Proteins modified with DNAzymes or aptamers act as biosensors or biosensor labels

Hybrid systems composed of a glucose oxidase (GOx)/peroxidase-mimicking DNAzyme, and of microperoxidase-11 (MP-11)/anti-thrombin aptamer were synthesized. The hybrid systems were employed as amplifying labels for the colorimetric or chemiluminescence detection of an enzyme functions, and thrombin analysis, respectively. In the GOx/DNAzyme system, the GOx-mediated oxidation of glucose led to the formation of H(2)O(2), and this activated the oxidation of ABTS to a colored product, or to the generation of chemiluminescence in the presence of luminol. The MP-11/anti-thrombin aptamer enabled the amplified analysis of thrombin by the MP-11-mediated generation of chemiluminescence in the presence of luminol/H(2)O(2).     

A sensitive determination of estrogens with a Pt nano-clusters/multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode

On the top of a multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) modified glassy carbon electrode (MWNTs/GCE), Pt nanoclusters were electrochemically deposited, fabricating a Pt/MWNTs composite modified electrode, Pt/MWNTs/GCE. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscope were used for the surface characterization of the electrode, and demonstrated the formation and distribution of Pt clusters of Pt nanoparticles of 8.4 nm in averaged size in the MWNTs matrix. The preliminary study found that this composite modified electrode has strong electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of estrogens involving estradiol, estrone and estriol. The voltammetric behavior of estrogens on this electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry and square-wave voltammetry. In comparison with the MWNTs/GCE or a Pt nanoparticles modified GCE prepared in the similar way, this composite modified electrode exhibited much higher current sensitivity and catalytic activity. This electrode is also stable. The linear range of square-wave voltammetric determination was 5.0 x 10(-7)-1.5 x 10(-5)mol/L for estradiol, 2.0 x 10(-6)-5.0 x 10(-5)mol/L for estrone, and 1.0 x 10(-6)-7.5 x 10(-5)mol/L for estriol. Under an assumption that the concentration ratio of estradiol:estrone:estriol is 2:2:1, the real sample of blood serums was tested for the determination using this electrode. Satisfactory result was obtained with averaged recovery of 105%.     

Suicide-peroxide inactivation of microperoxidase-11: a kinetic study

The kinetics of microperoxidase-11 (MP-11) in the oxidation reaction of guaiacol (AH) by hydrogen peroxide was studied, taking into account the inactivation of enzyme during reaction by its suicide substrate, H2O2. Concentrations of substrates were so selected that: 1) the reaction was first-order in relation to benign substrate, AH and 2) high ratio of suicide substrate to the benign substrate, [H2O2] > [AH]. Validation and reliability of the obtained kinetic equations were evaluated in various nonlinear and linear forms. Fitting of experimental data into the obtained integrated equation showed a close match between the kinetic model and the experimental results. Indeed, a similar mechanism to horseradish peroxidase was found for the suicide-peroxide inactivation of MP-11. Kinetic parameters of inactivation including the intact activity of MP-11, alphai, and the apparent inactivation rate constant, ki, were obtained as 0.282 +/- 0.006 min(-1) and 0.497 +/- 0.013(-1) min at [H2O2] = 1.0 mM, 27 degrees C, phosphate buffer 5.0 mM, pH = 7.0. Results showed that inactivation of microperoxidase as a peroxidase model enzyme can occur even at low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (0.4 mM).     

Nano polyurethane-assisted ultrasensitive biodetection of H(2)O(2) over immobilized microperoxidase-11

Nanostructured polyurethane (PU) synthesized by an emulsion polymerization with narrow size distribution was employed for the first time directly as a novel matrix for enzyme immobilization to develop sensitively amperometric biosensors. When Microperoxidase-11 (MP-11) was selected as a model protein, the resulting hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) biosensor exhibited improved sensitivity of 29.6μAmM(-1)cm(-2) with quite good response time of (1.3±0.4)s and remarkable limit of detection as low as 10pM (S/N 3) over existing protocols. A linear calibration curve for hydrogen peroxide was obtained up to 1.3μM under the optimized conditions with a relative low calculated Michaelis-Menten constant (K(M)(app)) (1.87±0.05)μM, which indicated the enhanced enzymatic affinity of MP-11 to H(2)O(2) via PU. The possible interferents had negligible effect on the response current and time of the prepared biosensor. Results suggest that the PU nanoparticles (PU-NPs) with good biocompatibility and sufficient interfacial adhesion hold promise as an attractive support material for construction of ultrasensitive amperometric biosensor.     

Nanostructured electrode based on multi-wall carbon nanotubes/Pt microparticles nanocomposite for electrochemical determination of thiols in rat striatum by high performance liquid chromatography separation

In this paper, multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)/Pt microparticles nanocomposite was prepared by electrodepositing Pt microparticles onto the MWNTs matrix. The surface of glassy carbon electrode was modified with this kind of nanocomposite for measurement of thiols, such as L-cysteine (L-Cys) and glutathione (GSH). Compared with the MWNTs or Pt microparticles modified electrode, the nanocomposite modified electrode exhibited high sensitivity and good stability for detection of thiols. According to the results of experiments, the peak currents of L-Cys and GSH are linear with their concentrations and the detection limits (S/N=3) are 2.9 x 10(-8) mol/L and 4.5 x 10(-8) mol/L, respectively. Coupled with microdialysis, the method has been successfully applied to the determination of these two thiols in rat striatal microdialysates.     

Degradation of water-insoluble dyes by microperoxidase-11, an effective and stable peroxidative catalyst in hydrophilic organic media

Microperoxidase-11 (MP-11), a heme-containing undecapeptide, derived from horse heart cytochrome c was utilized as a peroxidative catalyst. Catalytic characteristics of MP-11 in hydrophilic organic media were studied using 2,6-dimethoxyphenol as a reducing substrate in a series of organic solvents at various concentrations, indicating that MP-11 was active in water-miscible organic solvents but at least 5% water was compulsory for the catalytic action. Thus, MP-11 was not active in hydrophobic solvents. The pH of the water portion in the media affected the reaction rate. The optimal pH was found to be 9, where a release of protons from either an oxidizing or reducing substrate to the media was facilitated. The decolorization of water-insoluble synthetic dyes by MP-11 in 90% methanol was attempted. MP-11 showed effective decolorization activities against either azo or anthraquinone dyes. The degradation pathway for Solvent Orange 7 was investigated in detail, showing that MP-11 catalyzed the oxidative cleavage of the azo linkage to generate 1,2-naphthoquinone and 2,4-dimethylphenol as key intermediates.     

Biosensor based on polyaniline-Prussian Blue/multi-walled carbon nanotubes hybrid composites

In this work, a novel route for fabrication polyaniline (PANI)-Prussian Blue (PB) hybrid composites is proposed by the spontaneous redox reaction in the FeCl(3)-K(3)[Fe(CN)(6)] and the aniline solution. With the introduction of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), the PANI-PB/MWNTs system shows synergy between the PANI-PB and MWNTs which amplified the H(2)O(2) sensitivity greatly. A linear range from 8 x1 0(-8) to 1 x 10(-5)M and a high sensitivity 508.1 8 microA microM cm(2) for H(2)O(2) detection are obtained. The composites also show good stability in neutral solution. A glucose biosensor was further constructed by immobilizing glucose oxidase (GOD) with Nafion and glutaraldehyde on the electrode surface. The performance factors influencing the resulted biosensor were studied in detail. The biosensor exhibits excellent response performance to glucose with the linear range from 1 to 11 mM and a detection limit of 0.01 mM. Furthermore, the biosensor shows rapid response, high sensitivity, good reproducibility, long-term stability and freedom of interference from other co-existing electroactive species.     

Superoxide release from interleukin-1B-stimulated human vascular cells: in situ electrochemical measurement.

Release of superoxide anion by cultured vascular cells was investigated with the use of selective microelectrodes. Local concentration of superoxide anion (O2*-) was followed by differential pulse amperometry on a carbon microfiber at 0.1 V/SCE. The oxidation current allows O2*- detection in the 10(-8) M concentration range without interference of the other major oxygen species. Interleukin-1beta-stimulated O2*- release that progressively increased to reach local concentrations at the cell membrane level of 76 +/- 11 nm 40-60 min after stimulation in human cord vein endothelial cells, and 131 +/- 18 nm 1-2 h after stimulation in internal mammary artery smooth muscle cells. In the two types of cells, the O2*- oxidation signal was suppressed in the presence of superoxide dismutase. Spontaneous O2*-release from unstimulated cells was undetectable. These results demonstrate that selective microelectrodes allow direct and real-time monitoring of local O2*- released from vascular endothelial as well as from smooth muscle cells submitted to an inflammatory stimulus.     

Glucose biosensor based on electrodeposition of platinum nanoparticles onto carbon nanotubes and immobilizing enzyme with chitosan-SiO(2) sol-gel

A novel amperometric biosensor, based on electrodeposition of platinum nanoparticles onto multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNTs) and immobilizing enzyme with chitosan-SiO(2) sol-gel, is presented in this article. MWNTs were cast on the glass carbon (GC) substrate directly. An extra Nafion coating was used to eliminate common interferents such as acetaminophen and ascorbic acids. The morphologies and electrochemical performance of the modified electrodes have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and amperometric methods, respectively. The synergistic action of Pt and MWNTs and the biocompatibility of chitosan-SiO(2) sol-gel made the biosensor have excellent electrocatalytic activity and high stability. The resulting biosensor exhibits good response performance to glucose with a wide linear range from 1 microM to 23 mM and a low detection limit 1 microM. The biosensor also shows a short response time (within 5s), and a high sensitivity (58.9 microAm M(-1)cm(-2)). In addition, effects of pH value, applied potential, rotating rate, electrode construction and electroactive interferents on the amperometric response of the sensor were investigated and discussed in detail.     

Characterization of cDNAs, mRNAs, and proteins related to human liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 (S)-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylase

A cytochrome P-450 (P-450) multigene family codes for several related human liver enzymes, including the P-450 responsible for (S)-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation. This enzyme activity has previously been shown to be associated with a genetic polymorphism. Genomic (Southern) blot analysis using non-overlapping 5' and 3' portions of a cDNA clone suggests that approximately seven related sequences are present in this gene family. In this study four cDNA clones, all nearly full-length, were isolated from a bacteriophage lambda gt11 library prepared from a single human liver. These clones can be grouped into two categories that are approximately 85% identical at the level of DNA sequence. The cDNA clones in one category (MP-4, MP-8) both match the N-terminal sequences of the P-450MP-1 and P-450MP-2 proteins, which had previously been shown to be catalytically active in (S)-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation. These two cDNAs, MP-4 and MP-8, differ in only two bases in the coding region but are quite distinct in their 3' noncoding regions. Another protein (P-450MP-3) was isolated on the basis of its immunochemical similarity to P-450MP-1 but was found to be catalytically inactive; amino acid sequencing of tryptic peptides of P-450MP-3 showed a correspondence to the second category of cDNA clones (MP-12, MP-20), which differ from each other in only four (nonsilent) base changes. Oligonucleotides specific for the two groups of cDNA clones were used as probes of human liver mRNAs--individual liver samples examined expressed both types of mRNAs but no correlation was observed between the abundance levels of any mRNA and catalytic activity. Further, oligonucleotide probes indicated that mRNAs corresponding to both the MP-4 and MP-8 clones were apparently present in individual liver samples. A monoclonal antibody was isolated that recognized P-450MP-1 but not P-450MP-2 or P-450MP-3; the amount of protein detected by the antibody in different liver samples was not correlated with the mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylase activity. These results indicate that several closely related P-450 genes are all expressed in individual human livers. The MP-4/MP-8 gene products are proposed to be the ones most likely involved in mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation, and much of the variation in catalytic activity among individuals is not a result of differences in levels of P-450MP-1 or mRNA but may be due to base differences in the structural gene(s).     

Does P450-type catalysis proceed through a peroxo-iron intermediate? A review of studies with microperoxidase

Recent stopped-flow kinetics demonstrated the existence of an intermediate before the occurrence of the final product of the reaction of both iron-containing microperoxidase-8 (Fe(III)MP-8) and manganese-containing microperoxidase-8 (Mn(III)MP-8) with H(2)O(2). The intermediate was assigned to be (hydro)peroxo-iron. With both mini-catalysts the final state obtained after 30-40 ms showed a resemblance to PorM(IV)MP-8[double bond]O(R(+)*); (R(+)*) is a radical located at the peptide. Quantum mechanical calculations indicate that hydroperoxo-iron is inactive as a catalytic intermediate in cytochrome P450 (P450)-type catalysis. Instead, the calculations suggest that peroxo-iron acts as the catalytic intermediate in P450-type catalysis. In addition, the calculations demonstrate that, although less likely, the possibility that oxenoid-iron acts as a catalytic intermediate in P450 catalysis cannot be fully excluded. An interesting aspect of the reactions catalysed by MP-8 is the possibility that, in view of the reversibility of the reactions between (hydro)peroxo-iron and oxenoid-iron, H(2)O plays a decisive role, at least in some cytochromes P450, in the removal of halogens, avoiding the production of compounds hazardous to the organism.     

抗HIV-1活性的大环多胺类化合物与RNA的识别作用及其对细胞凋亡的影响(英)

研究了具有抗HIV-1活性的大环多胺类化合物与RNA的识别作用，以及其对cos-7细胞凋亡的影响，以进一步探讨其抗HIV-1的作用机理.实验采用琼脂糖凝胶电泳方法, 观察化合物与RNA的识别作用；通过流式细胞计数法探讨其对cos-7细胞凋亡的影响；运用计算机分子模型, 从理论上Docking计算化合物与TAR RNA结合的可能性.结果表明, 大环多胺类化合物MP-1、MP-2和MP-3不仅具有断裂RNA的作用，并可抑制Tat-RNA的相互作用, 还可影响cos-7细胞亚二倍体的含量; 理论化学计算数据与实验结果基本一致.这一结果提示化合物的抗HIV-1活性可能通过作用于病毒基因组RNA而发挥作用，是多靶作用的结果.     

Hydrogen peroxide biosensor based on microperoxidase-11 entrapped in lipid membrane

A highly catalytic activity microperoxidase-11 (MP-11) biosensor for H(2)O(2) was developed to immobilizing the heme peptide in didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) lipid membrane. The enzyme electrode thus obtained responded to H(2)O(2) without electron mediator or promoter, at a potential of +0.10 V versus Agmid R:AgCl. A linear calibration curve is obtained over the range from 2.0 x 10(-5) to 2.4 x 10(-3) M. The biosensor responds to hydrogen peroxide in 15 s and has a detection limit of 8 x 10(-7) M (S/N=3) Providing a natural environment with lipid membrane for protein immobilization and maintenance of protein functions is a suitable option for the design of biosensors.     

4-Aminobenzoic acid hydrazide inhibition of microperoxidase-11: catalytic inhibition by reactive metabolites

Inhibition of human peroxidase enzymes such as myeloperoxidase or eosinophil peroxidase represents a novel therapeutic area, for which there are no current clinical therapeutics. We utilized 4-aminobenzoic acid hydrazide which was reported to be a potent irreversible inhibitor of myeloperoxidase to gain insight into the role of reactive metabolites in catalytic inhibition. In order to carry out detailed studies, we used a model peroxidase, microperoxidase-11 (MP-11). We investigated the heme spectrum of MP-11 in the presence of 4-ABAH and found that heme bleaching occurred that was irreversible. This coincided with an absence of catalytic activity. The spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) was able to significantly prevent inactivation of peroxidase activity, therefore, we performed ESR spin trapping studies and detected a carbonyl carbon-centered radical of 4-ABAH. In order to determine if the free radical metabolites became bound to MP-11, we performed high-resolution MALDI with elemental analysis to determine the change in elemental composition that occurred in these reactions. These masses were assigned to free radical metabolites of 4-ABAH and were not observed in reactions containing DMPO. We conclude that the 4-ABAH free radical metabolites which were bound to MP-11 were involved in the catalytic inhibition and were scavenged by DMPO.     

Radiosynthesis and in vivo evaluation of [11C]MP-10 as a PET probe for imaging PDE10A in rodent and non-human primate brain

2-((4-(1-[(11)C]Methyl-4-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)phenoxy)methyl)-quinoline (MP-10), a specific PDE10A inhibitor (IC(50)=0.18 nM with 100-fold selectivity over other PDEs), was radiosynthesized by alkylation of the desmethyl precursor with [(11)C]CH(3)I, ～45% yield, >92% radiochemical purity, >370 GBq/μmol specific activity at end of bombardment (EOB). Evaluation in Sprague-Dawley rats revealed that [(11)C]MP-10 had highest brain accumulation in the PDE10A enriched-striatum, the 30 min striatum: cerebellum ratio reached 6.55. MicroPET studies of [(11)C]MP-10 in monkeys displayed selective uptake in striatum. However, a radiolabeled metabolite capable of penetrating the blood-brain-barrier may limit the clinical utility of [(11)C]MP-10 as a PDE10A PET tracer.     

An aqueous media based approach for the preparation of a biosensor platform composed of graphene oxide and Pt-black

The combination of Pt nanoparticles and graphene was more effective in enhancing biosensing than either nanomaterial alone according to previous reports. Based on the structural similarities between water soluble graphene oxide (GrO(x)) and graphene, we report the fabrication of an aqueous media based GrO(x)/Pt-black nanocomposite for biosensing enhancement. In this approach GrO(x) acted as a nanoscale molecular template for the electrodeposition of Pt-black, an amorphously nanopatterned isoform of platinum metal. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) showed that Pt-black was growing along GrO(x). The effective surface area and electrocatalytic activity towards H(2)O(2) oxidation of GrO(x)/Pt-black microelectrodes were significantly higher than for Pt-black microelectrodes. When used to prepare a bio-nanocomposite based on protein functionalization with the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx), the GrO(x)/Pt-black microbiosensors exhibited improved sensitivity over the Pt-black microbiosensors. This suggested that the GrO(x)/Pt-black nanocomposite facilitated an increase in electron transfer, and/or minimized mass transport limitations as compared to Pt-black used alone. Glucose microbiosensors based on GrO(x)/Pt-black exhibited high sensitivity (465.9±48.0nA/mM), a low detection limit of 1μM, a linear response range of 1μM-2mM, and response time of ～4s. Additionally the sensor was stable and highly selective over potential interferents.     

Hemes and hemoproteins. 5: Kinetics of the peroxidatic activity of microperoxidase-8: model for the peroxidase enzymes

The peroxidatic activity of the heme octapeptide from cytochrome c, microperoxidase-8 (MP-8), was assayed at 25 degrees C under conditions where formation of Compound I is rate limiting. In the pH range 6-9, the reaction rate increased linearly with a slope close to unity. The active form of the substrate is the hydroperoxide anion, HO2-, and an extrapolated second-order rate constant was obtained for the reaction of aquoMP-8 with HO2- of 3.7 X 10(8) M-1 sec-1, which is close to the second-order rate constants reported for reaction of the peroxidase enzymes with H2O2. Comparison with published data shows that the Fe3+ ion of MP-8 reacts as expected with simple anions, electrons, and HO2-, while the analogous reactions of the enzymes all show a requirement for one H+. We conclude that the peroxidase enzymes activate H2O2 under physiological conditions through a pH-independent, H+-coupled binding of the required H2O2-. The peroxidase activity of MP-8 can be increased more than tenfold by the presence of the guanidinium ion, which is ascribed to formation of the ion-pair GuaH+HO2-; this suggests a role for the invariant distal Arg in the enzymes.     

Measuring and interpreting respiratory critical oxygen pressures in roots

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Respiratory critical oxygen pressures (COPR) determined from O(2)-depletion rates in media bathing intact or excised roots are unreliable indicators of respiratory O(2)-dependency in O(2)-free media and wetlands. A mathematical model was used to help illustrate this, and more relevant polarographic methods for determining COPR in roots of intact plants are discussed. METHODS: Cortical [O(2)] near the root apex was monitored indirectly (pea seedlings) from radial oxygen losses (ROL) using sleeving Pt electrodes, or directly (maize) using microelectrodes; [O(2)] in the root was controlled by manipulating [O(2)] around the shoots. Mathematical modelling of radial diffusive and respiratory properties of roots used Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics. KEY RESULTS: Respiration declined only when the O(2) partial pressure (OPP) in the cortex of root tips fell below 0.5-4.5 kPa, values consistent with depressed respiration near the centre of the stele as confirmed by microelectrode measurements and mathematical modelling. Modelling predictions suggested that the OPP of a significant core at the centre of roots could be below the usual detection limits of O(2)-microelectrodes but still support some aerobic respiration. CONCLUSIONS: In O(2)-free media, as in wetlands, the COPR for roots is likely to be quite low, dependent upon the respiratory demands, dimensions and diffusion characteristics of the stele/stelar meristem and the enzyme kinetics of cytochrome oxidase. Roots of non-wetland plants may not differ greatly in their COPRs from those of wetland species. There is a possibility that trace amounts of O(2) may still be present in stelar 'anaerobic' cores where fermentation is induced at low cortical OPPs.     

抗HIV—1活性的大环多胺类化合物与RNA的识别作用及其对细胞凋亡的影响

研究了具有抗HIV－1活性的大环多胺类化合物与RNA的识别作用,以及其对cos-7细胞凋亡的影响,以进一步探讨其抗HIV－1的作用机理。实验采用琼脂糖凝胶电泳方法。观察化合物与RNA的识别作用。通过流式细胞计数法探讨其对cos-7细胞凋亡的影响。运用计算机分子模型,从理论上Docking计算化合物与TAR RNA结合的可能性。结果表明,大环多胺类化合物MP－1、MP－2和MP－3不仅具有断裂RNA的作用,并可抑制Tat-RNA的相互作用,还可影响cos-7细胞亚二倍体的含量;理论化学计算数据与实验结果基本一致,这一结果提示合物的抗HIV－1活性可能通过作用于病毒基因组RNA而发挥作用,是多靶作用的结果。     

Isolation and characterization of a microperoxidase-8 with a modified histidine axial ligand

Microperoxidase-8, Fe(III)MP-8, the heme octapeptide obtained by horse heart cytochrome c digestion, was studied in the presence of H(2)O(2). A modified form of the catalyst was isolated by HPLC and showed a UV/visible spectrum similar to that of Fe(III)MP-8. ESI-MS measurements revealed a 16 Da increase in molecular mass for the modified catalyst when compared to Fe(III)MP-8, suggesting the insertion of an oxygen atom. ESI-MS(2) fragmentation measurements point at oxygen incorporation on the His18 residue of the octapeptide of the modified catalyst. Comparison of the (1)H NMR chemical shifts of the methyl protons of the porphyrin ring of Fe(III)MP-8 and the modified catalyst shows a large shift for especially the 3-methyl and 5-methyl resonances, whereas the other (1)H NMR chemical shifts are almost unaffected. These observations can best be ascribed to a reorientation of the histidine axial ligand. The latter is suggested to be the consequence of an oxygen insertion, possibly on the imidazole ring of His18, thereby corroborating the data obtained by ESI-MS(2). (1)H NMR NOE difference measurements on Fe(III)MP-8 and on the modified catalyst supported the assignment of the H(delta)2 and H(epsilon)1 protons of the His18 imidazole ring. The ring amine proton H(delta)1 could not be detected in both forms of the catalyst. For Fe(III)MP-8 this absence of the H(delta)1 resonance can be ascribed to fast H/D exchange. For the modified catalyst the NMR data are not contradictory, with an oxygen insertion on position delta1 of the His18 imidazole ring with a fast H/D exchanging hydroxyl proton. Together these data converge in suggesting the H(2)O(2) modified catalyst bears a hydroxylated His18 axial ligand. The mechanism that could underlie Fe(III)MP-8 axial histidine hydroxylation is further discussed.