Time-Resolved Fluorescence Receptor Assay for Benzodiazepines

Abstract

Abstract A novel non-isotopic receptor binding technique for the detection of benzodiazepines is described. A benzodiazepine labeled with europium chelate was prepared and employed as a labeled ligand, and time-resolved measurements of the long lifetime fluorescence of europium chelate allowed avoidance of interference due to proteins in the receptor preparation. Experimental results demonstrate a sigmoid inhibition curve, with binding of the labeled ligand inhibited by comparable concentrations of the unlabeled drug. The proposed assay may provide a simple procedure for the measurement of benzodiazepines in biological systems and a useful tool in the screening of natural substances for new classes of benzodiazepine-like compounds.