Bioelectronic sensing platform emulating the human endocannabinoid system for assessing and modulating of cannabinoid activity.

Cannabinoids are involved in physiological and neuromodulatory processes through their interactions with the human cannabinoid receptor-based endocannabinoid system. Their association with neurodegenerative diseases and brain reward pathways underscores the importance of evaluating and modulating cannabinoid activity for both understanding physiological mechanisms and developing therapeutic drugs. The use of agonists and antagonists could be strategic approaches for modulation. In this study, we introduce a bioelectronic sensor designed to monitor cannabinoid binding to receptors and assess their agonistic and antagonistic properties. We produced human cannabinoid receptor 1 (hCB1R) via an Escherichia coli expression system and incorporated it into nanodiscs (NDs). These hCB1R-NDs were then immobilized on a single-walled carbon nanotube field-effect transistor (swCNT-FET) to construct a bioelectronic sensing platform. This novel system can sensitively detect the cannabinoid ligand anandamide (AEA) at concentrations as low as 1 fM, demonstrating high selectivity and real-time response. It also successfully identified the hCB1R agonist Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and observed that the hCB1R antagonist rimonabant diminished the sensor signal upon AEA binding, indicating the antagonism-based modulation of ligand interaction. Consequently, our bioelectronic sensing platform holds potential for ligand detection and analysis of agonism and antagonism.

Electrochemical DNA Cleavage Sensing for EcoRV Activity and Inhibition with an ERGO Electrode.

An electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) electrode-based electrochemical assay was developed for rapid, sensitive, and straightforward analysis of both activity and inhibition of the endonuclease EcoRV. The procedure uses a DNA substrate designed for EcoRV, featuring a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) region labeled with methylene blue (MB) and a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) region immobilized on the ERGO surface. The ERGO electrode, immobilized with the DNA substrate, was subsequently exposed to a sample containing EcoRV. Upon enzymatic hydrolysis, the cleaved dsDNA fragments were detached from the ERGO surface, leading to a decrease in the MB concentration near the electrode. This diminished the electron transfer efficiency for MB reduction, resulting in a decreased reduction current. This assay demonstrates excellent specificity and high sensitivity, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 9.5 × 10-3 U mL-1. Importantly, it can also measure EcoRV activity in the presence of aurintricarboxylic acid, a known inhibitor, highlighting its potential for drug discovery and clinical diagnostic applications.

Orientation-Guided Immobilization of Probe DNA on swCNT-FET for Enhancing Sensitivity of EcoRV Detection.

We present a novel approach that integrates electrical measurements with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to assess the activity of type-II restriction endonucleases, specifically EcoRV. Our approach employs a single-walled carbon nanotube field-effect transistor (swCNT-FET) functionalized with the EcoRV substrate DNA, enabling the detection of enzymatic cleavage events. Notably, we leveraged the methylene blue (MB) tag as an "orientation guide" to immobilize the EcoRV substrate DNA in a specific direction, thereby enhancing the proximity of the DNA cleavage reaction to the swCNT surface and consequently improving the sensitivity in EcoRV detection. We conducted computational modeling to compare the conformations and electrostatic potential (ESP) of MB-tagged DNA with its MB-free counterpart, providing strong support for our electrical measurements. Both conformational and ESP simulations exhibited robust agreement with our experimental data. The inhibitory efficacy of the EcoRV inhibitor aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) was also evaluated, and the selectivity of the sensing device was examined.

A Flexible and Transparent PtNP/SWCNT/PET Electrochemical Sensor for Nonenzymatic Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide Released from Living Cells with Real-Time Monitoring Capability.

We developed a transparent and flexible electrochemical sensor using a platform based on a network of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) for the non-enzymatic detection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) released from living cells. We decorated the SWCNT network on a poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) substrate with platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) using a potentiodynamic method. The PtNP/SWCNT/PET sensor synergized the advantages of a flexible PET substrate, a conducting SWCNT network, and a catalytic PtNP and demonstrated good biocompatibility and flexibility, enabling cell adhesion. The PtNP/SWCNT/PET-based sensor demonstrated enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards H2O2, as well as excellent selectivity, stability, and reproducibility. The sensor exhibited a wide dynamic range of 500 nM to 1 M, with a low detection limit of 228 nM. Furthermore, the PtNP/SWCNT/PET sensor remained operationally stable, even after bending at various angles (15°, 30°, 60°, and 90°), with no noticeable loss of current signal. These outstanding characteristics enabled the PtNP/SWCNT/PET sensor to be practically applied for the direct culture of HeLa cells and the real-time monitoring of H2O2 release by the HeLa cells under drug stimulation.

Simultaneous and individual determination of seven biochemical species using a glassy carbon electrode modified with a nanocomposite of Pt nanoparticle and graphene by a one-step electrochemical process.

We propose a sensitive and selective electrochemical approach for simultaneous and individual determination of seven electroactive biochemical species using a modified electrode with a nanocomposite of Pt nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxides (PtNP/rGO). The PtNP/rGO nanocomposite was synthesized and deposited on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) from Pt4+ precursors and GO by one-pot electrochemical synthesis, forming PtNP/rGO-GCE. As-prepared PtNP/rGO electrode was characterized by Raman spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, SEM-EDS analysis, and cyclic voltammetry. Compared with bare GCE, Pt electrode, PtNP-GCE, the modified electrode exhibited excellent catalytic activity and large surface area, and rGO-GCE, which enabled sensitive and selective detection of seven biochemical species such as ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA), uric acid (UA), acetaminophen (AP), xanthine (XA), nitrite (NO2-), and hypoxanthine (HX) with good voltammetric resolution in differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) measurements. In addition, the electroanalytical performance of the PtNP/rGO-GCE sensor displayed satisfactory reproducibility and stability. Finally, the sensor could be applied for the detection of the seven biochemical species in real samples like human blood serum. Therefore, the PtNP/rGO-GCE can provide one promising platform for the simultaneous detection of redox-active biochemical species in environmental, food, and clinical samples.

Label-free assay of protein kinase A activity and inhibition in cancer cell using electrochemically-prepared AuNP/rGO nanohybrid electrode modified with C-Kemptide.

A simple, label-free and sensitive electrochemical assay is described for the detection of protein kinase A (PKA) activity and inhibition in cancer cell by measuring the change in electrochemical impedance upon phosphorylation. The assay utilized gold nanoparticle (AuNP) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanohybrid which was synthesized and deposited on the electrode from GO and Au3+ precursors by one-pot electrochemical synthesis. As-prepared AuNP/rGO electrode was employed to immobilize C-Kemptide peptide substrates which was phosphorylated in the presence of PKA and ATP. The resulting assay allowed effective, selective and sensitive monitoring of PKA activity according to the impedimetric change in the range of 0.1-500 U/mL, and the detection limit (LOD) is 53 mU/mL. It could also be used for the screening of protein kinase inhibitors. Furthermore, the assay could be applied for the evaluation of PKA activity and inhibition in HeLa cell samples. Therefore, the proposed assay provides one promising tool for PKA activity detection and inhibitor screening with excellent performance.

In Vivo and In Vitro Anticancer Activity of Doxorubicin-loaded DNA-AuNP Nanocarrier for the Ovarian Cancer Treatment.

In this study, we have determined the anticancer activity of doxorubicin (Dox)-loaded DNA/gold nanoparticle (AuNP) nanocarrier (Dox-DNA-AuNP) for the treatment of ovarian cancer. The anticancer effect of Dox-DNA-AuNP was evaluated in vitro using the EZ-Cytox cell viability assay on three human ovarian cancer cell lines, SK-OV-3, HEY A8, and A2780. Dox-DNA-AuNP exhibited outstanding activity with good IC50 values of 4.8, 7.4, and 7.6 nM for SK-OV-3, HEY A8, and A2780, respectively. In vivo evaluation further demonstrated the superior anticancer effects of Dox-DNA-AuNP by inhibiting tumor growth compared to free Dox in an established SK-OV-3 xenograft mice model. Dox-DNA-AuNP showed about a 2.5 times higher tumor growth inhibition rate than free Dox. Furthermore, the immunohistochemical analysis of Ki67 antigen expression showed the lowest number of proliferative cells in the ovarian tumor tissue treated with Dox-DNA-AuNP. These results suggest Dox-DNA-AuNP might be a potential effective agent in ovarian cancer chemotherapy.