CA2114440C - Differential binding affinities and dissociation assays based thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for assaying for the presence of analyze in a sample based on differential binding affinity involves detecting dissociation of a complex of receptor and ligand in the presence of analyte, The receptor binds the analyte with high affinity and with the ligand with low affinity. The receptor-ligand complex may be formed in situ or may be preformed. In the presence of free analyte, the receptor releases from the receptor-ligand complex and binds free analyte. Release of the receptor-ligand complex is detectable. A kit for performing release assays to detect the presence of analyte is also provided.

Description

2~~~~~~~~
DIFFERENTIAL BINDING AFFINITIES
AND DISSOCIATI0,~1 ASSAYS BASED THEREON
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
' 5 The present invention relates to methods for determining the presence of an analyte in a sample. More particularly, homogeneous liquid-phase and heterogeneous liquid-phase/solid-phase release assays that are highly specific and sensitive are i0 provided.
2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Immunoassays utilize the specific binding, capabilities of antibodies to detect the presence of 15 target molecules in solution. Although the general principle is applicable to a broad range of problems, major commercial interest has centered on medical diagnostic applications for a wide variety of analytes in biological fluids such as blood, saliva, and urine.
Several types of immunoassays, useful for distinct applications, already exist. Each such assay type requires away of distinguishing whether binding sites on an antibody are occupied or free. Typically this is accomplished by means of label such as an 35 atom, molecule, enzyme or particle attached permanently to either the antibody or to an analog of the analyte.
Sensitivity and specificity are key parameters of an immunoassay. Specificity relates 30 primarily to the antigen binding site of the antibody, which is inherent to selection of variable region gene segments and is independent of the assay configuration. Sensitivity relates primarily to the affinity of the antibody for its ligand(s) and to the 35 inherent detectability of the label. For example, radioisotopes, used for radioimmunoassay, can be detected at significantly lower concentrations than fluorescent molecules. Enzyme labels ark detectable at concentrations similar to fluorescent labels. When substrates that produce fluorescent or chemiluminescent products are used with enzyme labels, the sensitivity of resulting immunoassays is comparable or greater than with radioisotope labels.
Many conventional assay techniques are l0 considered competitive in that the analyte and labeled component have comparable affinities for the antibody binding site. One example of such a competitive method is found in U.S. Patent 3,617,837 by Rubenstein and Ullman which describes a technique in which ligand and enzyme-bound-ligand compete fvr antibody bind:~ng sites. Since.binding of the antibody to the enzyme-bound-ligand alters its enzymatic activity, the concentration of ligand present can be estimated by measuring the rate at which such a mixture converts substrate to product.
Immunoassays can be further characterized as homogeneous and heterogeneous. In a treterogeneous method, the label is equally detectable in bound and unbound states. To obtain any meaningful assay results physical separation of the bound versus unbound antibody is required. A common strategy for accomplishing this separation entails associating the label to a solid phase which can be physically separated from the liquid phase prior to the detection step. A typical heterogeneous assay is the Tandem~IA
from Hybritech, Inc.
In a homogeneous method, the detectable property of the label is inherently different depending on whether bound or unbound. In its bound state, the label will have greater or lesser signal intensity. Usually, binding of antibody to the labeled ligand causes a decrease in signal intensity, e.g., when the label fs an enzyme. Typical products in this category include the EMIT~ine of ~zyme 3 immunoassays from Syva Company and the TDX line of fluorescence polarization immunoassays from Abbott Diagnostics.
Two further characteristics of immunoassays are particularly noteworthy. These are the minimal i0 concentration of analyte that can be detected, and the dynamic range of detection. The dynamic range is the range of analyte concentrations over which signal from a label changes from zero to maximum. The order in which the sample, the antibody, and a labeled 15 component are combined can significantly affect both of these key parameters by affecting the degree of binding of the labeled component, which in turn affects detection of the label.
In certain known assay methods, the antibody 20 and the analyte are combined prior to addition of the labeled component. In others, the analyte and labeled component are combined prior to addition of the antibody. Each of these cases requires providing two separate reagents that are combined with the sample Z5 containing the analyte. The need for two such separate reagents can be inconvenient and result in a more cumbersome, complex method. Moreover, because precise volumetric measurement of each reagent is critical to good assay performance, the necessity of 30 two measuring steps can cause errors which may lead to distorted results.
One method to improve assay precision and thereby enhance assay sensitivity is to provide a premixed complex of the antibody and labeled 95 component. This is problematic, however, because the binding reaction is generally found to be irreversible.
Thus, when a complex of the labeled analyte and antibody are combined with a solution containing the analyte, no appreciable displacement of bound label occurs in a meaningful time frame (seconds to minutes).
The present invention relates to assay methodology that employs a complex of receptor and a ligand, wherein the receptor-ligand complex dissociates in the presence of an analyte and a stable receptor-analyte complex is formed. Dissociation of the receptor-ligand complex in the presence of analyte is detectable thereby positively indicating the presence of analyte in a test sample. Methods for designing, preparing, using, and stabilizing such, complexes are taught. The methodology is applicable both to homogeneous assays and heterogeneous assays for analytes encompassing a broad range of types and sizes.
3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides for heterogeneous and homogeneous release assay methods for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample. A kit for performing the assay method of the invention is also provided.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention there is a method for the detection of an analyte in a sample comprising: (a) contacting a test sample with a receptor-ligand complex, comprising a receptor bound to a release ligand, wherein the receptor binds to an analyte, wherein the release ligand binds to the receptor with an association constant of 1~ or less of the association constant of the analyte for the - 4a -receptor, and wherein the release ligand does not detectably compete with analyte for binding to the receptor; and (b) detecting the dissociation of the release ligand from the receptor as a measure of the presence or amount of analyte in the sample.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention there is a method for the detection of an analyte in a sample comprising: (a) forming a receptor-ligand complex; (b) contacting the sample with the complex; and (c) detecting dissociation of the receptor-ligand complex and binding of the receptor with the analyte which positively correlates with the presence of the analyte in the sample, wherein the release ligand binds to the receptor with an association constant of 1~
or less of the association constant of the analyte for the receptor, and wherein the receptor-analyte complex is substantially unaffected by the presence of free ligand.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention there is a kit for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample comprising a preformed receptor-release ligand complex, comprising a receptor bound to a release ligand, wherein the receptor binds to the analyte, wherein the release ligand binds to the receptor with an association constant of 1~ or less of the association constant of the analyte for the receptor, and wherein the release ligand does not detectably compete with analyte for binding to the receptor, and means for detecting dissociation of the complex and binding of receptor with analyte in the presence of analyte in the sample.

- 4b -In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the invention there is a kit for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample comprising receptor and release ligand for forming a receptor-release ligand complex, wherein the receptor binds to the analyte, where in the release ligand binds to the receptor with an association constant of 1~ or less of the association constant of the analyte for the receptor, and wherein the release ligand does not detectably compete with analyte for binding to the receptor, and means for detecting dissociation of the complex and release of receptor which positively correlates with the presence of analyte in the sample.
According to the present method, a test sample is contacted with a receptor-ligand complex. The receptor has much a higher association constant for analyte than ligand. When the receptor-ligand complex dissociates into its receptor and ligand components in the presence of free analyte in the test sample, receptor binds the free analyte to form a stable receptor-analyte complex, which is substantially unaffected by the presence of free WO 93/0336? PCT/US92/06249 ligand. In accordance with the present method, dissociation of the receptor-ligand complex, i.e., release of the receptor and ligand, is a detectable event indicating the presence of analyte in the test sample. Detection of either dissociated ligand or receptor is contemplated. Means for detection are detailed infra in sections 5.2, 5.2.1 and 5.2.2.
In one embodiment of the invention a kit for carrying out the present method is provided. The kit includes either preformed receptor-ligand complex or receptor and ligand which are mixed to form the complex prior to conducting the assay. As can be appreciated, when the pre-formed complex is provided, apart from test sample, only this single reagent may be required to carry out the assay.
As shown in the Examples, infra, the present invention provides surprisingly greater sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and range of detection than conventional association assays or competitive dissociation assays.
3.1. DEFINITIONS
Analyte -- molecule of interest in an assay.
Ligand -- molecule capable of binding to a receptor specific for analyte with substantially lower affinity than that of analyte binding to the receptor.
' Receptor -- molecule capable of specifically binding to analyte or ligand. In each case, a stable complex is formed, but the association constant of receptor for analyte is higher than that for ligand.
Dissociation of the receptor-ligand complex into its receptor and ligand components in the presence of free analyte results in release of the receptor which binds to free analyte, thereby forming a stable receptor-l;. ~ ~ ~~ _ 6 analyte complex substantially unaffected by the presence of free ligand.
4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1. Release of anti-cotinine antibody in the presence of cotinine in a urine matrix sample.
Anti-cotinine was labeled with peroxidase and complexed with solid phase cotinine ligand. Free cotinine was added and released anti-cotinine was i0 detected by measuring enzyme activity in the supernatant after 2 min incubation. Ligands were cotinine conjugated to BGG, using the linker aminocaproic acid (open squares) or p-aminobenzoic acid (solid squares) Figure 2. Release of anti-cotinine antibody after a 10 minute incubation in a complex with immobilized ligand. A synthetic urine matrix sample was spiked with cotinine. Ligands are the same as for Figure 1.
Figure 3. Release of anti-cotinine antibody after a 2 minute incubation in urine and synthetic urine matrix samples. Release of labeled anti-cotinine was detected from cotinine-aminocaproyl-BGG
in urine (solid squares) and synthetic urine (open squares) and from cotinine-benzoyl-BGG in urine (asterisks) and synthetic urine (solid triangles).
Figure 4. Deactivation and inhibition of a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-hydroxycotinine conjugate. Normal enzyme activity (solid squares), conjugate activity (open squares), and conjugate activity in the presence of antibody (asterisks) are shown.
Figure 5. Inhibition and release of a hydroxycotinine-glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase conjugate. The enzyme activity (A~o vs time) of enzyme WO 93/03367 PCTlUS92/06249 _ ~ ~~.i~~~~~
conjugate (solid squares), enzyme conjugate plus antibody to cotinine (solid triangles), and enzyme conjugate + antibody + free cotinine (open squares) are shown.
Figure 6. Automated release assay for cotinine. Release in the presence of cotinine was measured on an automated analyzer after <1 (dots), 18 (crosses), and 22 (asterisks) hours of complex incubation.
Figure 7. Efficiency of various low , affinity analogs of cotinine conjugated to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Conjugates of traps-hydroxy cotinine (extensively conjugated (dots), or partially conjugated (vertical lines, asterisks)), cis-i5 hydroxycotinine (crosses) and carboxycotinine (open ' squares) to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were tested as release ligands in a solid phase assay.
Figure 8. Structure of (a.) nicotine, (b.) cotinine, (c.) N-isopropyl-4-carboxy-norcotinine and (d.) N-propyl-4-carboxy-norcotinine.
Figure 9. ELISA format relewse assay.
Microtiter plates were coated with cis hydroxycotinine G-6-PDH (asterisks); N-isopropyl-norcotinine G-6-PDH
(plus signs); N-propyl-norcotinine G-6-PDH [open stippled squares].
Figure I0. Comparison of the dpse response curves of an associative homogenous assay for cotinine (NiMA) with the release assay. Associative NiMA assay (plus signs); release assay (open stippled square).
Figure.il. Standard curve for the release assaylof cotinine by the homogeneous method.
Figure 12. Benzoylecgonine release assay using a microtiter plate format. Matrix effects were observed depending on the liquid medium, which was R. ~1 ;, ~~ ~y ''G '~ _ g ?~~. ~.
either water (solid squares) or urine (crosses). BE
is benzoylecgonic.
Figure 13. Effect of incubation time on benzoylecgonine release assay using a microtiter plate format. Supernatants were obtained 0 (solid squares), 2 (open squares) and 10 (asterisks) minutes after .
addition of free benzoylecgonine (BE) and checked for release of labeled anti-benzoylecgonine.
Figure 14. Low affinity chromatography of anti-beta hCG. Rabbit antiserum to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was applied to a sheep gonadotropin affinity column and eluted with 13 ml PBS, 20 ml of pH
4 buffer, and 10 ml of pH 8 buffer. Protein (light cross-hatch); anti-hCG (dark cross-hatch); IgG (double i5 cross-hatch). ' 5. QIETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention a method for detecting the presence of analyte in a . 20 sample and kits therefore are provided. A test sample can be any body fluid, such as urine~v blood, serum, saliva, bodily exudate, etc., suspected o.f containing the target analyte. The release assay method of the invention involves contacting a test sample with a 25 receptor-ligand complex and, if analyte is present, detecting dissociation of that complex into its receptor and ligand components. Dissociation of the complex in the presence of analyte results in release of receptor and ligand. Upon release, receptor binds 30 with free analyt~, forming a receptor-analyte complex that remains stable in the presence of free ligand.
Either dissociated ligand or receptor can be detected to indicate the presence of analyte in the sample.
The assay method of the invention may be performed in 35 either homogeneous or heterogeneous formats. Specific - 9 - ~~i~:~~:~~
details of each format are provided infra in Section 5.2.
. A release assay of the present invention allows preparation of a complex in which receptor 5. binding sites and ligand are present in approximately equal concentration, i.e., quantitative complex formation, although this is not essential. Having each element present in equal concentration enhances sensitivity, since when receptor is present in excess, it can bind analyte without releasing from receptor-ligand complex.
In order to achieve a receptor-ligand complex in which the number of binding sites of each element are present in substantially equimolar i5 amounts, the receptor and ligand are incubated for at ' least ten seconds prior to exposure to sample.
Preferably the incubation time is greater than about . one hour. A long incubation time allows formation of the most stable complexes during repeated release and binding reactions when one element, either receptor or ligand, is present in excess. After the low affinity binding reaction reaches equilibrium, the receptor-ligand complex is isolated from the excess element.
Isolation of the complex may be either by size exclusion chromatography; density gradient centrifugation, low affinity chromatography, or other ' techniques for separating complexes from their components. Alternatively, the receptor and ligand may be mixed in equal binding site concentrations and incubated to allow substantially quantitative binding to create stable complexes. Formation of the reagent-ligand complex is discussed more fully in Section 5.1., 'infra.
The kit of the present invention preferably includes preformed receptor-ligand complex, thereby WO 93/03367 PGT/L~S92/06249 ~ y ~E~.'=~ - io -eliminating the need to prepare reagents prior to conducting an assay. However, providing both receptor and ligand separately, and mixing them prior to the assay, is within the scope of the invention.
The present invention is based on the principle that dissociation of a complex of receptor and ligand in the presence of analyte will result in association of receptor and analyte rather than reassociation of receptor and ligand when the association constant of receptor and analyte is greater than the association constant of receptor and ligand. The dissociation of a receptor-ligand complex, release of receptor and ligand, and binding of receptor to analyte to form a stable complex is termed herein the release reaction. The corollary of a release reaction is that free ligand will not affect the stability of the receptor-analyte complex, so that the receptor will not bind to free ligand, i.e., the release reaction is not reversible. Similarly a stable receptor-ligand complex will not dissociate and release receptor to bind a second low affinity cross reactive ligand because there is no kinetic or the thermodynamic gain. The dissociation constant of even a low affinity receptor-ligand complex is relatively low, and binding to another ligand with an equivalent affinity constant does not result in a free energy change. This results in a sensitive, highly specific, highly accurate (minimally cross reactive) assay.
However, when analyte binds receptor with 30' high affinity and the association constant is high, dissociation of the receptor from the receptor ligand complex and binding to the analyte will occur readily.
The high association rate will result in fast "pick-up" of dissociated receptor. The release reaction is thermodynamically favorable, since a higher affinity - 1i -constant will give a negative net free energy change.
The thermodynamics and kinetics will drive a release reaction in the presence of analyte, and will result in no change in the absence of analyte.
Preferably the affinity constant of binding of receptor to ligand will be about 10%, and more preferably about 1%, of the affinity constant of binding of receptor to analyte. This can be observed qualitatively as relative binding, e.g., by apparent io activity in an assay.
Because the thermodynamics and kinetics of the release reaction favor binding of receptor to analyte over binding of receptor to ligand, macroscopically analyte appears to induce the release reaction, i.e., dissociation of the receptor-ligand ' complex.
Since the release reaction depends on a high affinity association of receptor and analyte, it is sensitive and specific. That is, receptor will bind low concentrations of analyte. Dependence of the release reaction on the differential affinity binding further increases specificity. Receptor will not dissociate and bind cross-reactive analogs of the analyte unless the binding constant is much higher Z5 than the binding constant of receptor and ligand.
It is important to emphasize that a significant portion of the complex must dissociate, or the background "noise" in the system will be too great. For example, if only 1% of the receptor-ligand complex is dissociated, 99% of the system is unaffected. If the standard deviation of measurement is 1% (equivalent to 99 ~ 1%), which represents an excellent coefficient of variation in immunoassay systems, then the effect of 1% release would be 1% ~
1%, nullifying any significance. By taking advantage Pxtv' _ 12 --r of the thermodynamic and kinetic impetus of the release reaction, the present assay provides for significant dissociation of receptor-ligand ~:omplex, i.e., release above the baseline levels. Moreover, the release assay format provide for a broad concentration range over which analytes can be detected.
The receptor-ligand complex need not be fully dissociated for effectiveness, however. For io example, when a solid phase preparation of hydroxycotinine linked to a carrier protein (e. g., glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) is reacted with sample, only 5-10% of total antibody labeled with the enzyme horseradish peroxidase is displaced by analyte.
The exact percentage is difficult to ascertain since ' enzyme activity on a solid phase is known to be less than that of enzyme in liquid phase. Nevertheless, the amount of release (greater than 5%) provides a significant signal over background. In a homogeneous release assay, the sample containing cotinine induces 100% reversal of enzyme inhibition, which indicates 100% release.
5:1. THE RECEPTOR-LIGAND COMPLEX
An effective release assay requires formation of a stable low affinity receptor-ligand complex at equilibrium. This complex usually forms more slowly than conventional complexes, e.g., receptor-analyte, or antibody-antigen complexes, etc.
Dissociation occurs readily during initial receptor-ligand complex formation. However, after a suitable incubation period, the receptor-ligand complex becomes stable. The stability of the complex is in part a function of the design of the ligand, as well as incubation time of ligand and receptor. The -appropriate incubation time is readily determined for each receptor and ligand combination. Generally, ~ however, receptor and ligand should be incubated at least 10 seconds, preferably at least 10 minutes, and - 5 more preferably longer than 1 hour, prior to exposure to analyte. In cases where the receptor-ligand complex is isolated prior to performing the assay, both receptor and ligand binding sites are present in substantially equimolar amounts and the incubation time is not important (see Section 5, sutar_a_). Under appropriate conditions, e.g., the presence of salts such as sodium chloride, or stabilizing agents such as glucose, or both, the stable receptor-ligand complex will remain releasable over a long time period --i5 days, weeks or longer. According to the present ' invention, a stable receptor-ligand complex may be in solution, or it may be dried. In an Example, ~ ra, a release assay could be run six days after antibody-ligand complex formation in the presence of 5% sodium chloride. In another Example, infra, the presence of glucose stabilized a dry antibody-ligand complex.
Although the present invention is not bound by any theory or hypothesis, it is believed that formation of a stable receptor-ligand complex supports a model of molecular accommodation between the ligand and the receptor. The equilibrium of this binding favors a configuration of the complex which stabilizes it, meaning that the effective affinity of the complex may, and probably must be, higher in the mature complex than initially. only by creating a stable, complex can one assure that dissociation is specific, and is driven by the much higher affinity of the receptor for the analyte.
Unless a release type assay is formatted with differential binding affinities, and preferably WO 93/03367 PCf/US92/06249 14 _ includes the use of stabilizing agents, undesirable irreversible receptor-ligand complex formation can occur. For example, in a conventional homogeneous immunoassay, if the complex between antibody and ligand labeled with enzyme is allowed to remain in solution overnight, the enzyme is gradually denatured.
Evidently molecular accommodation of the antibody-ligand complex generally occurs in such a way as to denature the enzyme rather than producing only reversible inhibition.
The present invention overcomes these limitations. Continuing with the example of an enzyme label, in the release system, incubating a complex in the presence of high salt to prevent formation of an unreleaseable receptor-ligand complex, in which ligand ' or receptor is labeled with enzyme, preserves the enzyme activity as well as the ability to dissociate the receptor-ligand complex. When ligand is labeled with enzyme, using a molecular linker helps position the receptor such that formation of the complex does not denature the label, e.g., enzyme, for at least several days.
S.l.I.
One element of the receptor-ligand complex is a receptor having one or more binding sites capable of specifically binding to analyte, in which the association constant of binding is high. The receptor is also capable of binding to ligand with an association constant of binding relatively low compared to that of receptor binding to analyte.
Suitable receptors for use in release assays of the invention include nucleic acid molecules (RNA or DNA), antibodies (or a fragment of the antibody that contains the analyte binding site for analyte and 2~i~~~~
ligand), cell surface receptors (or a fragment of a cell surface receptor that contains the binding site for analyte and ligand), enzymes (or the substrate binding site of an enzyme), lectins or any other molecule or macromolecule capable of specifically binding to and forming a stable low affinity complex with a ligand and a stable high affinity complex with an analyte. Antibodies and cell surface receptors are preferred, with antibodies more preferred. zn a l0 preferred embodiment, receptor is generated or selected to be specific for the most unique epitope on the analyte.
Various procedures known in the art may be used for the production of antibodies to analytes of i5 interest. Such antibodies include but are not limited to polyclonal, monoclonal, chimeric, single chain, Fab fragments and an Fab expression library. For the production of antibodies, various host animals may be immunized by injection with a particular analyte or 20 analyte conjugated to an immunogenic carrier, including but not limited to rabbits, mice, rats, etc.
Various adjuvants may be used to increase the immunological response, depending on the host species, including but not limited to Freund's (complete and 25 incomplete), mineral gels such as aluminum hydroxide, surface active substances such as lysolecithin, pluronic polyols, polyanions, peptides, oil emulsions, keyhole limpet hemocyanin, dinitrophenol, and potentially useful human adjuvants such as BCG
30 (bacilli Calmette-Guerin) and Corynebacterium parvum.
Monoclonal antibodies to analytes may be prepared by using any technique which provides for the production of antibody molecules by continuous cell lines in culture or in vivo. These include but are 35 not limited to the hybridoma technique originally WO 93/03367 PCT/US92/t16249 ~~ ~~~~~ r described by Kohler and Milstein, (Nature, 1975, 256:495-497), the more recent human B-cell hybridoma technique (Kosbor et al., 1983, Immunology Today, 4:72) and the EBV-hybridoma technique (Cole et al., 1985, Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, Inc., pp. 77-96). In~an additional embodiment of the invention monoclonal antibodies specific to analytes may be produced in germ-free animals utilizing recent technology (PCT/US90/02545).
l0 According to the invention, human antibodies may be used and can be obtained by using human hybridomas (Cote at al., 1983, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 80:2026-2030) or by transforming human 8 cells with EBV virus in vitro (Cole et al., 1985, in, Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, pp. 77-96). In fact, according to the invention, techniques developed for the production of "chimeric antibodies" (Morrison et al., 1984, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 81:6851-6855;
Neuberger et al., 1984, Nature, 312:604-608; Takeda et al., 1985, Nature, 3i~:452-454) by splicing the genes from a mouse antibody molecule of appropriate antigen specificity together with genes from .a human antibody molecule of appropriate biological activity can be used; such antibodies are within the scope of this invention.
According to the invention, techniques described for the production of single chain antibodies (U.S. Patent 4,946,778) can be adapted to produce analyte-specific single chain antibodies. An additional embodiment of the invention utilizes the techniques described for the construction of Fab expression libraries (Ruse et al., 1989, Science, 246:1275-1281) to allow rapid and easy identification of monoclonal Fab fragments with the desired specificity to analytes.

v '' / I! ~ va z~~~~.~~
Antibody fragments which contain sites specific for analytes may be generated by known techniques. For example, such fragments include but are not limited to: the F(ab')Z fragments which can be produced by pepsin digestion of the antibody molecule and the Fab fragments which can be generated by reducing the disulfide bridges of the F(ab')2 fragments.
Alternatively, polyclonal or monoclonal antibody specific for an analyte of interest may be obtained from commercial sources.
Receptor for binding analyte may be _ purified, e.g., by affinity chromatography or low affinity chromatography. Monoclonal antibody may also be purified by protein A or anti-Ig chromatography. ' Techniques for purifying polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies are well known in the art. A heterogeneous receptor preparation, such as polyclonal antibody, may also be absorbed with a low concentration (e.g., 1% of the receptor concentration) of ligand to remove any receptors capable of binding ligand with high affinity.
5.1.2. IL GAN_D_ As used herein, the term "ligand" includes molecules with limited cross-reactivity with analyte for receptor. binding. The term "reland" is used herein interchangably with ligand. Reland is a term coined by the co-inventors hereof to refer to a release ligand. The ligand or reland binds receptor with a low association constant relative to analyte, e.g., preferably less than about 10%, more preferabl~r less than about 1%, and does not affect the stability of an analyte-receptor complex. Ligand comprises an analog of the analyte, including an epitope of the WO 93/03367 ,~ ~~~~~ PCT/US92/06249 analyte, a derivative of the analyte, a modified analyte, or an isomer of the analyte. Preferably the ligand differs from analyte at or near the receptor binding epitope. These differences may include stearic, configurational, conformational or ionic changes. In another embodiment in which the receptor is a nucleic acid, ligand is a nucleic acid complementary to the "receptor", provided that the degree of complementarity is not as high as the complementarity of the receptor and the nucleic acid analyte.
Analogs of analyte include the analogous molecule from a related species of animal, where such exists, e.g., sheep luteinizing hormone is an analog of human chorionic gonadotropin (see Section 16., ' ,'n~ fray. Molecules prepared to structurally mimic the analyte are also analogs for use as ligands. Such structural mimics may be, but need not be, of the same chemical nature as the analyte so long as the epitope is chemically similar. Thus, for example, a peptide may be an analog of a protein. A suitable analog will simply share a receptor binding epitope or part of an epitope of the analyte.
Derivatives of analyte may be prepared by adding or deleting functional groups to the molecule.
Derivatives may also be natural metabolic products of the analyte. One of ordinary skill will readily know how to prepare or identify derivatives of analytes for use in the invention. Preferably changes in molecular structure of the analyte will alter the receptor binding epitope composition or conformation in order to decrease the binding affinity of receptor for ligand.
Modified analyte includes analyte conjugated to a carrier protein. Addition of bulky groups or ionic groups, such as aliphatic, aromatic or cyclic molecules, to the analyte or to the protein can result in decreased binding affinity for receptor due to stearic and/or charge interference. Alternatively, . 5 conjugation with a bulky group may cause a conformational change in the receptor binding site of ligand that decreases binding affinity. Chemical modifications of organic molecules are well known in the art and may be used to modify ligand. In a specific Example, 'n a, an analyte, norcotinine, modified by the presence of N-isopropyl or N-propyl groups is a preferred ligand in an assay for cotinine.
Isomers of analytes are molecules with the same composition but different configuration.
Typically, isomers will have a different configuration ' at a particular carbon center, e.g., cis versus traps, D versus L. Isomers include diastereomers, which have the opposite configuration at one or more chiral centers, and include enantiomers of analytes. Since . 20 biological binding interactions depend on configura-tion as well as conformation and composition, use of an isomer as ligand can result in much lower binding affinity for receptor.
Where the analyte is a protein, the ligand may be prepared by recombinant DNA methods using site directed or other mutagenesis techniques to alter the amino acid sequence of the protein. These techniques are well known to those skilled in the art (e.g., see Zoller and Smith, 1984, DNA 3:479-488; Oliphant et al., 1986, Gene 44:177; Hutchinson et al., 1986, Proc, Nat~l. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 83:710). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques are preferred for site directed mutagenesis (see Higuchi, 1989, "Using PCR to Engineer DNA," in PCR Technology: Principles and a, ~. ~=~~ 2 0 -:. _ Applications for DNA Amplification, H. Erlich, ed.
Stockton Press, Chapter 6, pp. 61-70).
The ligand may further comprise a carrier protein. The carrier protein may be an essentially inert protein such as albumin or keyhole limpet hemocyanin, but a carrier protein should not be the same carrier. used, if any, for immunization to produce antibody to the analyte. An enzyme label may function as a carrier protein.
Ligand may also comprise a linking group. A
linking group may space Iigand from an enzyme label, thereby preventing or slowing deactivation of the enzyme after a long incubation with receptor. An example of a spacer linking group is E-aminocaproic acid. Also, bulky linking groups may be used to sterically hinder binding of receptor to ligand. An example of a bulky linking group is p-aminobenzoic acid.
Ligands may be evaluated to show their suitability for use in a release assay. Ligand evaluation assays include competition assays, binding enhancement assays, direct assays, low affinity chromatography, and microtiter plate release assays, as well as the contemplated release assay itself.
Competitive assays useful for evaluating potential ligands can be run in an ELISA format, but ' any competitive assay technique may be used. As shown in Example 16.,, 'infra, a ligand is much less effective than analyte for inhibiting binding of receptor to solid phase analyte. A molecule that is a poor competitive inhibitor relative to analyte can be a good choice for use as a ligand.
A low concentration of a suitable release ligand may actually appear to enhance binding of receptor to analyte in a competition assay. Thus in a WO 93/03367 PCTlUS92/06249 .~. ~~ ~ p r.~
competition type assay with polyclonal antibody, increased absolute signal in the presence of the molecule being tested indicates that molecule may be a suitable release ligand.
When a direct assay is used to evaluate a potential ligand, binding of receptor and ligand is compared to binding of receptor and analyte. An ELISA
format is well suited for this type of assay, but other assay formats can also be used. A ligand will i0 demonstrate no more than about 10%, and preferably less than about 1%, of the binding activity of analyte. Typically, in an ELISA, binding activity is represented by titer, i.e., dilution or concentration of receptor with a particular binding activity.
Alternatively, specific activity at the same receptor ' concentration can be compared.
If an analyte-specific receptor elutes under mild conditions from an affinity chromatography column prepared with ligand, that ligand may be a useful for a release assay.
In the microtiter plate method, ligand or receptor is coated on the plate. When the microtiter plate is coated with ligand, the ligand will preferably comprise a protein to enhance binding to the plate. The complementary binding partner (receptor or ligand, respectively is added and a complex allowed to form. If the receptor-ligand pair is suitable, release of receptor or ligand can be detected in a sample supernatant when sample containing analyte is added. As demonstrated in Example 11., infra, a ligand-enzyme conjugate designed for use in a homogeneous assay can be tested in a microtiter plate assay.

n'i; -22-,n ,~ a ~.'y a 01 ~, ~~,~1~ 1. ~' 5.2. RELEASE ASSAY FORMAT
.The release assay comprising receptor, ligand and a means for detection of released, i.e., dissociated, receptor-ligand complex, has particular utility for analyzing a sample for the presence of a small molecule such as a drug metabolite. Detecting the presence of drugs or drug metabolites in a sample of body fluid from a patient is important for many applications. The presence of drugs or drug l0 metabolites is useful in determining appropriate medical treatment, especially under emergency conditions. Detection of drugs or drug metabolites in a person is important in law enforcement, employment, schools and athletics. Samples may be from any source, but preferably are from an animal, and more preferably from a human. Samples may include but are not limited to be body fluid such as blood, plasma, serum, urine, saliva, bodily exudate, etc.
Analytes may be any antigen, but small analytes (MW of 100 to 1000 Daltons) are of primary interest. Such analytes include therapeutic drugs and metabolites thereof, illicit drugs and metabolites thereof, steroids, and peptide hormones.
Nevertheless, release assays for larger molecules such as protein hormones, e.g., insulin, viral antigens, bacterial antigens, serum proteins, antibodies or any antigen of interest where detection of presence (or absence) of the analyte in a rapid, specific, sensitive assay is desirable are also contemplated.
rn specific Examples '_~nfra,, release assays for cotinine (a nicotine metabolite associated with smoking), benzoylecgonine (a cocaine metabolite), tetrahydrocannabinol (the narcotic agent of marijuana), thiazides (a class of diuretics), and beta-~blockers are shown. Moreover, it will be '' _ 23 _ "l, apparent that release assays are suitable to detect any analyte of interest.
For example, a release assay may be prepared for HIV antibodies. A format for a release HIV assay follows:
1. Generate antibodies to an HIV peptide modified in such a way as to make it a release ligand, e.g., by substitution of amino acids. This antibody is then analogous to a ligand for purposes of the assay since it is altered relative to the analyte (anti-HIV antibody) of interest.
2. Conjugate the native HIV peptide sequence to a protein such as albumin, and coat the conjugate on plastic beads or wells of microtiter plates. The peptide-protein conjugate acts as the receptor for analyte for purposes of this assay.
3. Mix the receptor (conjugate) and the ligand (antibody) so that complex is formed. The ligand should be labeled with a marker e.g., a fluorescent tag. Wash the plate after complex forms.
4. Add sample containing analyte (anti=YIV
antibodies) to the solid phase. The anti-HIV
antibodies displace the labeled antibody. Measure the amount of released label.
Preferably the ligand antibody for an HIV
assay is a monoclonal antibody.
The present invention provides for positively detecting dissociation of a receptor-ligand complex resulting in release of the labeled component.
Positive detection means that signal positively correlates with the amount of analyte in a sample. A
positive correlation is advantageous because it is psychologically satisfying that presence of signal or increase in signal intensity indicates presence of analyte in a sample. Results obtained by assay _ 24 _ :' methods in which detection of signal decreases when analyte is present are susceptible to misinterpretation. It is desirable to employ an assay, such as that of the present invention, in which only a positive result generates signal. Assays of the invention are equally suitable for use both in a laboratory by technical personnel as well as outside a laboratory by both technical and non-technical personnel.
Accordingly, the invention provides for detecting release of a component of a receptor-ligand complex. In a heterogeneous release assay (Section 5.2.2, in ra), either receptor or ligand may be labeled so that upon release in the presence of analyte, the label signal is separated from reaction products and is detected. In a homogeneous release assay (Section 5.2.1, infra), it is preferable to label ligand, but under certain circumstances, when using a nonenzymatic label, receptor can be labeled.
For example, when a fluorescent label is used, ligand may contain a fluorescence quencher. In the receptor-,F
ligand complex, the fluorescent signal is quenched, and there is no detection of fluorescence until dissociation occurs in the presence of analyte.
Suitable labels include enzymes, fluorophores, chromophores, latex particles, colloidal gold, dyes and chemiluminescent agents.
The means for detecting dissociation of a receptor-ligand complex depends in part on whether the assay;is homogeneous or heterogeneous, as described, below in sections 5.2.1. and 5.2.2.
Once suitable binding receptor, release ligand, and means for detecting a particular analyte are chosen, the assay system must be optimized for use with a particular sample matrix. A urine sample will 25 2~~ ~~~:t~
have different intrinsic characteristics than a sample in aqueous buffer. The same is true for sample from saliva, blood, plasma or serum, or any body fluid.
The assay may be optimized by varying reagent concentration, buffer composition, release time, detection time, baseline controls, and other variables. These variables are well known in the art, and it will be readily understood how to adjust them for optimum assay specificity and sensitivity with a i0 particular assay matrix.
5.2.1. HOMOGENEOUS RELEASE ASSAYS
_ The release assay may be performed in homogeneous liquid phase. Such an assay is preferred because it can be performed in a single reaction vessel, and thus is well suited for use in automated analyzers.
In one embodiment, the ligand may be conjugated to an enzyme label that retains a detectable level of enzyme activity. A ligand-enzyme conjugate is selected such that upon binding of receptor to ligand, enzyme activity decreases. To increase sensitivity, preferably one receptor binding site is present on the enzyme, but more than one is also acceptable.
When analyte is added to the receptor-ligand complex, the complex dissociates into its receptor and ligand components and released receptor binds analyte.
Upon release of the ligand-enzyme conjugate, enzyme catalytic activity increases. This increase is detected by measuring the rate of product formation.
Any enzyme-substrate system can be used, with the proviso that no endogenous enzyme present in sample will artificially increase the rate of product formation. Preferably the enzyme is glucose-6-WO 93/03367 ' ''~ ~1~.~ hr;;y PCT/US92/06249 .~- _ 26 _ phosphate dehydrogenase, and the reaction product is reduced nicotine-adenine dinucleotide (NADH), which can be detected by absorbance at 340 nm.
Alternatively, a receptor-ligand complex in a homogeneous release assay may comprise a fluorescent label or chemiluminescent label attached to ligand and a fluorescence quencher attached to the receptor. The receptor may itself quench fluorescence. In the complex, the fluorescence or luminescence will be quenched and no signal will be observed. However, upon dissociation of the receptor-ligand complex and release of receptor and ligand in the presence of analyte, quenching will diminish, and signal will be observed. Other proximity dependent signal attenuators, such as fluorescence polarization, are ' known in the art, and can be adapted for use in a release assay. It will further be appreciated that the label may be on receptor and the quencher on ligand.
5.2.2. HETEROGENEOUS REL3ASE ASSAYS
In another embodiment, a heterogeneous solid-phase/liquid-phase release assay is provided.
In such an assay, either receptor or ligand is irreversibly absorbed to a solid phase support. As used herein, the term "irreversibly absorbed" includes covalent, non-covalent and ionic association. Solid phase supports include plastic, polymer beads, glass beads, glass, silica gel, and membranes. In Examples 3o infra solid phase supports are plastic microtiter plate wells and nitrocellulose membranes. However, the release assay is not limited to a particular choice of solid phase support and any solid phase support known in the art may be used.

WO 93/03367 '~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ PGT/US92/06249 The binding partner of the receptor or ligand absorbed to the solid phase support, i.e., the ligand or receptor respectively, is labeled, and a stable complex comprising the labeled element and the solid phase element is formed. Once a stable receptor-ligand complex is formed, it can be exposed to sample. If the analyte of interest is present in the sample, the release reaction occurs and signal from the label is detected in the liquid phase. The extent of release, and thus the signal intensity in the liquid phase, positively correlates with the amount of analyte in the sample. The signal intensity in the solid phase decreases inversely with the amount of analyte in the sample (see Table 6).
Many labels can be used in the heterogeneous release assay. Enzyme labels are practical, even for a single vessel assay, because enzymes bound to a solid phase can have 10-to 20-fold less catalytic activity than the same enzyme in solution. Moreover, as with homogeneous release, binding of receptor to ligand-enzyme conjugate may reduce enzyme activity.
Other labels such as chromophores, fluorophores, chemiluminescent agents, radioisotopes, chelating complexes, dyes, colloidal gold and latex particles can be detected in the liquid phase after release reaction as increased optical density, fluorescence, luminescence, radioactivity, color (for dyes), and turbidity (for colloidal gold and latex particles), respectively. Where the signal from label that remains bound in the receptor-ligand complex cannot be detected, the assay may be performed in a single vessel.
In a particular embodiment preferred for non-laboratory settings, the presence of an analyte is indicated by the appearance of a shape, i.e., a WO 93/03367 ~ , ~ ~~ ~ ~'p'~s PCTlUS92/06249 letter, in a reaction field on a solid phase support.
Accordingly, a reaction field comprising an indicator zone and a control zone is prepared on a solid phase support. The indicator zone comprises either immobilized receptor or ligand, as provided by the heterogeneous assay format. A receptor-ligand complex in the indicator zone is sensitive to the release reaction. The control zone comprises a different receptor-ligand complex. The receptor-ligand complex in the control zone is not susceptible to the specific release reaction, but will indicate non-specific release if conditions are such as to cause non-_ specific release.
In practice, contacting sample containing the analyte of interest to the reaction field will result in a detectable release reaction in the indicator zone, and no reaction in the control zone.
The release reaction is detected as formation of a contrasting zone corresponding to the indicator zone.
To accomplish this, label for both the release complex and the control complex is chosen to contrast with the solid support.
If there is no development of a contrast zone, the sample is negative. "Fade" of both the indicator zone and control zone, i.e., release of label from both complexes, indicates a false positive reaction, inappropriate reaction conditions, and possible adulteration of the sample. In this way, the control zone provides a control for accurate assay results.
Preferably different letters or symbols are used as the indicator depending on the analyte of interest. For example, indicator zone specific fox cocaine use may be shaped like the letter "C"; an indicator zone for marijuana use shaped like the letter "M" (or "T" for tetrahydrocannabinol), and a zone to indicate nicotine use shaped like the letter nNa The control zone comprising a complex immobilized control receptor or ligand and labeled ligand or receptor, respectively, is analogous to the indicator zone, with the proviso that the control complex is insensitive to the presence of analyte, while the complex in the indicator zone is released in l0 the presence of analyte. For example, if the analyte of interest is cotinine, the immobilized ligand is cotinine coupled to bovine gamma globulin via an aminocaproic acid linker, and the receptor is anti-carboxy-cotinine labeled with blue latex, a suitable control ligand is immobilized trinitrophenol (TNP) conjugated to bovine serum albumin, and a suitable control receptor is anti-TNP antibody, also labeled with blue latex. In the presence of cotinine, labeled anti-carboxycotinine would be released and a contrasting zone develop. The TNP-anti-TNP complex is unaffected by cotinine.
It is clear that other receptor ligand combinations will work equally well as control complexes. For example, in an assay to detect cotinine, a control complex could be immobilized ecgonine-anti-benzoylecgonine. It is further envisioned that a single solid phase support can contain more than one detection field, since each detection field is specific for a particular analyte and insensitive for any other analyte. Thus, the invention provides an assay for multiple analytes, e.g., tetrahydrocannabinol, benzoylecgonine, and cotinine, in a single format.
Suitable labels for use in this assay include but are not limited to colored latex WO 93/03367 t , ~ ;'~,~ PGT/US92/06249 ~,~,=~'t~~ .,.

particles, dyes, colloidal gold, and enzymes that catalyze production of an insoluble colored reaction product when a white or light colored solid phase support is used, and white latex when a dark solid phase support is used. Preferably, colored latex particles are used as labels. Also, any solid phase support can be used in this embodiment, but plastic and membranes are preferred.
In a preferred embodiment, such as described in Section 15., 'ni fro, the solid phase support comprising receptor-ligand complex and control complex is provided dry.
The invention will be further clarified by the following Examples, which are intended to be purely exemplary of the invention and not as limitations of the invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the description and accompanying drawings. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

6. EXAMPLE: SOLID PHASE RELEASE ASSAY FOR COTININE
Cotinine and traps-3'-hydroxycotinine are the major metabolites of nicotine (Langone et al., 1973, BiOChem. 12:5025-30; Jacob et al., 1991, J.
Chromatography 222:61-70; Neurath et al., 1987, Int.
3~ Arch. Occup. Environ. Flealth 59:199-201). They appear in urine in a 1:3 ratio (Newrath et al., s_upra_,). The detection of cotinine in urine, serum or saliva is the most commonly used biochemical method to determine levels of exposure to nicotine (Fitzpatrick, 1991, C.N.N. 11). Unlike other drugs of abuse, cotinine is J
found in bodily fluids of non users due to passive smoking. The range of interest for a cotinine assay is from 0.010 ~Cg/ml necessary for saliva and blood testing, to <l0~cg/ml for urine of tobacco users . 5 (Greenberg et al., 1984, N. Engl. J. Med. 310:1075-78;
Matsukura et al., 1984, N. Engl. J.Med. 311:828-31;
Sepkovicet al., 1985, Am. J. Public Health 75:663-6;
Sepkovic et al., 1986, J.A.M.A. 256:863; Jarvis et al., 1987, Am. J. Public Health 77:1435-8; Schepers i0 and Walk, 1988, Arch. Toxicol. 62:395-7; Langone et al., 1988, J.I.M. 114:73-8).
This example reports the use of three _ different cotinine ligands in a heterogeneous solid phase release assay. One ligand comprises a cotinine 15 metabolite directly bound to an inert carrier protein (hydroxy-cotinine-BGG), another ligand comprises the cotinine metabolite conjugated to the protein via a bulky linker (hydroxycotinine-aminobenzyl-BGG) and a third comprises the cotinine metabolite conjugated to 20 the protein via a spacer linker (hydroxycotinine-aminocaproyl-BGG).
6.1. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Trans-3'-hydroxycotinine was obtained 25 according to a published method (Jacob et al., 1990, J. Med. Chem. 33:1888). Succinic anhydride and dimethyl-formamide (DMF) were obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co. Pyridine, N-hydroxysuccinimide, 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiiumide (EDC), p-30 aminobenzoic acid (PABA), E-aminocaproic acid (ACA);
and bovine gamma globulin (BGG) were obtained from Sigma.

°. f~1 ~r,'u - 3 2 -6.1.1. PREPARATION OF HYDROXYCOTININE-BGG ~IGAND
Step A. Hydroxycotinine hemisuccinate was prepared as follows. In a glass tube, 19 mg of trans-3'-hydroxycotinine were dissolved in 1 ml of DMF. In this solution 21 mg of succinic anhydride were dissolved. After adding 20 ~cl of pyridine, the tube was covered (PARAFILM~) and incubated overnight at 37°C.
i0 Step B. After equilibration at room.
temperature (r.t.), 14 mg of N-hydroxysuccinimide and 23 mg of EDC were dissolved in the cotinine solution.
The solution was covered (parafilm) and incubated 3 hours at room temperature to activate the cotinine hemisuccinate. ' Step C. Activated cotinine hemisuccinate (400 ~1 of the solution from step B.) was added to the solution of 6 mg BGG dissolved in 1 ml of PBS. The mixture was gently mixed and incubated 1 hour at room temperature, then overnight at 4°C. The resulting conjugate was dialyzed against 6 changes of PBS for 48 hours.
6.1.2. PREPARATION OF HYDROXYCOTININE-~
AMINOBENZOYL-BGG LIGAND
Step D. In 0.6 ml of PBS were dissolved 6 ' mg of PABA. To this solution were added 400 ~C1 of activated cotinine hemisuccinate prepared according to step B., supra. The resulting solution was mixed well and.incubated for,l hour at room temperature and overnight at 4°C.
Step E. The hydroxycotinine-hemisuccinate-PABA was brought to room temperature and activated by addition of 0.5 ml of 14 mg/ml N-hydroxysuccinimide in DMF and 0.5 ml of 24 mg/ml EDC in DMF. The mixture was incubated 3 hours at room temperature. To 6 mg of 33 _ BGG in 2 ml of PBS were added 400 ~1 of activated cotinine-PABA. The resulting solution was mixed gently and incubated 1 hour at room temperature and overnight at 4°C. The resulting conjugate was dialyzed against 6 changes of PBS over 48 hours.
6.1.3. PREPARATION OF HYDROXYCOTININE
AMINOCAPROYL-BGG LIGAND
Step F. To a solution of 4 mg ACA in 0.6 ml of PBS were added 400 ~1 of the activated cotinine succinate solution prepared according to step B., ,us pra. The resulting solution was mixed very well and incubated 1 hour at room temperature and overnight at 4°C.
Step G. The hydroxycotininehemisuccinate- , ACA solution was brought to room temperature and activated by addition of 0.5 ml of 14 mg/ml N-hydroxysuccinimide in DMF and 0:5 ml of 24 mg/ml EDC
in D~IF. The resulting mixture was incubated for 3 hours at room temperature. To 6 mg of BGG in 2 ml of PBS were added 400 girl of activated cotinine-ACA. The resulting solution was mixed gently and incubated at room temperature for 1 hour, then overnight at 4°C.
The resulting conjugate-was dialyzed against six 2S changes of PBS over 48 hours.
' 6.1.4. ANTISERUM BINDING REAGENT
Antiserum to carboxycotinine was obtained as follows: 320 mg of keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) Protein (Sigma) were dissolved in 40 ml of deionized water. To this were added 300 mg of w trans-4'-carboxycotinine (Aldrich) with mixing until it was dissolved. Then 300 mg of EDC were added to the reaction mixture with stirring, which was continued overnight at room temperature. The KLH-carboxycotinine conjugate was dialyzed for 8 hours at WO 93/03367 ~,, ~~ PGT/US92/06249 A f~

2-8° against phosphate buffered saline. The dialysis fluid was changed once after 4 hours.
Rabbits were immunized with the immunogen in Freund's adjuvant, with multiple injections over several months according to standard protocols. Test bleedings were made at defined intervals, and increases in antibody titer measured using an enzyme immunoassay for cotinine. Measurements of antibody affinity and cross-reactivity were also performed.
When these assays indicated satisfactory antibody performance, rabbits were bled and sera were isolated and pooled. Antiserum was stored at -40°C.
The IgG fraction was separated from serum by ammonium sulfate precipitation. An immunoaffinity chromatography column was prepared by coupling ' succinylated hydroxycotinine through its carboxyl group to amino-sepharose 48 (see section 9., in a).
The affinity purified antibody was labeled with horseradish peroxidase using the sodium-m-periodate method.
Antisera prepared against 4'-carboxycotinine, which is conjugated to carrier protein at the 4' position, were expected to bind cotinine conjugated to protein at the 3' position with Z5 lower offinity.
6.1.5. ASSAY
Microtiter plates were coated overnight with 100 ~cl of each ligand at 1 ~cg protein per ml of PBS.
Dried;plates were incubated for 1 hr with 100 ~cl of;
enzyme-labeled antibody. Excess antibody was washed out and 90 ~1 of distilled water and 10 ~cl of urine sample or standard were added to each well. After 2 minutes of shaking, the supernatant was transferred to uncoated wells. Released label in the supernatant was quantitated after reaction with TMB substrate for 15 minutes by measurement of O.D. at 450 nm.
6.2. RESULTS
Release of labeled antibody complexed to solid phase ligand was detected in supernatant when free cotinine was present in sample. A comparison of release from solid phase hydroxycotinine-PABA-BGG and solid phase hydroxycotinine-ACA-BGG indicates that after 2 minutes of exposure free cotinine induces the release of anti-cotinine antibody bound to both antigens in a concentration dependent manner (Figure _ 1). The results indicate that release from ' hydroxycotinine-ACA-BGG is slightly more efficient.
Enhanced release reactions were observed for ' release when the release portion of the assay is extended to 10 minutes (Figure 2). Increases in A,m could be observed at as low as 0.5 ;cg/ml cotinine.
Again, release from hydroxycotinine-ACA-BGG was more efficient. A comparison of release after 2 minutes of incubation with sample in urine and synthetic matrices (Figure 3) indicates that (i) assay sensitivity is greater in synthetic matrix than in urine matrix; and (ii) that hydroxycotinine-ACA-BGG acts more efficiently for release of anti-cotinine antibody.
6.3. DISCUSSION
These results show that a release assay indicates the presence of free cotinine in a sample of urine.or an artificial urine matrix. As$ay plates prepared by coating the microwells with cotinine ligand conjugated at the 3' position to a protein and forming a complex with antibody specific for cotinine conjugated to the immunogenic carrier protein at the ~4' position, the detection of free cotinine in sample WO 93/03367 r p E' PGT/US92/06249 can be completed using this assay in under 30 minutes.
Comparison of Figures 2 and 3 shows that release can be observed as soon as 2 minutes after sample is added.
Subtle differences in binding affinity affect the sensitivity of a release assay. Release from the hydroxycotinine-aminocaproic acid-bovine gamma globulin ligand gave slightly more sensitive readings than release from hydroxycotinine-aminobenzoyl-BGG. These results demonstrate how exploitation of differences in binding affinity allows development of sensitive immunoassays.
7. EXAMPLE: MICROTITER PLATE METHOD
OF ASSAYING LIGAND-PROTEIN CONJUGATES , A solid phase assay provides a method to compare ligand-protein conjugate preparations for use in release assays, and to determine whether a particular.ligand binds analyte-specific antibody with sufficiently low affinity. The. present example reports results with a cotinine ligand.
7.1. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Reagents, hydroxycotinine-p-amino-benzoic acid-bovine gamma globulin (BGG) and hydroxycotinine-e-aminoncaproic acid-BGG were prepared as described in SeCtl.On 6.1., Sugra.
7.1.1. ASSAY PROTOCOL
Microtiter plates were coated with cotinine-ligand as described in Section 6.1.5., supra. The wells were washed twice with wash buffer and 100 ul of anti-cotinine-peroxidase conjugate (Section 6.1.4., supra) were added to each well. The plate was incubated 60 min at r.t. and washed twice with wash buffer. To each well were added 100 ~1 of wash buffer and 10 ~l of sample. Samples consisted of 0, 0.5, 2.0 and 10 ug/ml cotinine in urine, and two negative and two positive urine samples. The plate was incubated 10 minutes at r.t. with shaking, and 100 ~C1 of supernatant were removed and transferred to replicate wells of on uncoated microtiter plate. To the wells containing supernatant were added 100 ~1 of 2x TMB
substrate solution. The plate was incubated 3 min at l0 r.t., and then the reaction stopped by addition.of 50 ~1 2N sulfuric acid to each well. Absorbance at 450 nm was measured:
7.2. RESULTS
Presence of cotinine in sample caused release of labeled anti-cotinine antibody from the cotinine-ligand solid phase. The A,SO value of supernatant correlated positively with the amount of free cotinine present in cotinine-spiked urine samples. Furthermore, the re:-.ults with negative and positive urine samples demonstrate the usefulness of the assay to detect cotinine in urine. The results are summarized in Table 1.

WO 93/03367 ~, ; :;. P'CT/US92/06249 a. 3 8 _ TABLE 1. COTININE-INDUCED RELEASE FROM
COTININE-BGG-CONJUGATES.
A..S,o COTININE CONC
COTININE- COTININE-( ~Cg / m 1 ) PABA-BGG ACA-BGG

0 0.63? 0.589 0.5 0.658 0.721 2'0 0.946 0.986 10.0 2.247 2.251 NEG. URINE 1 0.515 0.585 NEG. URINE 2 0.368 0.420 POS. URINE 1 1.161 1.269 POS. URINE 2 1.077 1.198 7.3 DISCUSSION
These results show that a microtiter plate assay provides a convenient support for demonstrating the usefulness of a particular ligand-protein conjugate for a release assay. In this assay use of a bulky or spacer linkers in the ligand made little difference in the results.

8. EXAMPLE: IiOMOGENEOUS RELEASE
ASSAY FOR COTININE
The release system provides improved sensitivity and specificity over previous assays by taking advantage of the specificity of dissociation reactions. Dissociation reactions offer the advantage that they are less subject to interfering substances.
The present example demonstrates (1) preparation of cotinine ligands labeled with the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase;
(2) inhibition of enzymatic-activity of the enzyme-cotinine conjugate in the presence of anti-cotinine;

WO 93/03367 PCTlUS92/06249 (3) displacement of anti-cotinine from the enzyme-cotinine conjugate in the presence of cotinine; (4) an automated assay for release of antibody from ligand, particularly after to 22 hrs of complex incubation;
and (5) stabilization of an antibody-ligand complex for up to 6 days.
8.1. MATERIALS AND METHODS
The following reagents were used: traps-4'-i~ carboxycotinine, N-hydroxysuccinimide, 1,3-dicyclocarbodiimide, and dimethylformamide (DMF), all from Aldrich Chemical Co.; glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (Beckman, 367 IU/mg protein); glucose-6-phosphate and beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide i5 reduced form (NAD), both from Sigma Chemical Co.; and carbinol [2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethanol], from Aldrich Chemical Co.
Preparation of cis-hydroxycotinine-glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase is described in Section 20 10.1.3., 'n~ fra.
8.1.1. ASSAY PROCEDURE
Assay buffer was 0.05 M Tris-HC1, pH 7.8, equilibrated at 37°C. To 150 gel of assay buffer were 25 added 10 ~1 of cotinine-enzyme conjugate and 1 ul of anti-cotinine -L.-antibody (Section 6.1.4., supra), and the solution incubated 10 minutes at 37°C. To this solution were added 10 ~1 of sample containing cotinine. The reaction was started by addition of 30 20 ~cl,of glucose-6-phosphate/NAD, and absorbance at, 340 nm read every 1 minute.
A control reaction in the absence of antibody was prepared by adding 10 ~1 of enzyme-cotinine conjugate to 160 gel of assay buffer, and 35 equilibrating at 37°C for 10 min. To start the reaction, 20 ~.1 of glucose-6-phosphate/NAD were added, and Ago was measured at intervals of 1 minute.
Cotinine-enzyme conjugate was prepared at 1 mg/ml of protein and diluted 500-fold to a final concentration of 2.0 ~g/ml. The anti-cotinine antibody was present in stock solution at an approximate concentration of 15 mg/ml. The glucose-6-phosphate-NAD solution was prepared by mixing 3 volumes of 0.11 M glucose-6-phosphate with 2 volumes of 0.1 M NAD.
8.1.2. AUTOMATED ASSAY PROCEDURE
Reagent A was prepared with an anti-cotinine anti-serum (1:150 dilution), cotinine-glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase conjugate, and 0.0015% Kathon ~
CG in 0.05 M Tris-HC1, 0.005 M MgCl2, pH 7.8. Reagent B contained 6.2 mg/ml glucose-6-phosphate and 13.3 mg/ml NAD.
Reagent reservoirs on an EPOS automated analyzer (Eppendorf) were filled with reagents A and B. Reagents A (0.2 ml) was incubated for 0, 18 or 22 hrs prior to addition of sample (0.01 ml). Samples, including standards, were pipetted into the mixture of reagents A. Reagent H (U.05 ml) was added, and absorbance at 340" was measured at 0 and 5 min.
8.2.
8.2.1. REDUCTION AND INHIBITION OF
ENZYME ACTIVITY
Enzyme activity of cis-hydroxycotinine-enzyme conjugate was assayed in the presence and absence of anti-cotinine antibody. The results are summarized in Figures 5 and 6.
Conjugation of cotinine to enzyme results in decreased enzyme activity. Addition of anti-cotinine antibody to the enzyme-cotinine conjugate further - 41 - ~~1~~ ~~
reduced (inhibited) enzyme activity (Figure 4).
Inhibition of enzyme activity by antibody binding is completely reversed by the addition of 10 ~l sample of 4 ~g/ml cotinine (Figure 5).
8.2.2. AUTOMATED ENZYME ASSAY
Samples spiked with known amounts of cotinine, or which were known to be positive for cotinine, were assayed 0, 18 and 22 hrs after mixing the antibody/ligand-enzyme conjugate. The assay was performed as described in Section 8.1.2. The results indicate that although long incubation times result in somewhat decreased absolute rate of change, presence of cotinine in the sample could be detected at even the lowest concentration. These results are shown in Table 2.
TABLE 2: ~UTOMATEO COTININE RELEASE ASSAY.
' COTININE CONC. OD Rate Change (mAU per ml min) TIME OF PREINCUBATION
OF REAGENT
A PRIOR
TO ADDITION
OF STANDARDS
OR SAMPLES

102:1 101.1 102.4 ~'S 116.3 108.5 109.1 2 5 1.0 123.0 111.0 111.3 s 2.p 127.3 114.5 114.8 _ 132.5 118.2 118.2 4.0 g.0 138.0 121.8 121.7 POSITIVE ~'1 131.8 118.5 117.7 3 0 POSITIVE ~2 130.0 117.7 117.9 POSITIVE ~3 110.6 105.? 104.6 NEGATIVE ,~l (T. 103.0 104.7 101.2 D.) These data indicate that the mixed reagent A
35 remains stable for as long as 22 hours. A statistical WO 93/03367 ~., y,,;t~,~;;s ,~, r ~.
r 'S . ~~ - -analysis of the estimated amount of cotinine in the positive and negative urine samples bears out this conclusion (Table 3).
TABLE 3. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF DATA
FROM THEAUTOMATED ASSAY.
REAGENTS A STANDARD ESTIMATED
PRE-INCUBATIONCURVES CONGENTRATION
TIME OF
COTININE
IN
SAMPLES
(Ng/ml) SLOPE INTERCEP ,1~1 #2 ~'3 T.D.*

ZERO TIME 0.9939 0.00838 3.55 2.80 0.221 0.08 18 HOURS 1.0583 -0.127 4.27 3.63 0.309 0.25 22 HOURS 1.0649 -0.142 3.57 3.72 0.211 0.101 * Negative sample.
Table 3 shows that after 0, 18, or 22 hours of preincubation, agreement as to the amount of cotinine present in a sample is reasonably good. For example, the estimated concentration of cotinine in positive sample ,~l ranges between 3.6 and 4.3 ~cg/ml.
Similar data are obtained for all four samples. Thus although the absolute absorbance change is greater after <1 hours of incubation time, all three curves provide good data for estimating concentration by extrapolation from the standard curve (Figure 6).
' 8.2.3. STABILIZATION OF A RECEPTOR-LIGAND
COMPLEX IN HIGH SALT SOLUTION
Antibody-ligand complex was formed in 0.5 M
Tris-HCl, pH 7.9, containing 3 mM magnesium chloride and O or 5% sodium chloride. The assay was run using the format described in Section 8.1.1. The homogeneous release assay for cotinine was tested for receptor-ligand complex stability fox up to six days.
gesults are shown in Table 4.

WO 93/03367 PCTlUS92/06249 .;
~~ f L~ ~;~!
TABLE 4. RELEASE ASSAY AFTER LONG TERM INCUBATION
OF AN ANTTBODY-LIGAND COMPLEX.
Cotinine conc. Rate of OD Chan a mAu S~.cqJml) 0% NACL 5% NACL

0 Day 0 12.09 16.6 0.5 13.15 17.63 1 13.43 18.96 2 13.85 18.3 Delta* 1.76 1.7 0 Day 1 7.02 9.67 0.5 7.5 10 1 7.7 11 2 7.8 11 Delta* 0.78 1.33 0 Day 6 7.3 9.1 0.5 7.8 9.3 1 7.6 9.6 2 7.9 10.7 Delta* 0.6 1.6 * Delta is the presence enzyme of activity in the 2 ~eg/ml cotinine (activity with in the baseline the abse nce cotinine) subtracted .
of The data show that 5% sodium chloride stabilized both enzyme activity and the antibody-ligand complex in releasable form. Although the magnitude of the maximum enzyme activity decreased with time even in the presence of NaCl from 18.3 (day 0), to il (day 1), to 10.7 (day 6}, the enzyme activity with baseline subtracted remains fairly constant at 1.7, 1.33 and 1.6 for days 0, 1 and 6, respectively. The samples incubated in the absence of NaCl did not remain stable.

9. EXAMPLE: PREPARATION OF LOW AFFINITY
ANTIBODIESFOR USE IN RELEAS~~ASSAYS
Low affinity chromatography provides a useful method to purify antibodies or other receptors, s and may also indicate suitable ligands. In particular, receptor elution under mild conditions results in much higher yields than conventional affinity chromatography, e.g., close to 100%. The mild conditions preserve antibody from irreversible denaturation and extend the column life. An affinity column prepared with a potential ligand indicates that the ligand can be used in a release assay with that receptor. This Example demonstrates purification of anti-cotinine antibodies by a ligand, trans-3'-hydroxycotinine, affinity column.
9.1. MATERIALS AND METHO~S_ 9.1.1. gREPARATION OF IMMUNOABSORBENT
Cotinine hemisuccinate was prepared by dissolving 19 mg of trans-3'-hydroxycotinine in 1 ml of dimethylformamide (Aldrich). 21 mg of succinic anhydride (Aldrich) were added, followed by 15 ~1 of pyridine (Aldrich). The mixture was incubated overnight at 45°C.
Z3 Iminodipropylamine-Sepharose~aas prepared as followed. Cyanogen bromide (CNBr) activated Sepharose 4B (Sigma), 1 gm, was hydrated and washed several times with 0.1 M carbonate buffer, pH 9.5. Three ml of 0.1 M 3,3'-iminobispropylamine (Sigma) were added to 3 ml of CNBr-Sepharose gel and the mixture mixed overnight at room temperature. The amino Sepharose was washed with a buffer consisting of 0.1 M sodium carbonate, pH 8.5, 0.1 M sodium bicarbonate, pH 8.5, and 0.5 M sodium chloride until no reactivity with trinitrobenzene-sulfonic acid with free amino groups was detected.

~~O 93/03367 PCT/US92/06249 Hydroxycotinine hemisuccinate succinic ester was prepared by adding to 1 ml of cotinine hemisuccinate 14 mg of N-hydroxysuccinimide (Sigma) and 23 mg of 1-ethyl-3-(dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (Sigma) and incubating at room temperature for 3 hours.
Hydroxycotinine-Sepharose was prepared by mixing 0.45 ml of hydroxycotinine-succinyl ester with 1 ml of iminodipropylaminosepharose and 0.6 ml of 0.2 M sodium bicarbonate. The mixture was gently shaken for 3 hours at room temperature and kept at 4°C
overnight.
9.1.2. AFFINITY CHROMATOGRAPHY
A small column was packed with the ' hydroxycotinine-Sepharose gel, and the column washed 3 times with 1 ml of 0.5 M sodium chloride, and then with phosphate buffered saline (PBS).
A portion of anti-cotinine antiserum produced by injecting rabbits with carboxycotinine (section 6.1.4., supra) was diluted 1:1 with PBS, and the whole mixture (2.1 ml) applied to the column. The material was allowed to equilibrate for 10 minutes, and then the column was eluted sequentially with PBS, 0.1 M acetate buffer, pH 4.0, and 0.1 M citrate buffer, pH 2.3. The column was then washed with 1 M
sodium chloride followed by PBS. Protein concentration was determined on fractions using Pierce Coomassie blue reagent, and antibody activity by determining reactivity on plates coated with cotinine in an ELISA assay. Orthophenylene-diamine (OPD) and peroxide were used as indicator and substrate respectively for peroxidase.

.x.~ -46-r i '-,F
9.2. RESULTS
Although most protein eluted in early fractions (void volume) from the affinity column, antibody activity was found in later fractions.
Fraction 14 contains antibodies with high affinity for cotinine. The antibody yield was greater than 80%, which is very high. Furthermore, the specific activity of the low affinity purified antibody as demonstrated by the number of tests performed was better than with whole sera or the IgG fraction, thereof (data not shown).
9.3. DISCUSSION
Low affinity chromatography provides a superior way to obtain low affinity antibodies for use in release assays with that ligand. Low affinity antibodies elute from an immuno-affinity chromatography column earlier, under gentler conditions, than high affinity antibodies. Less stringent conditions are sufficient to elute low affinity antibodies from a solid phase chromatographic support only if the antibody-ligand interaction is itself of sufficiently low affinity.
Elution under neutral or mild conditions provides the additional benefit of reducing or preventing antibody denaturation.

10. PREPARATION OF LOW AFFINITY ANALOGS OF
COTININE AND THEIR EFFICACY IN A
RELEASE ASSAY
Ligands can be prepared by using analogs or stereoisomers of analogs of the analyte, thus introducing a configurational or constitutional difference that can result in lower affinity binding to analyte-specific antibody.

- 4' - ~ ~ ~~ i a In the present example, anti-cotinine antibody prepared from rabbits immunized with carboxycotinine conjugated to KLH (see Section 6.1.4., supra) is shown to have useful release properties from traps-3'-hydroxy-cotinine conjugates of horseradish peroxidase in the presence of free cotinine. The optical isomer of traps-3'-hydroxycotinine is cis-3'-hydroxycotinine, and this is also shown to be a superior ligand.
l0 10.1. MATERIALS AND METHODS
10.1.1. EXTENSIVE MODIFICATION OF GLUCOSE-6-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE WITH TRAMS-3'-HYDROXYCOTININE TO FORM A LIGAND
Eleven mg of traps-3'-hydroxycotinine were dissolved in 0.29 ml of dimethylformamide; 12 mg of succinic anhydride were added to the mixture. When all solids had dissolved, 9 ~cl of pyridine were added, and the tube was capped tightly and incubated at 3?°C
overnight. To the hydroxycotinine succinate mixture were added 7 mg of N-hydroxysuccinimide and 12 mg of N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. This mixture was incubated for 2 hours at room temperature.
Three tubes were prepared, each containing 1 ml of 0.1 M carbonate buffer, pH 9.0 and 2.8 mg glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. To the first tube were added 35 ~cl of the activated trans-hydroxycotinine over a period of 1 hour, in aliquots of 5 ~cl at 10 minute intervals. This preparation was designated as RL~,24. To the second tube were added 70 ~l of.activated traps-hydroxycotinine, in the same regimen as above. This preparation was designated as RL-25. To the third tube were added 105 ~Cl of activated traps-hydroxycotinine, in the same regimen as above, in 15 ~C1 aliquots. This preparation was designated as RL-26.

~;
'J
~', ~.,c Fifteen minutes after the last addition of activated traps-hydroxycotinine, samples were transferred to dialysis bags and dialyzed at 2-8°C
against 0.05 M Tris buffer, pH 7.8. Dialysis was continued for approximately 44 hours with several changes of fluid.
10.1.2. LESS EXTENSIVE MODIFICATION OF GLUCOSE-HYDROX~fCOTININE TO FORM A LIGAND
l0 g,5 mg of traps-3'-hydroxycotinine were dissolved in 0.25 ml of dimethylformamide. Then 6 mg of succinic anhydride were added to the mixture and mixed until dissolved. 7.5 ~cl of pyridine were added, and the tube was capped tightly and incubated at 37°C
overnight.
To this mixture were added 6 mg of N-hydroxysuccinimide and 10 mg of N,N'dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide. The mixture was incubated for 45 min at room temperature with stirring.
Two tubes w~:re prepared, each containing 1 ml of O.1 M carbonate buffer, pH 9.0, and 2.8 mg glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. To the first tube were added 25 gel of the activated trans-hydroxycotinine over a period of 1 hour, in aliquots of 5 ~C1 at 10 minute intervals. This preparation was designated as R_L-29. To the second tube were added 70 ~l of activated traps-hydroxycotinine in the same regimen as above, in 10 ~cl aliquots. This preparation was designated as ~tL~,30.
~ The preparations were dialyzed overnight in the cold against 0.05 M Tris buffer, pH ?.8.
10.1.3. A CIS-3'-HYDROXYCOTININE LIGAND
47.5 mg of cis-3'-hydroxycotinine were 35. dissolved in 0.4 ml of pyridine. To this solution were added 10 mg of succinic anhydride and the mixture stirred until dissolved. The mixture was incubated overnight at 37°C and then held at room temperature.
Cis-hydroxycotinine hemisuccinate was separated from the reaction mixture with preparative thin layer chromatography on silica gel using a solvent system composed of benzene: methanol: ammonium hydroxide, 10:3:0.5. The cis-hydroxycotinine was visualized with a W lamp. The desired product was isolated as follows: the area on the chromatogram containing the cis-hydroxycotinine hemisuccinate was scraped off and placed in a tube. One ml of methanol.
was added and the tube shaken by hand while the contents were mixed with a glass spatula. The tube was centrifuged briefly at 1500 rpm. The supernatant ' was collected, and the silica gel washed three times with 0.5 ml of methanol.. Following centrifugation, the supernatants were collected and combined with the original supernatant. The combined supernatants were evaporated to dryness under a stream of nitrogen. The cis-hydroxycotinine hemisuccinate was reconstituted in 0.6 ml of methanol. After spectrophotometry it was determined that 5.28 mg of product had been obtained.
The material was then evaporated to dryness again.
The cis-hydroxycotinine hemisuccinate was dissolved in 280 ~cl of dimethylformamide. Eight mg of N-hydroxysuccinimide and 12 mg of dicyclohexylcarbo-diimide were added, and the mixture stirred until all solids had dissolved. The mixture was incubated for 1 hour at room temperature with stirring.
A tube was prepared containing 1 ml of 0.1 M
carbonate buffer pH 9.0 and 2.8 mg glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. To this tube were added seven 10 ~1 aliquots of the cis-hydroxycotinine hemisuccinate over a period of 1 hour, and mixing continued for 15 k l~.a~~l~~~u minutes after the last addition. The mixture was transferred to a dialysis bag and dialyzed overnight in the cold against 0.05 M Tris-HC1 pH 7.8. Dialysis was continued for an additional 26 hours with several changes of buffer. This conjugate was designated as RL-34.
10.1.4. PREPARATION OF GLUCOSE-6-PHOSPHATE
DEHYDROGENASE-CARBOXYCOTININE LIGAND
Carboxycotinine was conjugated to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase according to the following procedure:
To 1 ml of 0.1 M sodium carbonate buffer, pH
9.0, were added 0.43 ml of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (2.8 mg), 20 mg of NADH (disodium salt), ' 10 mg of glucose-6-phosphate, and 300 ~1 of carbinol.
The solution ("enzyme solution") was stored at 4°C to chill.
To an empty test tube were added 22 mg of carboxycotinine, 11.5 mg of N-hydroxysuccinimide, 20.6 mg of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, and 1.0 ml of dimethylformamide. This mixture was left at room temperature for 1 hour to allow the activated cotinine ester to form. After 1 hour, 10 ~cl of the reaction mixture were added to the cold enzyme solution at 15 minute intervals until a total of 70 ~1 were added (90 minutes total). Fifteen minutes after the final addition of reaction mixture, the modified enzyme was dialyzed against five changes of 1 liter each of 0.055,M Tris-HC1 buffer, pH 7.9, for at,least three hours each.

51 ~~
~~t~~~~~
10.1.5. ASSAY IN MICROTITER PLATES
Strip microtiter plates were coated by addition of 100 ul of each of the conjugates at a protein concentration of 1 ~g/ml to each well. The strips were covered with parafilm and incubated overnight at room temperature. The well contents were discarded, and wells washed twice with wash buffer.
The wells were then incubated with 100 ~cl of antibody-peroxidase conjugate for 1 hour at r.t. Unbound conjugate was discarded and the wells washed twice with wash buffer. To each well were added 100 ~1 of wash buffer and 10 ~1 of cotinine standards, and the plates were mixed for 2 minutes. After mixing, 100 gel ' of liquid from each well was transferred to wells in uncoated plates, and 100 ~cl of tetramethylbenzidine ' (TMB) reagent were added. The plates were incubated for 7 minutes at room temperature, after which the reaction was stopped by addition of 50 ~cl of 2N
sulfuric acid to each well. Absorbance was measured at 450 nm.
Residual peroxidase-antibody conjugate remaining bound to wells after release was measured by adding 200 ~C1 of TMB to each well. After a 7 minute incubation, the reaction was stopped by addition of 50 ~Cl of 2N sulfuric acid, and absorbance at 450 nm was measured.
A previously made conjugate of carboxycotinine-glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was also assayed by this method.
10.2. RESULTS
The results of assays with various hydroxycotinine-glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase conjugates are shown in Tables 5, 6 and 7.

i TABLE 5. RELEASED ANTIBODY-PEROXIDASE CONJUGATE (A~s~

,~

COTININE COTININE

STANDARD CONJU-I

(pg/ml) GATE

0 0.971 1.049 1.030 0.442 0.662 0.498 0.5 1.911 2.071 1.990 0.753 1.051 0.505 2.0 2.529 2.739 2.635 0.948 1_.4360.526 i 2.804 >3 >3 1.355 1.974 0.728 10 TABLE 6. ANTIBODY-PEROXIDASE CONJUGATE (A4~) REMAINING ON WELLS.

,1 COTININE
COTININE CONJUGATE
STANDARD
ml 0 2.474 2.514 2.513 1.893 2.097 2.707 0.5 2.403 2.368 2.440 1.776 1.937 2.746 2.0 2.213 2.347 2.360 1.739 1.879 2.730 10 2.051 2.253 2.298 1.695 1.790 2.786 TABLE 7. RELEASE ASSAY WITH CIS-HYDROXYCOTININE.
Absarbance at 450 nm COTININE RELEASED REMAINING
CONC. (~tg/ml) CONJUGATE CONJUGATE

0 0.475 2.055 --0.5 1.591 1.921 2.0 2.268 1.730 8.0 2.683 1.210 Release of enzyme-antibody conjugate activity is also shown graphically in Figure 7. These results clearly indicate that use of modified analog as ligand provides the necessary difference in affinity for a release-type assay.
I

- 5 3 - ~.~ .:.
The cis-hydroxycotinine-glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase ligand was also tested in a homogeneous release assay such as described in Section 8.1.2., supra. After a 10 minute incubation of 10 ~sl of antibody binding reagent with a 10 gel of ligand in 140 ~1 of Tris buffer, 10 ~cl of sample were added. NAD
and glucose-6-phosphate substrate (20 ~1) were added after an additional 5 minute period, and Ago read at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 minutes. Samples containing cotinine showed a more rapid increase in absorbance than sample with no cotinine. The results are shown in Table 8.
TABLE 8. HOMOGENEOUS RELEASE WITH CIS-HYDROXYCOTININE.

Cotinine conc. OD Rate Change (h /ml) (mA/min) 0 8.8 0.5 17.5 4.0 20.0 These results indicate that a microtiter plate format is ideal for screening for suitable low Z5 affinity ligands and ligand-enzyme conjugates. A
ligand found to be suitable in a microtiter plate s release assay can be used in a homogeneous release assay as well.

11. EXAMPLE' RELEASE IMMUNOASSAY FOR COTININE
In this Example 11, cotinine release assays using N-propylcarboxynorcotinine and N-isopropylcarboxynorcotinine as very low affinity relands is described. Cis 3'-hydroxycotinine was also used as a reland. The release assays were performed in both homogeneous (which can be compared to, but which is demonstrated to be superior than, the EMITTM
System (Rubenstein et al., 1972, Biochem. Biopys. Res.
Comm. 47: 846)j and heterogeneous (microtiter plate, ELISA format) formats and compared to a conventional associative assay for cotinine. The results demonstrated that the release assays of the invention, based on dissociation, are more precise and exhibit less interference from cross-reactivity than known l0 assays based on association. Moreover, the release assay of the invention has a standard curve that is linear, r 0.999, over a >10,000 fold range.
The following materials and methods sections set forth general descriptions of the reagents prepared and used in the assays, as well as the ' methods employed. The specific ligands used in each assay are identified in the results sections, and unless otherwise specified is N-isopropylcarboxynorcotinine.
ao 11.1. MATERIALS ~;ND METHODS
Instrumentation included an SLT Lab instruments 340ATTC Microtiter Plate Reader, COBAS
MIRA, and Varion~XR-200. Urine samples were from a Z5 general population previously analyzed for cotinine.
Samples were stored at -20 degrees.
All chemicals were from Sigma Aldxich unless otherwise stated. Cis and traps-hydroxycotinine were purchased from the laboratory of George Neurath (See 30 Neurath et al., supra). Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was from Beckman. The Nicotine Metabolite Assay Kit, NiMA AutoMates''", and the ELISA
Kits, Tobacco Screen~, and the Cotinine Trace Quantities, CotiTraq~, TMB chromogen system, anti-35 Cotinine antisera, peroxidase labelled anti-Cotinine, WO 93/03367 PCT/L)S92/06249 and Cotinine urine standards are commercially available from Serex, Inc. (Maywood, NJ). Preparation of anti-cotinine antisera is described in Section 6.1.4., Supra.
11.1.1. PREPARATION OF RELANDS
1-Isopropyl-4-carboxy-5-(3-pyridyl)-2-pyrrolidinone, (hereafter, N-isopropyl-4-carboxy-norcotinine) and 1-propyl-4-carboxy-5-(3-pyridyl)-2-pyrrolidinone (hereafter, N-propyl-4-carboxy-norcotinine) (Figure 8) were prepared according-to the method of Cushman & Castagnoli (1972, J.Org. Chem.
37:1268) . Brief ly, to a solution of 17 g of pyridine-3-carboxy-aldehyde in 50 ml of benzene was added a benzene solution of 8 g isopropyl amine (or 8 g propyl amine) and 12 g molecular sieve pellets. The mixture was stirred at 20°C overnight in a flask. The solution was filtered through two layers of Whatman No: 2 filter paper and evaporated under reduced pressure to give the imine as a yellow oil. The structure of the products was confirmed by 'H NMR.
N-isopropylcarboxynorcotinine and N-propylnorcotinine were prepared as follows. Twelve g of N-3-pyridylidene isopropyl imine or N-3 pyridylidene propyl imine and 15 g succinic anhydride were refluxed for 24 hours in 100 ml xylene. After ' the mixture cooled, the top layer was decanted and discarded. The residue brown oil was dissolved in 300 ml of 5% sodium bicarbonate solution, washed with two 30. 250.m1 portions of chloroform, and decolorized by absorption with 1 g activated charcoal. The suspension was filtered and the yellow filtrate heated on a steam bath to remove traces of chloroform. The pH was adjusted to 4.7 with phosphoric acid to precipitate the product. The crude carboxylic acid ,, 1 ~: :~ - 5 6 -~r !~ ~.
r was collected by filtration and recrystallized from a boiling ethanol to give 4 g white crystal. The structures of the compounds were confirmed by 'H NMR.
11.1.2. PREPARATION OF GLUCOSE-6-PHOSPHATE
DEHYDROGENASE CONJUGATES
Conjugates of N-isopropyl-4-carboxy-norcotinine, N-propyl-4-carboxy-norcotinine and cis 3'-hydroxycotinine to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were prepared according to the methods described by Rubenstein and Ullman (1975, U.S. Patent No. 3,875,011). Briefly, to 1 ml of 0.1 M sodium carbonate buffer, pH 9.0, were added 0.43 ml of - glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (2.8 mg), 20 mg of NCH (disodium salt), l0 mg of glucose-6-phosphate, , and 300 gel of carbinol. The solution ("enzyme solution") was stored at 4°C to chill.
To an empty test tube were added 26 mg of N-propyl or N-isopropylcarboxynorcotinine, 11.5 mg of N-hydroxysuccinimide, 20.6 mg of dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide, and l.0 m1 of dimethylformamide. This mixture was left at room temperature for 1 hour to allow the activated cotinine ester to form. After 1 hour, 10 ~ul of the reaction mixture were added to the cold enzyme solution at 15 minute intervals until a total of 70 ~cl were added (90 minutes total). Fifteen minutes after the final addition of reaction mixture, the modified enzyme was dialyzed against five changes of 1 liter each of 0.055 M Tris-HC1 buffer, pH 7.9, 30 for,at least three hours each.
11.1.3. REAGENTS FOR THE HOMOGENEOUS RELEASE ASSAY
Reagent solutions for the homogeneous assay of cotini»e were prepared as three separate solutions, 35 reagents A, A+, and B. Reagent A consisted of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase conjugate at a 2i ~~~:~~._~
~s protein concentration of 0.74 ~Cg/ml, 0.05 M Tris buffer, 5 mM MgCl2, 0.5 mM EDTA, 1.75 mg/ml glucose-6-phosphate, 0.5% BSA, and preservatives at pH 7.9.
Reagent A+ consisted of antisera in reagent A buffer.
Reagents A and A+ were mixed prior to use to form working solution A, which is stable for one week at 4°C.
Reagent B consisted of NAD at 3.3 mg/ml in 0.02 M Tris buffer, pH 7Ø
Cross-reactivity was tested with cotinine and/or traps-3'-hydroxycotinine solutions prepared as follows. To 10 ml of a negative urine pool were added 100 ~g of cotinine or traps-3'-hydroxycotinine. The mixture was vortexed and serially diluted into the same negative urine standard to make solutions of 5, ' 2:5, 1.25, 0.62, 0.31 and 0.16 ~g/ml of cotinine or traps-3'-hydroxcotinine.
To prepare the 1:3, cotinine:trans-3'-hydroxycotinine, solution, a 10 m1 aliquot of negative urine standard was spiked with 100 ~g of continine and 300 ~g of traps-3'-hydroxycotinine. This solution was vortexed and serially diluted into the same negative urine standard to form dilutions of 5 (i5), 2.5 (7.5), 1:25 (3.75), 0.62 (1.87). 0.31 (0.94), 0.16 (0.48) ~eg/ml of cotinine (hydroxycotinine).
Cross-reactivity was calculated using the ' following formula;
concentration found (,ug/ml) ____-________________________________________ x 100%
concentration of cross reactant (~,g/ml) in sample 11.1.4. ASSAY FORMATS
ELISA format. Corning microtiter plates were coated overnight with 100 ~Cl of either glucose-6-Phosphate dehydrogenase conjugated to cis-hydroxycotine, N-propyl-norcotinine or N-isopropyl-rr'w~ -58-, ::F
.~_4 1 ~t, =~
v r norcotinine at 1 ;cg protein per ml of PBS; the wells were emptied, dried and stored with dessicant until use. To activate for release, the plate was incubated <1 hour with 100 ;el of peroxidase labelled affinity purified anti-cotinine antibody. Excess antibody was removed by 2 washes with PBS in 0.05% Tween 20.
To a microtiter plate coated with a release ligand-antibody Ireland) complex, 10 ;el of urine/standard and 90 ~1 of distilled water were added i0 to each well. After 2 minutes, 50 ~cl of the supernatant were transferred to uncoated wells containing 100 ~1 of TMB and incubated for 10 minutes.
The reaction was stopped with 100 mh of 1N HZS04 and A,~ was read.
i5 Homocreneous Release Assav. The homogeneous assay of the present invention, was performed in the AutoMatest" format, utilizing the same enzyme system and the same reagents as the conventional homogeneous associative assay, but modified as follows to become a Z0 dissociative reaction.
Ab:ligand conjugate + analyte ---> Ab:analyte + ligand conjugate 25 Before use, reagent A (enzyme conjugate in buffer) and reagent A+ (antisera in buffer) were mixed ' for a minimum of one hour. The reaction was started by addition of sample and NAD. As in the associative assay, enzyme activity was measured by monitoring the 30 formation of NADH at Ago nm, and,enzyme activity is directly related to the concentration of analyte in the sample.
The homogenous assay of the invention using AutoMates~" was performed on the COBAS MIRA according 35 to the application sheet parameters. Two hundred ~1 of reagent A were incubated with 10 ~1 of reagent B
(NAD) and the mixture was incubated for 25 seconds.
The absorbance was read over the final 200 seconds.
Total time of the assay was 5.0 minutes. Greater sensitivity of a sample containing 10 ng/ml of analyte was observed with a 25 ~1 sample.
Associative Homogeneous Assav. The NiMA
AutoMates'~ format is a homogeneous, associative, competitive assay, like that described by Rubenstein, Schneider, and Ullman (1972, s_u~ra). There are two steps to the immune reaction:
Ab + analyte ---> Ab:analyte + Ab Ab:analyte + Ab + conjugate --->Ab:conjugate i5 +Ab:analyte Briefly, sample was pre-incubated with antisera for several minutes. Into this reaction mixture was added glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase conjugated with cotinine. Antibody that has not interacted with cotinine in the sample binds to cotinine on the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.
The binding of antibody to the enzyme-linked ligand inhibits enzyme activity, thus the enzyme activity is directly related to the concentration of analyte in sample. Enzyme activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was measured by monitoring at A~,o nm the formation of NADH, which forms as the enzyme oxidizes glucose-6-phosphate to glucono-d-lactone-6-phosphate and reduces NAD to NADH.
NiMA AutoMates'~' was performed on the COBAS
MIRA according to the application sheet parameters.
Two hundred ~cl of reagent A were incubated with 10 ~cl of sample at 37 degrees for 75 seconds. Fifty ~1 of reagent B were added and the mixture was incubated for ,~~c..:, li Ly y'~ j1 , ~~ .._ 25 seconds. The absorbance was read over the final 250 seconds. Total time of the assay was 5.83 minutes.
11.2. RESULTS
11.2.1. HETEROGENEOUS RELEASE ASSAY (ELISA FORMAT) Release of labelled antibody complexed to solid phase was detected in supernatant when free cotinine was present in sample (Figure 9). Unlike i0 conventional competitive immunoassays, absorbance or signal was directly proportional to analyte concentration.
The cis-hydroxycotinine conjugate bound and released the antibody most efficiently, but had the highest background.
11.2.2. HOMOGENEOUS FORMAT
Dose response curves for the associative (NiMA) and release homogeneous assays demonstrate the greatly increased range of the release assay (Figure 10). Comparison of the associative and release formats is presented in Table 9.
TABLE 9. COMPARISON OF A HOMOGENEOUS DISSOCIATIVE
ASSAY FOR COTININE AND A HOMOGENEOUS
SA~SOCIATIVE ASSAY FOR COTININE (NiMA).
RELEASE NiMA

Final Antisera Dilution 4.8 x 10'3 2.4 x 10'3 Final Conjugate Concentra- 0.51 ~g/mL 0.03 ~g/mL
tion 5~ Antis~era Dilution/~Cg 9 . 6 x 10'380 x 10'3 ' Conjugate Lower Limit 0.01 ~g/mL 0.05 ~Cg/mL

Upper Limit 1000 ~g/mL 2 ~g/mL

Time 5 min 5.8 min Table 9 shows that the release assay utilizes 17-fold more enzyme and two-fold more antibody than the associative assay. But the increased enzyme and antibody do not result in decreased sensitivity as they do in associative immunoassays: smaller amounts of all reactants can be utilized in release, but this limits upper range of the assay. Figure 11 shows the range of the assay, 0.01-100 ~g/ml. In the example shown, a seventeen-fold increase in reactants yields a greater than 1,000-fold increase in range of the assay, with no loss of sensitivity at the low end of the curve. This formulation is sensitive to 10 ng/ml and can be used for quantitating saliva samples. The antibody to enzyme ratio of the release to associative assays is 10:80; that is the associative assay uses 8-fold more antibody per enzyme molecule than the release. In the release assay all antibody molecules can be bound to ligand conjugated to enzymes and are capable of being released by analyte. In the associative assay there is a large excess of antibody, which decreases reaction time. The ability of the release assay to monitor the activity of a much larger percentage of the antibody in the reaction mixture increases sensitivity and decreases background noise and reaction time.
11.2.3. CROSS-REACTIVITY: TRANS-HYDROXYCOTININE
The specificity of the release assay relative to the associative assay was confirmed by comparing the release and association formats for cross-reactivity with traps-3'-hydroxycotinine (Table 10) .

.,~ r'; ~t ~~G~'' - 62 -TABLE 10. INTERFERENCE OF TRANS-HYDROXYCOTININE
IN RELEASE AND ASSOCIATIVE (NiMA) HOMOGENEOUS ASSAYS FOR COTININE.
RELEASE ASSAY
COTININE SPIKE TRANS-HYDROX YCOTININE
.

SPIK E

SPIKE CONCENTRATION % CONCENTRATTON%

CONC. FOUND (ug/mL) RECOVERY FOUND (~g/mL)RECOVERY

/mL

14 9.03 90 1.69 16.9 5 4.22 84 0.72 14.4 2.5 2.15 86 0.29 11.6 1.25 1.15 92 0 0 0.62 0.63 102 0 0 0.31 0.25 81 0 0 0.16 0.14 88 0 0 A~RAGE 89 6.1 NiMA
COTININE TRANS-HYDROXYCOTININE

SPIKE ~ SPIKE

SPIKE CONCENTRATION% CONCENTRATION %

FOUND (~g/mL)RECOVERY FOUND (Ng/mL) RECOVERY

10 11.85 119 1.87 18.7 5 5.6 112 0.85 17 2.5 2.03 81 0.44 17.6 1.25 1.59 127 0.21 16.8 2 5 0.62 0.59 95 0.1? 27.4 0.31 0.49 158 0.11 35.5 ' 0.16 0.13 81 0.08 37.5 AVERAGE 110 24.4 The release assay showed one-fourth the cross-reactivity with hydroxycotinine of the associative assay. In the release assay there was no cross-reactivity at the low end of the curve. The greatest amount of interference in the associative assay was seen at the low end of the curve. To evaluate the actual effect of traps-3'-hydroxy - 63 - , cotinine on the assay of urine samples, samples were spiked with cotinine:trans-3'-hydroxycotinine in a 1:3 ratio (this is the ratio reported to exist in smokers' urine (Engvall et al., 1971, Immunochemistry 8:871)) and assayed in both release and associative homogeneous assays (Table 11).
TABLE I1. CROSS REACTIVITY OF TRANS-HYDROXCOTININE IN
THE PRESENCE OF COTININE IN THE RELEASE AND
THE ASSOCIATIVE (NiMA) HOMOGENEOUS ASSAYS
FOR COTININE.
RELEASE NiMA

COTWINE(1'RANSCOT1NWECONC. 96COTWPIECOTWOVECONC.96 COT~fU4E

HYDROXYCOTU~WE)FOUND (pt/mL)RECOVERY FOUND (p8lmL)RECOVERY

~/mL

' 10 (!D) 16.82 168 >20 >200 S (IS) 7.SS iSi 14.21 2S4 2.5 (!.S) 3.69 148 4.38 17S

1.25 (3.?S) 1.45 116 2.29 183 0.62 (1.9) 0.92 1S5 1.82 294 0.31 (0.93) 0.4 129 0.54 174 0.16(0.48) 0.23 144 0.37 231 Trans-3'-hydroxycotinine contributed to 35 cotinine quantitation in both the release and the associative assays. The contribution is rather constant across the range of the assay in both formats but results in an average 220% recovery in the associative assay but only 144% in the release assay, 30 indicating that the release assay is less subject to interference by cross-reactivity, therefore reducing the potential for false positive results in an assay for cotinine.
The results for cross-reactivity in Table 10 35 suggest that trans-hydroxycotinine present in a sample WO 93/03367 PCTlUS92l06249 c ' a', a'~l .r1 f.; ~ i. :.:. _ 6 4 _ at the expected 3:1 ratio to cotinine would increase the apparent detection of cotinine by about 45% (3 times about 15% cotinine recovery). Thus the expected recovery of cotinine in the release assay reported in Table 11 is about 145%. In fact, the average percent cotinine recovery was about 144%. A similar analysis for the associative (NiMAj format indicates that the same 3:1 traps-hydroxycotinine to cotinine ratio would increase the apparent cotinine recovery by about 60%
(3 x 20%). Thus the expected recovery of cotinine in the associative (NiMA) assay reported in Table 11 is 160%. However, the average % cotinine recovery is _ 220%, and ranged as high as 294%. Thus there appears to be a "synergystic" effect of traps-hydroxycotinine on cotinine detection, so that the presence of traps- ' hydroxycotinine skews results in the associative assay for cotinine in an unexpected, and therefore perhaps uncorrectable, way.
The release assay exhibits cross-reactivity as predicted, but the associative format shows average recoveries of 220%, almost double that predicted by the simple cross-reactivity data. This demonstrates that the associative assay is more subject to interference than release.
11.2.4. CROSS-REACTIVITY OF

NORCOTININF
To further test the stability and releasability of the antibody-ligand complex we characterized the ability of N-isopropyl-4-carboxy-norcotinine to interfere in the various release assays, all of which used the same antibody. Results are shown in Table 12.

s5 TABLE 12. CROSS REACTIVITY FOR N-ISOPROPYL-4-CARBOXY-NORCOTININE IN ASSOCIATIVE AND RELEASE
ASSAYS.
%CROSS REACTIVITY

SPIKES

URINE(~Cg/mL) CotiTraq~ Release NiMA

0.24 0% <0 0.5 0% 0% <0 2 0% 0% <0 4 0% 0% 0.05%

10 0.3% 0% 0.11%

100 0.3% 0.4% 0.24%

i5 The ligand N-isopropyl-4-carboxy cotinine showed less than 0.4% cross-reactivity, even in-concentrations as high as 100 ~cg/ml. The ligand shows no~cross-reactivity with the antibody complexed to it on G-6-P-DH until 100 ~Cg/ml, at which point cross-2~ reactivity of 0.4% was detected. N-isopropyl-4-carboxy-cotinine interfered more in the conventional NiMA and CotiTraq~ Assay format than in the release assay, indicating that it is not a competitor for the . antibody in the release format.
25 The release homogeneous assay and conventional homogeneous and conventional ELISA
formats were also compared. The release heterogeneous assay, NiMA AutoMates"" and Tobacco Screen~ (ELISA) assays for cotinine were compared using a cotinine 30 equivalent cutoff of 0.5 ~Cg/ml (0.5~Cg/ml is considered equivalent to urine composition of 0.25 ~g/ml cotinine, 0.75 ~g/ml hydroxycotinine in Tobacco Screen~ and NiMA, and 0.35 ~g/ml cotinine in the release assay of cotinine). Table 13 shows that 35 release correlates 100% with Tobacco Screen~. Tobacco ~4 zt~
a. ~ ~ ~y V ~ ~f~~r~
A~~
Screens correlates 100a with HPLC results using an HPLC cutoff of 200 ng/ml and a Tobacco Screen~ cutoff of 400 ng/ml.
TABLE 13. COMPARISON OF RELEASE HOMOGENEOUS COTININE
ASSAYS WITH~THE ASSOCIATIVE ASSAYS, TOBACCO
SCREEN (ELISA) AND NiMA (HOMOGENEOUS), USING 0.5 uq~mL CUTOFF FOR ALL ASSAYS.
TOBACCO SCREENS NiMA
+ - + -+ 106 0 + 106 0 Release Release n = 140 n = 140 11.2.5. ASSAY PRECISION
The release and NiMA homogeneous assays for cotinine were evaluated for precision on a COBAS MIRA
using negative, 0.5 ~g/ml and~2 ,ug/ml urine samples (Table 14). Precision is used to indicate the coefficient of variation of repetitive tests on the same sample. The release assay showed more than a two-fold improvement in precision over the associative assay. Evew though reactant concentrations are 17-fold higher than NiMA, the release assay had better precision.

2~.~~~~~
TABLE 14. PRECISION OF THE RELEASE AND THE
ASSOCIATIVE NiMA HOMOGENEOUS ASSAYS FOR
COTININE. RESULTS STATED ARE REACTION RATE
IN mA~IMIN.
RELEASE
Negative Control Cutoff Control Positive Control 0.0 u9ymL 0.5 ~agymL 2.0 ucx~mL

n = 15 n = 15 ~ n = 15 avg = 177.79 avg = 185.4 avg = 194.56 SD = 0.88 SD = 0.89 SD 0.81 =

l0 CV 0.5% CV = 0.5% CV 0.4%
= =

NiMA
Negative Control Cutoff Control Potitive Control 0.0 uq,/mL 0.5 ug~/mL 2.0 uq,~mL
i5 n = 15 n = 15 n = 15 .
avg= 49.52 avg= 55.86 avg = 58.27 SD = 0.69 SD = 0.75 SD = 0.78 CV = 1.3% CV = 1.3% CV = I.3%
20 11.3. DISCUSSION
11.3.1. HETEROGENEOUS FORMAT
A release ELISA assay well contains less than 1/5 the antibody utilized in conventional ELISA
assays. Sensitivity is enhanced as a result because 25 non-specific activity decreases: Sensitivity is also enhanced by the almost ten-fold higher enzyme activity ' of the released peroxidase-labelled antibody.
In the ELISA format this end point release assay reduces the time for the assay from 1.5 hour to 30 under 15 minutes (2 minutes for the release reaction, and 10 minutes for TMB color development). Time could be further shortened, for example, by automating the assay steps such as by running a rate reaction assay on an automated instrument. The release assay also 35 reduces the number of assay steps by at least half. A
,, .k. ;.
,:
4,,. ~ t . ~.."
F'-.T ,..,.i ,~ 7 i ~;s :,. .. . . . .. a . , , ,.
, , a X3'2 -:,. ~.. ... ..~., . ', _~........_.~c. ,cr . . .. .........,.n~...k .x.,... ..... . t ~ s ...i, ...,.~,1r. ....n... . .~n .~ .. .V... .,.a .,.,::~~.., -:.... , a ~~~ ~~ - 6 8 ~~ Gb y r further advantage is the release gives a positive signal in the presence of analyte.
11.3.2. HOMOGENEOUS FORMAT
In the homogeneous assay format, sensitivity is further enhanced by the fact that released peroxidase- labelled antibody has much higher activity than enzyme on the plate. That is, if one measures released peroxidase conjugated antibody and that remaining on the plate, one can see that a 0.1 O.D.
drop in plate absorbance can result in generation of 2.0 O.D. units in the supernatant. This 10- to 20-fold enhancement of free enzyme activity is probably in large part due to a decrease in the effects of diffusion on the released enzyme reaction rate. ' The range of the release assay is extended because the release assay is a system that starts in equilibrium. It is therefore possible to use higher starting concentrations of enzyme complex without increasing noise or losing low-end sensitivity. In conventional immunoassays, addition of more reagents changes the sensitivity of the assay by shifting final equilibrium conditions. Enzyme concentration demonstrating release assay were 0.50 ~cg/ml as compared to 0.03 ~g/ml for conventional homogeneous (associative) assays. However, the conventional type assay had about 8 times as much antibody:enzyme as the release assay. The use of monoclonals will further improve the ratio of antibody to enzyme in the release format. The ratio of antibody to enzyme determines assay sensitivity.
While other assay systems that involve dissociation of preformed antibody-ligand complexes (Cocola et al., 1979, Analytical Biochem. 99:121-8-Hinds et al., 1984, Chin.Chem. 30:1174-8;
a _."
r.. .. c.~-...,.., E,-";
r .r-~.-r~~~~- a . ","O,." , --.c.
~t.:' >., ~.i ,.~. .~, Z , ..d"~.,,. ~ 4 s--,-; .
4,. , <~ ..' >' a ~::...
'1 V
l'J....~f..t , _ .. .4..a~ ..._.w. ~ '.. , ,:.a'.cG.l: L'~~.5.. . .. ' '~A ., . ~_, ,.. . ... ..,...v,.,.~i.~l~..-,i. .. .a . .~,i.".~..,".vr.... . . .
_,..':...~. ... :.. ~y ,, . . . . -, 1~., o",.~. . .e. . ., ." .~, .~ , x J~
Hinds et al., 1985, Chin.Chem.Acta 149:105-15) have utilized competitive ligands as binding partners, the release assay is a non-competitive system, This is demonstrated in Table 12, supra, where release ligand (or reland) cannot compete the antibody off the antibody-ligand complex. It is also noteworthy that unlike the release assay of the present invention, the competitive dissociation assays described by Cocola et al., Hinds et al., 1984 and Hinds et al., 1985, supra, have not shown significant improvement over associative methods of immunoassay. Although the present invention is not bound by any particular theory, we hypothesize that antibody binds to the release ligand via very low affinity interaction, and in the absence of higher affinity binding partners, ' antibody undergoes a conformational change to a metastable complex that is releasable and has a time stable affinity constant for release. The complex may become too stable, as observed with conventional ligand conjugates. N-isopropyl-norcotinine was designed to provide a bulky group at a non-immunologically critical site to allow dissociation after equilibrium..
The rapid dissociation of the reland complex in the presence of ligand may be analogous to turn-over in antibody catalysis (Benkovic et al., 1990, Science 250:1135-8) in which antibody prepared to a transition state substrate conformation binds a substrate, induces the transition state conformation in the substrate,, and then releases the cleaved substrate rapidly since the products no longer appear in the transition state.

11.3.3. CROSS-REACTIVITY
The release assay is less subject to cross-reactivity. More importantly, it was not subject to the synergistic type of cross-reactivity that was observed with conventional immunoassay. We have observed this synergistic enhancement of interference in other conventional immunoassay formats. This may be a generalized phenomenon and perhaps all cross-reactivity ought to be reported as % cross-reactivity seen in the presence of analyte at 50% binding, so that the true contribution to the assay can be assessed.
11.3.4. ASSAY PRECISION
The two-fold improvement in precision seen ' with the release assay of the invention is probably multifactorial: the starting system is in equilibrium and only one reaction -- dissociation -- occurs, and the matrix, as evidenced by lowered cross-reactivity, probably has less effect on the reaction.
11.4. CONCLUSION
We have developed an assay method utilizing the ability of antibodies to assume an induced fit with a binding partner for which it has very low affinity, the release ligand, or reland. The release assay provides a preformed receptor-reland complex, which can be rapidly dissociated in the presence of analyte. The release system can be used in all immunoassay formats. The release assay has inherent advantages over conventional or associative assays:
1. By eliminating one step in the immune reaction, release saves time and steps and possible sources of error, thereby shortening assay time and simplifying assay techniques.

- ~1 - ~~1~~~~ ~~
2. Release, i.e., dissociation, is inherently less .
subject to interference making it more accurate.
3. The ability to monitor all antibody in the assay reduces noise and makes a 1000-10,000-fold sensitivity range possible. This methodology, using more sensitive markers, extends the theoretical range both up and down from that available in conventional assay formats.
Addition of more reactants does not lower sensitivity as in conventional immunoassays, but extends the upper range of sensitivity.
4. An important advantage of release is the mild conditions under which the dissociation occurs.
This allows the solid phase or complex to be regenerated. This should advance the possibilities for biosensors. A major problem with biosensors is that the solid phase is usually a disposable; with the release assay the solid phase can be continually regenerated.
5. The large range, the positive correlation with presence of analyte, and the low noise of the system indicates that the release assay format can be used to screen for many analytes in one reaction mixture.

12. EXAMPLE: RELEASE ASSAY FOR
A COCAINE METABOLITE
Benzoylecgonine is a metabolite of cocaine.
Release immunoassays that allow detection of soluble benzoylecgonine in a sample are described below. In particular, release of an enzyme-labeled anti-benzoylecgonine antibody can be detected in assay solution supernatant when free benzoyl.ecgonine is present. The following example demonstrates an effective release assay for benzoylecgonine. Two assay parameters, the effect of the relative amount of -,'.\
antibody-label conjugate incubated on a ligand-protein coated plate and incubation time after addition of sample on detection of released label, were investigated.
12.1. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Using standard techniques, ecgonine was conjugated to BGG via a bulky linker (p-aminobenzoic acid) . Anti-benzoylecgonine-peroxidase conjugate was prepared using standard techniques.
12.1.1. ~'ITRATION OF CONJUGATE
Microtitre plates were coated with benzoylecgonine-BGG ligand. After washing, 100 ~,l of antibody-peroxidase conjugate were added to each well at either 1:500 or 1:1000 dilution and incubated at r.t. for 60 min and washed twice with wash buffer.
Benzoylecgonine (BE) standard solutions (100 ~cl) were added to individual wells. Benzoylecgonine was present at the fol2owing concentrations in distilled water or urine: 0, 0.025, 0.3, and 5.0 ~,1/ml. After adding sample, plates were incubated 10 min with shaking at r.t., arid 100 ~cl of supernatant were added to replicate wells of an uncoated microtitre plate.
To each well of assay supernatant were added 100 ~cl of 2x TMB substrate solution. The plates were incubated 6 min at r.t., and the reaction stopped by addition of 50 ~,1 of 2 N H2S04 to .each well. Absorbance at 450 nm was measured in a plate reader.
.

12.1.2. ASSAY FOR INFLUENCE OF INCUBATION
TIME AND MATRIX COMPOSITION
The procedure described above (Section 12.1.1.) was followed. To detect the effect of matrix composition, standards in a synthetic urine matrix were diluted in deionized water. To assay the effect of incubation time, i.e., time needed to detect release of labeled antibody, peroxidase labeled anti-benzoylecgonine ecgonine-BGG-coated plates were incubated 0, 2 and 10 minutes after addition of free benzoylecgonine before transfer of supernatant to a clean microtiter plate.
12.2. RESULTS
Free benzoylecgonine in sample resulted in release of antibody-peroxidase conjugate. The amount of conjugate released correlated with the amount of conjugate added to the benzoylecgonine-BGG coated plate as well as with the amount of analyte present in 2o the sample (Table 15). Thus more conjugate is released from incubation with a 1:500 than a 1:1000 diluted solution.
ZS
s TABLE 15. RELEASE OF ANTI-BENZOYLECGONINE-PEROXIDASE
FROM ECGONINE-PABA-BGG-COATED PLATE.
Ecgonine conc. A4so of Released (~cg/mI) Anticotinine-Peroxidase Stds in Water 1:500 1:1000 0 0.881 0.574 0.025 1.541 0.944 0.30 2.465 1.630 5.0 2.859 ~ 2.218 Stds in Urine 0 0.234 0.112 0.025 0.493 0.255 0.30 1.182 0.630 5.0 1.901 1.010 Matrix effects are also evident from the Za data in Table 15. In particular, release appears to be more effective in water than in urine. These results are expected since matrix is known to affect antibody antigen reactions. Nevertheless, the relative release of antibody-enzyme conjugate is not affected by matrix composition. This relationship can be seen by comparing the ratio of A4so when free benzoylecgonine is present to A4so blank in each matrix (Figure 12). Thus, the matrix effect appears to result from inhibition of enzyme by components in urine and does not appear to affect the amount of antibody-enzyme conjugate released.
The time of incubation appears to have minimal effect on enzyme activity in supernatant as shown graphically (Figure 13).

WO 93/03367 PCT/US92l06249 12.3. DISCUSSION
These results indicate that release of labeled antibody from a ligand coated plate is proportional to the amount of labeled antibody added to the plate.
The results also indicate that while sample matrix affects the absolute enzyme label activity in release supernatant, this effect can be corrected for by normalization over baseline control activity.
Generally, normalization of various samples allows comparison and quantification of free ligand, in this case free benzoylecgonine, present in the sample.
Finally, the results in Figure 13 indicate that release is nearly complete almost immediately after addition of free ligand, demonstrating that release assays may be run in short period of time.

13. EXAMPLE: RELEASE ASSAY ON
ANTIBODY-COATED MEMBRANES
In a particular embodiment, presence of - soluble analyte may be detected by release of labeled ligand from an antibody-coated solid phase support, e.g., a membrane. This example demonstrates release of labeled ecgonine from a complex with solid phase 2S antibody specific for benzoylecgonine.
13.1. MATERIALS AND METHOD
13.1.1. LABELED LIGAND
Ecgonine was linked to alkaline phosphatase 30 via a spacer linker. In 20 ml,of DMSO (Sigma) were dissolved 40 mg ecgonine (Alltech), 32 mg N-hydroxysuccinimide (Sigma) and 56 mg of 1-ethyl-(3-aminopropyl)carbodiimide (Pierce) at r.t. for 4 hrs. A solution of 25 mg N-(4-aminobenzyl)-6-35 aminocaproic acid (Aldrich) in 0.5 ml DMSO was added to 2.O m1 of 0.2 M sodium bicarbonate, pN ?.8, and this mixture was added to the activated ecgonine solution. The resulting solution was mixed for 1 hr.
at r.t. and held at 4°C overnight. To 1.0 ml of activated ecgonine-linker solution were added o.3 ml of 10 mg/ml N-hydroxysuccinimide and 16.7 mg/ml 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylamino)carbodiimide (Sigma) in DMSO, and the resulting mixture shaken for 4 hrs at r.t. To 1 ml of a solution of 1 mg/ml alkaline phosphatase (Biozyme ALPI IIG, 1650 U/mg) were added 0.65 ml of i0 activated ecgonine-linker, and the mixture incubated 2 hrs at r.t., then held at 4°C overnight. The product was dialyzed in the cold against 0.5 M carbonate buffer, pH 7.8, for 8 hours, with dialysis fluid changed every 4 hours.
' ' 13.1.2. ANTIBODY-COATED LATEX
,~fEMBR_ANE ASSAYS
A suspension of 0.5 ml of polystyrene latex particles, 0.776 microns (IDC) mixed with 3.5 ml of Phosphate buffer pH 7.5 was prepared. Goat anti-rabbit IgG, Fc fraction, was diluted to 0.5 mg/ml in phosphate buffer (0.2 ml to 4 ml). The~two were mixed by inversion and incubated at room temperature for 1 hour, and than stored at 4°C. 1 ml of this latex preparation was centrifuged for 5 minutes at 3000 RPM, washed with 0.01 M phosphate buffer, pH ?.5, and recentrifuged. The latex particles ware resuspended in 5 ml of phosphate buffer containing 0.1% Tween 20.
55 ~l of rabbit antibody against benzoylecgonine were diluted in 5 ml of the Tween~hosphate and added to the latex suspension. The mixture was gently mixed at room temperature for 60 minutes. It was then centrifuged for 5 minutes at 3000 RPM, washed twice with Twee phosphate with centrifugation and resuspension. The preparation was resuspended in Tween~hosphate buffer containing 0.1% sodium azide.

Membranes were prepared by soaking 0.45 filtration membranes in 80 ~C1 of Tween/phosphate buffer, and 20 ~1 of anti-benzyolecgonine-coated latex were added and allowed to absorb. Then 10 ~ul of labeled ecgonine were added to each latex spot. The membranes were incubated 3 hrs at r.t. to allow stable receptor-ligand complex to form and subsequently washed three times with phosphate buffer containing 0.1% Tween 20. Sample or standard was added (100 ~ul), to and the membrane incubated to min. at r.t. with shaking. The test was generally run as a visual test by adding substrate directly to membranes where it is washed away released ligand-enzyme samples. Decreased color-intensity was proportioned to the benzoylecgonine concentration in the sample.
For quantitating release the liquid phase (supernatant) was collected by filtration and 50 ~cl aliquots were added to wells of microtiter plates. To each well were added 100 ~cl of p-nitrophenylphosphate (Sigma) in diethanolamine buffer, pH 9.7, and the plates were incubated 30 min at room temperature.
Absorbance at 405 nm was measured.
13.2. RESULTS
The results of this assay are shown in Table 16.
TABLE 16. Enzyme Activity of Liquid Phase BENZOYLECGONINE CONC.

(~,g/ml) A4a5 0 0.214 I

5 0.352 These results demonstrate release of ecgonine-linker-alkaline phosphatase from the latex--antibody preparation when free benzoylecgonine is present in sample.

14. EXAMPLE: RELEASE ASSAY FOR
TETRAHYDRO~,AN ABINOL (T~iC) A solid phase membrane assay, similar to that described in Section 13, supra, has been prepared to allow detection of tetrahydrocannabinol, the major active component of marijuana.
14.1. MATERIALS AND METHODS
14.1.1. PREPARATION OF MEMBRANES
Polyclonal antibbdies (sheep) to THC were used. Ammonium sulfate purified antibody, 13 mg/ml in 0~5 M carbonate buffer pH 9.3 in volume of 3 ~1, were absorbed to 5 mm disks of Gelman KV30o0 ultrabind membranes. The disks were allowed to dry for 30 minutes at room temperature, and then were treated with 0.1% (w/v) bovine serum albumin in carbonate Z0 buffer fox 15 minutes at room temperature. Excess albumin was removed by aspiration, and membranes were washed for l0 minutes at room temperature with a buffer consisting of 2% (w/v) glucose and 0.01% (w/v) 2,6-di-tart butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT) (Aldrich) in Z5 0.5 M carbonate buffer, pH 9.3. Disks were allowed to .
dry at room temperature and stored at 4°C.
14.1.2. PREPARATION OF LIGAND
Two mg of 9-carboxy-11-nor-delta-9 30 tetrahydrocannabinol (C-THC) were dissolved in 0.2 ml of dimethylsulfoxide, and 0.74 mg of n-hydroxysuccini-mide were added. After reaction at room temperature for 2 hours, 0.5 ml of this mixture were added to 5 mg of alkaline phosphatase in 3 ml of phosphate buffered 35 saline (PBS). The entire reaction mixture was mixed overnight at room temperature.

.., 14.1.3. ASSAY PROCEDURE
Disks containing 3 ~C1 of anti-THC antibody at 1:10 dilution were placed in wells of microtiter plates. To these disks were added 100 ~1 of the THC-alkaline phosphatase ligand at a 1:2000 dilution.
Plates were incubated for 30 minutes at room temperature. To assess the effect of various components on the stabilization of dried receptor-ligand complex, various formulations were used to wash the complex prior to drying. Wells were washed with Tris buffer containing 0.1% Tween 20 or with Tris buffer containing glucose. The disks were then allowed to dry and 200 ~1 of standards containing 0 or 10 ~Cg/ml THC were added to the disks in wells. The assay could then be read visually by adding substrate to the membrane and noting a definite fading of color when THC effected release. The reaction could also be quantitated as described further. The plates were incubated for 30 min at room temperature and 100 ~1 of supernatant from each well were transferred to wells in a clean replicate microtiter plate.
To each well of the replicate microtiter plate were added 100 ~cl of p-nitrophenylphosphate (Sigma). The plates were incubated for 15 minutes at room temperature, and absorbance read at 405 nm.
The remaining incubation mixture of solid phase antibody and conjugate was incubated for 30 min at 37°C and 100 ~cl of this supernatant was transferred to replicate wells in clean microtiter plates. To each well were added 100 ~1 of p-nitrophenylphosphate and the plates were incubated for 15 min at room temperature, and absorbance measured at 405 nm.

t.
~;.~(~I~;~w r 14.2. RESULTS
The results of this assay are shown in Table 17.
TABLE 17. RELEASE OF LABELED THC-ALKALINE
PHOSPHATASE CONJUGATE AS A FUNCTION
OF STABILIZATION OF RELEASE COMPLEX.
30' INCUBATION 30' INCUBATION, ROOM TEMP ROOM

TEMP. PLUS
30' AT 37C

S~pLE TRIS/TWEEN TRIS/TWEEN/ TRIS/TWEEN TRIS/TWEEN

WASH GLUCOSE WASHWASH GLUGOSE

WASH

0 pg/ml 0.101 0.111 0.129 0.212 THC

10 Ng/ml 0.134 0.152 0.260 0.484 THC

These results show the optimization of incubation times and formulation of washing buffer on the release of THC:alkaline phosphatase conjugate from antibody bound to membranes. In particular, the . 20 presence of glucose in the washing buffer enhances released enzyme activity in the supernatant. Most importantly, these results indicate preference of the antibody for the analyte in the sample, thus demonstrating an effective release assay for THC.
~ It should be noted that the release reaction visualized on membranes was much more dramatic.

15. EXAMPLE: RELEASE ASSAY FOR BETA-BLOCKERS
A homogeneous release assay for beta-blockers is presented: Detection of beta-blockers:is useful for monitoring patients on these drugs. Tn particular, the stability of antibody complexes with ligand was tested.

_ 81 _ 15.1. MATERIALS AND METHODS
15.1.1. LIGAND: ANALYTE-ENZYME CONJUGATE
Atenolol acid (6.5 mg) (Imperial Chemical Industries) was dissolved in 0.125 ml of 0.1 M sodium carbonate with the aid of 0.015 ml of 1 N HC1. After dissolution, 0.1 ml of deionized water and 0.25 ml of dimethylsulfoxide were added, followed by 6 mg of N-hydroxysuccinimide and 10 mg of EDC. The reaction mixture was kept at room temperature for 2 hours. To a glass tube were added 1 ml of 0.1 sodium carbonate buffer, pH 9.0, and 2.8 mg of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase; after dissolving, 20 mg of reduced nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NADH), 10 mg of glucose-6-phosphate and 0.3 ml of carbitol [2-ethoxyethoxy) ethanol] were added. This mixture was kept at 4°C for 1 hour.
One hundred forty ~L of the activated atenolol were added to the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase reaction vessel over a period of 90 minutes, in aliquots of 10 ~1. Fifteen minutes after the last addition the material was transferred to a dialysis bag and dialyzed overnight in the cold against 2 1 of 0.05 M Tris-HCl, pH 7.9. The next day dialysis wa.s continued for 8 hours with three changes of f luid .
15.1.2. ASSAY SYSTEM
Reagent A (160 ~C1) was prepared with 1 gel of antiserum (rabbit) against 4-hydroxypropranolol, and 12 u1 of O.11M glucose-6-phosphate in 0.05 M Tris buffer, pH 7.9, 3.3 mM magnesium chloride.
Reagent B (30 ~l) was prepared with 20 ~cl of conjugate of 1:500 dilution, and 8 ~,1 of 0.1 M
nicotine adenine dinucleotide inØ05 M Tris buffer, pH 7.9.

WO 93/03367 PCf/US92/06249 _ g2 4, 1; :,.y:w~
y A and B were mixed for 10 seconds and 10 ~cl of sample or standard were added, followed by mixing for 10 seconds. The mixture was incubated for the indicated times at 37°C and absorbance at 340 nm measured.
15.2. RESULTS
15.2.1. STABILITY OF ANTIBODY-CONJUGATE COMPLEX
These experiments were designed to determine the stability of the antibody/beta-blocker-enzyme complex.
The complex was made up with 1.41 ml of 0.05 M Tris-HC1, pH 7.8, 10 ~1 of undiluted antibody, 80 ~1 of 0.1 M NAD and, and 100 ~1 of conjugate at 2 mg/ml and kept at room temperature for the indicated time periods. At specified times, samples containing free 4-hydroxpropanolol were added to aliquots of the complex and the mixture was incubated for 5 min at room temperature. The reagent containing glucose-6-phosphate was then added, and absorbance at 340 nm measure over a 20 minute time period.

WO 93/03367 PCTlUS92/06249 - 83 -,~ ~ ~ '.'i ~j ~ f ~_s ':~
TABLE 18. CHANGE IN OD AFTER DIFFERENT INCUBATION
TIMES OF THE RECEPTOR-LIGAND COMPLEX.
(mA/min) PROPRANOLOL 1' 10' SAMPLE 30' 60' 120' 0.1 ~g/ml 3.918 2.256 2.083 1.034 4.197 1.0 ~g/ml 7.913 4.456 5.427 3.171 6.243 10 ~Cg/ml 12.875 12.855 13.720 10.210 12.759 SLOPE 2 1.097 1.619 1.425 1.555 1.540 I INTERCEPT ~ =0.120 I -0.580I -0.43309.533 -0.522 2 I I , In this assay the release time was 5 min. and measurement time was 20 min.
' Slope and intercept were calculated according to the least squares method.
The similarity of the reaction statistics in Table 18 indicates that the antibody/ligand-enzyme complex was stable for at least 2 hours at room _ temperature, and that effective release could occur in the presence of free analyte during that time.
15.2.2. OPTIMIZING RELEASE TIME AND MEASUREMENT TIME
In addition to showing that the antibody/ligand-enzyme conjugate was stable for at ' least two hours, the assay was optimized for release time, i.e., the time after adding sample and NAD
substrate before measuring the change in OD, and optimal measurement time, i.e., the time from start to finish for measuring the change in OD. The results of these optimization assays are shown in Tables 19 and 20.

WO 93/03367 PCT/US92/ti6249 ~~ ~ i, ;J
TA-BLE 19. OPTIMIZING RELEASE TIME.
mOD/MIN AFTER

CONCENTRATION

O.1 ug/ml 1.167 0.859 2.895 1.0 3.928 11.382 6.007 10.0 18.334 18.816 9.,852 SLOPE2 1.743 0.857 1.0947 INTERCEPT2 -0.665 0.213 -0.117 Antibody/ligand-enzyme complexes were incubated 10 sec. prior to adding sample; mOD/MIN (rate of absorbance change) was measured for 10 min.
Slope and intercept were calculated according to the least squares method.
TABLE 20. OPTIMIZING READING TIME.
mOD/MIN AFTER

PROPANOLOL

MINUTES

O.1 ug/ml 0.4?6 6.141 3.099 I.0 2.059 14.347 11.364 10.0 6.485 24.554 22.533 SLOPE2 1.481 1.0978 1.1362 INTERCEPT2 -0.4771 -0.1203 -0.1633 ' Antibody/ligand-enzyme complexes were incubated 10 min of sample; the release prior to addition time min.
in this assay was Slope intercept calculated according and were to the squares method.
least WO 93/03367 PCf/US92/06249 Under the condition of this assay, a release time of 5 min and a measurement time of NAD reduction for 10 min provide optimum results, with the best slope and intercept values.

16. EXAMPLE: HOMOGENEOUS RELEASE ASSAY FOR THIAZIDES
Thiazides are a class of diuretics, the most well known of which is hydrochlorothiazide. Detection of thiazides is important for medical treatment, l0 particularly in emergency situations.
16.1. MATERIALS AND METHODS
16.1.1. LIGAND: THIAZIDE-GLUCOSE-6-PHOSPHATE
CONJUGATE
15 ' The ligand-enzyme conjugate was prepared as follows: 15 mg of hydrochlorothiazide were dissolved in 0.5 ml of 5 N sodium hydroxide, and placed in boiling water for 30 minutes. The solution was cooled 30 to room temperature and acidified with 1 ml of 6 N
HC1: The tube was placed into an ice bath and 0.5 ml of 0.2 M sodium nitrite added. The mixture was allowed to remain at 0°C for 10 minutes, and then 0.5 ml of 7% ammonium sulfate were added.
25 The pH of the mixture was raised to between 5 and 6 using 100 ~,1 of 0.5 M sodium carbonate. In an S ice bath 280 ~ul of the mixture were mixed immediately with 2.8 mg of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in 1 ml of 0.1 M carbonate buffer, pH 9.0, containing 30 20 mg of NADH, 10 mg of glucose-6-phosphate and 300 ~ul of carbinol, and allowed to remain at 0°C for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was then dialyzed against 0.05 M Tris buffer, pH 7.8, for 24 hours at - 2-8°C with four changes of buffer.

WO 93/03367 PCTlUS92/06249 - s6 -16.1.2. ASSAY
Reagent A (160 ~1) was anti-thiazide antibody (rabbit), 1 ~1, in 147 dal Tris-HC1, pH 7.8, with 12 ~l of 0.11 M glucose-6-phosphate. Reagent B, (22 ~1) was 10 ~1 of conjugate at 1:250 dilution in 12 ~cl of Tris-HCl buffer, pH 7.8, containing 3 mM
magnesium. Reagents A and B were mixed and incubated for 5 minutes at room temperature. Samples were added in volumes of 10 ~C1. Incubation was continued at room temperature for 3 minutes, and then 8 ~1 of 0.1 M NAD
were added. Absorbance at 340 nm was measured for a 10 min period..
16.2. RESULTS
i5 Free hydrochlorothiazide in sample caused release of antibody from the ligand-enzyme conjugate, resulting in a dramatic shift in the rate of absorbance change. These results are summarized in Table 21.
TABLE 21'. THIAZIDE RELEASE ASSAY.
HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE RATE OF
CONCENTRATION ABSORBANCE CHANGE
_(,juq~ m 1 ) ( mAU MIN ) 0.1 0.030 1.0 9.501 10 15.399 17. EXAMPLE: IDENTIFICATION OF A LOW
AFFINITY ANALOG OF CONTINTNE BY
ITS ABILTTY TO COMPETE
The second principal urinary metabolite of nicotine, trans-3-hydroxycotinine, was tested for its ability to compete in the enzyme immunoassay for cotinine, which utilizes an antibody raised against carboxycotinine.

_ s7 _ ~1 ~!~~~y~3 17.1. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Traps-hydroxycotinine or cotinine were added to a synthetic urine matrix in levels from 0.1 to 5 ~Cg/ml, and assayed in an ELISA for cotinine a mixture of cotinine and traps-hydroxycotinine in a 1:3 ratio were also assayed.
17.2. RESULTS
Traps-hydroxycotine was only 10% as effective as cotinine at inhibiting binding in a cotinine ELISA. The enhanced binding (greater absolute OD values) in the presence of hydroxycotinine is an effect seen before in inhibition assays with low affinity ligands.
The ineffectiveness of hydroxycotinine as an inhibitor can also be seen in the inhibition curve of a 1:3 ratio of cotinine to hydroxycotinine. Although present in 3-fold excess, the hydroxycotinine cotinine combination is less inhibitory than cotinine alone.
There is no observable additive inhibition by hydroxycotinine.
17.3. DTSCUSSION
The cotinine metabolite traps-hydroxycoti-nine; which differs from cotinine only by the presence of a hydroxyl group at C-3' in transorientation, binds antibody to cotinine with much lower affinity than cotinine. This is the characteristic necessary for a useful release ligand, and in fact, ligands prepared with traps-hydroxycatinine are.useful in assays fob cotinine (see Sections 6.-11., supra).
The phenomenon of enhanced binding, i.e., greater absolute O.D. values, in the presence of a low affinity analog is not well understood. It may be due to inhibition of cross-reactive antibodies.

~L~;~ _ ss _ Nevertheless, enhancement of binding in the presence of low concentrations of a potential inhibition indicates useful low affinity ligand for release assays.

18. USE OF LOW AFFINITY CHROMATOGRAPHY
FOR ISOLATION OF ANTIBODIES
Use of low of f inity 1 igands f or chromatography to purify antisera is advantageous because elution under mild conditions yields higher antibody recovery. Such antibodies find particular use in release assays.
Isolation of antibodies to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was accomplished using a column to which a crude extract of sheep gonadotropic hormones had been covalently bound. While these sheep hormones are not biologically active in humans, nor do they crossreact with anti-hCG, there remains enough sequence conservation, especially with sheep luteinizing hormone (sLH), to be able interact with antibodies to hCG under controlled conditions.
18.1. ~iPrTERIALS AND METHODS
18.1.1 . PREPARATION O~ AFFINITY COLUMN
A crude extract of sheep pituitary gonadotropins was attached to sepharose using 1 g of cyanogen bromide activated sepharose 4B. The gel was placed in 1.6 ml of 0.1 M carbonate buffer, pH 8.0, containing 0.5 M sodium chloride. 24 mg of the crude extract were added and the material mixed for 3 hours at room temperature. The gel was centrifuged, supernatant discarded, and the gel resuspended in 0.01 M Tris buffer, pH 8.0, and kept at 4°C overnight.
The gel was centrifuged again, supernatant discarded, and the gel suspended in 10 ml of 0.01 M
~..._. ~.:. _. R~ ,rr s ,~. .~ .=x..~~. :,r,..~. r. , ,.,.. .., ~.,..~.. .,~.
~ ",~ .z~...~.~,r..~ ,._ _. .-..T., .~ ... ~..z..~..~. . r_ _. .

-Tris Buffer, pH 8.0, containing 0.2 M glutamic acid.
This suspension was incubated for 1 hour with mixing.
Then the gel was packed 'into a 1 x 10 cm column and washed sequentially with 0.1 M acetate buffer, pH 4.0, 0.5 M sodium chloride, and 0.1 M sodium carbonate buffer, pH 8.0, containing 0.5 M sodium chloride. The column was then equilibrated with phosphate buffer, pH
7.0, containing 0.5 M sodium chloride and 0.01% sodium azide.
18.1.2. AFFINITY CHROMATOGRAPHY
The column was primed with 1 ml of normal rabbit serum overnight at 4°C the serum was eluted with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) followed by rinses with the buffers of pH 4 and 8. 1 ml of rabbit antiserum to hCG with a titer of 1:100,000 was applied to the column and allowed to sit 10 min. The column was sequentially eluted with PBS, pH 4 buffer and pH 8 buffer. Protein content of collected fractions was determined by the Lowry method, and anti-hCG activity by a solid phase competitive enzyme immunoassay.
18.2. RESULTS
The chromatogram of protein content and antibody activity is shown in Figure 14. The bulk of the protein eluted in the void volume of the column, while the majority of the antibody activity eluted just after the void volume in protein-poor fractions.
A smaller protein peak eluted in pH 4 buffer, no grotein eluted in pH $ buffer.
The titer of the pooled fractions of antiserum was 1:91,200 and the protein content 2.7 mg, showing an activity recovery of 91%, far higher than that reported previously in the literature for affinity-purified antibodies. The specific activity t ~',~~~ i~~j - 90 -~i of the starting antiserum was 2200 U/mg, while that of the pooled purified fractions was 37,000 U/mg, a 17-fold purification.
In order to show that the recovery of antibody by this method was not due to the properties of the Sepharose itself, a column of Sepharose 48 was prepared and normal rabbit serum and antiserum applied and eluted as described previously. All antibody activity eluted in the void volume with the protein;
none was retained on the column to be eluted of terward .
The antisera used in the experiment showed a 10% cross-reactivity with sLH after the affinity chromatography this level of cross-reactivity did not change.
18.3: DISCUSSION
The purification of antibodies using low affinity analogs attached to affinity chromatography gels appears to permit efficient recovery of antibodies without denaturation and with enhanced specific activity for antigen.
Affinity purification schemes also provide a method to identify a low affinity analog by its ability to retard elution of specific antibody in a mild eluent. According to the above example, in a release assay for hCG, sheep gonadotropins may serve as ligands.
The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific. embodiments described herein.
Indeed, various modifications of the invention in .
addition to those described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying figures. Such - 91 - ~ '~ ' /~ ~ ,~l ., modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

'

Claims (29)

1. A method for the detection of an analyte in a sample comprising:

(a) contacting a test sample with a receptor-ligand complex, comprising a receptor bound to a release ligand, wherein the receptor binds to an analyte, wherein the release ligand binds to the receptor with an association constant of 1% or less of the association constant of the analyte for the receptor, and wherein the release ligand does not detectably compete with analyte for binding to the receptor; and (b) detecting the dissociation of the release ligand from the receptor as a measure of the presence or amount of analyte in the sample.

2. A method for the detection of an analyte in a sample comprising:

(a) forming a receptor-ligand complex;

(b) contacting the sample with the complex; and (c) detecting dissociation of the receptor-ligand complex and binding of the receptor with the analyte which positively correlates with the presence of the analyte in the sample, wherein the release ligand binds to the receptor with an association constant of 1% or less of the association constant of the analyte for the receptor, and wherein the receptor-analyte complex is substantially unaffected by the presence of free ligand.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the detecting dissociation is by means of measuring a signal from a label associated with either the receptor or the ligand.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the label is selected from the group consisting of an enzyme, a fluorophore, a chromophore, a latex particle, a chemiluminescent agent, a radioisotope, a chelating complex; a dye, and colloidal gold.

5. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the analyte is cotinine, benzoylecgonine, tetrahydrocannabinol, beta-blockers, or thiazides.

6. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the receptor is a nucleic acid, an antibody, antibody fragment, cell surface antibody receptor, or cell surface receptor fragment.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the receptor is an antibody purified by low affinity chromatography on a column conjugated with the ligand.

8. The method of claim 1 or 2, in which the ligand is selected from the group consisting of an analyte analog, derivative, modification and isomer.

9. The method of claim 1 or 2, in which the ligand or receptor is irreversibly absorbed to a solid phase support.

10. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the release ligand comprises a cotinine derivative having an aliphatic chain of three or more carbon atoms at the 1N
position.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the aliphatic chain in the cotinine derivative is a propyl group.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the aliphatic chain in the cotinine derivative is an isopropyl group.

13. The method of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the cotinine derivative is conjugated to an enzyme.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the enzyme is glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

15. A kit for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample comprising a preformed receptor-release ligand complex, comprising a receptor bound to a release ligand, wherein the receptor binds to the analyte, wherein the release ligand binds to the receptor with an association constant of 1% or less of the association constant of the analyte for the receptor, and wherein the release ligand does not detectably compete with analyte for binding to the receptor, and means for detecting dissociation of the complex and binding of receptor with analyte in the presence of analyte in the sample.

16. A kit for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample comprising receptor and release ligand for forming a receptor-release ligand complex, wherein the receptor binds to the analyte, where in the release ligand binds to the receptor with an association constant of 1% or less of the association constant of the analyte for the receptor, and wherein the release ligand does not detectably compete with analyte for binding to the receptor, and means for detecting dissociation of the complex and release of receptor which positively correlates with the presence of analyte in the sample.

17. A kit of claim 15 or 16, wherein the ligand or receptor is irreversibly absorbed to a solid support and the detection means comprises colored latex beads.

18. A kit of claim 15 or 16, wherein the analyte is cotinine, benzoylecgonine, tetrahydrocannabinol, beta-blockers, or thiazides.

19. A kit of claim 15 or 16, wherein the receptor is a nucleic acid, an antibody, antibody fragment, cell surface antibody receptor, or cell surface receptor fragment.

20. The kit of claim 19, wherein the receptor is an antibody purified by low affinity chromatography on a column conjugated with the ligand.

21. A kit of claim 15 or 16, in which the ligand is selected from the group consisting of an analyte analog, an analyte derivative, a modified analyte and an analyte isomer.

22. A kit of claim 15 or 16, wherein the ligand or receptor is irreversibly absorbed to a solid phase support.

23. A kit of claim 15 or 16, wherein a label is associated with either the receptor of the ligand, and the label produces a signal which can be measured to detect dissociation.

24. The kit of claim 23, wherein the label is selected from the group consisting of an enzyme, a fluorophore, a chromophore, a latex particle, a chemiluminescent agent, a radioisotope, a chelating complex, a dye, and colloidal gold.

25. A kit of claim 15 or 16, wherein the release ligand is a cotinine derivative having an aliphatic chain of three or more carbon atoms at the 1N position.

26. A kit of claim 25, wherein the aliphatic chain in the cotinine derivative is a propyl group.

27. A kit of claim 25, wherein the aliphatic chain in the cotinine derivative is an isopropyl group.

28. A kit of claims 25 to 27, wherein the cotinine derivative is conjugated to an enzyme.

29. A kit of claim 28, the enzyme is glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.