Label-free solution-based kinetic study of aptamer-small molecule interactions by kinetic capillary electrophoresis with UV detection revealing how kinetics control equilibrium

Anal Chem. 2011 Nov 15;83(22):8387-90. doi: 10.1021/ac2026699. Epub 2011 Oct 18.

Abstract

Here we demonstrate a label-free solution-based approach for studying the kinetics of biopolymer-small molecule interactions. The approach utilizes kinetic capillary electrophoresis (KCE) separation and UV light absorption detection of the unlabeled small molecule. In this proof-of-concept work, we applied KCE-UV to study kinetics of interaction between a small molecule and a DNA aptamer. From the kinetic analysis of a series of aptamers, we found that dissociation rather than binding controls the stability of the complex. Because of its label-free features and generic nature, KCE-UV promises to become a practical tool for challenging kinetic studies of biopolymer-small molecule interactions.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry*
  • Electrophoresis, Capillary / methods*
  • Kinetics
  • Quinine / chemistry*
  • Solutions
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide
  • Solutions
  • Quinine