Protein detection, intercalators

Fig. 3 Protein detection using immobilized nucleic acids with tethered intercalators. Fabrication of DNA-modified gold electrodes for electrochemical analysis of protein binding and reaction (Reprinted with permission from [174], Copyright(2002) Nature Publishing Group http //www.nature.com/nbt/)...

Transition-metal phosphorus trichalcogenides such as MnPS3 are able to intercalate amino acids and peptides by ion exchange. In this way, increases in the basal spacing of 0.7 and 3-4 nm are observed for the intercalation of poly-L-lysine and lysozyme, respectively [224]. Interestingly, the enzymatic activity of the immobilized protein has been detected, suggesting that the enzyme is protected against denaturation. 

Sensitive Optical Detectors. More sensitive optical techniques that have been used with CE include fluorescence, refractive index, chemiluminescence, Raman spectrophotometry, and circular dichroism. The most sensitive optical detection method used in CE is laser-induced fluorescence (LIE), which is capable of detection limits in the 10 to 10" mol (or better) range. This detection mode is easily accomplished with analytes that are either easily labeled with a fluorescent substrate (e.g., intercalators for double-stranded DNA) or are naturally fluorescent (e.g., proteins or peptides containing tryptophan). CE systems have also been interfaced with mass spectrometers, and electrochemical detection methods have been developed, although such detectors must be isolated electrically from the electrophoretic voltages. 

Some of these, like ANS and ethidium bromide, will bind non-covalently to particular regions of proteins and nucleic acids, with large changes in their fluorescent properties. ANS lends to bind to hydrophobic patches on proteins and partially unfolded polypeptides, with a blue shift and increase in fluorescence intensity. Ethidium bromide molecules intercalate between the base pairs of double-stranded DNA, resulting in a large increase in fluorescence that is used routinely for detecting and visualizing bands of nucleic acids in gel electrophoresis, for example. 

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