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Ju H, Cheng L, Li M, Mei K, He S, Jia C, Guo X. Single-Molecule Electrical Profiling of Peptides and Proteins. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2401877. [PMID: 38639403 PMCID: PMC11267281 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202401877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
In recent decades, there has been a significant increase in the application of single-molecule electrical analysis platforms in studying proteins and peptides. These advanced analysis methods have the potential for deep investigation of enzymatic working mechanisms and accurate monitoring of dynamic changes in protein configurations, which are often challenging to achieve in ensemble measurements. In this work, the prominent research progress in peptide and protein-related studies are surveyed using electronic devices with single-molecule/single-event sensitivity, including single-molecule junctions, single-molecule field-effect transistors, and nanopores. In particular, the successful commercial application of nanopores in DNA sequencing has made it one of the most promising techniques in protein sequencing at the single-molecule level. From single peptides to protein complexes, the correlation between their electrical characteristics, structures, and biological functions is gradually being established. This enables to distinguish different molecular configurations of these biomacromolecules through real-time electrical monitoring of their life activities, significantly improving the understanding of the mechanisms underlying various life processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Ju
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and TechnologyTianjin UniversityTianjin300072P. R. China
- Center of Single‐Molecule SciencesInstitute of Modern OpticsFrontiers Science Center for New Organic MatterTianjin Key Laboratory of Microscale Optical Information Science and TechnologyCollege of Electronic Information and Optical EngineeringNankai UniversityTianjin300350P. R. China
| | - Li Cheng
- Center of Single‐Molecule SciencesInstitute of Modern OpticsFrontiers Science Center for New Organic MatterTianjin Key Laboratory of Microscale Optical Information Science and TechnologyCollege of Electronic Information and Optical EngineeringNankai UniversityTianjin300350P. R. China
| | - Mengmeng Li
- Center of Single‐Molecule SciencesInstitute of Modern OpticsFrontiers Science Center for New Organic MatterTianjin Key Laboratory of Microscale Optical Information Science and TechnologyCollege of Electronic Information and Optical EngineeringNankai UniversityTianjin300350P. R. China
| | - Kunrong Mei
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and TechnologyTianjin UniversityTianjin300072P. R. China
| | - Suhang He
- Center of Single‐Molecule SciencesInstitute of Modern OpticsFrontiers Science Center for New Organic MatterTianjin Key Laboratory of Microscale Optical Information Science and TechnologyCollege of Electronic Information and Optical EngineeringNankai UniversityTianjin300350P. R. China
| | - Chuancheng Jia
- Center of Single‐Molecule SciencesInstitute of Modern OpticsFrontiers Science Center for New Organic MatterTianjin Key Laboratory of Microscale Optical Information Science and TechnologyCollege of Electronic Information and Optical EngineeringNankai UniversityTianjin300350P. R. China
| | - Xuefeng Guo
- Center of Single‐Molecule SciencesInstitute of Modern OpticsFrontiers Science Center for New Organic MatterTianjin Key Laboratory of Microscale Optical Information Science and TechnologyCollege of Electronic Information and Optical EngineeringNankai UniversityTianjin300350P. R. China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular SciencesNational Biomedical Imaging CenterCollege of Chemistry and Molecular EngineeringPeking UniversityBeijing100871P. R. China
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Recent Advances in In Situ/Operando Surface/Interface Characterization Techniques for the Study of Artificial Photosynthesis. INORGANICS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/inorganics11010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
(Photo-)electrocatalytic artificial photosynthesis driven by electrical and/or solar energy that converts water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) into hydrogen (H2), carbohydrates and oxygen (O2), has proven to be a promising and effective route for producing clean alternatives to fossil fuels, as well as for storing intermittent renewable energy, and thus to solve the energy crisis and climate change issues that we are facing today. Basic (photo-)electrocatalysis consists of three main processes: (1) light absorption, (2) the separation and transport of photogenerated charge carriers, and (3) the transfer of photogenerated charge carriers at the interfaces. With further research, scientists have found that these three steps are significantly affected by surface and interface properties (e.g., defect, dangling bonds, adsorption/desorption, surface recombination, electric double layer (EDL), surface dipole). Therefore, the catalytic performance, which to a great extent is determined by the physicochemical properties of surfaces and interfaces between catalyst and reactant, can be changed dramatically under working conditions. Common approaches for investigating these phenomena include X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), scanning probe microscopy (SPM), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXRD), auger electron spectroscopy (AES), transmission electron microscope (TEM), etc. Generally, these techniques can only be applied under ex situ conditions and cannot fully recover the changes of catalysts in real chemical reactions. How to identify and track alterations of the catalysts, and thus provide further insight into the complex mechanisms behind them, has become a major research topic in this field. The application of in situ/operando characterization techniques enables real-time monitoring and analysis of dynamic changes. Therefore, researchers can obtain physical and/or chemical information during the reaction (e.g., morphology, chemical bonding, valence state, photocurrent distribution, surface potential variation, surface reconstruction), or even by the combination of these techniques as a suite (e.g., atomic force microscopy-based infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR), or near-ambient-pressure STM/XPS combined system (NAP STM-XPS)) to correlate the various properties simultaneously, so as to further reveal the reaction mechanisms. In this review, we briefly describe the working principles of in situ/operando surface/interface characterization technologies (i.e., SPM and X-ray spectroscopy) and discuss the recent progress in monitoring relevant surface/interface changes during water splitting and CO2 reduction reactions (CO2RR). We hope that this review will provide our readers with some ideas and guidance about how these in situ/operando characterization techniques can help us investigate the changes in catalyst surfaces/interfaces, and further promote the development of (photo-)electrocatalytic surface and interface engineering.
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Zhang B, Ryan E, Wang X, Song W, Lindsay S. Electronic Transport in Molecular Wires of Precisely Controlled Length Built from Modular Proteins. ACS NANO 2022; 16:1671-1680. [PMID: 35029115 PMCID: PMC9279515 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c10830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
DNA molecular wires have been studied extensively because of the ease with which molecules of controlled length and composition can be synthesized. The same has not been true for proteins. Here, we have synthesized and studied a series of consensus tetratricopeptide repeat (CTPR) proteins, spanning 4 to 20 nm in length, in increments of 4 nm. For lengths in excess of 6 nm, their conductance exceeds that of the canonical molecular wire, oligo(phenylene-ethylenene), because of the more gradual decay of conductance with length in the protein. We show that, while the conductance decay fits an exponential (characteristic of quantum tunneling) and not a linear increase of resistance with length (characteristic of hopping transport), it is also accounted for by a square-law dependence on length (characteristic of weakly driven hopping). Measurements of the energy dependence of the decay length rule out the quantum tunneling case. A resonance in the carrier injection energy shows that allowed states in the protein align with the Fermi energy of the electrodes. Both the energy of these states and the long-range of hopping suggest that the reorganization induced by hole formation is greatly reduced inside the protein. We outline a model for calculating the molecular-electronic properties of proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bintian Zhang
- Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281
| | - Eathen Ryan
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281
| | - Xu Wang
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281
| | - Weisi Song
- Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281
| | - Stuart Lindsay
- Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281
- Corresponding Author: Stuart Lindsay: Phone 480 205 6432
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Engelbrekt C, Nazmutdinov RR, Shermukhamedov S, Ulstrup J, Zinkicheva TT, Xiao X. Complex single‐molecule and molecular scale entities in electrochemical environments: Mechanisms and challenges. ELECTROCHEMICAL SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/elsa.202100157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Engelbrekt
- Department of Chemistry Technical University of Denmark Building 207, DK0‐2800 Kgs. Lyngby Denmark
| | - Renat R. Nazmutdinov
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry Kazan National Research Technological University Karl Marx Str. 68 Kazan 420015 Russian Federation
| | - Shokirbek Shermukhamedov
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry Kazan National Research Technological University Karl Marx Str. 68 Kazan 420015 Russian Federation
| | - Jens Ulstrup
- Department of Chemistry Technical University of Denmark Building 207, DK0‐2800 Kgs. Lyngby Denmark
| | - Tamara T. Zinkicheva
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry Kazan National Research Technological University Karl Marx Str. 68 Kazan 420015 Russian Federation
| | - Xinxin Xiao
- Department of Chemistry Technical University of Denmark Building 207, DK0‐2800 Kgs. Lyngby Denmark
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Pattiya Arachchillage KGG, Chandra S, Piso A, Qattan T, Artes Vivancos JM. RNA BioMolecular Electronics: towards new tools for biophysics and biomedicine. J Mater Chem B 2021; 9:6994-7006. [PMID: 34494636 DOI: 10.1039/d1tb01141c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The last half-century has witnessed the birth and development of a new multidisciplinary field at the edge between materials science, nanoscience, engineering, and chemistry known as Molecular Electronics. This field deals with the electronic properties of individual molecules and their integration as active components in electronic circuits and has also been applied to biomolecules, leading to BioMolecular Electronics and opening new perspectives for single-molecule biophysics and biomedicine. Herein, we provide a brief introduction and overview of the BioMolecular electronics field, focusing on nucleic acids and potential applications for these measurements. In particular, we review the recent demonstration of the first single-molecule electrical detection of a biologically-relevant nucleic acid. We also show how this could be used to study biomolecular interactions and applications in liquid biopsy for early cancer detection, among others. Finally, we discuss future perspectives and challenges in the applications of this fascinating research field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Subrata Chandra
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell, One University Ave, 01854 Lowell, MA, USA.
| | - Angela Piso
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell, One University Ave, 01854 Lowell, MA, USA.
| | - Tiba Qattan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell, One University Ave, 01854 Lowell, MA, USA.
| | - Juan M Artes Vivancos
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell, One University Ave, 01854 Lowell, MA, USA.
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Akhtar A, Rashid U, Seth C, Kumar S, Broekmann P, Kaliginedi V. Modulating the charge transport in metal│molecule│metal junctions via electrochemical gating. Electrochim Acta 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.138540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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7
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Zeng D, Salvatore P, Karlsen KK, Zhang J, Wengel J, Ulstrup J. Reprint of "Electrochemical intercalator binding to single- and double-strand DNA- and LNA-based molecules on Au(111)-electrode surfaces". J Electroanal Chem (Lausanne) 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2020.114527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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8
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Lindsay S. Ubiquitous Electron Transport in Non-Electron Transfer Proteins. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:life10050072. [PMID: 32443721 PMCID: PMC7281237 DOI: 10.3390/life10050072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Many proteins that have no known role in electron transfer processes are excellent electronic conductors. This surprising characteristic is not generally evident in bulk aggregates or crystals, or in isolated, solvated peptides, because the outer hydrophilic shell of the protein presents a barrier to charge injection. Ligands that penetrate this barrier make excellent electrical contacts, yielding conductivities on the order of a S/m. The Fermi Energy of metal electrodes is aligned with the energy of internal electronic states of the protein, as evidenced by resonant transmission peaks at about 0.3V on the Normal Hydrogen Electrode scale. This energy is about 0.7 V less than the oxidation potential of aromatic amino acids, indicating a large reduction in electrostatic reorganization energy losses in the interior of the proteins. Consistent with a possible biological role for this conductance, there is a strong dependence on protein conformation. Thus, direct measurement of conductance is a powerful new way to read out protein conformation in real time, opening the way to new types of single molecule sensors and sequencing devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart Lindsay
- Biodesign Institute, Department of Physics and School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
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Zeng D, Salvatore P, Karlsen KK, Zhang J, Wengel J, Ulstrup J. Electrochemical intercalator binding to single- and double-strand DNA- and LNA-based molecules on Au(111)-electrode surfaces. J Electroanal Chem (Lausanne) 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2020.114138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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10
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Zhang B, Song W, Brown J, Nemanich R, Lindsay S. Electronic Conductance Resonance in Non-Redox-Active Proteins. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:6432-6438. [PMID: 32176496 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c01805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Bioelectronics research has mainly focused on redox-active proteins because of their role in biological charge transport. In these proteins, electronic conductance is a maximum when electrons are injected at the known redox potential of the protein. It has been shown recently that many non-redox-active proteins are good electronic conductors, though the mechanism of conduction is not yet understood. Here, we report single-molecule measurements of the conductance of three non-redox-active proteins, maintained under potential control in solution, as a function of electron injection energy. All three proteins show a conductance resonance at a potential ∼0.7 V removed from the nearest oxidation potential of their constituent amino acids. If this shift reflects a reduction of reorganization energy in the interior of the protein, it would account for the long-range conductance observed when carriers are injected into the interior of a protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bintian Zhang
- Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 87287, United States
| | - Weisi Song
- Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 87287, United States
| | - Jesse Brown
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 87287, United States
| | - Robert Nemanich
- Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 87287, United States
| | - Stuart Lindsay
- Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 87287, United States.,Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 87287, United States.,School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 87287, United States
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11
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Bowen BJ, McGarrity AR, Szeto JYA, Pudney CR, Jones DD. Switching protein metalloporphyrin binding specificity by design from iron to fluorogenic zinc. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:4308-4311. [PMID: 32186552 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc00596g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Metalloporphyrins play important roles in areas ranging from biology to nanoscience. Using computational design, we converted metalloporphyrin specificity of cytochrome b562 from iron to fluorogenic zinc. The new variant had a near total preference for zinc representing a switch in specificity, which greatly enhanced the negligible aqueous fluorescence of free ZnPP in vitro and in vivo.
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12
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Taniguchi M. Paving the way to single-molecule chemistry through molecular electronics. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019; 21:9641-9650. [PMID: 31062773 DOI: 10.1039/c9cp00264b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Since our understanding of single-molecule junctions, in which single molecules are connected between nanoelectrodes, has deepened, we have paved the way to single-molecule chemistry. Herein, we review fundamental properties, including the number of molecules connected to the electrode, their structure and type, the bonding force between the single molecule and electrode and the thermopower and quantum interference in single-molecule junctions. Additionally, we review the application of single-molecule junctions to biomolecules. Finally, we explore single-molecule chemical reaction analysis, which is one direction of single-molecule junction research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masateru Taniguchi
- The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan.
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13
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Zhang L, Ulstrup J, Zhang J. Voltammetry and molecular assembly of G-quadruplex DNAzyme on single-crystal Au(111)-electrode surfaces - hemin as an electrochemical intercalator. Faraday Discuss 2018; 193:99-112. [PMID: 27722546 DOI: 10.1039/c6fd00091f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
DNA quadruplexes (qs) are a class of "non-canonical" oligonucleotides (OGNs) composed of stacked guanine (G) quartets stabilized by specific cations. Metal porphyrins selectively bind to G-qs complexes to form what is known as DNAzyme, which can exhibit peroxidase and other catalytic activity similar to heme group metalloenzymes. In the present study we investigate the electrochemical properties and the structure of DNAzyme monolayers on single-crystal Au(111)-electrode surfaces using cyclic voltammetry and scanning tunnelling microscopy under electrochemical potential control (in situ STM). The target DNAzyme is formed from a single-strand OGN with 12 guanines and iron(iii) porphyrin IX (hemin), and assembles on Au(111) through a mercapto alkyl linker. The DNAzyme monolayers exhibit a strong pair of redox peaks at 0.0 V (NHE) at pH 7 in acetate buffer, shifted positively by about 50 mV compared to free hemin weakly physisorbed on the Au(111)-electrode surface. The voltammetric hemin signal of DNAzyme is enhanced 15 times compared with that of hemin adsorbed directly on the Au(111)-electrode surface. This is indicative of both the formation of a close to dense DNAzyme monolayer and that hemin is strongly bound to the immobilized 12G-qs in well-defined orientation favorable for interfacial ET with a rate constant of 6.0 ± 0.4 s-1. This is supported by in situ STM which discloses single-molecule G-quartet structures with a size of 1.6 ± 0.2 nm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Building 207, Kemitorvet, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Jens Ulstrup
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Building 207, Kemitorvet, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Jingdong Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Building 207, Kemitorvet, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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14
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Zaki AJ, Hartley AM, Reddington SC, Thomas SK, Watson P, Hayes A, Moskalenko AV, Craciun MF, Macdonald JE, Jones DD, Elliott M. Defined covalent assembly of protein molecules on graphene using a genetically encoded photochemical reaction handle. RSC Adv 2018; 8:5768-5775. [PMID: 35539607 PMCID: PMC9078156 DOI: 10.1039/c7ra11166e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
We have created modified protein variants by introducing a non-canonical amino acid p-azido-l-phenylalanine (azF) into defined positions for photochemically-induced covalent attachment to graphene. Attachment of GFP, TEM and cyt b 562 proteins was verified through a combination of atomic force and scanning tunnelling microscopy, resistance measurements, Raman data and fluorescence measurements. This method can in principle be extended to any protein which can be engineered in this way without adversely affecting its structural stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athraa J Zaki
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University Cardiff CF24 3AA UK
| | | | | | - Suzanne K Thomas
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University Cardiff CF24 3AA UK
| | - Peter Watson
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University CF10 3AX UK
| | - Anthony Hayes
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University CF10 3AX UK
| | - Andy V Moskalenko
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University Cardiff CF24 3AA UK
| | | | - J Emyr Macdonald
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University Cardiff CF24 3AA UK
| | | | - Martin Elliott
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University Cardiff CF24 3AA UK
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15
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Bostick CD, Mukhopadhyay S, Pecht I, Sheves M, Cahen D, Lederman D. Protein bioelectronics: a review of what we do and do not know. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2018; 81:026601. [PMID: 29303117 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6633/aa85f2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We review the status of protein-based molecular electronics. First, we define and discuss fundamental concepts of electron transfer and transport in and across proteins and proposed mechanisms for these processes. We then describe the immobilization of proteins to solid-state surfaces in both nanoscale and macroscopic approaches, and highlight how different methodologies can alter protein electronic properties. Because immobilizing proteins while retaining biological activity is crucial to the successful development of bioelectronic devices, we discuss this process at length. We briefly discuss computational predictions and their connection to experimental results. We then summarize how the biological activity of immobilized proteins is beneficial for bioelectronic devices, and how conductance measurements can shed light on protein properties. Finally, we consider how the research to date could influence the development of future bioelectronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Bostick
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, United States of America. Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, United States of America
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16
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Approaches to single-molecule studies of metalloprotein electron transfer using scanning probe-based techniques. Biochem Soc Trans 2017; 46:1-9. [DOI: 10.1042/bst20170229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The single-molecule properties of metalloproteins have provided an intensely active research area in recent years. This brief review covers some of the techniques used to prepare, measure and analyse the electron transfer properties of metalloproteins, concentrating on scanning tunnelling microscopy-based techniques and advances in attachment of proteins to electrodes.
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17
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Freeley M, Worthy HL, Ahmed R, Bowen B, Watkins D, Macdonald JE, Zheng M, Jones DD, Palma M. Site-Specific One-to-One Click Coupling of Single Proteins to Individual Carbon Nanotubes: A Single-Molecule Approach. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:17834-17840. [PMID: 29148737 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b07362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
We report the site-specific coupling of single proteins to individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in solution and with single-molecule control. Using an orthogonal Click reaction, Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) was engineered to contain a genetically encoded azide group and then bound to CNT ends in different configurations: in close proximity or at longer distances from the GFP's functional center. Atomic force microscopy and fluorescence analysis in solution and on surfaces at the single-protein level confirmed the importance of bioengineering optimal protein attachment sites to achieve direct protein-nanotube communication and bridging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Freeley
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Institute of Bioengineering, and Materials Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London , Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom
| | - Harley L Worthy
- Division of Molecular Biosciences, School of Biosciences, Main Building, Cardiff University , Cardiff, Wales CF10 3AX, United Kingdom
| | - Rochelle Ahmed
- Division of Molecular Biosciences, School of Biosciences, Main Building, Cardiff University , Cardiff, Wales CF10 3AX, United Kingdom
| | - Ben Bowen
- Division of Molecular Biosciences, School of Biosciences, Main Building, Cardiff University , Cardiff, Wales CF10 3AX, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Watkins
- Division of Molecular Biosciences, School of Biosciences, Main Building, Cardiff University , Cardiff, Wales CF10 3AX, United Kingdom
| | - J Emyr Macdonald
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University , Queens's Building, The Parade, Cardiff CF24 3AA, United Kingdom
| | - Ming Zheng
- Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology , 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8542, United States
| | - D Dafydd Jones
- Division of Molecular Biosciences, School of Biosciences, Main Building, Cardiff University , Cardiff, Wales CF10 3AX, United Kingdom
| | - Matteo Palma
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Institute of Bioengineering, and Materials Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London , Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom
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18
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Zhu N, Hao X, Ulstrup J, Chi Q. Single-Nanoparticle Resolved Biomimetic Long-Range Electron Transfer and Electrocatalysis of Mixed-Valence Nanoparticles. ACS Catal 2016. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.6b00411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 207, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Xian Hao
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 207, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jens Ulstrup
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 207, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Qijin Chi
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 207, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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19
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Mathwig K, Chi Q, Lemay SG, Rassaei L. Handling and Sensing of Single Enzyme Molecules: From Fluorescence Detection towards Nanoscale Electrical Measurements. Chemphyschem 2015; 17:452-7. [DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201500686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Mathwig
- Pharmaceutical Analysis; Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy; University of Groningen; P.O. Box 196 9700 AD Groningen The Netherlands
| | - Qijin Chi
- Department of Chemistry; Technical University of Denmark; 2800 Kongens Lyngby Denmark
| | - Serge G. Lemay
- MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology; University of Twente; P.O. Box 217 7500 AE Enschede The Netherlands
| | - Liza Rassaei
- Laboratory of Organic Materials and Interfaces; Department of Chemical Engineering; Delft University of Technology; Julianalaan 136 2628 BL Delft The Netherlands
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Osorio HM, Catarelli S, Cea P, Gluyas JBG, Hartl F, Higgins SJ, Leary E, Low PJ, Martín S, Nichols RJ, Tory J, Ulstrup J, Vezzoli A, Milan DC, Zeng Q. Electrochemical Single-Molecule Transistors with Optimized Gate Coupling. J Am Chem Soc 2015; 137:14319-28. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b08431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Henrry M. Osorio
- Departamento
de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Samantha Catarelli
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Pilar Cea
- Departamento
de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto
de Nanociencia de Aragón (INA) and Laboratorio de microscopias
avanzadas (LMA), edificio i+d Campus Rio Ebro, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/Mariano Esquillor, s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Josef B. G. Gluyas
- School
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley 6009, Australia
| | - František Hartl
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AD, U.K
| | - Simon J. Higgins
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Edmund Leary
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Paul J. Low
- School
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley 6009, Australia
| | - Santiago Martín
- Departamento
de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto
de Ciencias de Materiales de Aragón (ICMA), Universidad de Zaragoza-CSIC, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Richard J. Nichols
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne Tory
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AD, U.K
| | - Jens Ulstrup
- Department
of Chemistry and NanoDTU, Technical University of Denmark, DK2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Andrea Vezzoli
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, United Kingdom
| | - David C. Milan
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Qiang Zeng
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AD, U.K
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21
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Dugger JW, Webb LJ. Fibrillar structures formed by covalently bound, short, β-stranded peptides on self-assembled monolayers. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2015; 31:3441-3450. [PMID: 25738859 DOI: 10.1021/la5049369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The ability to maintain or reproduce biomolecular structures on inorganic substrates has the potential to impact diverse fields such as sensing and molecular electronics, as well as the study of biological self-assembly and structure-function relationships. Because the structure and self-assembly of biomolecules are exquisitely sensitive to their local chemical and electrostatic environment, the goal of reproducing or mimicking biological function in an abiological environment, including at a surface, is challenging. However, simple and well-characterized chemical modifications of prepared surfaces can be used to tune surface chemistry, structure, electrostatics, and reactivity of inorganic materials to facilitate biofunctionalization and function. Here, we describe the covalent attachment of 13-residue β-stranded peptides containing alkyne groups to a flat gold surface functionalized with an azide-terminated self-assembled monolayer through a Huisgen cycloaddition, or "click", reaction. The chemical composition and structural morphology of these surfaces were characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, grazing incidence angle reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy, surface circular dichroism, and atomic force microscopy. The surface-bound β-strands self-assemble into antiparallel β-sheets to form fibrillar structures 24.9 ± 1.6 nm in diameter and 2.83 ± 0.74 nm in height on the reactive surface. The results herein provide a platform for studying and controlling the self-assembly process of biomolecules into larger supermolecular structures while allowing tunable control through chemical functionalization of the surface. Interest in the mechanisms of formation of fibrillar structures has most commonly been associated with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, but fibrils may actually represent the thermodynamic low-energy conformation of a much larger class of peptides and proteins. The protocol developed here is an important step toward uncovering not only the factors that dictate self-assembly but also the mechanisms by which this fibrillar class of superstructures forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason W Dugger
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Nano- and Molecular Science and Technology, and Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, A5300, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Lauren J Webb
- Department of Chemistry, Center for Nano- and Molecular Science and Technology, and Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, A5300, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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22
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Zhu N, Ulstrup J, Chi Q. Surface self-assembled hybrid nanocomposites with electroactive nanoparticles and enzymes confined in a polymer matrix for controlled electrocatalysis. J Mater Chem B 2015; 3:8133-8142. [DOI: 10.1039/c5tb01672j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional interfacial nanocomposites consisting of a polymer matrix, electroactive nanoparticles and enzymes are synthesized on electrode surfaces via surface self-assembly chemistry. The nanocomposites show promising observations for achieving fast electron transfer and efficient electrocatalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zhu
- Department of Chemistry
- Technical University of Denmark
- DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby
- Denmark
| | - Jens Ulstrup
- Department of Chemistry
- Technical University of Denmark
- DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby
- Denmark
| | - Qijin Chi
- Department of Chemistry
- Technical University of Denmark
- DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby
- Denmark
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23
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Amdursky N, Marchak D, Sepunaru L, Pecht I, Sheves M, Cahen D. Electronic transport via proteins. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2014; 26:7142-61. [PMID: 25256438 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201402304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Revised: 08/07/2014] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
A central vision in molecular electronics is the creation of devices with functional molecular components that may provide unique properties. Proteins are attractive candidates for this purpose, as they have specific physical (optical, electrical) and chemical (selective binding, self-assembly) functions and offer a myriad of possibilities for (bio-)chemical modification. This Progress Report focuses on proteins as potential building components for future bioelectronic devices as they are quite efficient electronic conductors, compared with saturated organic molecules. The report addresses several questions: how general is this behavior; how does protein conduction compare with that of saturated and conjugated molecules; and what mechanisms enable efficient conduction across these large molecules? To answer these questions results of nanometer-scale and macroscopic electronic transport measurements across a range of organic molecules and proteins are compiled and analyzed, from single/few molecules to large molecular ensembles, and the influence of measurement methods on the results is considered. Generalizing, it is found that proteins conduct better than saturated molecules, and somewhat poorer than conjugated molecules. Significantly, the presence of cofactors (redox-active or conjugated) in the protein enhances their conduction, but without an obvious advantage for natural electron transfer proteins. Most likely, the conduction mechanisms are hopping (at higher temperatures) and tunneling (below ca. 150-200 K).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadav Amdursky
- Dept. of Materials & Interfaces, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76305, Israel
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24
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Artés JM, López-Martínez M, Díez-Pérez I, Sanz F, Gorostiza P. Nanoscale charge transfer in redox proteins and DNA: Towards biomolecular electronics. Electrochim Acta 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2014.05.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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25
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Solid-state electron transport via cytochrome c depends on electronic coupling to electrodes and across the protein. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:5556-61. [PMID: 24706771 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1319351111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Electronic coupling to electrodes, Γ, as well as that across the examined molecules, H, is critical for solid-state electron transport (ETp) across proteins. Assessing the importance of each of these couplings helps to understand the mechanism of electron flow across molecules. We provide here experimental evidence for the importance of both couplings for solid-state ETp across the electron-mediating protein cytochrome c (CytC), measured in a monolayer configuration. Currents via CytC are temperature-independent between 30 and ∼130 K, consistent with tunneling by superexchange, and thermally activated at higher temperatures, ascribed to steady-state hopping. Covalent protein-electrode binding significantly increases Γ, as currents across CytC mutants, bound covalently to the electrode via a cysteine thiolate, are higher than those through electrostatically adsorbed CytC. Covalent binding also reduces the thermal activation energy, Ea, of the ETp by more than a factor of two. The importance of H was examined by using a series of seven CytC mutants with cysteine residues at different surface positions, yielding distinct electrode-protein(-heme) orientations and separation distances. We find that, in general, mutants with electrode-proximal heme have lower Ea values (from high-temperature data) and higher conductance at low temperatures (in the temperature-independent regime) than those with a distal heme. We conclude that ETp across these mutants depends on the distance between the heme group and the top or bottom electrode, rather than on the total separation distance between electrodes (protein width).
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Sun YY, Peng ZL, Hou R, Liang JH, Zheng JF, Zhou XY, Zhou XS, Jin S, Niu ZJ, Mao BW. Enhancing electron transport in molecular wires by insertion of a ferrocene center. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2014; 16:2260-7. [DOI: 10.1039/c3cp53269k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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28
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Raigoza AF, Dugger JW, Webb LJ. Review: recent advances and current challenges in scanning probe microscopy of biomolecular surfaces and interfaces. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2013; 5:9249-9261. [PMID: 23848270 DOI: 10.1021/am4018048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The introduction of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) techniques revolutionized the field of condensed matter science by allowing researchers to probe the structure and composition of materials on an atomic scale. Although these methods have been used to make molecular- and atomic-scale measurements on biological systems with some success, the biophysical sciences remain on the cusp of a breakthrough with SPM technologies similar in magnitude to that experienced by fields related to solid-state surfaces and interfaces. Numerous challenges arise when attempting to connect biological molecules that are often delicate, dynamic, and complex with the experimental requirements of SPM techniques. However, there are a growing number of studies in which SPM has been successfully used to achieve subnanometer resolution measurements in biological systems where carefully designed and prepared samples have been paired with appropriate SPM techniques. We review significant recent innovations in applying SPM techniques to biological molecules, and highlight challenges that face researchers attempting to gain atomic- and molecular-level information of complex biomolecular structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette F Raigoza
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Nano- and Molecular Science and Technology, and Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin , 1 University Station, A5300, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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29
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Salvatore P, Zeng D, Karlsen KK, Chi Q, Wengel J, Ulstrup J. Electrochemistry of single metalloprotein and DNA-based molecules at Au(111) electrode surfaces. Chemphyschem 2013; 14:2101-11. [PMID: 23788363 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201300299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
We have briefly overviewed recent efforts in the electrochemistry of single transition metal complex, redox metalloprotein, and redox-marked oligonucleotide (ON) molecules. We have particularly studied self-assembled molecular monolayers (SAMs) of several 5'-C6-SH single- (ss) and double-strand (ds) ONs immobilized on Au(111) electrode surfaces via Au-S bond formation, using a combination of nucleic acid chemistry, electrochemistry and electrochemically controlled scanning tunnelling microscopy (in situ STM). Ds ONs stabilized by multiply charged cations and locked nucleic acid (LNA) monomers have been primary targets, with a view on stabilizing the ds-ONs and improving voltammetric signals of intercalating electrochemical redox probes. Voltammetric signals of the intercalator anthraquinone monosulfonate (AQMS) at ds-DNA/Au(111) surfaces diluted by mercaptohexanol are significantly sharpened and more robust in the presence than in the absence of [Co(NH3)6](3+). AQMS also displays robust Faradaic voltammetric signals specific to the ds form on binding to similar LNA/Au(111) surfaces, but this signal only evolves after successive voltammetric scanning into negative potential ranges. Triply charged spermidine (Spd) invokes itself a strong voltammetric signal, which is specific to the ds form and fully matched sequences. This signal is of non-Faradaic, capacitive origin but appears in the same potential range as the Faradaic AQMS signal. In situ STM shows that molecular scale structures of the size of Spd-stabilized ds-ONs are densely packed over the Au(111) surface in potential ranges around the capacitive peak potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Princia Salvatore
- Department of Chemistry, Kemitorvet, Building 207, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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