Sensitive and versatile electrogenerated chemiluminescence biosensing platform for protein kinase based on Ru(bpy)3 functionalized gold nanoparticles mediated signal transduction

A novel, sensitive and versatile electrogenerated chemiluminescence biosensing platform is developed for monitoring activity and inhibition of protein kinase based on Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ functionalized gold nanoparticles (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺-AuNPs) mediated signal transduction. Ru(bpy)₃²⁺-AuNPs were formed by functionalizing AuNPs with Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ through electrostatic interactions and were used as thiol-versatile signal probe. Casein kinase II (CK2) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), two classical protein kinase implicated in disease, were chosen as model protein kinases while a CK2-specific peptide (CRRRADDSDDDDD) and a PKA-specific peptide (CLRRASLG) were employed as molecular substrate for CK2 and PKA, respectively. The specific peptide was self-assembled onto the gold electrode via Au–S bond to form ECL biosensor. Upon thiophosphorylation of the peptide on the electrode in the presence of protein kinase and co-substrate adenosine-5’-(γ-thio)-triphosphate, Ru(bpy)₃²⁺-AuNPs was assembled onto the thiophosphorylated peptides via Au–S bond. The Ru(bpy)₃²⁺-AuNPs attached on electrode surface produce detectable ECL signal in the presence of coreactant tripropylamine. This strategy is promising for multiple protein kinase assay and kinase inhibitor profiling with high sensitivity, good selectivity and versatility. The ECL intensity is proportional to the activity of CK2 in the range of 0.01–0.5 unit/mL with a low detection limit of 0.008 unit/mL and to the activity of PKA in the range of 0.01–0.4 unit/mL with a detection limit of 0.005 unit/mL. Additionally, this assay was applied to the detection of CK2 in serum samples and the inhibition of CK2 and PKA. This work demonstrates that the developed ECL method can provide a sensitive and versatile platform for the detection of kinase activity and drug-screening.     

Ultrasensitive detection of TNT in soil, water, using enhanced electrogenerated chemiluminescence

The ultrasensitive detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) was accomplished on the basis of sandwich-type TNT immunoassay combined with electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) technology. Biotinylated anti-TNT species were attached to the surface of 1-μm diameter streptavidin-coated magnetic beads (MB) and 10-μm diameter avidin-coated polystyrene microspheres/beads (PSB) pre-loaded with ECL labels (∼7 billion hydrophobic ruthenium(II) tris(2,2′-bipyridine) (Ru^II) molecules per bead) to form anti-TNT ↔ MB and anti-TNT ↔ PSB(Ru^II) conjugates, respectively. Sandwich-type PSB(Ru^II) ↔ anti-TNT < TNT > anti-TNT ↔ MB aggregates were formed when PSB(Ru^II) ↔ anti-TNT was mixed with anti-TNT ↔ MB conjugates in the presence of analyte TNT and 2.0% bovine serum albumin blocking agent. The newly formed aggregates were magnetically separated from the aqueous reaction media and dissolved in acetonitrile containing 0.10 M tri-n-propylamine ECL coreactant-0.055 M trifluoroacetic acid-0.10 M tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate electrolyte. ECL as well as cyclic voltammetric measurements were carried out with a potential scan from 0 to 2.8 V vs Ag/Ag⁺, and the integrated ECL intensity was found to be linearly proportional to the analyte TNT concentration over the range of 0.10-1000 ppt (pg mL⁻¹). The limit of detection (≤0.10 ± 0.01 ppb) is about 600× lower as compared with the most sensitive TNT detection method in the literature, and the absolute detection limit in mass (∼0.1 pg) is only ∼0.5% of that from mass spectroscopy. The approach coupled with the standard addition method was applied to measure the TNT contaminations in soil and creek water samples collected from a military training base.     

Determination of fenoterol and salbutamol in pharmaceutical formulations by electrogenerated chemiluminescence

Fenoterol and salbutamol were determined by electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) coupled with flow injection analysis (FIA), using Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ as the luminescent substance. Fenoterol and salbutamol oxidize together with the ruthenium 2,2-bipyridyl at a platinum electrode, which leads to an increase in the luminescent intensity, and this increase is proportional to the analyte concentration. For fenoterol a linear calibration curve within the range from 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol l⁻¹ was obtained with a correlation coefficient of 0.998 (n = 5) and for salbutamol the linear analytical curve was also obtained in this range with a correlation coefficient of 0.995 (n = 5). The relative standard deviation was estimated as ≤2.5% for 3 × 10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹ for fenoterol solution and as ≤1.3% for 5.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹ salbutamol solution for 15 successive injections. The limit of detection for fenoterol was 2.4 × 10⁻⁷ mol l⁻¹ and for salbutamol was 4.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol l⁻¹. Fenoterol and salbutamol were successfully determined in drug tablets and the soluble components of the matrix did not interfere in the luminescent emission. The results obtained using the luminescent methodology were not statistically different from those obtained by UV-spectrophotometry at 95% confidence level.     

Synthesis, properties, and electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) of a novel carbazole-based chromophore

A novel molecule containing electron-rich carbazole and electron-deficient pyrimidine moieties exhibits useful and intriguing physical properties, including promising reversible redox behavior that gives rise to electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL).     

A novel method developed for acetylcholine detection in royal jelly by using capillary electrophoresis coupled with electrogenerated chemiluminescence based on a simple reaction

A novel method for highly sensitive detection of acetylcholine in royal jelly was proposed by using CE coupled with electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL). Acetylcholine, which could not react with Tris(2,2′‐bipyridine)ruthenium(II) to strengthen its ECL signals, decomposed into trimethylamine and strengthened the ECL signals sharply when it was heated to its melting point. This reaction needed no additional reagent and it was mild, simple, stable and rapid, without any side reaction. By combining the above process with CE separation technique, trimethylamine in royal jelly was completely separated from interfering substances and was successfully detected within 4 min. The limit of detection for acetylcholine was found to be 6.3×10^?8 g/mL with a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3:1. Acetylcholine in the royal jelly was detected to be 912±58 μg/g. The recoveries of acetylcholine chloride in the sample were in the ranges of 92–106%. The coefficients of variation for intra‐day and inter‐day reproducibility were equal to or less than 4.9 and 6.8%, respectively.     

A sensitive, label-free, aptamer-based biosensor using a gold nanoparticle-initiated chemiluminescence system

We report a label-free, aptamer-based chemiluminescent biosensor. The biosensor relies upon the catalytic activity of unmodified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the luminol-H(2)O(2) chemiluminescence (CL) reaction, and the interaction of unmodified AuNPs with the aptamer. The unmodified AuNPs can effectively differentiate unstructured and folded aptamer. The binding of the aptamer with the target can induce the AuNP aggregation in the presence of 0.5 M NaCl, and after aggregation the catalytic activity of the AuNPs on the luminol-H(2)O(2) CL reaction is greatly enhanced. During the assay, no covalent functionalization of the AuNPs or aptamer is required. The detection limit of thrombin was estimated to be as low as 26 fM, and the sensitivity was more than 4 orders of magnitude better than that of known AuNP-based colorimetric methods for the detection of thrombin. This aptamer-based biosensor offers the advantages of being simple, cheap, rapid, and sensitive.     

Determination of sophoridine and related lupin alkaloids using tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium electrogenerated chemiluminescence

Electrogenerated chemiluminescences (ECLs) based on tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺) and lupin alkaloids, for instance, sophoridine (SRI), matrine (MT), sophoranol (SR) and sophocarpine (SC) in an aqueous alkaline buffer solution (pH 9.0) are studied. The light emission is mainly caused by an electro-oxidation reaction between tertiary amino group on the alkaloid compounds and Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ in a thin layer flow cell equipped with a glassy carbon disc electrode (22.1 mm²) at the potential of +1.50 V (versus Ag/AgCl). The luminescence wavelength of 610 nm confirmed that ECL is caused by Ru(bpy)₃^2+∗ to its ground state. ECL intensities of these lupin alkaloids are affected by the substituent character, three-dimensional conformation of hydrogen on β-carbon atom. Ionization potentials taken from calculation data further confirm the experimental results. In addition, the factors affecting the determination and HPLC separation of the four alkaloids are also investigated.     

Simple, stable and sensitive electrogenerated chemiluminescence detector for high-performance liquid chromatography and its application in direct determination of multiple fluoroquinolone residues in milk

A simple, stable and sensitive electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) detector was developed. It was based on tris(2,2-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺) immobilized on the surface of a Pt wire with Nepem-105D ion exchange solution. The detector was prepared by inserting a Pt wire with immobilized Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ (working electrode) into a capillary tube, followed by inserting another Pt wire (counter electrode) in this tube and sealing. ECL behavior was investigated using ofloxacin as an analyte. Under optimal conditions, stable ECL intensity was obtained. This detector has been used in HPLC-ECL for the determination of multiple target fluoroquinolone residues in milk. There is no post column reagent addition, which would dilute the analytes, potentially leading to chromatographic band-broadening. The system is very simple with low dead volume, low baseline and background noise, together with high sensitivity and stability. The as-prepared ECL detector, when was used for the determination of ofloxacin, pefloxacin, enrofloxacin and difloxacin in milk, demonstrated adequate sensitivity to allow quantification of trace FQ levels in commercial milk samples. One or more of the target FQ analytes were present at levels above the LOD of the new ECL detector in each and every one of the 22 milk samples analysed.     

A novel photoelectrochemical biosensor for protein kinase activity assay based on phosphorylated graphite-like carbon nitride

Protein kinases are general and significant regulators in the cell signaling pathway, and it is still greatly desired to achieve simple and quick kinase detection. Herein, we develop a simple and sensitive photoelectrochemical strategy for the detection of protein kinase activity based on the bond between phosphorylated peptide and phosphorylated graphite-like carbon nitride (P-g-C₃N₄) conjugates triggered by Zr⁴⁺ ion coordination. Under optimal conditions, the increased photocurrent is proportional to the protein kinase A (PKA) concentration ranging from 0.05 to 50 U/mL with a detection limit of 0.077 U/mL. Moreover, this photoelectrochemical assay can be also applied to quantitative analysis of kinase inhibition. The results indicated that the IC₅₀ value (inhibitor concentration producing 50% inhibitor) for ellagic acid was 9.1 μM. Moreover, the developed method is further applied to detect PKA activity in real samples, which contains serum from healthy person and gastric cancer patients and breast tissue from healthy person and breast cancer patients. Therefore, the established protocol provides a new and simple tool for assay of kinase activity and its inhibitors with low cost and high sensitivity.     

Determination of β-blockers in pharmaceutical preparations and human urine by high-performance liquid chromatography with tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) electrogenerated chemiluminescence detection

A highly selective and sensitive detection method based on tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) [Ru(bpy)₃²⁺] electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) has been developed for the quantitative determination of β-blockers in both pharmaceutical preparations and human urine samples. The ECL emission is based on the reaction between electro-oxidized Ru(bpy)₃³⁺ and the secondary amino groups on the β-blockers. The ECL intensities for the β-blockers were strongly dependent on the pH at which the ECL detections were conducted, with the maximum intensities being obtained at pH 9.0. Under the optimal condition, the detection limit for atenolol and metoprolol were almost 0.5 μM (50 pmol) and 0.08 μM (8 pmol), respectively, with S/N of 3 and a linear working range that extends four orders of magnitude with relative standard deviations below 5% for 10 replicate injected samples. The concentrations of atenolol and metoprolol were determined in pharmaceutical preparations using flow injection analysis with Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ ECL detection based on standard addition method. The determined values by the present method showed acceptable agreement with the stated values by manufacturers. The determination of the five β-blockers in human urine samples was performed using HPLC-Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ ECL detection. The resulting chromatogram was much simpler than that obtained with HPLC-UV absorbance detection.     

A label-free and sensitive fluorescent assay for one step detection of protein kinase activity and inhibition

In this paper, a label-free, highly sensitive and simple assay for one step detection of protein kinase (PKA) activity and inhibition that avoids the fluorescent dye process has been established. The detection was based on the fluorescence (FL) quenching of peptide-Ag nanoclusters (Ag NCs) caused by antibody modified Au nanoparticles (anti-Au NPs) via fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). With PKA and adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) introduced, the substrate peptide of Ag NCs could react with PKA via targeted phosphorylation, and followed by the linking interactions between peptide-Ag NCs and anti-Au NPs. According to the fluorescence quenching of Ag NCs, the activity of protein kinase can be facilely monitored in the range of 0.1–2000 mU/μL with high sensitivity. The detection limit for PKA is 0.039 mU/μL. We further explored the inhibitory effect of H-89 for protein kinase activity. The developed method was also applied to the investigation of drug-induced PKA activation in HeLa cells, which provides a promising means for screening of kinase-related drugs and the clinical diagnosis of disease.     

A CE‐based assay for human protein kinase CK2 activity measurement and inhibitor screening

A new assay for protein kinase CK2 activity determination based on the quantification of a phosphorylated substrate was developed. The common CK2 substrate peptide RRRDDDSDDD, conjugated with the fluorophore 5‐[(2‐aminoethyl)amino]naphthalene‐1‐sulfonic acid at the C‐terminus served as the analyte. By means of CZE using 2 mol/L acetic acid as electrolyte and UV detection at 214 nm, the non‐phosphorylated and the phosphorylated peptide variants could be resolved within 6 min from a complex assay mixture. By this means, activity of human CK2 could be monitored by a kinetic, as well as an endpoint, method. Inhibition of human recombinant CK2 holoenzyme by 6‐methyl‐1,3,8‐trihydroxyanthraquinone and 4,5,6,7‐tetrabromobenzotriazole resulted in IC₅₀ values of 1.33 and 0.27 μM, respectively, which were similar to those obtained with the standard radiometric assay. These results suggest that the CE/UV strategy described here is a straightforward assay for CK2 inhibitor testing.     

Electrochemiluminescence resonance energy transfer between graphene quantum dots and graphene oxide for sensitive protein kinase activity and inhibitor sensing

Herein, a novel electrochemiluminescence resonance energy transfer (ECL-RET) biosensor using graphene quantum dots (GQDs) as donor and graphene oxide (GO) as acceptor for monitoring the activity of protein kinase was presented for the first time. Anti-phosphoserine antibody conjugated graphene oxide (Ab-GO) nonocomposite could be captured onto the phosphorylated peptide/GQDs modified electrode surface through antibody–antigen interaction in the presence of casein kinase II (CK2) and adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP), resulting in ECL from the GQDs quenching by closely contacting GO. This ECL quenching degree was positively correlated with CK2 activity. Therefore, on the basis of ECL-RET between GQDs and GO, the activity of protein kinase can be detected sensitively. This biosensor can also be used for quantitative analysis CK2 activity in serum samples and qualitative screening kinase inhibition, indicating the potential application of the developed method in biochemical fundamental research and clinical diagnosis.     

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence biosensor based on Ru(bpy)3(2+) and dehydrogenase immobilized in sol-gel/chitosan/poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate) composite material

A new electrogenerated chemiluminescence biosensor was fabricated by immobilizing ECL reagent Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ and alcohol dehydrogenase in sol-gel/chitosan/poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate) (PSS) organically modified composite material. The component PSS was used to immobilize ECL reagent Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ by ion-exchange, while the addition of chitosan was to prevent the cracking of conventional sol-gel-derived glasses and provide biocompatible microenvironment for alcohol dehydrogenase. Such biosensor combined enzymatic selectivity with the sensitivity of ECL detection for quantification of enzyme substrate and it was much simpler than previous double-layer design. The detection limit was 9.3 × 10⁻⁶ M for alcohol (S/N = 3) with a linear range from 2.79 × 10⁻⁵ to 5.78 × 10⁻² M. With ECL detection, the biosensor exhibited wide linear range, high sensitivity and good stability.     

Determination of norfloxacin in pharmaceuticals,human serum,and urine using a luminol—dissolved oxygen chemiluminescence system

A sensitive chemiluminescence method, based on the enhancive effect of norfloxacin on the reaction between luminol and dissolved oxygen in a flow injection system, was proposed for the determination of norfloxacin. The increment of the chemiluminiscence intensity was proportional to the concentration of norfloxacin, giving a calibration graph linear over the concentration from 0.4 ng mL⁻¹ to 400.0 ng mL⁻¹ (r ² = 0.9988) with the detection limit of 0.1 ng mL⁻¹ (3 × σ _noise). At the flow rate of 2.0 mL min⁻¹, a complete determination of norfloxacin, including sampling and washing, could be accomplished in 30 s with the relative standard deviation lower than 3.0 %. The proposed method was applied successfully to determine norfloxacin in pharmaceuticals, human urine, and serum. Possible mechanism of the reaction was also discussed.     

Analysis of protein kinase A activity in insulin-secreting cells using a cell-penetrating protein substrate and capillary electrophoresis

A cell-penetrating, fluorescent protein substrate was developed to monitor intracellular protein kinase A (PKA) activity in cells without the need for cellular transfection. The PKA substrate (PKAS) was prepared with a 6×histidine purification tag, an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter, an HIV-TAT protein transduction domain for cellular translocation and a pentaphosphorylation motif specific for PKA. PKAS was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by metal affinity chromatography. Incubation of PKAS in the extracellular media facilitated translocation into the intracellular milieu in HeLa cells, βTC-3 cells and pancreatic islets with minimal toxicity in a time and concentration dependent manner. Upon cellular loading, glucose-dependent phosphorylation of PKAS was observed in both βTC-3 cells and pancreatic islets via capillary zone electrophoresis. In pancreatic islets, maximal PKAS phosphorylation (83 ± 6%) was observed at 12 mM glucose, whereas maximal PKAS phosphorylation (86 ± 4%) in βTC-3 cells was observed at 3 mM glucose indicating a left-shifted glucose sensitivity. Increased PKAS phosphorylation was observed in the presence of PKA stimulators forskolin and 8-Br-cAMP (33% and 16%, respectively), with corresponding decreases in PKAS phosphorylation observed in the presence of PKA inhibitors staurosporine and H-89 (40% and 54%, respectively).     

Enzyme-amplified protein microarray and a fluidic renewable surface fluorescence immunoassay for botulinum neurotoxin detection using high-affinity recombinant antibodies

Two immunoassay platforms were developed for either the sensitive or rapid detection of botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A), using high-affinity recombinant monoclonal antibodies against the receptor binding domain of the heavy chain of BoNT/A. These antibodies also bind the same epitopes of the receptor binding domain present on a nontoxic recombinant heavy chain fragment used for assay development and testing in the current study. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) microarray using tyramide amplification for localized labeling was developed for the specific and sensitive detection of BoNT. This assay has the sensitivity to detect BoNT in buffer and blood plasma samples down to 14 fM (1.4 pg mL⁻¹). Three capture antibodies and one antibody combination were compared in the development of this assay. Using a selected pair from the same set of recombinant monoclonal antibodies, a renewable surface microcolumn sensor was developed for the rapid detection of BoNT/A in an automated fluidic system. The ELISA microarray assay, because of its sensitivity, offers a screening test with detection limits comparable to the mouse bioassay, with results available in hours instead of days. The renewable surface assay is less sensitive but much faster, providing results in less than 10 min.     

Hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid determination in waste water using a reversible reagentless biosensor

During the reversible reaction between peroxidase (HRP) and peroxides, several peroxidase intermediate species, showing different molecular absorption spectra, are formed which can be used for their determination. On this basis, a reversible reagentless optical biosensor based on HRP for hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid determinations has been developed. The biosensor (which can be used for at least 3 months and/or more than 200 measurements) is prepared by HRP entrapment in a polyacrylamide gel matrix. A mathematical model (in which optical, kinetic and transport aspects are considered) relating the measured absorbance with the analyte concentration is also presented. Both peroxides show similar responses in the sensor film. Under the recommended working conditions, the biosensor shows linear response ranges from 6 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ M using FIA mode, and from 2 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.5 × 10⁻⁵ M using continuous mode for both peroxides; the precision, expressed as R.S.D., is about 4%. This biosensor has been applied for peroxide determination in waste water samples previously treated with peroxides.