Engineered fungus derived FAD-dependent glucose dehydrogenase with acquired ability to utilize hexaammineruthenium(III) as an electron acceptor

Proximity-Unlocked Luminescence by Sequential Enzymatic Reactions from Antibody and Antibody/Aptamer (PULSERAA): A Platform for Detection and Visualization of Virus-Containing Spots

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has challenged more scientists to detect viruses and to visualize virus-containing spots for diagnosis and infection control; however, detection principles of commercially available technologies are not optimal for visualization. Here, a convenient and universal homogeneous detection platform named proximity-unlocked luminescence by sequential enzymatic reactions from antibody and antibody/aptamer (PULSERAA) is developed. This is designed so that the signal appears only when the donor and acceptor are in proximity on the viral surface. PULSERAA specifically detected in the range of 25-500 digital copies/mL of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 after simply mixing reagents; it is elucidated that the accumulation of chemical species in a limited space of the viral surface contributed to such high sensitivity. PULSERAA was quickly adapated to detect another virus variant, inactivated influenza A virus, and infectious SARS-CoV-2 in a clinical sample. Furthermore, on-site (direct, rapid, and portable) visualization of the inactivated SARS-CoV-2-containing spots by a conventional smartphone camera was achieved, demonstrating that PULSERAA can be a practical tool for preventing the next pandemic in the future.

Effects of Cross-linker Chemistry on Bioelectrocatalytic Reactions in a Redox Cross-linked Network of Glucose Dehydrogenase and Thionine

Enzyme-mediator bioconjugation is emerging as a building block for designing electrode platforms for the construction of biosensors and biofuel cells. Here, we report a one-pot bioconjugation technique for flavin adenine dinucleotide-dependent glucose dehydrogenase (FAD-GDH) and thionine (TH) using a series of cross-linkers, including epoxy, N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS), and aldehydes. In this technique, FAD-GDH and thionine are conjugated through an amine cross-linking reaction to generate a redox network, which has been successfully employed for the oxidation of glucose. The bioconjugation chemistry of cross-linkers with the amino groups on FAD-GDH and thionine plays a vital role in generating distinct network structures. The epoxy-type cross-linker reacts with the primary and secondary amines of thionine at room temperature, thereby producing an FAD-GDH-TH-FAD-GDH hyperbranched bioconjugate network, the aldehyde undergoes a rapid cross-linking reaction to produce a network of FAD-GDH-FAD-GDH, while the NHS-based cross-linker can react with the primary amines of both FAD-GDH and thionine, forming an FAD-GDH-cross-linker-TH polymeric network. This reaction has the potential to enable the conjugation of a redox mediator with a FAD-GDH network, which is particularly essential when designing an enzyme electrode platform. The data demonstrated that the polymeric cross-linked network based on the NHS cross-linker exhibited a considerable increase in electron transport while producing a catalytic current of 830 μA cm-2. The cross-linker spacer arm length also affects the overall electrochemical function of the network and its performance; an adequate spacer length containing a cross-linker is required, resulting in a faster electron transfer. Finally, a leaching test confirmed that the stability of the enzyme electrode was improved when the electrode was tested using the redox probe. This study elucidates the relationship between cross-linking chemistry and redox network structure and enhances the high performance of enzyme electrode platforms for the oxidation of glucose.

Exploration and Application of DNA-Binding Proteins to Make a Versatile DNA-Protein Covalent-Linking Patch (D-Pclip): The Case of a Biosensing Element

DNA-protein complexes are attractive components with broad applications in various research fields, such as DNA aptamer-enzyme complexes as biosensing elements. However, noncovalent DNA-protein complexes often decrease detection sensitivity because they are highly susceptible to environmental conditions. In this study, we developed a versatile DNA-protein covalent-linking patch (D-Pclip) for fabricating covalent and stoichiometric DNA-protein complexes. We comprehensively explored the database to determine the DNA-binding ability of the candidates and selected UdgX as the only uracil-DNA glycosylase known to form covalent bonds with DNA via uracil, with a binding efficiency >90%. We integrated a SpyTag/SpyCatcher protein-coupling system into UdgX to create a universal and convenient D-Pclip. The usability of D-Pclip was shown by preparing a stoichiometric model complex of a hemoglobin (Hb)-binding aptamer and glucose oxidase (GOx) by mixing at 4 °C. The prepared aptamer-GOx complexes detected Hb in a dose-dependent manner within the clinically required detection range in buffer and human serum without any washing procedures. D-Pclip covalently connects any uracil-inserted DNA sequence and any SpyCatcher-fused protein stoichiometrically; therefore, it has a high potential for various applications.

Avoiding Potential Pitfalls in Designing Wired Glucose Biosensors

Glucose sensing has been studied for more than half a century, leading many to believe that further progress comes mainly from engineering efforts. Our society requires robust, reliable, compact, and easy-to-use sensing solutions for decentralized applications such as wearables, and engineering solutions are essential. However, true progress is only possible by understanding and improving the underlying working principles and fundamental limitations. This Perspective discusses the delicate relationship between the observed current and glucose concentration when using wired enzyme biosensors. Some of the potential pitfalls often encountered in the recent literature are discussed. These include the need to suppress the influence of enzyme turnover kinetics on the sensor signal and the undesired faradaic charging of the electron transfer mediator that gives a continuously decaying baseline signal. These fundamental issues must be carefully evaluated and resolved for the realization of continuously operating enzyme biosensor systems.

Protein engineering for electrochemical biosensors

The development of electrochemical biosensors has gained tremendous attention. Protein engineering has been applied for enhancing properties of native redox enzymes, such as selectivity, sensitivity, and stability required for applicable biosensors. This review highlights recent advances of protein engineering to improve enzymatic catalysis of biosensors, facilitate electron transfer and enzyme immobilization, and construct allosteric protein biosensors. The pros and cons of different protein engineering strategies are briefly discussed, and perspectives are further provided.

Integrated multi-material portable 3D-printed platform for electrochemical detection of dopamine and glucose

Design and production of a one-step 3D-printed functional electrochemical biosensor for efficient detection of dopamine and glucose in low-volume samples (100 μL). Glucose detection via ruthenium-mediated amperometry provides results in 60 seconds.

Designing a cross-linked redox network for a mediated enzyme-based electrode

A bio-conjugated redox network matrix based on glucose dehydrogenase, thionine (diamine-containing mediator), and poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (crosslinker) is developed on a glassy carbon electrode through covalent bonding with one-pot crosslinking. Electrons from the enzyme diffuse through the network producing 400 μA cm-2 of glucose oxidation current at 25 °C.

Orientated Immobilization of FAD-Dependent Glucose Dehydrogenase on Electrode by Carbohydrate-Binding Module Fusion for Efficient Glucose Assay

The discovery or engineering of fungus-derived FAD-dependent glucose 1-dehydrogenase (FAD-GDH) is especially important in the fabrication and performance of glucose biosensors. In this study, a novel FAD-GDH gene, phylogenetically distantly with other FAD-GDHs from Aspergillus species, was identified. Additionally, the wild-type GDH enzyme, and its fusion enzyme (GDH-NL-CBM2) with a carbohydrate binding module family 2 (CBM2) tag attached by a natural linker (NL), were successfully heterogeneously expressed. In addition, while the GDH was randomly immobilized on the electrode by conventional methods, the GDH-NL-CBM2 was orientationally immobilized on the nanocellulose-modified electrode by the CBM2 affinity adsorption tag through a simple one-step approach. A comparison of the performance of the two electrodes demonstrated that both electrodes responded linearly to glucose in the range of 0.12 to 40.7 mM with a coefficient of determination R² > 0.999, but the sensitivity of immobilized GDH-NL-CBM2 (2.1362 × 10⁻² A/(M*cm²)) was about 1-fold higher than that of GDH (1.2067 × 10⁻² A/(M*cm²)). Moreover, a lower detection limit (51 µM), better reproducibility (<5%) and stability, and shorter response time (≈18 s) and activation time were observed for the GDH-NL-CBM2-modified electrode. This facile and easy immobilization approach used in the preparation of a GDH biosensor may open up new avenues in the development of high-performance amperometric biosensors.

Alteration of Electron Acceptor Preferences in the Oxidative Half-Reaction of Flavin-Dependent Oxidases and Dehydrogenases

In this review, recent progress in the engineering of the oxidative half-reaction of flavin-dependent oxidases and dehydrogenases is discussed, considering their current and future applications in bioelectrochemical studies, such as for the development of biosensors and biofuel cells. There have been two approaches in the studies of oxidative half-reaction: engineering of the oxidative half-reaction with oxygen, and engineering of the preference for artificial electron acceptors. The challenges for engineering oxidative half-reactions with oxygen are further categorized into the following approaches: (1) mutation to the putative residues that compose the cavity where oxygen may be located, (2) investigation of the vicinities where the reaction with oxygen may take place, and (3) investigation of possible oxygen access routes to the isoalloxazine ring. Among these approaches, introducing a mutation at the oxygen access route to the isoalloxazine ring represents the most versatile and effective strategy. Studies to engineer the preference of artificial electron acceptors are categorized into three different approaches: (1) engineering of the charge at the residues around the substrate entrance, (2) engineering of a cavity in the vicinity of flavin, and (3) decreasing the glycosylation degree of enzymes. Among these approaches, altering the charge in the vicinity where the electron acceptor may be accessed will be most relevant.

Employment of 1-Methoxy-5-Ethyl Phenazinium Ethyl Sulfate as a Stable Electron Mediator in Flavin Oxidoreductases-Based Sensors

In this paper, a novel electron mediator, 1-methoxy-5-ethyl phenazinium ethyl sulfate (mPES), was introduced as a versatile mediator for disposable enzyme sensor strips, employing representative flavin oxidoreductases, lactate oxidase (LOx), glucose dehydrogenase (GDH), and fructosyl peptide oxidase (FPOx). A disposable lactate enzyme sensor with oxygen insensitive Aerococcus viridans-derived engineered LOx (AvLOx), with A96L mutant as the enzyme, was constructed. The constructed lactate sensor exhibited a high sensitivity (0.73 ± 0.12 μA/mM) and wide linear range (0–50 mM lactate), showings that mPES functions as an effective mediator for AvLOx. Employing mPES as mediator allowed this amperometric lactate sensor to be operated at a relatively low potential of +0.2 V to 0 V vs. Ag/AgCl, thus avoiding interference from uric acid and acetaminophen. The lactate sensors were adequately stable for at least 48 days of storage at 25 °C. These results indicated that mPES can be replaced with 1-methoxy-5-methyl phenazinium methyl sulfate (mPMS), which we previously reported as the best mediator for AvLOx-based lactate sensors. Furthermore, this study revealed that mPES can be used as an effective electron mediator for the enzyme sensors employing representative flavin oxidoreductases, GDH-based glucose sensors, and FPOx-based hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) sensors.

Engineered Glucose Oxidase Capable of Quasi-Direct Electron Transfer after a Quick-and-Easy Modification with a Mediator

Glucose oxidase (GOx) has been widely utilized for monitoring glycemic levels due to its availability, high activity, and specificity toward glucose. Among the three generations of electrochemical glucose sensor principles, direct electron transfer (DET)-based third-generation sensors are considered the ideal principle since the measurements can be carried out in the absence of a free redox mediator in the solution without the impact of oxygen and at a low enough potential for amperometric measurement to avoid the effect of electrochemically active interferences. However, natural GOx is not capable of DET. Therefore, a simple and rapid strategy to create DET-capable GOx is desired. In this study, we designed engineered GOx, which was made readily available for single-step modification with a redox mediator (phenazine ethosulfate, PES) on its surface via a lysine residue rationally introduced into the enzyme. Thus, PES-modified engineered GOx showed a quasi-DET response upon the addition of glucose. This strategy and the obtained results will contribute to the further development of quasi-DET GOx-based glucose monitoring dedicated to precise and accurate glycemic control for diabetic patient care.

FAD dependent glucose dehydrogenases - Discovery and engineering of representative glucose sensing enzymes

The history of the development of glucose sensors goes hand-in-hand with the history of the discovery and the engineering of glucose-sensing enzymes. Glucose oxidase (GOx) has been used for glucose sensing since the development of the first electrochemical glucose sensor. The principle utilizing oxygen as the electron acceptor is designated as the first-generation electrochemical enzyme sensors. With increasing demand for hand-held and cost-effective devices for the "self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG)", second-generation electrochemical sensor strips employing electron mediators have become the most popular platform. To overcome the inherent drawback of GOx, namely, the use of oxygen as the electron acceptor, various glucose dehydrogenases (GDHs) have been utilized in second-generation principle-based sensors. Among the various enzymes employed in glucose sensors, GDHs harboring FAD as the redox cofactor, FADGDHs, especially those derived from fungi, fFADGDHs, are currently the most popular enzymes in the sensor strips of second-generation SMBG sensors. In addition, the third-generation principle, employing direct electron transfer (DET), is considered the most elegant approach and is ideal for use in electrochemical enzyme sensors. However, glucose oxidoreductases capable of DET are limited. One of the most prominent GDHs capable of DET is a bacteria-derived FADGDH complex (bFADGDH). bFADGDH has three distinct subunits; the FAD harboring the catalytic subunit, the small subunit, and the electron-transfer subunit, which makes bFADGDH capable of DET. In this review, we focused on the two representative glucose sensing enzymes, fFADGDHs and bFADGDHs, by presenting their discovery, sources, and protein and enzyme properties, and the current engineering strategies to improve their potential in sensor applications.