화학공학소재연구정보센터
Electrophoresis, Vol.38, No.7, 1002-1006, 2017
A microfluidic paper-based device to assess acetylcholinesterase activity
Neurotransmitters play key roles in cell-to-cell communication. These chemical messengers are involved in many functional processes, including growth, reproduction, memory, and behavior. In this communication, we describe a novel microfluidic paper-based analytical device (eta PAD) to detect acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and inhibitor screening through a colorimetric analysis. The mu PAD is easily fabricated via a wax printing process whereby wax is deposited onto the surface of chromatographic paper, and heated to create a hydrophobic barrier. Separate solutions of 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) and samples containing AChE and acetylthiocholine iodide (ATC) (or cysteine, Cys), respectively, are directly spotted onto the mu PAD. DTNB and AChE/ATC (or Cys) flow towards each other where a reaction occurs to form the yellow colored 2-nitro-5-thiobenzoic acid anion (TNB2-). The device is dried, scanned, and analyzed yielding a linear range of average inverse yellow intensities versus substrate concentration. An IC50 value (0.045 nM) with a known inhibitor, neostigmine bromide (NB), is obtained on the device. mu PADs are low cost and easy to fabricate and have great potential to quantify neurotransmitter activity.