Electrochemical "signal-on" reporter for amyloid aggregates

The synthesis and characterization of four new Ferrocene (Fc) bioconjugates, bearing a podant (Lys)-Leu-Val-Phe-Phe motif, namely the hydrophobic sequence of amyloid-β-peptides (Aβ), is reported. The Fc-peptide conjugates are characterized by a reversible redox activity and the ability to undergo hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding interactions. Biomolecular interactions between Fc-bioconjugates with Aβ(12-28) fragments were studied by circular dichroism (CD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electrochemistry. All four Fc-peptides interacted favourable with Aβ(12-28) and prevented fibril formation, the extent of which depended on the length of the peptide and the nature of the C-terminal group. The aggregates obtained for the Aβ(12-28)/Fc-peptide mixtures range from short fibrils to spherical aggregates. We demonstrated that in solution the peptide sequence and peptide charge affect the biomolecular interactions. Fc-peptide interactions with immobilized Aβ(12-28)-Cys films on Au surfaces were detected by measuring the current response of the Fc redox process. The formal redox potential, E(0), at ~440 (10) mV and i(pc)/i(pa) at 0.9 were observed characteristic for the monosubstituted Fc-derivative undergoing a one-electron redox process. On the surface, methyl ester-protected Fc-peptides (1 and 3) interacted only weakly with Aβ(12-28)-Cys films, giving rise to minimal redox activity. In contrast, charged Fc-peptides (2 and 4) gave a significant electrochemical readout following the interaction with Aβ(12-28)-Cys films. Interestingly, the Fc-peptide charge dictates the surface-assisted interactions, while hydrophobic and ionic effects contribute to the overall solution behaviour of the Fc-bioconjugates with Aβ(12-28).