Disposable electrochemical biosensor for the detection of the interaction between DNA and lycorine based on guanine and adenine signals

Electrochemical DNA biosensors developed for the monitoring of biointeractions with drugs: a review

The interaction of drugs with DNA is important for the discovery of novel drug molecules and for understanding the therapeutic effects of drugs as well as the monitoring of side effects. For this reason, many studies have been carried out to investigate the interactions of drugs with nucleic acids. In recent years, a large number of studies have been performed to electrochemically detect drug-DNA interactions. The fast, sensitive, and accurate results of electrochemical techniques have resulted in a leading role for their implementation in this field. By means of electrochemical techniques, it is possible not only to demonstrate drug-DNA interactions but also to quantitatively analyze drugs. In this context, electrochemical biosensors for drug-DNA interactions have been examined under different headings including anticancer, antiviral, antibiotic, and central nervous system drugs as well as DNA-targeted drugs. An overview of the studies related to electrochemical DNA biosensors developed for the detection of drug-DNA interactions that were reported in the last two decades in the literature is presented herein along with their applications and they are discussed together with their future perspectives.

Mechanism of Interactions of dsDNA Binding with Apigenin and Its Sulfamate Derivatives Using Multispectroscopic, Voltammetric, and Molecular Docking Studies

DNA binding investigations are critical for designing better pharmaceutical compounds since the binding of a compound to dsDNA in the minor groove is critical in drug discovery. Although only one in vitro study on the DNA binding mode of apigenin (APG) has been conducted, there have been no electrochemical and theoretical studies reported. We hereby report the mechanism of binding interaction of APG and a new class of sulfonamide-modified flavonoids, apigenin disulfonamide (ADSAM) and apigenin trisulfonamide (ATSAM), with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). This study was conducted using multispectroscopic instrumentation techniques, which include UV-vis absorption, thermal denaturation, fluorescence, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and electrochemical and viscosity measurement methods. Also, molecular docking studies were conducted at room temperature under physiological conditions (pH 7.4). The molecular docking studies showed that, in all cases, the lowest energy docking poses bind to the minor groove of DNA and the apigenin-DNA complex was stabilized by several hydrogen bonds. Also, π-sulfur interactions played a role in the stabilization of the ADSAM-DNA and ATSAM-DNA complexes. The binding affinities of the lowest energy docking pose (schematic diagram of table of content (TOC)) of APG-DNA, ADSAM-DNA, and ATSAM-DNA complexes were found to be -8.2, -8.5, and -8.4 kcal mol-1, respectively. The electrochemical binding constants K b were determined to be (1.05 × 105) ± 0.04, (0.47 × 105) ± 0.02, and (8.13 × 105) ± 0.03 for APG, ADSAM, and ATSAM, respectively (all of the tests were run in triplicate and expressed as the mean and standard deviation (SD)). The K b constants calculated for APG, ADSAM, and ATSAM are in harmony for all techniques. As a result of the incorporation of dimethylsulfamate groups into the APG structure, in the ADSAM-dsDNA and ATSAM-dsDNA complexes, in addition to hydrogen bonds, π-sulfur interactions have also contributed to the stabilization of the ligand-DNA complexes. This work provides new insights that could lead to the development of prospective drugs and vaccines.

Molecularly imprinted sol-gel electrochemical sensor for sildenafil based on a pencil graphite electrode modified by Preyssler heteropolyacid/gold nanoparticles/MWCNT nanocomposite

An electrochemical sensor based on the imprinted sol-gel on pencil graphite electrode (PGE) modified with functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and Preyssler heteropolyacid (PHPA) nanohybrid was fabricated for the determination of trace amounts of sildenafil. The pencil graphite electrode was first deposited by the AuNPs@PHPA-MWCNT nanohybrids, and then, the modified electrode of MIP-sol-gel/AuNPs@PHPA-MWCNTs was prepared by the electrochemical method. The synthesized nanohybrids and prepared modified electrodes were characterized with FE-SEM, FTIR, EDX, XRD, and UV/Vis. Cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and differential pulse voltammetry techniques were applied for the electrochemical analysis using the modified electrodes. By measuring the oxidation and reduction currents of the potassium ferricyanide probe, the efficiency of this sensor was evaluated for the detection of sildenafil. The anodic peak current was measured at 0.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl by differential pulse voltammetry in the potential range - 0.1 to 0.5 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Under the optimum conditions, the current response for the detection of sildenafil was linear in two concentration ranges of 0.1-2 and 2-30 nM and the obtained limit of detection was 0.033 nM. The constructed sensor was used for the measurement of sildenafil in real samples.

Insight to the antifungal properties of Amaryllidaceae constituents

BACKGROUND

Fungal pathogenesis continues to be a burden to healthcare structures in both developed and developing nations. The gradual and irreversible loss of efficacies of existing antifungal medicines as well as the emergence of drug-resistant strains have contributed largely to this scenario. There is therefore a pressing need for new drugs from diverse structural backgrounds with improved potencies and novel modes of action to fortify or replace contemporary antifungal schedules.

AIM

Alkaloids of the plant family Amaryllidaceae exhibit good growth inhibitory activities against several fungal pathogens. This review focuses on the mechanistic aspects of these antifungal activities. It achieves this by highlighting the molecular targets as well as structural features of Amaryllidaceae constituents which serve to enhance such action.

METHODS

During the information gathering stage extensive use was made of the three database platforms; Google Scholar, SciFinder and Scopus. In most instances articles were accessed directly from journals licensed to the University of KwaZulu-Natal. In the absence of such proprietary agreements the respective corresponding authors were approached directly for copies of papers.

RESULTS

Although several classes of molecules from the Amaryllidaceae have been probed for their antifungal effects, it is the key constituents lycorine and narciclasine which have together afforded the most profound mechanistic insights. These may be summarized as follows: (i) effects on the fungal cell wall and cell membrane; (ii) effects on morphology such as budding and hyphal growth; (iii) effects on fungal organelles such as ribosomes; (iv) effects on macromolecules such as DNA, RNA and proteins and; (v) identification of the active sites for these constituents.

CONCLUSION

The key feature in the antifungal effects of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids is the inhibition of protein synthesis. This involved the inhibition of peptide bond formation by binding to yeast ribosomes via the 60S subunit. Related effects involved the inhibition of both DNA and RNA synthesis. These adverse effects were reflected morphologically on both the fungal cell wall and cell membrane. Such observations should prove useful in the chemotherapeutic arena should efforts shift towards the development of a clinical candidate.

DNA Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Sensors for Nucleic Acids

Sensitive, specific, and fast analysis of nucleic acids (NAs) is strongly needed in medicine, environmental science, biodefence, and agriculture for the study of bacterial contamination of food and beverages and genetically modified organisms. Electrochemistry offers accurate, simple, inexpensive, and robust tools for the development of such analytical platforms that can successfully compete with other approaches for NA detection. Here, electrode reactions of DNA, basic principles of electrochemical NA analysis, and their relevance for practical applications are reviewed and critically discussed.

Development of a novel and cost-effective redox sensor for voltammetric determination of pantoprazole sodium during pharmacokinetic studies

A pencil graphite electrode modified with poly (bromocresol green (BCG)) was prepared by electro-polymerization process for the determination of pantoprazole sodium. The surface morphology and structure of poly (BCG) film were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The determination of pantoprazole sodium in Britton-Robinson buffer (pH 7.0) was carried out by square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetric technique. Under optimum conditions, the linear response of the peak with concentration of the cited drug was in the range of 6.6-360 × 10^-8M with limit of detection of 2.2 × 10^-8M. Moreover, the poly (BCG)-modified electrode has been successfully applied to determine pantoprazole sodium in tablets, vials and during pharmacokinetic studies.

Highly sensitive and selective complexation based voltammetric methods for the analysis of rabeprazole sodium in real samples

The effect of adding transition metals to the electrolyte containing proton pump inhibitors, such as rabeprazole sodium (RAB sodium), on the voltammetric response of pencil graphite electrode was studied.

Utility of Activated Glassy Carbon and Pencil Graphite Electrodes for Voltammetric Determination of Nalbuphine Hydrochloride in Pharmaceutical and Biological Fluids

This work compares voltammetric response of nalbuphine hydrochloride (NP·HCl) at both activated glassy carbon and pencil graphite electrodes. The electrochemical oxidation of the drug was studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and square wave voltammetry (SWV) techniques. For analytical purpose a well-resolved irreversible diffusion controlled voltammetric peak was established in Britton-Robinson (B-R) buffer solution of pH 6.00 using pencil graphite electrode (PGE). Using activated glassy carbon electrode (GCE) a well-resolved irreversible diffusion controlled voltammetric peak was obtained at pH 7.00 using the same buffer solution. According to the linear relationship between the peak current and NP·HCl concentration, DPV and SWV methods were developed for their quantitative determination in pharmaceutical and human biological fluids. The linear response was obtained in the range from1.6×10-5to1.5×10-4 mol L−1using PGE and from12.5×10-6to13.75×10-5 mol L−1using a GC electrode, respectively. Precision and accuracy of the developed method were checked by recovery studies.

Pharmacogenomic study using bio- and nanobioelectrochemistry: Drug-DNA interaction

Small molecules that bind genomic DNA have proven that they can be effective anticancer, antibiotic and antiviral therapeutic agents that affect the well-being of millions of people worldwide. Drug-DNA interaction affects DNA replication and division; causes strand breaks, and mutations. Therefore, the investigation of drug-DNA interaction is needed to understand the mechanism of drug action as well as in designing DNA-targeted drugs. On the other hand, the interaction between DNA and drugs can cause chemical and conformational modifications and, thus, variation of the electrochemical properties of nucleobases. For this purpose, electrochemical methods/biosensors can be used toward detection of drug-DNA interactions. The present paper reviews the drug-DNA interactions, their types and applications of electrochemical techniques used to study interactions between DNA and drugs or small ligand molecules that are potentially of pharmaceutical interest. The results are used to determine drug binding sites and sequence preference, as well as conformational changes due to drug-DNA interactions. Also, the intention of this review is to give an overview of the present state of the drug-DNA interaction cognition. The applications of electrochemical techniques for investigation of drug-DNA interaction were reviewed and we have discussed the type of qualitative or quantitative information that can be obtained from the use of each technique.

Label-free electrochemical DNA sensor using "click"-functionalized PEDOT electrodes

Here we describe a label-free electrochemical DNA sensor based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-modified (PEDOT-modified) electrodes. An acetylene-terminated DNA probe, complementary to a specific "Hepatitis C" virus sequence, was immobilized onto azido-derivatized conducting PEDOT electrodes using "click" chemistry. DNA hybridization was then detected by differential pulse voltammetry, evaluating the changes in the electrochemical properties of the polymer produced by the recognition event. A limit of detection of 0.13 nM was achieved using this highly selective PEDOT-based genosensor, without the need for labeling techniques or microelectrode fabrication processes. These results are promising for the development of label-free and reagentless DNA hybridization sensors based on conducting polymeric substrates. Biosensors can be easily prepared using any DNA sequence containing an alkyne moiety. The data presented here reveal the potential of this DNA sensor for diagnostic applications in the screening of diseases, such as "Hepatitis C", and genetic mutations.

Functionalized solid electrodes for electrochemical biosensing of purine nucleobases and their analogues: a review

Interest in electrochemical analysis of purine nucleobases and few other important purine derivatives has been growing rapidly. Over the period of the past decade, the design of electrochemical biosensors has been focused on achieving high sensitivity and efficiency. The range of existing electrochemical methods with carbon electrode displays the highest rate in the development of biosensors. Moreover, modification of electrode surfaces based on nanomaterials is frequently used due to their extraordinary conductivity and surface to volume ratio. Different strategies for modifying electrode surfaces facilitate electron transport between the electrode surface and biomolecules, including DNA, oligonucleotides and their components. This review aims to summarize recent developments in the electrochemical analysis of purine derivatives, as well as discuss different applications.

Gold nanoparticle/polymer nanocomposite for highly sensitive drug–DNA interaction

We demonstrate a gold nanaparticle/polyvinylferrocenium (AuNP/PVF⁺) coated platinum (Pt) electrode for sensing highly sensitive DNA–anticancer drug interactions.

Mechanistic Insights to the Cytotoxicity of Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids

With over 500 individual compounds, the Amaryllidaceae alkaloids represent a large and structurally diverse group of phytochemicals. Coupled to this structural diversity is the significant array of biological properties manifested by many of its members, of which their relevance in motor neuron disease and cancer chemotherapy has attracted considerable attention. To this extent, galanthamine has evolved into a successful commercial drug for Alzheimer's disease since its approval by the FDA in 2001. Concurrently, there have been several positive indicators for the emergence of an anticancer drug from the Amaryllidaceae due to the potency of several of its representatives as cell line specific antiproliferative agents. In this regard, the phenanthridones such as pancratistatin and narciclasine have offered most promise since their advancement into clinical trials, following which there has been renewed interest in the cytotoxic properties of these alkaloids. Given this background, this review seeks to highlight the various mechanisms which have been invoked to corroborate the cytotoxic effects of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids.

Cytotoxicity Studies of Lycorine Alkaloids of the Amaryllidaceae

The plant family Amaryllidaceae is renowned for its unique alkaloid constituents which possess a significant array of structural diversity. Several of these alkaloids are known for their interesting biological properties, of which galanthamine and pancratistatin have acquired a privileged status due to their relevance in the pharmaceutical arena. In particular, galanthamine represents the first prescription drug emanating from the Amaryllidaceae after its approval by the FDA in 2001 for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Following on this commercial success there have been sustained projections for the emergence of an anticancer agent related to pancratistatin due to the potency, selectivity, low toxicity and high tolerability typifying targets of this series of alkaloids. The lycorine series of alkaloids have also garnered widespread interest as cytotoxic agents and were amongst the earliest of the Amaryllidaceae constituents to exhibit such activity. To date over 100 of such naturally-occurring or synthetically-derived alkaloids have been screened for cytotoxic effects against a number of cancer cell lines. This survey examines the cytotoxic properties of lycorine alkaloids, highlights the outcomes of structure-activity relationship orientated studies and affords plausible insights to the mechanistic rationale behind these effects.

Intrinsically conducting polymer nanowires for biosensing

The fabrication of conductive polymer nanowires and their sensing of nucleic acids, proteins and pathogens is reviewed in this feature article.

Highly selective electrochemical biosensor for the determination of folic acid based on DNA modified-pencil graphite electrode using response surface methodology

An electrochemical DNA biosensor was proposed as a screening device for the rapid analysis of folic acid using a pencil graphite electrode modified with salmon sperm ds-DNA. At first, immobilization of the ds-DNA on pencil graphite electrode was optimized using response surface methodology. Solution pH, DNA concentration, time of DNA deposition and potential of deposition was optimized each at three levels. The optimum combinations for the reaction were pH 4.8, DNA concentration of 24 μg mL(-1), deposition time of 304 s, and deposition potential of 0.60 V, by which the adenine signal was recorded as 3.04 μA. Secondly the binding of folic acid to DNA immobilized on a pencil graphite electrode was measured through the variation of the electrochemical signal of adenine. Folic acid could be measure in the range of 0.1-10.0 μmol L(-1) with a detection limit of 1.06×10(-8) μmol L(-1). The relative standard deviations for ten replicate differential pulse voltammetric measurements of 2.0 and 5.0 μmol L(-1) folic acid were 4.6% and 4.3%, respectively. The biosensor was successfully used to measure folic acid in different real samples.

Electrocatalytic oxidation of NADH using a pencil graphite electrode modified with quercetin

In the present study, the electrocatalytic oxidation of reduced β nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) was investigated using a pencil graphite electrode modified with quercetin (PGE/QH(2)). The PGE/QH(2) was prepared through two steps: (i) the pre-treatment of PGE at 1.40 V vs. Ag|AgCl|KCl((sat.)) in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer containing 0.1 M KCl for 60s and (ii) adsorption of QH(2) on the PGE via immersion of PGE into a 1.0mM QH(2) solution (in ethanol) for 60s. Cyclic voltammetric studies show that the peak potential of NADH oxidation shifts from +500 mV at bare PGE to +300 mV at PGE/QH(2). The electrocatalytic currents obtained from amperometric measurements at +300 mV vs. Ag|AgCl|KCl((sat.)) and in phosphate buffer solution at pH 7.0 containing 0.1M KCl were linearly related to the concentration of NADH. Linear calibration plots are obtained in the concentration range from 0.5 μM to 100 μM. The limit of detection was found to be 0.15 μM.

Electrochemical DNA sensor based on methylene blue functionalized polythiophene as a hybridization indicator

A polythiophene functionalized with methylene blue (PMT-MB) was synthesized and used as an indicator for electrochemical oligonucleotides (ODNs) hybridization detection. After hybridization with complementary ODNs, the current signal of PMT-MB increased, which illustrated that PMT-MB can effectively recognize complementary ODN targets as an indicator. Compared to MB, PMT-MB showed much better resistance to the concentration change of buffer solution. In all buffer solutions tested, the hybridization always resulted in the increased current signal of PMT-MB due to the electrostatic interaction. While, when MB was used as an indicator, the inconsistent current response was obtained after the hybridization. When high concentration of buffer solution was used for accumulation, the hybridization resulted in the decreased current signal, while at the low concentrations, the current signal increased. The interaction between PMT-MB and dsODNs was also studied by UV-vis spectroscopy.

Voltammetric Detection of Dopamine in Presence of Ascorbic Acid and Uric Acid at Poly (Xylenol Orange) Film-Coated Graphite Pencil Electrode

Poly (xylenol orange) film-coated graphite pencil electrode was fabricated for the detection of dopamine in the presence of ascorbic acid and uric acid in phosphate buffer solution of pH 7. The redox peaks obtained at modified electrode shows a good enhancement. The scan rate effect was found to be a diffusion-controlled electrode process. The electrochemical oxidation of dopamine was depended on pH, and the limit of detection was found to be 9.1×10−8 M. The simultaneous study gave and excellent result with great potential difference between dopamine and other bioactive organic molecules by using both cyclic voltammetric and differential pulse voltammetric techniques. The present modified graphite electrode was applied to the detection of dopamine in the injection samples, and the recovery obtained was satisfactory.