Development of a nanobody-alkaline phosphatase fusion protein and its application in a highly sensitive direct competitive fluorescence enzyme immunoassay for detection of ochratoxin A in cereal

Anal Chem. 2015 Jan 20;87(2):1387-94. doi: 10.1021/ac504305z. Epub 2015 Jan 6.

Abstract

A rapid and sensitive direct competitive fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (dc-FEIA) for ochratoxin A (OTA) based on a nanobody (Nb)-alkaline phosphatase (AP) fusion protein was developed. The VHH (variable domain of heavy chain antibody) gene of Nb28 was subcloned into the expression vector pecan45 containing the AP double-mutant gene. The Nb28-AP construct was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)plysS, and soluble expression in bacteria was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot. Both the Nb properties and AP enzymatic activity were validated by colorimetric and fluorometric analysis. The 50% inhibitory concentration and the detection limit of the dc-FEIA were 0.13 and 0.04 ng/mL, respectively, with a linear range of 0.06-0.43 ng/mL. This assay was compared with LC-MS/MS, and the results indicated the reliability of Nb-AP fusion protein-based dc-FEIA for monitoring OTA contamination in cereal.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Alkaline Phosphatase / genetics
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / metabolism*
  • Edible Grain / chemistry
  • Edible Grain / microbiology*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Fluorometry / methods
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques / methods*
  • Limit of Detection
  • Mycotoxins / analysis*
  • Ochratoxins / analysis*
  • Ochratoxins / immunology
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / immunology
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Single-Domain Antibodies / genetics
  • Single-Domain Antibodies / immunology*

Substances

  • Mycotoxins
  • Ochratoxins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Single-Domain Antibodies
  • ochratoxin A
  • Alkaline Phosphatase