Liposomes Labeled with Biotin and Horseradish Peroxidase: A Probe for the Enhanced Amplification of Antigen-Antibody or Oligonucleotide-DNA Sensing Processes by the Precipitation of an Insoluble Product on Electrodes

Liposomes labeled with biotin and the enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP) are used as a probe to amplify the sensing of antigen-antibody interactions or oligonucleotide-DNA binding. The HRP-biocatalyzed oxidation of 4-chloro-l-naphthol (1) in the presence of H2O2, and the precipitation of the insoluble product 2 on electrode supports, are used as an amplification route for the sensing processes. The anti-dinitrophenyl antibody (DNPAb) is sensed by a dinitrophenyl-L-cysteine antigen monolayer associated with an Au electrode. Abiotinylated antiIgG-antibody (Fc-specific) is linked to the antigen-DNPAb complex, and the biotin-labeled HRP-liposomes associate with the assembly through an avidin bridge. The biocatalyzed precipitation of 2 on the electrode increases the electron-transfer resistances at the electrode-solution interface or the electrode resistance itself. The binding events of the different proteins on the electrode and tile biocatalyzed precipitation of 2 on the conductive support are followed by Faradaic impedance spectroscopy or constant-current chronopotentiometry. DNP-Ab concentrations as low as 1 x 10^-11 g.mL^-1 can be detected by this method. The labeled liposomes were also used for the amplified detection of DNA 3. The oligonucleotide 4, complementary to a part of the target DNA 3 that is a model nucleic acid sequence for the Tay-Sachs genetic disorder, is assembled on an Au electrode. Hybridization of the analyte 3 followed by the association of the biotintagged oligonucleotide 5 yields a three-component doublestranded assembly. Sensing of the analyte 3 is amplified by the association of avidin, the labeled liposomes, and the subsequent biocatalyzed precipitation of 2 on the electrodes. The DNA 3 is detected with a sensitivity that corresponds to 6.5 x 10^-13 M. Faradaic impedance spectroscopy and chronopotentiometry were employed to follow the stepwise assembly of the systems and the electronic transduction of the detection of the analyte DNA 3.