Site-specific scFv labelling with invertase via Sortase A mechanism as a platform for antibody-antigen detection using the personal glucose meter

Antibody labelling to reporter molecules is gaining popularity due to its many potential applications for diagnostics and therapeutics. However, non-directional bioconjugation methods which are commonly used often results in the loss of target binding capabilities. Therefore, a site-specific enzymatic based bioconjugation such as sortase-mediated transpeptidation allows for a more rapid and efficient method of antibody conjugation for diagnostic applications. Here we describe the utilization of sortase A bioconjugation to conjugate a single chain fragment variable (scFv) to the extracellular invertase (invB) from Zymomonas mobilis with the aim of developing an invertase based immunoassay. In addition, conjugation to enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) was also validated to show the flexibility of the method. The invertase conjugated complex was successfully applied for the detection of antibody-antigen interaction using a personal glucose meter (PGM) for assay readout. The setup was used in both a direct and competitive assay highlighting the robustness of the conjugate for assay development. The method provides an alternative conjugation process to allow easy exchange of antibodies to facilitate rapid development of diagnostic assays for various diseases on the PGM platform.