Irreversible enzyme-shuttle immunoassay.

The concept of a competitive enzyme immunoassay that utilizes simultaneously the bound and the free analyte-enzyme conjugate (heterobifunctional conjugate) for signal generation in response to varying analyte concentrations in samples has been investigated. Two antigenic sites of the heterobifunctional conjugate are used in the assay for binding to immunoglobulins: the analyte derivative binds to an immobilized antibody, Ab(1), and the enzyme component binds to a spatially separated immobilized antibody, Ab(2). The analytical system is set up such that in the absence of analyte, the conjugate is predominantly bound in the compartment that contains Ab(1). With increasing concentration of native analyte in samples, an increasing concentration of native analyte in samples, an increasing amount of conjugate migrates to the second compartment that contains Ab(2). The enzyme bound in each compartment is used for signal generation. Mathematical models have been developed to determine the optimal conditions and to predict the performance of such dual-antibody systems. The theoretical predictions are supported by experimental results. The dual-antibody system has been compared with a conventional competitive enzyme immunoassay using the same reagents.