G‐Quadruplex‐Based DNAzymes Aptasensor for the Amplified Electrochemical Detection of Thrombin

A novel G‐quadruplex‐based DNAzymes aptasensor for the amplified electrochemical detection of thrombin has been described. The aptasensor utilized a combination of hemin and guanine‐rich thrombin‐binding aptamer (TBA) to form horseradish peroxidase (HRP)‐mimicking DNAzymes with peroxidase catalytic activity. In the presence of thrombin, the enzyme activity could be extensively promoted, thereby providing the amplified electrochemical readout signals for detecting thrombin. This aptasensor exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity for thrombin determination, which enabled the analysis of thrombin with a detection limit of 6×10^–11 M. On the basis of results, this method could have broad applications in the detection of proteins and other biomolecules.     

Strategy for Low Background‐Current Levels in the Electrochemical Biosensors Using Horse‐Radish Peroxidase Labels

This article describes an electrochemical strategy to achieve low background‐current levels in horse‐radish peroxidase (HRP)‐based electrochemical immunosensors. The strategy consists of (i) the use of an HRP substrate/product redox couple whose formal potential is high and (ii) the use of an electrode that shows moderate electrocatalytic activity for the redox couple. The strategy is proved by a model biosensor using a catechol/o‐benzoquinone redox couple and an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode. The combined effect of high formal potential and moderate electrocatalytic activity allows o‐benzoquinone electroreduction with minimal catechol electrooxidation and H₂O₂ electroreduction. The detection limit for mouse‐IgG is 100 pg/mL.     

Hydroxylation of 4‐Amino‐5‐hydroxynaphthalene‐2,7‐disulfonic Acid Monosodium Salt Catalysed by Horseradish Peroxidase and Hydrogen Peroxide: Computation of Kinetic Parameters Including Its Application to Crude Plant Extracts

The new spectrophotometric assay method for the quantification of peroxidase activity uses 4‐amino‐5‐hydroxynaphthalene‐2,7‐disulfonicacid monosodium salt (AHNDSA) as chromogenic co‐substrate. The method is based on hydroxylation of AHNDSA in presence of H₂O₂/peroxidase forming quinone, having λ_max = 460 nm in the acetate buffer (pH = 4.0) at 30 °C. The linearity of H₂O₂ by kinetic method was 10–332 µM and for peroxidase by kinetic and fixed time methods were 1.18–18.92 and 1.18–9.46 nM, respectively. Catalytic efficiency and catalytic power for peroxidase assay were 7.965 × 10⁴ M^?1min^?1 and 3.76 × 10^?4 min^?1, respectively. From the plot of d(1/A_o) vs d(1/V_o) and d(1/H_o) vs d(1/V_o), the apparent Michaelis‐Menten constants for H₂O₂ and AHNDSA were K = 68 and K = 275 µM, respectively. The method was tested with some plant extracts and also compared with guaiacol/peroxidase system. Except Boerhavia diffusa, all other tested plant samples showed highest peroxidase activity. The proposed method is a rapid and convenient method to determine peroxidase activity by spectrophotometer. This method for the first time reports peroxidase activity in Lantana camara and Oplismenus compositus plants. Kinetic results showed that AHNDSA/peroxidase system can be better hydrogen donor for peroxidase assay than guaiacol system.     

Sensitive Electrochemical Detection of Horseradish Peroxidase at Disposable Screen‐Printed Carbon Electrode

A rapid, simple and sensitive electrochemical assay of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) performed on disposable screen‐printed carbon electrode was developed. HRP activities were monitored by square‐wave voltammetric (SWV) measuring the electroactive enzymatic product in the presence of o‐aminophenol and hydrogen peroxide substrate solution. SWV analysis demonstrated a greater sensitivity and shorter analysis time than the widely used amperometric and differential‐pulsed voltammetric methods. The voltammetric characteristics of substrate and enzymatic product as well as the parameters of SWV analysis were optimized. Under optimized conditions, a linear response for HRP from 0.003 to 0.1 U/mL and a detection limit of 0.002 U/mL (1.25×10^?15 mol in 25 μL) were obtained with a good precision (RSD=8%; n=6). This rapid and sensitive HRP assay with microliter‐assay volume could be readily integrated to portable devices and point‐of‐care (POC) diagnosis applications.     

Comparative Studies of Tridentate Sulfur and Nitrogen‐Containing Ligands as Ionophores for Construction of Cadmium Ion‐Selective Membrane Sensors

New polymeric membrane cadmium‐ion selective sensors have been prepared by incorporating nitrogen and sulfur containing tridentate ligands as the ionophores into the plasticized PVC membranes. Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) based membranes of potassium hydrotris[N‐(2,6‐xylyl)thioimdazolyl) borate] (KTt^2,6‐xylyl) and potassium hydrotris(3‐phenyl‐5‐methylpyrazolyl) borate (KTp^Ph,Me) with sodium tetraphenyl borate (NaTPB) as an anionic excluder and dibutylphthalate (DBP), tributylphthalate (TBP), dioctylsebacate (DOS), and o‐nitrophenyloctyl ether (o‐NPOE) as plasticizing solvent mediators were investigated in different compositions. KTt^2,6‐xylyl was found to be a selective and sensitive ion carrier for Cd(II) membrane sensor. A membrane composed of KTt^2,6‐xylyl:NaTPB:PVC:DBP with the % mole ratio 2.3 : 1.1 : 34.8 : 61.8 (w/w) works well over a very wide concentration range (7.8×10^?8–1.0×10^?2 M) with a Nernstian slope of 29.4±0.2 mV/decades of activity between pH values of 3.5 to 9.0 with a detection limit of 4.37×10^?8 M. The sensor displays very good discrimination toward Cd(II) ions with regard to most common cations. The proposed sensor shows a short response time for whole concentration range (ca. 8 s). The effects of the cationic (tetrabutylammonium chloride, TBC), anionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) and nonionic (Triton X‐100) surfactants were investigated on the potentiometric properties of proposed cadmium‐selective sensor. The proposed sensor based on KTt^2,6‐xylyl ionophore has also been used for the direct determination of cadmium ions in different water samples and human urine samples.     

Ion‐Responsive Hemin–G‐Quadruplexes for Switchable DNAzyme and Enzyme Functions

Programmed nucleic acid sequences undergo K⁺ ion‐induced self‐assembly into G‐quadruplexes and separation of the supramolecular structures by the elimination of K⁺ ions by crown ether or cryptand ion‐receptors. This process allows the switchable formation and dissociation of the respective G‐quadruplexes. The different G‐quadruplex structures bind hemin, and the resulting hemin–G‐quadruplex structures reveal horseradish peroxidase DNAzyme catalytic activities. The following K⁺ ion/receptor switchable systems are described: 1) The K⁺‐induced self‐assembly of the Mg²⁺‐dependent DNAzyme subunits into a catalytic nanostructure using the assembly of G‐quadruplexes as bridging unit. 2) The K⁺‐induced stabilization of the anti‐thrombin G‐quadruplex nanostructure that inhibits the hydrolytic functions of thrombin. 3) The K⁺‐induced opening of DNA tweezers through the stabilization of G‐quadruplexes on the “tweezers’ arms" and the release of a strand bridging the tweezers into a closed structure. In all of the systems reversible, switchable, functions are demonstrated. For all systems two different signals are used to follow the switchable functions (fluorescence and the catalytic functions of the derived hemin–G‐quadruplex DNAzyme).     

G‐Quadruplex‐Linked Supersandwich DNA Structure for Electrochemical Amplified Detection of Thrombin

In this paper, a novel strategy of electrochemical amplified detection of thrombin based on G‐quadruplex‐linked supersandwich structure was described. In the presence of K⁺ and hemin, the original hairpin DNA sequence activated an autonomous cross‐opening process to build up hemin/G‐quadruplex structure and can hybridize to form supersandwich structure containing multiple signal labels. With the addition of thrombin, it conjugated with its aptamer, leading to a remarkably descended signal. The supersandwich‐amplified electrochemical sensor system was highly sensitive in the concentration range from 10^?6 to 10^?10 M with a detection limit of 10 pM and also demonstrated excellent selectivity. The amplifying supersandwich structure with multiple labels can be implemented as a versatile sensing platform for analyzing other DNA in the presence of the appropriate probe.     

Quantitative Detection of G‐Quadruplex DNA in Live Cells Based on Photon Counts and Complex Structure Discrimination

G‐quadruplex DNA show structural polymorphism, leading to challenges in the use of selective recognition probes for the accurate detection of G‐quadruplexes in vivo. Herein, we present a tripodal cationic fluorescent probe, NBTE , which showed distinguishable fluorescence lifetime responses between G‐quadruplexes and other DNA topologies, and fluorescence quantum yield (Φ_f) enhancement upon G‐quadruplex binding. We determined two NBTE ‐G‐quadruplex complex structures with high Φ_f values by NMR spectroscopy. The structures indicated NBTE interacted with G‐quadruplexes using three arms through π–π stacking, differing from that with duplex DNA using two arms, which rationalized the higher Φ_f values and lifetime response of NBTE upon G‐quadruplex binding. Based on photon counts of FLIM, we detected the percentage of G‐quadruplex DNA in live cells with NBTE and found G‐quadruplex DNA content in cancer cells is 4‐fold that in normal cells, suggesting the potential applications of this probe in cancer cell detection.     

A New Amperometric Biosensor Based on HRP/Nano-Au/L-Cysteine/Poly（o-Aminobenzoic acid）-Membrane-Modified Platinum Electrode for the Determination of Hydrogen Peroxide

The third generation amperometric biosensor for the determination of hydrogen peroxide （H2O2） has been described. For the fabrication of biosensor, o-aminobenzoic acid （oABA） was first electropolymerized on the surface of platinum （Pt） electrode as an electrostatic repulsion layer to reject interferences. Horseradish peroxidase （HRP） absorbed by nano-scaled particulate gold （nano-Au） was immobilized on the electrode modified with polymerized o-aminobenzoic acid （poABA） with L-cysteine as a linker to prepare a biosensor for the detection of H2O2. Amperometric detection of H2O2 was realized at a potential of ＋20 mV versus SCE. The resulting biosensor exhibited fast response, excellent reproducibility and sensibility, expanded linear range and low interferences. Temperature and pH dependence and stability of the sensor were investigated. The optimal sensor gave a linear response in the range of 2.99×10^-6 to 3.55×10^-3 mol·L^-1 to H2O2 with a sensibility of 0.0177 A·L^-1·mol^-1 and a detection limit （S/N = 3） of 4.3×10^-7 mol·L^-1. The biosensor demonstrated a 95% response within less than 10 s.     

A Thermophilic Tetramolecular G‐Quadruplex/Hemin DNAzyme

The quadruplex‐based DNAzyme system is one of the most useful artificial enzymes or catalysts; their unique properties make them reliable alternatives to proteins for performing catalytic transformation. The first prototype of a thermally stable DNAzyme system is presented. This thermophilic DNAzyme is capable of oxidizing substrates at high temperatures (up to 95 °C) and long reaction times (up to 18 h at 75 °C). The catalytic activity of the DNAzymes were investigated with the standard peroxidase‐mimicking oxidation of 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiozoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) by H₂O₂. The step‐by‐step design of this unique heat‐activated G‐quadruplex/hemin catalyst, including the modification of adenines at both ends of G‐tracts, the choice of cation, and its concentration for DNAzyme stabilization, is described. This work investigates thoroughly the molecular basis of these catalytic properties and provides an example of an industrially relevant application.     

Sensitive Electrochemical Aptasensor for Thrombin Detection with Platinum Nanoparticles,Blocking Reagent‐Horseradish Peroxidase and Graphene Oxide as Enhancers

A highly sensitive thrombin electrochemical aptasensor with Pt nanoparticles, blocking reagent‐horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and inert graphene oxide (GO) as enhancers was successfully fabricated. Firstly, Pt nanoparticles with high surface to volume ratio could increase the amount of the immobilized redox probe hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles (NiHCFNPs) and effectively enhance the electron transfer. Secondly, HRP and Pt nanoparticles with high catalytic activity extremely amplify the electrochemical signal of NiHCFNPs toward H₂O₂. Lastly, inert graphene oxide (GO) labeled TBA could be used for enlarging the steric hindrance of thrombin. As a result, the aptasensor showed a high sensitivity with a detection limit of 500 fM.     

Determination of Mercury at the Picogram per Milliliter Level Using Immobilized Horseradish Peroxidase

Abstract

New test method and test device for the mercury (II) determination at the pg/mL level were developed based on the mercury inhibitory action on horseradish peroxidase immobilized on solid supports – in the cells of the polystyrene plate and on the chromatographic paper. The reactions of o-dianisidine, 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine and o-phenylenediamine oxidation by hydrogen peroxide were used as the indicator reactions. The mercury inhibitory effect increased in the presence of thiourea. Under the elucidated optimal conditions the calibration curves for the mercury determination showed a linear relationship between the peroxidase inhibition degree and the mercury concentration in the range of 0,1–1000 pg/mL. The mercury detection limits were 0,1–10 pg/mL in dependence on the concrete indicator reaction. The analysis completed in 15 min. The proposed test device was applied to the mercury determination in underground waters of Moscow region. The mercury content obtained was coincident with that obtained by atomic-fluorescent method with cold vapour.     

Detection of Trace Phenol Based on Mesoporous Silica Derived Tyrosinase‐Peroxidase Biosensor

A novel electrochemical biosensor for phenol based on immobilization of tyrosinase‐peroxidase on mesoporous silica is described. The enhanced sensitivity of the tyrosinase‐horseradish peroxidase based biosensor to phenol was observed on comparing with tyrosinase or horseradish peroxidase monoenzyme modified electrodes. Two enzymes retained their enzymatic activities for phenol determination without any mediator. The preparation conditions of the biosensor are discussed. Optimization of the experimental parameters was performed with regard to pH and operating potential. The phenol sensor exhibited a fast response of less than 10 seconds. The sensitivity of the biosensor for phenol was 14 μA μM^?1 cm^?2 with a linear range from 2×10^?7 to 2.3×10^?4 M and a detection limit of 4.1×10^?9 M. The biosensor showed a good stability and reproducibility.     

Nitrite‐Selective Electrode Based On Cobalt(II) tert‐Butyl‐Salophen Ionophore

A series of polymeric nitrite‐selective electrodes containing a new lipophilic ionophore Co(II) tert‐butyl‐salophen is reported. The stability of Co(II) ionophores within a PVC‐based membrane was investigated by leaching experiments. Different membrane compositions were explored in order to reach the lowest possible limit of detection for a PVC‐based nitrite selective polymeric membrane electrode containing this ionophore. The optimal electrode showed a limit of detection of 2×10^?6 M and exhibited four orders of magnitude of discrimination over nitrate, chloride and bromide. The electrodes were evaluated in undiluted human urine and attest to the robustness of the ionophore.     

Molecular‐Level Insights into Intrinsic Peroxidase‐Like Activity of Nanocarbon Oxides

Nanocarbon oxides have been proved to possess great peroxidase‐like activity, catalyzing the oxidation of many peroxidase substrates, such as 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and o‐phenylenediamine dihydrochloride (OPD), accompanied by a significant color change. This chromogenic reaction is widely used to detect glucose and occult blood. The chromogenic reaction was intensively investigated with density functional theory and molecular‐level insights into the nature of peroxidase‐like activity were gained. A radical mechanism was unraveled and the carboxyl groups of nanocarbon oxides were identified as the reactive sites. Aromatic domains connected with the carboxyl groups were critical to the peroxidase‐like activity.     

New Synthesis and Reactions of Ethyl 5‐amino‐4‐cyano‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxylate

Synthesis of ethyl 5‐amino‐4‐cyano‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxylate 5 has been achieved via abnormal Beckmann rearrangement of o‐chloroaldehyde 1 . Reaction of o‐aminocarbonitrile 5 with concentrated H₂SO₄ furnished expected o‐aminocarboxamide pyrazole 6 . Key intermediates o‐aminocarbonitrile 5 and o‐aminocarboxamide 6 were successfully utilized for the synthesis of pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives. The replacement of Cl in o‐chlorocarbonitrile 3 with secondary amine furnished new synthon 13 , which was further used for the synthesis of polysubstituted heterocycles. The obtained new products were well characterized by IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and mass spectra.     

Synthesis and Structure–Activity Correlation Studies of Secondary‐ and Tertiary‐Amine‐Based Glutathione Peroxidase Mimics

In this study, a series of secondary‐ and tertiary‐amino‐substituted diaryl diselenides were synthesized and studied for their glutathione peroxidase (GPx) like antioxidant activities with H₂O₂, cumene hydroperoxide, or tBuOOH as substrates and with PhSH or glutathione (GSH) as thiol cosubstrates. This study reveals that replacement of the tert‐amino groups in benzylamine‐based diselenides by sec‐amino moieties drastically enhances the catalytic activities in both the aromatic thiol (PhSH) and GSH assay systems. Particularly, the N‐propyl‐ and N‐isopropylamino‐substituted diselenides are 8–18 times more active than the corresponding N,N‐dipropyl‐ and N,N‐diisopropylamine‐based compounds in all three peroxide systems when GSH is used as the thiol cosubstrate. Although the catalytic mechanism of sec‐amino‐substituted diselenides is similar to that of the tert‐amine‐based compounds, differences in the stability and reactivity of some of the key intermediates account for the differences in the GPx‐like activities. It is observed that the sec‐amino groups are better than the tert‐amino moieties for generating the catalytically active selenols. This is due to the absence of any significant thiol‐exchange reactions in the selenenyl sulfides derived from sec‐amine‐based diselenides. Furthermore, the seleninic acids (RSeO₂H) derived from the sec‐amine‐based compounds are more stable toward further reactions with peroxides than their tert‐amine‐based analogues.     

A Third‐Generation Hydrogen Peroxide Biosensor Based on Horseradish Peroxidase Immobilized in Carbon Nanotubes/ SBA‐15 Film

A new third‐generation biosensor for H₂O₂ assay was developed on the basis of the immobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in a nanocomposite film of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)‐SBA‐15 modified gold electrode. The biological activity of HRP immobilizing in the composite film was characterized by UV‐vis spectra. The HRP immobilized in the nanocomposite matrix displayed excellent electrocatalytic activity to the reduction of H₂O₂. The effects of the experimental variables such as solution pH and working potential were investigated using steady‐state amperometry. Under the optimal conditions, the resulting biosensor showed a linear range from 1 µM to 7 mM and a detection limit of 0.5 µM (S/N=3). Moreover, the stability and reproducibility of this biosensor were evaluated with satisfactory results.     

β‐AgVO3 Nanorods as Peroxidase Mimetic for Colorimetric Determination of Glucose

β‐AgVO₃ nanorods have been demonstrated to exhibit intrinsic peroxidase‐like activity. The oxidation of glucose can be catalyzed by glucose oxidase (GOx ) to generate H₂O₂ in the presence of O₂ . The β‐AgVO₃ nanorods can catalytically oxidize peroxidase substrates including o‐phenylenediamine (OPD ), 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB ), and diammonium 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonate) (ABTS ) by H₂O₂ to produce typical color reactions: OPD from colorless to orange, TMB from colorless to blue, and ABTS from colorless to green. The catalyzed reaction by the β‐AgVO₃ nanorods was found to follow the characteristic Michaelis–Menten kinetics. Compared with horseradish peroxidase and AgVO₃ nanobelts, β‐AgVO₃ nanorods showed a higher affinity for TMB with a lower Michaelis–Menten constant (K _m) value (0.04118 mM ) at the optimal condition. Taking advantage of their high catalytic activity, the as‐synthesized β‐AgVO₃ nanorods were utilized to develop a colorimetric sensor for the determination of glucose. The linear range for glucose was 1.25–60 μM with the lower detection limit of 0.5 μM . The simple and sensitive GOx ‐β–AgVO₃ nanorods–TMB sensing system shows great promise for applications in the pharmaceutical, clinical, and biosensor detection of glucose.     

Dual Amplified Electrochemical Immunosensor for Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen Detection Using Hemin/G‐Quadruplex Immobilized onto Fe3O4‐AuNPs or (Hemin‐Amino‐rGO‐Au) Nanohybrid

A sensitive electrochemical immunosensor for Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) detection was fabricated based on hemin/G‐quadruplex interlaced onto Fe₃O₄‐AuNPs or hemin ‐amino‐reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite (H‐amino‐rGO‐Au). G‐quadruplex DNAzyme, which is composed of hemin and guanine‐rich nucleic acid, is an effective signal amplified tool for its outstanding peroxidase activity and Fe₃O₄‐AuNPs or (H‐amino‐rGO‐Au) nanocomposites with quasi‐enzyme activity provide appropriate support for the immobilization of hemin/G‐quadruplex. The target protein was sandwiched between the primary antibody immobilized on the GO and secondary antibody immobilized on the Fe₃O₄‐AuNPs or (H‐amino‐rGO‐Au) nanocomposites and glutaraldehyde was used as linking agent for the immobilization of primary antibody on the surface of GO. Both Fe₃O₄‐AuNPs and H‐amino‐rGO‐Au nanocomposite and also hemin/G‐quadruplex can cooperate the electrocatalytic reduction of H₂O₂ in the presence of methylene blue as mediator. The proposed immunosensor has a wide linear dynamic range of 0.1 pg/ml to 300 pg/ml with a detection limit of 60 fg/ml when Fe₃O₄‐AuNPs was used for immobilization of hemin/G‐quadruplex, while the dynamic range and DL were 0. 1–1000 pg/mL and 10 fg/mL, respectively in the presence of H‐amino‐rGO‐ Au nanocomposite as platform for immobilizing of hemin/G‐quadruplex. The proposed immunosensor was also used for analysis of HBsAg in spiked human serum samples with satisfactory results.