Molecular Imprinting Approach for the Recognition of Adenine in Aqueous Medium and Hydrolysis of Adenosine 5'-Triphosphate

Abstract

Polymers capable of recognizing adenine in aqueous medium were developed by the molecular imprinting technique using methacrylic acid and 4(5)-vinylimidazole as comonomers with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross-linking agent under different polymerization conditions. The affinity of these polymers for adenine and other nucleotide bases was compared. The association constant for the binding of adenine to the polymer is calculated to be 4.3 x 10(3)M(-1). Furthermore, binding of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) to the polymers was evaluated, and an enhanced binding compared to adenine was observed. The binding of ATP is pH dependent, with the maximum around pH 3. Results have been explained based on the hydrogen bonding and ionic interactions between ATP and the ligands on the polymer matrix. The catalytic effect of these polymers for the hydrolysis of ATP is briefly discussed.