Adsorptive stripping voltammetry of biomacromolecules with transfer of the adsorbed layer

Cysteamine Chemisorption at Mercury-Solution Interfaces in the Context of Redox and Microdissociation Equilibria

The redox behavior and chemisorption of cysteamine (CA) at a charged mercury surface are described, with an emphasis on its acid-base properties supported by molecular dynamics and quantum mechanical calculations. It was found that CA forms chemisorbed layers on the surface of the mercury electrode. The formation of Hg-CA complexes is connected to mercury disproportionation, as reflected in peaks SII and SI at potentials higher than the electrode potential of zero charge (p.z.c.). Both the process of chemisorption of CA and its consequent redox transformation are proton-dependent. Also, depending on the protonation of CA, the formation of typical populations of chemisorbed conformers can be observed. In addition, cystamine (CA disulfide dimer) can be reduced on the mercury surface. Between the potentials of this reduction and peak SI, the p.z.c. of the electrode used can be found. Furthermore, CA can serve as an LMW catalyst for hydrogen evolution. The mechanistic insights presented here can be used for follow-up research on CA chemisorption and targeted modification of other metallic surfaces.

Electrochemistry in sensing of molecular interactions of proteins and their behavior in an electric field

Electrochemical methods can be used not only for the sensitive analysis of proteins but also for deeper research into their structure, transport functions (transfer of electrons and protons), and sensing their interactions with soft and solid surfaces. Last but not least, electrochemical tools are useful for investigating the effect of an electric field on protein structure, the direct application of electrochemical methods for controlling protein function, or the micromanipulation of supramolecular protein structures. There are many experimental arrangements (modalities), from the classic configuration that works with an electrochemical cell to miniaturized electrochemical sensors and microchip platforms. The support of computational chemistry methods which appropriately complement the interpretation framework of experimental results is also important. This text describes recent directions in electrochemical methods for the determination of proteins and briefly summarizes available methodologies for the selective labeling of proteins using redox-active probes. Attention is also paid to the theoretical aspects of electron transport and the effect of an external electric field on the structure of selected proteins. Instead of providing a comprehensive overview, we aim to highlight areas of interest that have not been summarized recently, but, at the same time, represent current trends in the field.

Cyclic and square wave voltammetry of chitooligosaccharides modified by osmium(VI) tetramethylethylenediamine

Compounds containing vicinal diol (glycol) groups, including saccharides, could be modified with sixvalent osmium complexes with nitrogenous ligands, particularly with N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (Os(VI)tem). The modification products are electrochemically active. Here we show that aminosaccharides can also be modified by Os(VI)tem. We studied chitosan oligosaccharides in their acetylated and deacetylated form in 0.2 M Na-phosphate, pH 6.9. Deacetylated chitosan oligosaccharides with free amino groups modified by Os(VI)tem yielded two peaks (peak I' at -0.15 V and peak II' at about -0.38 V) despite the fact that these oligomers contain only one glycol group on the non-reducing end of the molecule. The electrochemical behavior of Os(VI)tem modified deacetylated chitosan oligomers differs from Os(VI)tem modified simple saccharides, containing only glycol groups, predominantly in peak I'. Our results suggest that free amino groups are involved in Os(VI)tem modification of chitosan oligomers.

Redox properties and human serum albumin binding of nitro-oleic acid

Nitro-fatty acids modulate inflammatory and metabolic stress responses, thus displaying potential as new drug candidates. Herein, we evaluate the redox behavior of nitro-oleic acid (NO₂-OA) and its ability to bind to the fatty acid transporter human serum albumin (HSA). The nitro group of NO₂-OA underwent electrochemical reduction at -0.75 V at pH 7.4 in an aqueous milieu. Based on observations of the R-NO₂ reduction process, the stability and reactivity of NO₂-OA was measured in comparison to oleic acid (OA) as the negative control. These electrochemically-based results were reinforced by computational quantum mechanical modeling. DFT calculations indicated that both the C9-NO₂ and C10-NO₂ positional isomers of NO₂-OA occurred in two conformers with different internal angles (69° and 110°) between the methyl- and carboxylate termini. Both NO₂-OA positional isomers have LUMO energies of around -0.7 eV, affirming the electrophilic properties of fatty acid nitroalkenes. In addition, the binding of NO₂-OA and OA with HSA revealed a molar ratio of ~7:1 [NO₂-OA]:[HSA]. These binding experiments were performed using both an electrocatalytic approach and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy using 16-doxyl stearic acid. Using a Fe(DTCS)₂ spin-trap, EPR studies also showed that the release of the nitro moiety of NO₂-OA resulted in the formation of nitric oxide radical. Finally, the interaction of NO₂-OA with HSA was monitored via Tyr and Trp residue electro-oxidation. The results indicate that not only non-covalent binding but also NO₂-OA-HSA adduction mechanisms should be taken into consideration. This study of the redox properties of NO₂-OA is applicable to the characterization of other electrophilic mediators of biological and pharmacological relevance.

Adsorption/desorption of biomacromolecules involved in catalytic hydrogen evolution

Previously, it has been shown that proteins and some polysaccharides (PSs) catalyse hydrogen evolution, producing electrochemical signals on mercury electrodes. The catalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (CHER) of the above-mentioned biomacromolecules was studied by voltammetric and chronopotentiometric stripping (CPS) methods. To obtain more information about electrode processes involving CHER, here we used protein such as BSA, and chitosan as a PS; in addition, we investigated dextran as a control PS not involved in CHER. We studied biomacromolecules by phase-sensitive alternating current (AC) voltammetry. Using phase-in AC voltammetry, for CHER-involved biomacromolecules we observed a CHER peak at highly negative potentials, similar to that observed with other voltammetric and CPS methods. On the other hand, by means of the adsorption/desorption processes studied in phase-out AC voltammetry, we uncovered a sharp and narrow decrease of capacitive current in the potential range of the CHER peak, denominated as the tensammetric minimum. This minimum was closely related to the CHER peak, as demonstrated by similar dependences on specific conditions affecting the CHER peak such as buffer capacity and pH. A tensammetric minimum was not observed for dextran. Our results suggest specific organization of biopolymer layers at negative potentials observed only in biomacromolecules involved in CHER.

Early stage of nucleic acid electrochemistry. Detection of DNA damage in X-ray-irradiated rats

First papers on electroactivity of DNA and RNA were published more then 50 years ago. For about 8 years oscillographic polarography at controlled a.c. (OP, proposed by J. Heyrovský already in 1941) was the method of choice for DNA analysis. Since approximately 1954 Robert Kalvoda developed OP for wide application in various fields. It is shown that already before 1960 it was possible to detect damage to DNA in X-ray-irradiated rats by means of OP. DNA samples from irradiated animals produced significantly larger OP anodic guanine signal indicating changes in the DNA structure. At present, radiation-induced strand breaks and damage to bases in DNA can be electrochemically detected at high sensitivity.

Nucleobase modification as redox DNA labelling for electrochemical detection

Basic aspects of DNA electrochemistry with a strong focus on the use of modified nucleobases as redox probes for electrochemical bioanalysis are reviewed. Intrinsic electrochemical properties of nucleobases in combination with artificial redox-active nucleobase modifications are frequently applied in this field. Synthetic approaches (both chemical and enzymatic) to base-modified nucleic acids are briefly summarized and their applications in redox labelling are discussed. Finally, analytical applications including DNA hybridization, primer extension, PCR, SNP typing, DNA damage and DNA-protein interaction analysis are presented (critical review, 91 references).

From DC polarographic presodium wave of proteins to electrochemistry of biomacromolecules

History of electrochemistry of proteins and nucleic acids is briefly reviewed. The ability of proteins to catalyze hydrogen evolution at Hg electrodes was discovered almost 80 years ago in J. Heyrovský’s laboratory. This phenomenon was not sufficiently appreciated for several decades. Recently it has been shown that using constant current chronopotentiometric stripping (CPS) with hanging mercury drop, solid amalgam or Hg-film electrodes the CPS peak H is obtained with nanomolar concentrations of peptides and proteins. This peak is derived from the presodium wave but it has some new properties useful in protein research. It is sensitive to changes in protein structures and to protein redox states, representing a new tool for protein analysis applicable in biomedicine. Electroactivity of nucleic acids was discovered about 50 years ago. Electrochemistry of DNA and RNA is now a booming field because of its potential use in sensors for DNA hybridization and DNA damage. Quite recently it has been shown that electrochemistry can be applied also in polysaccharide analysis. A review with 99 references.

The reduction of doxorubicin at a mercury electrode and monitoring its interaction with DNA using constant current chronopotentiometry

In this report, voltammetry with linear scan and chronopotentiometric stripping (CPS) with constant current were used for the analysis of doxorubicin (DOX) at a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). CPS was used for the study of DOX in situ electrochemical reduction in adsorbed state and for ex situ (adsorptive transfer) analysis of the drug. For the first time, CPS was used to study the reversible reduction of the DOX quinine moiety at –0.45 V (vs Ag|AgCl|3 M KCl) as well as electrode processes giving rise to an irreversible signal around –1.45 V at the HMDE in 0.2 M acetate or Britton–Robinson buffers at different pH values. The dependence of the latter signal on pH revealed involvement of protonation equilibria; however, neither CV nor CPS data confirmed the catalytic character of the electrode reaction previously suggested by other authors. The CPS method was also applied to monitor the DOX interaction with double- (ds) and single-stranded (ss) DNA. In the presence of dsDNA, more pronounced changes in DOX signal intensity were observed, in agreement with a strong intercalation of the DOX redox centre into the DNA double helix.

Electrochemical Investigation of oligonucleotide-DNA hybridization on poly(4-methoxyphenethylamine)

This work describes the immobilization of purine and pyrimidine bases and immobilization/hybridization of synthetic oligonucleotides on graphite electrodes modified with poly(4-methoxyphenethylamine) produced in acid medium. The immobilization of adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine on these modified electrodes was efficient, producing characteristic peaks. Another relevant observation is that, according to the literature, pyrimidine bases, cytosine and thymine are more difficult to detect. However, when immobilized onto the poly(4-methoxyphenethylamine), a significant increase in the magnitude of the current was obtained. The observation of the hybridization between the poly(GA) probe and its complementary, poly(CT) target, was possible by monitoring the guanosine and adenosine peaks or through methylene blue indicator, using differential pulse voltammetry. Hybridization results in a decrease of the peak current of guanosine and adenosine or the signal of methylene blue accumulated on the modified electrode surface. The hybridization with the complementary target was also investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results showed a significant modification in the Nyquist plot, after addition of the complementary target, with increase of the charge transference resistance.