Researchers from Jiangsu University have developed a cutting-edge molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) system that could revolutionize the specific identification of adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP). Published in Engineering, the study introduces a bioinspired surface engineering approach incorporating dual covalent receptors via precise post-imprinting modifications (PIMs) on mesoporous silica nanosheets.
AMP, a crucial compound in biochemical and genetic engineering, has posed challenges in molecular imprinting due to difficulties in precisely orienting and fixing its molecular structure. The team addressed this by designing three functional monomers: DS-FM1, which covalently bonds with the amino groups of the adenine ring on AMP; PBA-FM2, which can immobilize the cis-diol units through boronate affinity; and DS-FM3, which can introduce pyrimidine groups for enhanced recognition.
The synthesis process involved multiple steps. First, AMP was combined with DS-FM1 and PBA-FM2 in a specific buffer solution, followed by polymerization on mesoporous silica nanosheets (mSiO₂-NS) using ARGET ATRP. After removing the template AMP, DS-FM3 was added for PIMs to create the final sorbent, D-PMIPs.
Characterization techniques like Fourier-transform-infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and fluorescence microscopy confirmed the successful preparation and functionalization of D-PMIPs. runauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis showed that mSiO₂-NS provided a large surface area of 498.73 m²/g, facilitating the formation of recognition sites in D-PMIPs.
Adsorption kinetics experiments revealed that D-PMIPs exhibited rapid and high-capacity adsorption for AMP, surpassing sorbents with single receptors. The pseudo-second-order model best described the adsorption process, indicating chemisorption. Adsorption isotherms fit the Langmuir model, demonstrating monolayer adsorption with a maximum capacity of 17.47 μmol/g. Selectivity tests against AMP analogs showed D-PMIPs' high specificity, and regeneration experiments proved its good reusability.
In real sample tests, D-PMIPs effectively trapped AMP from deproteinized calf blood serum, outperforming other sorbents. This research offers a novel concept for developing highly selective imprinted sorbents, holding great promise for applications in biochemical analysis and pharmaceutical research.
The paper "Bioinspired Surface Engineering with Dual Covalent Receptors Incorporated via Precise Post-Imprinting Modification to Enhance the Specific Identification of Adenosine 5′-Monophosphate," authored by Pan Wang, Tao Cheng, Zhuangxin Wei, Lu Liu, Yue Wang, Xiaohua Tian, Jianming Pan. Full text of the open access paper: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2024.11.015
