Covalent attachment and non-specific binding of reactive probe molecules onto surfaces
Authors: Chatelier, Ronald C.1; Gengenbach, Thomas R.1; Vasic, Zoran R.1; Griesser, Hans J.1
Source: Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition, Volume 7, Number 7, 1996 , pp. 601-622(22)
Publisher: VSP, an imprint of Brill
Abstract:
Optimization of strategies for the covalent attachment of proteins onto polymer surfaces requires the development of analytical methods which can differentiate between proteins that are covalently attached and those that are non-covalently bound (physisorbed). We probed for the surface density of reactive amine, carbonyl, and hydrazide groups using solution phase derivatization reactions to mimic and explore protein immobilization reaction strategies. Labeling compounds investigated were fluorescein derivatives, which were quantified by adsorption spectroscopy, and fluorinated phenyl compounds which were quantified by XPS. Control experiments consisted of performing the same labeling reactions using surfaces without reactive groups, or immersing the polymer surface into the labeling solution after blocking the reactive group of the labeling compound by a covalent reaction in solution. We always found non-negligible contributions arising from physisorption of the derivatization labels. Multiple control surfaces and a novel 'crossover derivatization-XPS' method were studied with the aim of improving compensation for physisorption. Our documentation of surprisingly large physisorption components even for small molecule labels, together with the known propensity of proteins to adsorb onto polymers, suggests caution in quantitative analysis of surface groups by derivatization, and in interpreting covalent protein immobilizations onto polymeric surfaces.Keywords: Protein immobilization; surface analysis; polymer surfaces; fluorescein; XPS
Document Type: Research article
DOI: 10.1163/156856295X00517
Affiliations: 1: Division of Chemicals and Polymers, CSIRO, Private Bag 10, Rosebank MDC, Clayton, Victoria 3169, Australia

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