Receptor-Coupled Evanescent Biosensor.

摘要

An acetylcholine receptor-based optical biosensor was developed that uses the evanescent wave to excite fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled alpha-bungarotoxin (FITC-alpha-BGT). Fluorescence was trapped by and propagated back up the fiber. Pure nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) protein, isolated from Torpedo electric organ, was immobilized noncovalently on quartz optic fibers. Specific FITC-alpha-BGT binding to the nAChR protein on the optic fibers was inhibited by agonists and antagonists of the nAChR and was insensitive to high salt concentrations. Its specificity, its sensitivity, the absence of drift problems, its user friendly nature, the known simple mechanism underlying signal production, the very high signal-to-noise ratio, and its ability to detect specific receptor ligands in a solution of high ionic strength are clear advantages of this sensor. Keywords: Receptors, Biosensors, Fiber optics, Fluorescence. (jes)