Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Bacterial Detection & Identification Using Electrochemical Sensors
Published on: April 23, 2013
Electrochemical detection of interaction between Thioflavin T and acetylcholinesterase
Vladimir Dounin1, Andrea Constantinof, Holger Schulze
1Dept. of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto at Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada.
Abstract:
The electrochemical oxidation of the benzothiazole dye Thioflavin T (ThT) was found to be modulated by its interaction with electric eel acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Modifications of AChE by trace amounts of small molecule inhibitors such as carbachol and paraoxon were detectable electrochemically using minimal reagents and with greater sensitivity than attainable through conventional fluorescence approaches. This property appears to be unique to ThT, since its closely related neutral derivative BTA-1 only interacts with AChE, but is not significantly affected by the presence of small molecule inhibitors.
Related Concept Videos
Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
Reversible inhibitors display short to medium durations of action. Short-acting agents include simple alcohols with...
Effects of EDTA on End-Point Detection Methods
In the visual method, metal-ion indicators (metallochromic dyes), which have distinct colors in their free and complex forms, are added to the mixture to signal the titration's end point. They form stable complexes with metal ions, but these complexes are weaker than the corresponding metal–EDTA complexes. As a result, EDTA...
Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Mechanism of Action
Reversible inhibitors like edrophonium bind to a specific part of the enzyme called the anionic catalytic site. They form noncovalent bonds, which means they are not strongly attached to the enzyme. This creates a temporary and less stable enzyme–inhibitor complex, leading to...
Interfacial Electrochemical Methods: Overview

