We investigate the interactions between C-reactive protein
(CRP)
and new CRP-binding peptide materials using experimental (biological
and physicochemical) methods with the support of theoretical simulations
(computational modeling analysis). Three specific CRP-binding peptides
(P2, P3, and P9) derived from an M13 bacteriophage have been identified
using phage-display technology. The binding efficiency of the peptides
exposed on phages toward the CRP protein was demonstrated via biological
methods. Fibers of the selected phages/peptides interact differently
due to different compositions of amino acid sequences on the exposed
peptides, which was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy.
Numerical and experimental studies consistently showed that the P3
peptide is the best CRP binder. A combination of theoretical and experimental
methods demonstrates that identifying the best binder can be performed
simply, cheaply, and fast. Such an approach has not been reported
previously for peptide screening and demonstrates a new trend in science
where calculations can replace or support laborious experimental techniques.
Finally, the best CRP binderthe P3 peptidewas used
for CRP recognition on silicate-modified indium tin oxide-coated glass
electrodes. The obtained electrodes exhibit a wide range of operation
(1.0–100 μg mL–1) with a detection
limit (LOD = 3σ/S) of 0.34 μg mL–1. Moreover, the dissociation constant K
d of 4.2 ± 0.144 μg mL–1 (35
± 1.2 nM) was evaluated from the change in the current. The selectivity
of the obtained electrode was demonstrated in the presence of three
interfering proteins. These results prove that the presented P3 peptide
is a potential candidate as a receptor for CRP, which can replace
specific antibodies.