Molecularly imprinted polymers as artificial steroid receptors

Abstract

The polymers selective to six different steroids (testosterone, Δ4‐androstene‐3,17‐dione, 1,4‐androstadiene‐3,17‐dione, β‐estradiol, progesterone, testosterone propionate) have been synthesized using molecular imprinting based on noncovalent interactions. Analysis of the influence of structural features of the steroids under study has shown that molecules with a relatively rigid structure and the OH group at C‐17 position are the most efficient templates for methacrylic acid‐containing imprinted polymers. The chromatographic study of the polymers synthesized has demonstrated a strong dependence of the selectivity and intensity of interaction with analytes on the composition of solvents used both as porogen and chromatographic mobile phase. To obtain polymers with highly selective recognition sites and to create the optimal conditions for molecular recognition, all possible interactions (between template and functional monomer, template and solvent, solvent and functional monomer) should be taken into account. <?TF="palat‐i"> The batch rebinding study of testosterone by the imprinted polymer in acetonitrile has revealed some heterogeneity of recognition sites, and permitted determination of Kass = 1.05 × 104 M−1, ΔG° = −5.4 kcal/mol and N = 1.2 μmol/g for high‐affinity sites and Kass = 0.33 × 104 M−1, ΔG° = −4.8 kcal/mol and N = 2.2 μmol/g for low‐affinity sites. <?TF="palat‐i"> The results obtained show how it is possible to regulate in different modes the molecular recognition by imprinted polymers as well as to fabricate polymers possessing the necessary properties depending on their practical application.© 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Holographic Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Label‐Free Chemical Sensing

“…The polymer films developed in this work exhibit a holographic microstructure, and are capable of specifically binding the steroid testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, which we have used as a model analyte. Its anabolic effects make testosterone detection important in fields such as sport and medicine and has driven research into synthetic testosterone receptors 23, 24…”

Assessment of aptamer‐steroid binding using stacking‐enhanced capillary electrophoresis

“…Molecular imprinted polymers are an alternative to generating antibodies specific for steroids, in which the targeted compound is combined with the functional monomer, and then polymerized []. Cavities that remain in the polymer after the steroid template has been removed serve as artificial binding pockets.…”

Reproducible Molecularly Imprinted Piezoelectric Sensor for Accurate and Sensitive Detection of Ractopamine in Swine and Feed Products

“…These methods are effective and reliable and can detect the presence of the target analyte (RAC) at trace levels in various food samples after a relatively simple pre-treatment process. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), also known as artificial antibodies, are synthetic materials that can specifically and selectively recognize the target analyte from various samples in a relatively harsh environment [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Over the past ten years, more in-depth studies on MIP synthesis and its applications have been carried out in the fields of drug delivery, food science, environmental monitoring, and medical testing.…”