Dual-Mode Arginine Assay Based on the Conformation Switch of a Ferrocene-Grafted Polypeptide

Ling Wu ¹, Kaijie Zhu ¹, Shulei Xue ¹

⁰Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Materials Protection for Electric Power and Transportation & Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Cytochemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha 410114, China.

Analytical Chemistry +

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June 26, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This study presents a novel dual-mode biosensor for detecting arginine. The biosensor utilizes a conformation switch in a peptide-gold nanoparticle assembly for electrochemical and colorimetric arginine detection.

Area Of Science

Biomedical Engineering
Analytical Chemistry
Nanotechnology

Background

Specific amino acid recognition and controllable polypeptide conformation regulation remain significant challenges in biosensing.
Developing sensitive and selective detection methods for amino acids is crucial for health diagnostics.

Purpose Of The Study

To develop a novel dual-mode (electrochemical and colorimetric) biosensor for sensitive and selective arginine detection.
To utilize a conformation switch mechanism based on peptide-gold nanoparticle self-assembly for biosensing.

Main Methods

Constructed a dual-mode biosensor using ferrocene-grafted hexadecapeptide (P16Fc) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs).
Exploited the controllable self-assembly and disassembly of P16Fc-AuNPs triggered by arginine, inducing conformational changes.
Investigated the recognition mechanism using microstructure characterizations and molecular mechanics calculations.

Main Results

Achieved sensitive and selective electrochemical and colorimetric detection of arginine.
Demonstrated a very low detection limit for arginine.
Successfully eliminated interference from other amino acids and overcame gold nanoparticle aggregation limitations.

Conclusions

The developed conformation change-based biosensor offers a powerful tool for amino acid sensing.
This approach holds promise for advancements in health diagnostics and disease monitoring.