Abstract: Biomimetic testosterone receptors were synthesized via molecular imprinting for use as antibody mimics in immunoassays. As evaluated by radioligand binding assays, imprinted polymers prepared in acetonitrile were very specific for testosterone because the nonimprinted control polymers bound virtually no radiolabeled testosterone. The polymers present an appreciable affinity, with association constants of Ka = 3.3 x 10 7 M-1 (high-affinity binding sites). The binding characteristics of the polymers were also evaluated in aqueous environment to study their viabilities as alternatives to antibodies in molecularly imprinted sorbent assays. Compared with the testosterone-specific antibodies present in commercial kits, our molecularly imprinted polymers are somewhat less sensitive but show a high selectivity. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Template and target information: testosterone
Author keywords: molecularly imprinted polymer, immunoassay, testosterone

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