiometric quantities of cold (.about.4.degree.C.) 1 N HNO.sub.2 for about 5 minutes and then the acyl azide modified hydrogel washed with 0.1 M Bicene buffer until the hydrogel pH is raised to between 7 and 8.

The acyl azide modified hydrogel is then transferred to a beaker containing 5 milliliters 0.2 M Bicene buffer, pH 8.0 and 0.20 grams D-serine deaminase (same activity as in Example I), the buffer-enzyme solution being pre-cooled to about 0.degree.to 4.degree.C. The resulting mixture is maintained at about this same temperature while continually stirred for 5 hours. The resulting hydrogel-enzyme conjugate is separated from the unreacted enzyme by centrifugation, and then washed with 200 milliliters 0.01 N glycine buffer.

A D-serine specific electrode is prepared utilizing the insolubilized D-serine deaminase obtained above according to the technique described in Example IV. The D-serine specific electrode thus prepared is referenced to a constant potential electrode and potentiometric assay of an aqueous fluid sample conducted as described in Example I.

EXAMPLE VI

Two grams of a sample of powdered porous 96% silica glass (950A .+-. 50A pore size, 16m..sup.2 /gm. surface area) is washed in 0.2 N HNO.sub.3 at 80.degree.C. with continuous sonication for at least three hours. The glass sample is washed further by decantation with distilled water and dried by heating to 625.degree.C. overnight (.about.12 hours) in an oxidizing environment.

The following day the glass sample is cooled, placed in a round bottom flask with 100 milliliters of a 10% solution of .gamma. -aminopropyltriethyloxysilane in toluene. The mixture is refluxed overnight (.about.12 hours), cooled, and the particulates separated from the reaction mass by filtration. The filter cake is then washed with acetone to remove traces of solvent and unreacted silane, air dried and then stored, if desired, or used immediately thereafter. The product of this reaction (hereinafter referred to as aminoalkylsilane modified silica), is calculated as having 0.171 meq. of silane residues/gram of glass sample as determined by total nitrogen.

One gram of aminoalkylsilane modified silica is added to a flask containing 3.5 milliliters distilled water and 0.10 grams D-serine deaminase (same activity as in Example I). This mixture is then combined with a second solution comprising 0.5 milliliter N, N'-dicylohexylcarbodiimide (DCCI) in 0.5 milliliters tetrahydrofuran (THF). The resultant solution is then stirred overnight (.about.12 hours) at room temperature (.about.22.degree.C.), the reaction product separated from solution by filtration, and washed exhaustively with alternating solutions of NaHCO.sub.3, 0.001 M HCl and distilled water. The insolubilized D-serine deaminase is stored in 0.1 M Bicene buffer, pH 7.0, at 0.degree.to 3.degree.C.

A D-serine specific electrode is prepared utilizing the insolubilized D-serine deaminase obtained above according to the technique described in Example IV. The D-serine specific electrode thus prepared is referenced to a constant potential electrode and potentiometric assay of an aqueous fluid sample conducted as described in Example I.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A potentiometric method for selectively determining the concentration of alkaline phosphatase of an aqueous fluid sample, comprising;

a. diluting the aqueous fluid sample with a buffered aqueous solution having a pH in the range of about 8.5 to about 9;

b. providing a potentiometer electrically connected in series to a D-serine specific electrode and a reference electrode, wherein the D-serine specific electrode is provided with an ammonium ion-sensitive membrane in contact with and substantially encapsulated by a coating of insolubilized D-serine deaminase, said coating containing a catalytically effective amount of D-serine deaminase and being permeable to both the aqueous fluid sample and products of the reaction of the aqueous fluid sample and the D-serine deaminase;

c. contacting the D-serine specific electrode and the reference electrode with the diluted sample;

d. recording the ionic background activity of the sample;

e. adding to the diluted sample about 5.times.10.sup..sup.-4 to about 5.times.10.sup..sup.-1 moles D-phosphoserine per liter of diluted sample;

f. and recording the incremental change in potential at regular intervals for a period ranging from about 5 to about 15 minutes.

2. The potentiometric method as defined in claim 1, wherein the D-serine specific electrode is referenced to a constant potential reference electrode.

3. The potentiometric method as defined in claim 2, wherein the diluted aqueous fluid sample is pre-treated with a strongly acidic cation-exchange resin.

4. The potentiometric method as defined in claim 1, wherein the diluted sample is periodically agitated after addition of D-phosphoserine during recordation of changes in enzyme electrode potential.

5. A potentiometric method for selectively determining the concentration of alkaline phosphatase in an aqueous fluid sample having a pH in the range of about 8.5 to 9, the method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a potentiometer electrically connected to an enzyme electrode and a variable potential reference electrode, in which the enzyme electrode is provided with an ammonium ion-sensitive membrane in contact with and substantially encapsulated by a coating of immobilized enzyme, said coating containing a catalytically effective amount of D-serine deaminase, said coating being permeable to both the aqueous fluid sample and products of the reaction of the aqueous fluid sample and the D-serine deaminase; and in which the variable potential reference electrode is provided with an uncoated ammonium ion-sensitive membrane of substantially the same ionic sensitivity and selectivity as the enzyme electrode; and

b. contacting the ammonium ion-sensitive membranes of both the enzyme electrode and the variable potential electrode with the sample of aqueous fluid and about 5.times.10.sup..sup.-4 to 5.times.10.sup..sup.-1 moles D-phosphospherine per liter of sample.

6. A method as defined in claim 5 in which the further step is provided of measuring the generated electrical potential on the potentiometer.