Acetylcholinesterase Sensor Based on Polyelectrolyte Complexes with DNA Inclusion for the Determination of Reversible Inhibitors

Abstract

AbstractThe acetylcholinesterase (AChE) biosensor has been developed for the determination of reversible inhibitors applied in the Alzheimer's disease therapy, i. e., Huperzine A (HupA) and galantamine (Gal). For this purpose, glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was first modified with carbon black (CB) and Co phthalocyanine and then polyelectrolyte complex was self‐assembled on its surface by drop casting of reactants and washing. To extend the stability and improve biosensor performance, it was proposed for the first time to use DNA as polyanion in the complex assembly. The DNA showed higher charge density than conventional polyelectrolytes and stabilized the surface coating by adsorption of higher enzyme amount and prevention of its leaching during the biosensor operation. Complex formation and the influence of structural factors were monitored with surface plasmon resonance. Kinetic study showed mixed inhibition of the enzyme within micro‐ and nanomolar range of inhibitor concentrations. The AChE biosensor showed limit of detection of HupA equal to 0.9 and that of Gal to 70 nM. The sensitivity of drug determination was found to be close or better than that of the AChE biosensors previously reported in the literature. The biosensor was tested on the sample of artificial urine and showed 102 % recovery of the drugs determination.