Abstract
A method of dual-signal generation from two different enzymes was developed and utilized to simultaneously perform dual immunoassays in a single microwell. Two enzymes selected as tracers were horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and β-galactosidase (GAL). 3, 3', 5, 5'-Tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and chlorophenolred-β-galactopyranoside (CPRG) as chromogenic substrates for the respective enzyme were used. Although the two enzymes showed their maximum activities at distinct pH conditions (pH 5.1 for HRP and 7.5 for GAL), the enzyme reactions were able to be concurrently carried out at pH 5.75 in a dual-substrate solution without signal loss. This performance was achieved by increasing TMB concentration two-fold, introducing potassium salt as activator of GAL reaction, and extending total reaction time 50%. The signal generation method was then used for dual-enzyme immunoassays to detect antibodies with co-immobilized Hepatitis C virus antigens (core and NS5) and a Hepatitis B virus antigen (PreS(2)) in a microwell. Dose-response curves of the assays revealed cooperativity between different antigen-antibody complex formation, which suggested that dual immunoassays can only be used for qualitative screening tests unless the antigens immobilized were spatially separated.