Methods, compositions, kits, and a system are disclosed for detecting one
or more analytes in a sample. A mixture comprising the (i) sample, (ii) a
first binding reagent comprising a cleavage-inducing moiety and a first
binding agent specific for an analyte, and (ii) one or more
electrophoretic probes each having a second binding agent is subjected to
conditions under which binding of respective binding agents occurs. The
interaction between the binding agents and the analyte brings the
cleavage-inducing moiety within a proximity effective for cleaving a
cleavable linkage tethering an electrophoretic tag to the second binding
agent, thereby releasing the tag for electrophoretic separation.
Separation of different tags occurs by virtue of their distinct
electrophoretic mobilities. After separation, a signal amplification
moiety on each tag is activated to generate a signal to indicate the
presence of a particular analyte in the sample.