The prostate specific antigen (PSA), a serine protease with chymotrypsin-like activity, is predominantly expressed in the prostate and is considered as the most common marker in use to identify and follow the progress of prostate cancer. In addition, it is also now accepted as a marker for detecting semen in criminal cases. Here, we describe the design, synthesis, and evaluation of the first chemiluminescence probe for detection of PSA enzymatic activity. The probe activation mechanism is based on a catalytic cleavage of a specific peptidyl substrate, followed by a release of a phenoxy-dioxetane luminophore, that then undergoes efficient chemiexcitation to emit a green photon. The probe exhibits a significant turn-on response upon reaction with PSA and produces strong light emission signal with an extremely high signal-to-noise ratio. Comparison of the chemiluminescence probe with an analogous fluorescence probe showed superior detection capability in terms of response time and sensitivity. In addition, the probe was able to efficiently detect and image human semen traces on fabric, even after 3 days from sample preparation. The advantageous sensitivity and simplicity of a chemiluminescence assay to detect seminal fluid was effectively demonstrated by on-site measurements using a small portable luminometer. It is expected that the new chemiluminescence probe would be broadly useful for numerous applications in which PSA detection or imaging is required.

中文翻译：

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快速检测前列腺特异性抗原蛋白水解活性的强大化学发光探针：人类精液的法医鉴定。

前列腺特异抗原（PSA）是一种具有胰凝乳蛋白酶样活性的丝氨酸蛋白酶，主要在前列腺中表达，被认为是最常用的识别和跟踪前列腺癌进展的标志物。另外，它现在也被认为是在刑事案件中检测精液的标记。在这里，我们描述了用于检测PSA酶活性的第一种化学发光探针的设计，合成和评估。探针激活机制基于特定肽基底物的催化裂解，然后释放苯氧基-二氧杂环丁烷发光体，然后进行有效的化学激发以发出绿色光子。与PSA反应后，该探针显示出明显的开启响应，并产生具有极高信噪比的强发光信号。化学发光探针与类似荧光探针的比较显示出在响应时间和灵敏度方面的优越检测能力。此外，即使在样品制备后的三天后，该探针也能够有效检测织物上的人精液痕迹并对其成像。通过使用小型便携式发光仪进行现场测量，可以有效地证明化学发光检测精液的优势和简便性。预期新型化学发光探针将广泛用于需要PSA检测或成像的众多应用中。即使在样品制备后的三天后，该探针也能够有效地检测织物上的人类精液痕迹并对其成像。通过使用小型便携式发光仪进行现场测量，可以有效地证明化学发光检测精液的优势和简便性。预期新型化学发光探针将广泛用于需要PSA检测或成像的众多应用中。即使在样品制备后的三天后，该探针也能够有效地检测织物上的人类精液痕迹并对其成像。通过使用小型便携式发光仪进行现场测量，可以有效地证明化学发光检测精液的优势和简便性。预期新型化学发光探针将广泛用于需要PSA检测或成像的众多应用中。