Electrochemical and spectroscopic investigations of immobilized de novo designed heme proteins on metal electrodes.

On the basis of rational design principles, template-assisted four-helix-bundle proteins that include two histidines for coordinative binding of a heme were synthesized. Spectroscopic and thermodynamic characterization of the proteins in solution reveals the expected bis-histidine coordinated heme configuration. The proteins possess different binding domains on the top surfaces of the bundles to allow for electrostatic, covalent, and hydrophobic binding to metal electrodes. Electrostatic immobilization was achieved for proteins with lysine-rich binding domains (MOP-P) that adsorb to electrodes covered by self-assembled monolayers of mercaptopropionic acid, whereas cysteamine-based monolayers were employed for covalent attachment of proteins with cysteine residues in the binding domain (MOP-C). Immobilized proteins were studied by surface-enhanced resonance Raman (SERR) spectroscopy and electrochemical methods. For all proteins, immobilization causes a decrease in protein stability and a loosening of the helix packing, as reflected by a partial dissociation of a histidine ligand in the ferrous state and very low redox potentials. For the covalently attached MOP-C, the overall interfacial redox process involves the coupling of electron transfer and heme ligand dissociation, which was analyzed by time-resolved SERR spectroscopy. Electron transfer was found to be significantly slower for the mono-histidine-coordinated than for the bis-histidine-coordinated heme. For the latter, the formal heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constant of 13 s(-1) is similar to those reported for natural heme proteins with comparable electron-transfer distances, which indicates that covalently bound synthetic heme proteins provide efficient electronic communication with a metal electrode as a prerequisite for potential biotechnological applications.     

Long‐Term Stable Silver Subsurface Ion‐Exchanged Glasses for SERS Applications

We report on the formation of silver subsurface ion‐exchanged metal oxide (silver SIMO) glasses and their surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity. The samples were prepared by a combined thermal and chemical three‐step methodology and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), environmental electron scanning microscopy (ESEM), and UV/Vis spectroscopy. This unique method provides SERS substrates with protection against contamination and strong, reliable and reproducible SERS enhancement. The Raman enhancement factors of the long‐term stable SIMO glasses were estimated to approximately 10⁷.     

Fast photoreduction of a heme peptide encapsulated in nanostructured materials

Microperoxidase-11 has been immobilized on siliceous materials MCM-41 and SBA-15 and on amino-functionalized SBA-15. Resonance Raman spectroscopy has provided solid evidence that the exogenous species occupy the pores of the mesoporous silica materials. Photoreduction of the microperoxidase-11 Fe(III) center has been observed to occur in the immobilized samples and results in a long-lived stable reduced heme. Reoxidation of the heme occurs upon addition of oxygen, and the redox cycle can be repeated numerous times. The source of the electron resulting in reduction of the heme is proposed to originate from the silica matrix, and functionalization of silica surface is suggested to facilitate electron transfer to the heme.     

Self-assembled Monolayers of Two Aromatic Disulfides and a Diselenide on Polycrystalline Silver Films: An Investigation by SERS and XPS

Self-assembled monolayers of diphenyldisufide (DDS), naphthalenedisulfide (NDS), and diphenyldiselenide (DDSe) on polycrystalline silver films have been investigated by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). DDS adsorbs on Ag through a homolytic cleavage of the S-S bond and resultant thiolate at the surface decomposes upon prolonged exposure to air. The geometry of the molecule is such that the benzene ring is almost horizontal to the surface. The Raman spectrum has been assigned in the light of ab-initio molecular orbital calculations. In DDSe, the Se-Se bond is retained upon adsorption and the molecule sticks up. In contrast, NDS is highly reactive on the microscopically rough surface so that a stable monolayer could not be prepared. A temperature dependent Raman study of the DDS monolayer shows the absence of any reorientation at the surface as one would expect from the adsorption geometry. XPS study complements the SERS data and shows the presence of Ag2S on an NDS exposed surface. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.     

Nickel electrodes as a cheap and versatile platform for studying structure and function of immobilized redox proteins

Practical use of many bioelectronic and bioanalytical devices is limited by the need of expensive materials and time consuming fabrication. Here we demonstrate the use of nickel electrodes as a simple and cheap solid support material for bioelectronic applications. The naturally nanostructured electrodes showed a surprisingly high electromagnetic surface enhancement upon light illumination such that immobilization and electron transfer reactions of the model redox proteins cytochrome b₅ (Cyt b₅) and cytochrome c (Cyt c) could be followed via surface enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy. It could be shown that the nickel surface, when used as received, promotes a very efficient binding of the proteins upon preservation of their native structure. The immobilized redox proteins could efficiently exchange electrons with the electrode and could even act as an electron relay between the electrode and solubilized myoglobin. Our results open up new possibility for nickel electrodes as an exceptional good support for bioelectronic devices and biosensors on the one hand and for surface enhanced spectroscopic investigations on the other hand.     

血红蛋白在银溶胶上的表面增强喇曼光谱研究

表面增强喇曼光谱已广泛应用于物质分子在金属表面吸附的研究.人们发现,不仅无机物和有机小分子能产生SERS,而且生物分子,如核酸、色蛋白以及蛋白质均能产生SERS效应,并以此来研究生物分子-蛋白质的变性问题.     

New insights on the Au(core)/Pt(shell) nanoparticle structure in the sub-monolayer range: SERS as a surface analyzing tool

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was used as a powerful surface analyzing tool to investigate the core-shell structural evolution of Au@Pt nanoparticles, revealing the templating role of the underlying Au atoms on the nanoscale Pt-phase structure in the sub-monolayer range.     

Spectroscopic and Electrochemical Characterization of Cytochrome P450st‐DDAB Films on a Plastic‐Formed Carbon Electrode

We have studied the characterization of thermophilic cytochrome P450 (P450st)‐didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) films by using UV‐vis absorption, resonance Raman spectroscopy, and electrochemical methods. The observed Raman spectrum indicated near‐native conformation of the heme iron in DDAB film on the surface of a glass slide, while on the surface of a plastic‐formed carbon (PFC) electrode, the conformation of P450st‐DDAB was very similar to that of heme‐DDAB film, suggesting the release of heme from P450st in DDAB films on PFC electrodes. When NaBr was added as salt to the casting solution, the result of Raman spectrum indicated near‐native conformation of P450st in DDAB film even on the PFC electrode, but no redox potential of P450st which has near native structure was observed. This study suggests the essential experimental conditions when working with heme protein‐DDAB films as, in some cases, heme iron from proteins is released on the surface of the electrode.     

Structure and identity of 4,4'-thiobisbenzenethiol self-assembled monolayers

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 4,4'-thiobisbenzenethiol (TBBT) can be formed on Au surface spontaneously. The structural characteristics and adsorption behavior of TBBT SAMs on Au have been investigated by surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), electrochemical cyclic voltammetry (CV), ac impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). It is demonstrated that TBBT adsorbed on Au by losing a H atom, forming one Au-S bond, and the other mercapto group is free at the surface of the monolayer owing to the presence of the nu(S-H) at 2513 cm(-1) and the delta(C-S-H) at 910 cm(-1) in SERS. The enhancement of the vibration of C-S (1064 cm(-1)), the aromatic C-H vibration (3044 cm(-1)), and the absence of the vibration of S-S illustrate TBBT adsorbed on Au forming a monolayer with one benzene ring tilted with respect to the Au surface. The interpretation of the observed frequencies is aided by ab initio molecular orbital (MO) calculations at the HF/6-31G level of theory. Electrochemical CV and EIS indicate TBBT monolayers can passivate the Au effectively for its low ratio of pinhole defects (theta = 99.6%). AFM studies give details about the surface morphology. The applications of TBBT SAMs have been extensively investigated by exposure of Cu2+ ion to TBBT SAMs on Au and covalent adsorption of metal nanoparticles. Electrochemical, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic, and SERS results indicate that Cu2+ can react with TBBT SAMs and present on TBBT SAMs as Cu(I). A scanning electron microscopic image of Ag nanoparticles on TBBT/Au and the Raman spectrum of TBBT in smooth macroscopic Au/TBBT SAMs/Ag nanoparticle sandwich structure indicate that metal nanoparticles can be adsorbed on TBBT SAMs effectively through covalent linkage.     

SERS--a single-molecule and nanoscale tool for bioanalytics

Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) at extremely high enhancement level turns the weak inelastic scattering effect of photons on vibrational quantum states into a structurally sensitive single-molecule and nanoscale probe. The effect opens up exciting opportunities for applications of vibrational spectroscopy in biology. The concept of SERS can be extended to two-photon excitation by exploiting surface enhanced hyper-Raman scattering (SEHRS). This critical review introduces the physics behind single-molecule SERS and discusses the capabilities of the effect in bioanalytics (100 references).     

Molecular Characterization of DNA Double Strand Breaks with Tip‐Enhanced Raman Scattering

DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) are deadly lesions that can lead to genetic defects and cell apoptosis. Techniques that directly detect DNA DSBs include scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and fluorescence based approaches. While these techniques can be used to identify DSBs they provide no information on the molecular events occurring at the break. Tip‐enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) can provide molecular information from DNA at the nanoscale and in combination with AFM provides a new way to visualize and characterize the molecular structure of DSBs. DSBs result from cleavage at the 3’‐ and 5’‐bonds of deoxyribose upon exposure to UVC radiation based on the observation of P? O? H and methyl/methylene deformation modes enhanced in the TERS spectra. It is hypothesized that strand fragments are hydrogen‐terminated at the lesion, indicating the action of free radicals during photon exposure.     

Chemical Enhancement and Quenching in Single-Molecule Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Despite intensive research in surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), the influence mechanism of chemical effects on Raman signals remains elusive. Here, we investigate such chemical effects through tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) of a single planar ZnPc molecule with varying but controlled contact environments. TERS signals are found dramatically enhanced upon making a tip–molecule point contact. A combined physico-chemical mechanism is proposed to explain such an enhancement via the generation of a ground-state charge-transfer induced vertical Raman polarizability that is further enhanced by the strong vertical plasmonic field in the nanocavity. In contrast, TERS signals from ZnPc chemisorbed flatly on substrates are found strongly quenched, which is rationalized by the Raman polarizability screening effect induced by interfacial dynamic charge transfer. Our results provide deep insights into the understanding of the chemical effects in TERS/SERS enhancement and quenching.     

Redox and redox-coupled processes of heme proteins and enzymes at electrochemical interfaces

Modern bioelectrochemical methods rely upon the immobilisation of redox proteins and enzymes on electrodes coated with biocompatible materials to prevent denaturation. However, even when protein denaturation is effectively avoided, heterogeneous protein electron transfer is often coupled to non-Faradaic processes like reorientation, conformational transitions or acid-base equilibria. Disentangling these processes requires methods capable of probing simultaneously the structure and reaction dynamics of the adsorbed species. Here we provide an overview of the recent developments in Raman and infrared surface-enhanced spectroelectrochemical techniques applied to the study of soluble and membrane bound redox heme proteins and enzymes. Possible biological implications of the findings are critically discussed.     

High‐Quality Covalently Grafting Hemoglobin on Gold Electrodes: Characterization,Redox Thermodynamics and Bio‐electrocatalysis

Herein, we report a versatile surface chemistry methodology to covalently immobilize ligands and proteins to self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold electrode. The strategy is based on two steps: 1) the coupling of soluble azido‐PEG‐amimo ligand with an alkynyl‐terminated monolayer via click reaction and 2) covalent immobilization hemoglobin (Hb) to the amine‐terminated ligand via carbodiimide reaction. Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy (SERS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIR) and cyclic voltammetry are used to characterize the model interfacial reactions. We also demonstrate the excellent biocompatibility of the interface for Hb immobilization and reliable application of the proposed method for H₂O₂ biosensing. Moreover, the redox thermodynamics of the Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ couple in Hb is also investigated.     

SERS in Salt Wells

We report herein a simple, inexpensive fabrication methodology of salt microwells, and define the utility of the latter as nanoparticle containers for highly sensitive surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) studies. AFM characterization of Ag and Au loaded salt microwells reveal the ability to contain favorable nanostructures such as nanoparticle dimers, which can significantly enhance the Raman intensity of molecules. By performing diffraction‐limited confocal Raman microscopy on salt microwells, we show high sensitivity and fidelity in the detection of dyes, peptides, and proteins, as a proof of our concept. The SERS limit of detection (accumulation time of 1 s) for rhodamine B and TAT contained in salt mircowells is 10 pM and 1 nM , respectively. The Raman characterization measurements of salt microwells with three different laser lines (532 nm, 632.81 nm, 785 nm) reveal low background intensity and high signal‐to‐noise ratio upon nanoparticle loading, which makes them suitable for enhanced Raman detection. SERS mapping of these sub‐femtoliter containers show spatial confinement of the relevant analyte to a few microns, which make them potential candidates for microscale bioreactors.     

Monitoring the electrochemistry of single molecules by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Coherent control of chemical species in complex systems is always subject to intrinsic inhomogeneities from the environment. For example, slight chemical modifications can decisively affect transport properties of molecules on surfaces. Hence, single-molecule (SM) studies are the best solution to avoid these problems and to study diverse phenomena in biology, physics, and chemistry. Along these lines, monitoring SM redox processes has always been a "holy grail" in electrochemistry. To date, claims of SM electrochemistry by spectroscopy have come only from fluorescence quenching of polymers and redox-fluorescent molecules. In unconnected developments, the potential of the bianalyte surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) method as a technique with SM sensitivity has been demonstrated. Raman spectroscopy has the potential to explore SM detection of any molecule, independent of its chemical nature. We provide definitive proof of SM events following redox cycles using SERS. The superior sensitivity and spectral richness of SERS makes it general enough to study, in principle, SM electron transfer of any (label-free) molecule.     

Nanostructured Ag surface fabricated by femtosecond laser for surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Femtosecond laser was employed to fabricate nanostructured Ag surface for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) application. The prepared nanostructured Ag surface was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The FESEM images demonstrate the formation of nanostructure-covered femtosecond laser-induced periodic surface structure, also termed as ripples, on the Ag surface. The AFM images indicate that the surface roughness of the produced nanostructured Ag substrate is larger than the untreated Ag substrate. The XRD and XPS of the nanostructured Ag surface fabricated by femtosecond laser show a face centered cubic phase of metallic Ag and no impurities of Ag oxide species. The application of the produced nanostructured Ag surface in SERS was investigated by using rhodamine 6G (R6G) as a reference chemical. The SERS intensity of R6G in aqueous solution at the prepared nanostructured Ag surface is 15 times greater than that of an untreated Ag substrate. The Raman intensities vary linearly with the concentrations of R6G in the range of 10(-8)-10(-4)M. The present methodology demonstrates that the nanostructured Ag surface fabricated by femtosecond laser is potential for qualification and quantification of low concentration molecules.     

New Tools for Investigating Electromagnetic Hot Spots in Single‐Molecule Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is quickly growing as an analytical technique, because it offers both molecular specificity and excellent sensitivity. For select substrates, SERS can even be observed from single molecules, which is the ultimate limit of detection. This review describes recent developments in the field of single‐molecule SERS (SM‐SERS) with a focus on new tools for characterizing SM‐SERS‐active substrates and how they interact with single molecules on their surface. In particular, techniques that combine optical spectroscopy and microscopy with electron microscopy are described, including correlated optical and transmission electron microscopy, correlated super‐resolution imaging and scanning electron microscopy, and correlated optical microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy.     

Monitoring of betulin nanoemulsion treatment and molecular changes in mouse skin cancer using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy

The aim of this study was to obtain in vivo and ex vivo reproducible surface enhanced Raman signal from mouse skin and to use it for the differentiation of skin pathologies. We induced skin carcinoma in mice models using a chemical treatment and tested the chemopreventive activity of a new formulation based on natural compound betulin extracted from the bark of birch trees. Using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) we identified in vivo and ex vivo the spectral signatures characteristic to the healthy skin, melanoma skin induced in mouse models, and to the pathology evolution when the betulin nanoemulsion formulation was topically applied on the cancerous skin of mice. SERS markers associated to each pathology were identified and the signal was distinguished from the classical Raman signal of skin based on several biomarkers, such as the disappearance of the amide I band of proteins, the amplification of the 1574 cm⁻¹ band assigned to nucleic acid bases, and the appearance of the highly amplified band at 230 cm⁻¹ characteristic to the metal-biomolecules complex. The various skin pathologies were differentiated using principal components analysis and K-means clustering. The effectiveness of the betulin nanoemulsion treatment was validated by the histological examination and the chemometrics methods, which successfully confirmed the direct SERS differentiation between the cancerous and the betulin nanoemulsion treated skin.     

SnO2纳米粒子作为SERS基底的研究

采用溶胶-水热法制备了不同尺寸的SnO2纳米粒子, 并将其作为表面增强拉曼散射(Surface-enhanced Raman scattering, SERS)活性基底, 重点探讨了表面缺陷能级与SERS性能的关系. 观察到4-巯基苯甲酸(4-MBA)吸附在150 ℃水热合成的SnO2纳米粒子上的SERS 信号最强, 随着在空气中煅烧温度的升高, SERS信号逐渐减弱. 分别用透射电子显微镜、 紫外-可见光谱、 荧光光谱、 X射线衍射和X射线光电子能谱对SnO2纳米粒子进行了表征. 结果表明, SnO2纳米粒子的表面氧空位和缺陷等表面性质在增强拉曼散射性能中发挥着重要的作用, 表面氧空位和缺陷等含量越高其SERS信号就越强.