Abstract:
Chemiluminescent bioassays for the presence or concentration of an analyte in a sample use 1,2-dioxetanes as substrates for the enzyme of an enzyme complex that bind to the analyte. The chemiluminescence obtained from the decomposition of the dioxetane trigerred by the enzyme through the formation of the corresponding 1,2-dioxetane oxyanion of the enzyme complex is enhanced by the addition of TBQ as an enhancement agent. Other polymeric quaternary onium salts can be used as enhancement agents in conjunction with enhancement additives which improve the ability of the enhancement agent to form hydrophobic regions in the aqueous sample, in which regions the 1,2-dioxetane oxyanion and its chemiluminescent decomposition products can be sequestered. A kit for performing such assays is also provided.
Abstract:
Methods are disclosed for purifying chemiluminescent water-soluble 1,2-dioxetane derivatives suitable for use as reporter molecules in a variety of biological analytical systems, including enzyme-linked immunoassays, nucleic acid probe techniques, and structural determinations. The methods are based upon high pressure, medium pressure or low pressure liquid chromatography using as the stationary phase alkaline pH-stable compositions with the chromatographic characteristics of reversed-phase adsorbents, at alkaline pH values, and in the absence of acid-forming compounds or compounds with an unshared pair of electrons. Desalting of substantially pure water soluble 1,2-dioxetane derivatives may be accomplished by the same chromatographic systems or by molecular sieve chromatography systems, but in the absence of salt buffers. Under some circumstances, purification and desalting may be combined in a single chromatographic step. Substantially pure chemiluminescent water-soluble 1,2-dioxetane derivatives prepared by the methods of the invention are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Dioxetanes that can be triggered by bases are provided which can be used to detect bases in organic solvents, aqueous preparations and detect gaseous bases in the atmosphere. The dioxetanes can be used to detect the release of bases from various labels, as a means to detect the presence of a base released by physical or natural processes, to calibrate light measuring apparatus and to determine the amount of reducing or oxidizing agent present in the base.
Abstract:
A new class of stable dioxetanes bears a polycyclic stabilizing group and aryloxy moiety, the oxygen atom of which is provided with a protective group which can be removed by an enzymatic or chemical trigger admixed with the dioxetane. The polycyclic stabilizing group is preferably spiroadamantane. The group further bears an alkoxy, aryloxy, aralkyloxy or cycloalkyloxy moiety which is partially or completely substituted with halogens, particularly fluorine and chlorine. Proper selection of electron active groups on the stabilizing moiety, the aryl group and the OR group yields enhanced enzyme kinetics, superior light intensity and excellent detection sensitivity in various assays.
Abstract:
A new and improved polymeric membrane for use in biological assays is provided. A blotting assay employing 1,2-dioxetanes as a source of chemiluminescent employs, as an improved membrane, a polymer comprised of at least one monomer of formula (1). The membranes reduce background signal, improve sensitivity and reliability.
Abstract:
Probes labeled with 1,2-dioxetane precursors can be employed in a variety of assays. The probes may be nucleic acid, peptide nucleic acid, proteins including enzyme, antibody or antigen, steroid, carbohydrate, drug or non-drug hapten. The probe is provided with a 1,2-dioxetane precursor bound thereto, generally either covalently, or a strong ligand bond. The dioxetane precursor moiety is converted to a bound 1,2-dioxetane by exposure to singlet oxygen. The dioxetane (labels) either spontaneously decompose, or are induced to decompose by an appropriate trigger to release light. The trigger may be a change in pH temperature, or an agent which removes a protective group. Assay formats in which these 1,2-dioxetane labeled probes and referents may be used to include hybridization assays, immuno assays, gel-based assays and Capillary Zone Electrophoresis.
Abstract:
Novel 1,2-dioxetanes with improved chemiluminescent properties, such as signal intensity, S/N ratio, T1/2, etc. are provided by spiroadamantyl 1,2-dioxetanes, wherein the remaining carbon atom of the ring bears an alkoxy, aryloxy, or arylalkoxy substituent, and either a phenyl or naphthyl ring, this aromatic ring bearing, at the meta position on the phenyl group, or a non-conjugated position on the naphthyl ring, an OX moiety wherein X is an enzyme-clevable group, which when removed from the dioxetane, leaves the oxyanion which decomposes with chemiluminescence, the aryl ring further bearing an electron-active substituent Z. The nature and placement of the Z substituent, at a position not adjacent the point of attachment to the dioxetane ring, strongly influences the properties of the dioxetane. Assays, as well as kits for the performance of those assays, include the dioxetane, an enzyme capable of cleaving the X group, and in certain cases, membranes and chemiluminescent enhancement agents.
Abstract:
Chemiluminescent 1,2-dioxetane compounds are disclosed in which the molecule is stabilized at the 3-position on the dioxetane ring against decomposition prior to the molecule's coming in contact with a labile group-removing substance and substituted at the 4-position on the dioxetane ring with a fused polycyclic ring-containing fluorophore moiety bearing a labile ring substituent whose point of attachment to the fused polycyclic ring, in relation to this ring's point(s) of attachment to the dioxetane ring, is such that the total number of ring atoms separating these points of attachment, including the ring atoms at the points of attachment, is an odd whole number. They are useful in detecting the presence or determining the concentration of chemical or biological substances in immunoassays, chemical assays and nucleic acid probe assays.
Abstract:
A method of measuring the activity of at least two reporter gene products in an aliquot of a sample extract is disclosed. The activities of a first and second reporter enzyme are quantified by measuring the light signal produced by degradation of a first substrate by the first reporter enzyme and the light signal produced by the degradation of a second substrate by a second reporter enzyme. Both quantifications are sequentially performed on the same aliquot of sample extract.
Abstract:
1,2-Dioxetane compounds bearing a proteolytic enzyme specific amino acid or peptide are provided, which amino acid or peptide can be removed by action of the corresponding protease. When the amino acid or peptide is removed, the 1,2-dioxetane decomposes with chemiluminescence, the generation of light providing a rapid, ultra-sensitive and convenient means for detecting the presence of the protease in the sample being inspected. The amount of light generated, or degree of chemiluminescence, can be correlated with the amount of protease present. Immunoassays, as well as DNA hybridization and DNA probe assays are provided.