NANOSENSOR FOR DETECTING THE ACTIVITY OF GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN-CLEAVING ENZYMES AND USES THEREOF

摘要

High sensitivity nanosensors for detecting the inhibition of glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-cleaving enzymes are provided. Methods of using the nanosensors include detecting contaminants in commercial GAG preparations (e.g. heparin preparations) by measuring the activity levels of a GAG)-cleaving enzyme in the presence of a sample which may contain a contaminant that inhibits the GAG-cleaving enzyme.

主权项

1. A nanoprobe for detecting at least one contaminant in a test sample of heparin or a heparin-containing solution, said nanoprobe having a general formula
[D-G]-Mwherein
D is a fluorescent dye, G is a glycosaminoglycan (GAG), and M is a metal nanoparticle capable of quenching fluorescence of said fluorescent dye wherein said fluorescent dye is covalently linked to said GAG and said GAG is covalently linked to said metal nanoparticle; and wherein a distance between said fluorescent dye and said metal nanoparticle in said nanoprobe is such that fluorescence from said fluorescent dye is quenched by said metal nanoparticle.