Capture arrays using polypeptide capture agents

Abstract

A method of evaluating for the presence of a polypeptide in an analyte, using an addressable array of capture agents linked to a substrate. The analyte is exposed to the array and a set of fixed capture agents, such that the target molecules will bind to the array by means of the capture agents. After the target molecule has bound to the capture agents, it is modified using a label. The label does not interact or mark the capture agent. Kits using such arrays are further provided.

1 - 26 . (canceled)  
     
     
         27 . An array of polypeptide capture agents, wherein said polypeptide capture agents are linked to a substrate and are free of a particular amino acid.  
     
     
         28 . The array of  claim 27 , wherein said polypeptide capture agents are chemically modified so that they are free of said particular amino acid  
     
     
         29 . The array of  claim 27 , wherein said particular amino acid is non-reactive with a labeling agent.  
     
     
         30 . The array of  claim 27 , wherein said particular amino acid is chosen from arginine, lysine, cysteine, histidine, aspartic acid or glutamic acid.  
     
     
         31 . The array of  claim 27 , wherein said particular amino acid is lysine.  
     
     
         32 . The array of  claim 27 , wherein said polypeptide capture agents each contains a different amino acid sequence.  
     
     
         33 . The array of  claim 27 , wherein said array comprises 10-100,000 polypeptide capture agents.  
     
     
         34 . An array of polypeptide capture agents, wherein said polypeptide capture agents are linked to a substrate and are made up of amino acids chosen from a group of amino acids that is free of arginine, lysine, cysteine, histidine, aspartic acid or glutamic acid.  
     
     
         35 . An array of polypeptide capture agents, wherein said polypeptide capture agents are linked to a substrate and made up of amino acids chosen from: 
 ala, cys, asp, glu, phe, gly, his, ile, lys, leu, met, asp, pro, gln, ser, thr, val, trp, tyr;    ala, cys, asp, glu, phe, gly, his, ile, leu, met, asp, pro, gln, arg, ser, thr, val, trp, tyr;    ala, asp, glu, phe, gly, his, ile, lys, leu, met, asp, pro, gln, arg, ser, thr, val, trp, tyr;    ala, cys, asp, glu, phe, gly, ile, lys, leu, met, asp, pro, gln, arg, ser, thr, val, trp, tyr;    ala, cys, glu, phe, gly, his, ile, lys, leu, met, asp, pro, gln, arg, ser, thr, val, trp, tyr; or    ala, cys, asp, phe, gly, his, ile, lys, leu, met, asp, pro, gln, arg, ser, thr, val, trp, tyr.    
     
     
         36 . A system for evaluating the presence of a target polypeptide in a sample, said system comprising: 
 a) an array according to  claim 27;  and    b) a labeling agent that does not covalently bind to said polypeptide capture agents of said array.    
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein said labeling agent covalently bonds to a reactive side chain of said particular amino acid.  
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein said particular amino acid is chosen from arginine, lysine, cysteine, histidine, aspartic acid or glutaminic acid.  
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein said particular amino acid is lysine.  
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein said labeling agent comprises a fluorophore.  
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein said labeling agent comprises a radioisotope.  
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein said system further comprises a target molecule that binds to a capture agent on said array.  
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein said labeling reagent binds to said target and does not bind to said capture agent.  
     
     
         44 . A kit comprising an array according to claim  1 .  
     
     
         45 . The kit of  claim 44 , further comprising a labeling agent that does not covalently bond to said polypeptide capture agents of said array.  
     
     
         46 . The kit of  claim 45 , further comprising a target molecule that binds to a capture agent on said array and also binds to said labeling agent.