Low-level expression of purine bases in BALB/3T3 cells monitored by ultrasensitive graphene-based glass carbon electrode

Using an ultrasensitive chemically reduced graphene oxide and ionic liquid modified glass carbon electrode (RGI-GCE), separated electrochemical signals of adenine and hypoxanthine in both human breast cancer (MCF-7) and mouse embryonic fibroblast (BALB/3T3) cells were observed. For the first time, low-level expression of purine bases in noncancerous BALB/3T3 cells can be electrochemically monitored. The metabolism of purine bases in carcinogen agent-contaminated BALB/3T3 cells was also investigated through the change of electrochemical signals ascribed to different purine bases, which opens a new electrochemical approach to the exploration of a low-level purine mechanism in noncancerous cells.