A Biomimetic Receptor System for Sialic Acid Based on Molecular Imprinting

Abstract
A new type of a fluorescent receptor system specific for sialic acid has been prepared. For the preparation of this artificial receptor a polymerization reaction using allylamine, vinylphenylboronic acid and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate in the presence of sialic acid as template was carried out. After splitting off the template molecules, a suspension of the polymer was used in reaction with OPA reagents, both in the presence and absence of sugars. It was found, that sialic acid promoted the fluorescence development in this system, probably as a result of the so-called “gate effect”, resembling natural occurring receptors. Rapid detection of sialic acid in the concentration range of 0.5–10 μM was shown possible within 40 minutes. Our method seems applicable for the development of optical sensors; combining the high sensitivity and selectivity of biological receptors and high stability of synthetic polymeric materials.