Quantitative Photoelectrochemical Detection of Biological Affinity Reaction: Biotin−Avidin Interaction

Fluorescent cassettes for monitoring three-component interactions in vitro and in living cells

Two water-soluble "through-bond energy transfer cassettes" (TBET-cassettes) were prepared. They have good extinction coefficients at the donor part and transfer energy to the acceptor parts with good "overall quantum yields" (0.30 and 0.24 in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer). Fluorescence resonance energy transfer from one protein functionalized with an appropriate donor can be used to excite the TBET-cassettes on different proteins to probe protein-protein interactions under conditions that would not be possible for single-dye acceptor systems.

In situ IR spectroscopic studies of the avidin-biotin bioconjugation reaction on CdS particle films

Avidin-biotin bioconjugation reactions have been carried out on CdS nanoparticle films in H2O and D2O and investigated using in situ ATR-IR spectroscopic techniques. The experimental procedure involved the sequential adsorption of mercaptoacetic acid, the protein avidin, and the subsequent binding of the ligand biotin. The IR spectra of the solution-phase species mercaptoacetic acid, avidin, and biotin, at pH=7.2 were generally found to be similar in both H2O and D2O, with some minor peak shifts due to solvation changes. The IR spectra of the adsorbed species suggested that avidin may have undergone a conformational change upon adsorption to the CdS surface. In general, adsorption-induced conformational changes for avidin are likely, but to our knowledge have not been previously reported. The conformation of adsorbed avidin appeared to change again upon the binding of biotin, with the spectral data suggesting partial reversion to its native solution conformation.

Enhanced photoelectrochemical detection of bioaffinity reactions by vertically oriented au nanobranches complexed with a biotinylated polythiophene derivative

Four nanostructured Au electrodes were prepared by a simple and templateless electrochemical deposition technique. After complexing with a biotinylated polythiophene derivative (PTBL), photocurrent generation and performance of PTBL/Au-nanostructured electrodes as photoelectrochemical biosensors were investigated. Among these four nanostructured Au electrodes, vertically oriented nanobranches on the electrode significantly improved the photoelectric conversion, because the vertically oriented nanostructures not only benefit light harvesting but also the transfer of the photogenerated charge carriers. Owing to this advantaged nanostructure, the PTBL/Au-nanobranch electrode showed higher sensitivity and faster response times in the photoelectrochemical detection of a streptavidin-biotin affinity reaction compared to a PTBL/Au-nanoparticle electrode.

Dopamine sensitized nanoporous TiO2 film on electrodes: photoelectrochemical sensing of NADH under visible irradiation

Dopamine-coordinated photoactive TiO(2) nanoporous films with a wide excitation range of light in the visible region (up to 580 nm) were prepared and used for sensitive detection of NADH. Colloidal TiO(2) was firstly covered on an indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrode surface and sintered at 450 degrees C to form a nanoporous TiO(2) film, then the electrode was dipped in a dopamine solution to form a dopamine-TiO(2) charge transfer complex via coordinating dopamine with undercoordinated titanium atoms on the electrode surface. This charge transfer complex provided an anodic photocurrent under visible light and the photocurrent could be largely enhanced by NADH. The photocurrent enhancement might be due to the electron transfer between NADH and the holes localized on dopamine. A new photoelectrochemical methodology for sensitive detection of NADH at a relatively low potential was developed. The detection limit of NADH was 1.4x10(-7) M, and the detection range could extend up to 1.2x10(-4) M. The dopamine-TiO(2) modified electrode exhibits its major advantages such as effective electronic transducer, fast response and easy fabrication for photoelectrochemical determination of NADH. This strategy largely reduces the destructive effect of UV light and the photogenerated holes of illuminated TiO(2) to biomolecules and opens a new avenue for the applications of TiO(2) in photoelectrochemical biosensing.

The immobilization of proteins on biodegradable fibers via biotin-streptavidin bridges

This paper aims at developing novel bioactive fibrous mats for protein immobilization and for protein separation/purification. For this purpose, an amphiphilic triblock copolymer, biotinylated poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-lactide)-b-poly(L-lysine) was co-electrospun together with poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) into ultrafine fibers approximately 2 microm in diameter, and a layer of blocking agent was coated on the fiber surfaces to block off possible non-specific binding of proteins. The biotin species retained their ability to specifically recognize and bind streptavidin, and the immobilized streptavidin could further combine with biotinylated antibodies, antigens and other biological moieties. Horseradish peroxidase-labeled streptavidin and fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled goat globulin were used to detect the immobilizations of streptavidin and rabbit anti-goat IgG(H+L) via enzyme-linked immunoassay and confocal laser scanning microscope, respectively. The immobilized antigen was eluted from the fiber substrate with a glycine/HCl solution and the eluted antigen retained its bioactivity. Therefore, these biotin-carrying composite fibers have a variety of uses, including selective immobilization of functional proteins, antigen/antibody separation and purification, and vaccine preparation.

Quantitative electrochemiluminescence detection of proteins: Avidin-based sensor and tris(2,2'-bipyridine) ruthenium(II) label

Quantitative electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection of a model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was achieved via biotin-avidin interaction using an avidin-based sensor and a well-developed ECL system of tris(2,2'-bipyridine) ruthenium(II) derivative as label and tri-n-propylamine (TPA) as coreactant. To detect the protein, avidin was linked to the glassy carbon electrode through passive adsorptions and covalent interaction with carboxylate-terminated carbon nanotubes that was used as binder to immobilize avidin onto the electrode. Then, biotinylated BSA tagged with tris(2,2'-bipyridine) ruthenium(II) label was attached to the prepared avidin surface. After binding of BSA labeled with tris(2,2'-bipyridine) ruthenium(II) derivative to the surface-immobilized avidin through biotin, ECL response was generated when the self-assembled modified electrode was immersed in a TPA-containing electrolyte solution. Such double protein labeling protocol with a biotin label for biorecognition and ruthenium label for ECL detection facilitated the detection of protein compared to the classical double antibody sandwich format. The ECL intensity was linearly proportional to the feed concentration of BSA over two orders of magnitude in the range of 15nM to 7.5microM. The detection limit was estimated to be 1.5nM. Further application to the lysozyme analysis was carried out to validate the present approach for an effective and favorable protocol for the quantitative detection of proteins. The dynamic range of lysozyme was from 0.001gL(-1) to 0.1gL(-1) and the detection limit was 0.1mgL(-1). Electrochemical impedance and cyclic voltammetric measurements along with some necessary control experiments were conducted to characterize the successful formation of self-assembled modified electrodes and to grant the whole detection process.

Photoelectrochemical sensor for the rapid detection of in situ DNA damage induced by enzyme-catalyzed fenton reaction

Photoelectrochemical sensors were developed for the rapid detection of oxidative DNA damage induced by Fe2+ and H2O2 generated in situ by the enzyme glucose oxidase. The sensor is a multilayer film prepared on a tin oxide nanoparticle electrode by layer-by-layer self-assembly and is composed of separate layers of a photoelectrochemical indicator, DNA, and glucose oxidase. The enzyme catalyzes the formation of H2O2 in the presence of glucose, which then reacts with Fe2+ and generates hydroxyl radicals by the Fenton reaction. The radicals attack DNA in the sensor film, mimicking metal toxicity pathways in vivo. The DNA damage is detected by monitoring the change of photocurrent of the indicator. In one sensor configuration, a DNA intercalator, Ru(bpy)2(dppz)2+ (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine), was employed as the photoelectrochemical indicator. The damaged DNA on the sensor bound less Ru(bpy)2(dppz)2+ than the intact DNA, resulting in a drop in photocurrent. In another configuration, ruthenium tris(bipyridine) was used as the indicator and was immobilized on the electrode underneath the DNA layer. After oxidative damage, the DNA bases became more accessible to photoelectrochemical oxidation than the intact DNA, producing a rise in photocurrent. Both sensors displayed substantial photocurrent change after incubation in Fe2+/glucose in a time-dependent manner. And the detection limit of the first sensor was less than 50 microM. The results were verified independently by fluorescence and gel electrophoresis experiments. When fully integrated with cell-mimicking components, the photoelectrochemical DNA sensor has the potential to become a rapid, high-throughput, and inexpensive screening tool for chemical genotoxicity.

Gold Nanoparticles With Special Shapes: Controlled Synthesis, Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering, and The Application in Biodetection

Specially shaped gold nanoparticles have intrigued considerable attention becausethey usually possess high-sensitivity surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and thusresult in large advantages in trace biodetermination. In this article, starch-capped goldnanoparticles with hexagon and boot shapes were prepared through using a nontoxic andbiologically benign aqueous-phase synthetic route. Shape effects of gold nanoparticles onSERS properties were mainly investigated, and found that different-shaped goldnanoparticles possess different SERS properties. Especially, the boot-shaped nanoparticlescould induce more 100-fold SERS enhancements in sensitivity as compared with those fromgold nanospheres. The extremely strong SERS properties of gold nanoboots have beensuccessfully applied to the detection of avidin. The unique nanoboots with high-sensitivitySERS properties are also expected to find use in many other fields such as biolabel,bioassay, biodiagnosis, and even clinical diagnosis and therapy.

CdS Nanocrystal-Based Electrochemiluminescence Biosensor for the Detection of Low-Density Lipoprotein by Increasing Sensitivity with Gold Nanoparticle Amplification

Mercaptoacetic acid (RSH)-capped CdS nanocrystals (NCs) was demonstrated to be electrochemically reduced during potential scan and react with the coreactant S2O8(2-) to generate strong electrochemiluminescence (ECL) in aqueous solution. Based on the ECL of CdS NCs, a novel label-free ECL biosensor for the detection of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has been developed by using self-assembly and gold nanoparticle amplification techniques. The biosensor was prepared as follows: The gold nanoparticles were first assembled onto a cysteamine monolayer on the gold electrode surface. This gold nanoparticle-covered electrode was next treated with cysteine and then reacted with CdS NCs to afford a CdS NC-electrode. Finally, apoB-100 (ligand of LDL receptor) was covalently conjugated to the CdS NC-electrode. The modification procedure was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy, respectively. The resulting modified electrode was tested as ECL biosensor for LDL detection. The LDL concentration was measured through the decrease in ECL intensity resulting from the specific binding of LDL to apoB-100. The ECL peak intensity of the biosensor decreased linearly with LDL concentration in the range of 0.025-16 ng mL-1 with a detection limit of 0.006 ng mL-1. The CdS NCs not only showed high ECL intensity and good biocompatibility but also could provide more binding sites for apoB-100 loading. In addition, the gold nanoparticle amplification for protein ECL analysis was applied to the improvement of the detection sensitivity. Thus, the biosensor exhibited high sensitivity, good reproducibility, rapid response, and long-term stability.

Avidin Decorated Core–Shell Nanoparticles for Biorecognition Studies by Elastic Light Scattering

In this paper, a straightforward method based on elastic light scattering is shown to provide a sensitive and reliable tool for the quantitative determination of protein-ligand interactions that occur at the surface of suitably designed core-shell nanoparticles. The assay makes use of monodisperse nanocolloids that have minimal optical contrast with the aqueous environment. By properly coating the particles with avidin and oligo(ethylene glycol)-based amphiphiles, we developed a hybrid system that combines the availability of standard ligands with the necessary bioinvisibility towards the accidental adsorption of nonspecific macromolecules. This probe was employed to detect interactions between different kinds of biotinylated proteins, and it revealed high specificity and affinities in the low nanomolar range. In particular, we obtained an efficient avidin anchorage of biotinylated protein A on the surface of the nanoparticles, which we exploited as a functional probe for the rapid, quantitative, picomolar detection of human IgG antibodies. Overall, these light-scattering-based nanosensors appear as a simple and highly informative tool for proteomics studies.

Selective photoelectrochemical detection of DNA with high-affinity metallointercalator and tin oxide nanoparticle electrode

Selective detection of double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA) in solution was achieved by photoelectrochemistry using a high-affinity DNA intercalator, Ru(bpy)2dppz (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine) as the signal indicator and tin oxide nanoparticle as electrode material. When Ru(bpy)2dppz alone was irradiated with 470-nm light, anodic photocurrent was detected on the semiconductor electrode due to electron injection from its excited state into the conduction band of the electrode. The current was sustained in the presence of oxalate in solution, which acted as a sacrificial electron donor to regenerate the ground-state metal complex. After addition of double-stranded calf thymus DNA into the solution, photocurrent dropped substantially. The drop was attributed to the intercalation of Ru(bpy)2dppz into DNA and, consequently, the reduced mass diffusion of the indicator to the electrode, as well as electrostatic repulsion between oxalate anion and negative charges on DNA. The degree of signal reduction was a function of the DNA concentration, thus forming the basis for real-time DNA detection. The signal reduction was selective for ds-DNA, as no such effect was observed for single-stranded polynucleotides such as poly-G, poly-C, poly-A, and poly-U. The detection limit of calf thymus ds-DNA reached 1.8 x 10(-10) M in solution.

Photoelectrochemical DNA sensor for the rapid detection of DNA damage induced by styrene oxide and the Fenton reaction

Rapid and sensitive detection methods are in urgent demand for the screening of an overwhelming number of existing and new chemicals as potential DNA-damaging agents. In this study, two photoelectrochemistry-based DNA sensor configurations were employed in the detection of DNA damage caused by styrene oxide and Fe2+/H2O2. The organic compound and heavy metal represent genotoxic chemicals possessing two major damaging mechanisms, DNA adduct formation and DNA oxidation. In the first sensor configuration, a ruthenium tris(bipyridine)-labeled avidin film and a double-stranded calf thymus DNA (ds-DNA) film were assembled successively on tin oxide nanoparticle film electrodes. Photogenerated Ru(III) oxidized guanidine and adenosine bases in DNA and gave rise to photocurrent. DNA damage was detected after the reaction of the DNA film with either styrene oxide or Fe2+/H2O2, which exposed more DNA bases for photooxidation and resulted in increased photocurrent. In the second configuration, an unlabeled avidin film and a ds-DNA film were assembled on the semiconductor electrode. A DNA intercalator, Ru(bpy)2(dppz)2+ (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a: 2',3'-c]phenazine), was employed as the photoelectrochemical signal reporter. After the chemical reaction with the damaging agents, the DNA film bound less Ru(bpy)2(dppz)2+, accompanied by a drop in photocurrent. Both sensors were used to follow the reaction course in styrene oxide and Fenton reagents and produced similar results. According to the data, damage of the DNA film was complete in 1 h in Fenton reagents and in 3 h in styrene oxide. In addition, the Fenton reaction induced much more severe damage than styrene oxide. The results demonstrate for the first time that the photoelectrochemical DNA sensor can detect both DNA adduct formation and DNA oxidation. It has the potential of becoming a screening tool for the rapid assessment of the genotoxicity of existing and new chemicals.

Photoelectrochemical Immunosensor for Label-Free Detection and Quantification of Anti-cholera Toxin Antibody

We demonstrate herein a newly developed photoelectrochemical immunosensor for the determination of anti-cholera toxin antibody by using a photosensitive biotinylated polypyrrole film. The latter was generated by electro-oxidation of a biotinylated tris(bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) complex bearing pyrrole groups. The photoexcitation of this modified electrode potentiostated at 0.5 V vs SCE, in the presence of an oxidative quencher, pentaaminechloro cobalt(III) chloride (15 mM), led to a cathodic photocurrent. As a result of the affinity interactions, a layer of biotinylated cholera toxin was firmly bound to the functionalized polypyrrole film via avidin bridges. The resulting modified electrodes were tested as immunosensors for the detection of the corresponding antibody from 0 to 200 microg mL(-)(1). The antibody concentration was measured through the decrease in photocurrent intensity resulting from its specific binding onto the polymeric coating, the detection limit being 0.5 microg mL(-)(1).

Controlled arrangement of nanoparticle arrays in block-copolymer domains

This Review describes recent results on the precise spatial distribution control of metal and semiconductor nanoparticles into domains of microphase-separated block copolymers. Specific focus is directed towards selective incorporation into a specific microphase of a block copolymer. Details on theoretical aspects concerning nanoparticle incorporation as well as practical examples are given. Furthermore, examples on applications and technological aspects of the resulting nanoparticle/polymer nanocomposites are provided.

An electrochemical immunosensor using ferrocenyl-tethered dendrimer

We report here an enzyme-amplified, sandwich-type immunosensor for detecting the biospecific interaction between an antibody and antigen using redox mediation. We employed biotin/anti-biotin IgG as a model immunosensing pair. Partially ferrocenyl-tethered dendrimer (Fc-D), whose ferrocene moiety acts as a redox mediator, was immobilized to the electrode surface by covalent binding between the dendrimer amines and the carboxylic acids of a self-assembled monolayer. The unreacted amines of the immobilized Fc-D were modified with biotin groups to allow the specific binding of goat anti-biotin IgG. Rabbit anti-goat IgG-conjugated alkaline phosphatase was bound to goat anti-biotin IgG to catalyze conversion of p-aminophenyl phosphate monohydrate to p-aminophenol. This product is oxidized to quinoimide by the reduction of ferrocenium back to ferrocene, producing an electrocatalytic anodic current. Cyclic voltammograms and surface plasmon resonance experiments showed that the binding of nonspecific proteins is not significant on the biotinylated Fc-D surface. We also examined the change in peak current according to the concentration of anti-biotin IgG and found that the detection range of this immunosensing scheme is between 0.1 and 30 microg mL(-1).

Photoelectrochemical Oxidation of DNA by Ruthenium Tris(bipyridine) on a Tin Oxide Nanoparticle Electrode

Selective photoelectrochemical oxidation of DNA was achieved by ruthenium tris(bipyridine) immobilized on a tin oxide nanoparticle electrode. The metal complex was covalently attached to a protein, avidin, which adsorbed strongly on the tin oxide electrode by electrostatic interaction. Upon irradiation with 473-nm light, anodic photocurrent was generated in a blank electrolyte and was enhanced significantly after addition of poly(guanadylic acid) (poly-G) into the electrolyte. The current increased progressively with the nucleotide concentration, suggesting the enhancement effect was related to poly-G. The action spectrum indicates that the photocurrent was initiated by light absorption of the ruthenium compound immobilized on the electrode. Among the various polynucleotides examined, poly-G produced the largest photocurrent increase, followed by poly-A, single-stranded DNA, chemically damaged DNA, and double-stranded DNA, whereas poly-C and poly-U showed little effect. The combined experimental data support the hypothesis that the photoexcited Ru2+ species injects an electron into the semiconductor and produces Ru3+, which is then reduced back to Ru2+ by guanine and adenine bases in DNA, resulting in the recycling of the metal complex and enhanced photocurrent. The photoelectrochemical reaction can be employed as a new method for the detection of DNA damage.

4-(Dimethylamino)butyric Acid Labeling for Electrochemiluminescence Detection of Biological Substances by Increasing Sensitivity with Gold Nanoparticle Amplification

4-(Dimethylamino)butyric acid (DMBA) labeling combined with gold nanoparticle amplification for electrochemiluminescence (ECL) determination of a biological substance (bovine serum albumin (BSA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) as models) was presented. After DMBA, an analogue of tripropylamine, was tagged on the (anti)analytes, an ECL signal related to the content of the analytes was generated when the analyte tagged with DMBA was in contact with tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium (Ru(bpy)(3)2+) solution and a potential was applied. To improve the adsorption capacity, a gold nanoparticle layer was first combined into the surface of the 2-mm-diameter gold electrode. For the determination of BSA, avidin was covalently conjugated to a self-assembled monolayer of 3-mercaptopropanoic acid on the gold nanoparticle layer. Biotinylated BSA-DMBA was then immobilized on the gold nanoparticle layer of the gold electrode via the avidin-biotin reaction. IgG was tested via a typical sandwich-type immobilization method. ECL signals were generated from the electrodes immobilized with BSA or IgG by immersing them in a 1 mmol L-1 Ru(bpy)(3)2+ solution and scanning from 0.5 to 1.3 V versus Ag/AgCl. With gold nanoparticle amplification, the ECL peak intensity was proportional to the concentration over the range 1-80 and 5-100 microg/mL for BSA and IgG consuming 50 microL of sample, respectively. A 10- and 6-fold sensitivity enhancement was obtained for BSA and IgG over their direct immobilization on an electrode using DMBA labeling. The relative standard deviations of five replicate determinations of 10 microg/mL BSA and 20 microg/mL IgG were 8.4 and 10.2%, respectively. High biocompatibility and low cost were the main advantages of the present DMBA labeling technique over the traditional Ru(bpy)(3)2+ labeling.

A new chemically amplified electrochemical system for the detection of biological affinity reactions: direct and competitive biotin assay

Quantitation of biological affinity reactions by a newly developed chemically amplified electrochemical detection method was demonstrated with the biotin-avidin binding pair. In the method, ruthenium tris(2,2'-bipyridine)(Ru-bipy) was used as an electrochemical signal-generating tag. Its oxidation current on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode was amplified with a sacrificial electron donor, oxalate. Because oxalate itself produced negligible current on the electrode, the signal-to-background ratio was greatly enhanced in comparison with other chemical amplification systems. Although the Ru-bipy/oxalate redox couple has been employed previously in electrochemiluminescent and photoelectrochemical detection, its use in a catalytic amperometric detection of biological binding assays has not been reported. To implement the method in the detection of biotin-avidin recognition, avidin was immobilized on an ITO electrode, and was reacted with biotin in solution. Immobilization of avidin by passive adsorption was found to be relatively stable under the condition of the affinity reaction. In the direct assay, biotin labelled with Ru-bipy was recognized by avidin and accumulated on the electrode surface, which was then detected electrochemically in the presence of oxalate. A linear relationship between electrochemical current and biotin concentration was obtained in the range of 1-300 ng mL(-1). In the competitive assay, a mixed solution of unlabelled biotin (the analyte) of various concentrations and 100 ng mL(-1) labelled biotin was reacted with avidin on the surface. As the concentration of the unlabelled biotin increased, less labelled biotin bound to avidin, leading to a reduction in the electro-catalytical response of Ru-bipy. A detection limit of 1 ng mL(-1) biotin was obtained in the competitive assay, which is close to the sensitivity of some enzyme-labelled amperometric assays.