Detection of trace concentrations of S-nitrosothiols by means of a capacitive sensor.

James M Seckler,Nikki M Meyer,Benjamin Gaston,James N Bates,Spencer T Burton,Stephen J Lewis,Yogendra Kumar Mishra

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0187149

James M Seckler, Nikki M Meyer + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0187149

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Abstract

Small molecule S-nitrosothiols are a class of endogenous chemicals in the body, which have been implicated in a variety of biological functions. However, the labile nature of NO and the limits of current detection assays have made studying these molecules difficult. Here we present a method for detecting trace concentrations of S-nitrosothiols in biological fluids. Capacitive sensors when coupled to a semiconducting material represent a method for detecting trace quantities of a chemical in complex solutions. We have taken advantage of the semiconducting and chemical properties of polydopamine to construct a capacitive sensor and associated method of use, which specifically senses S-nitrosothiols in complex biological solutions.

Highlights

Small molecule S-nitrosothiols (SNOs) are generated by activating various forms of nitric oxide synthase and by interactions of nitric oxide (NO) with other metalloproteins [1]
The m/z peak 153.9 represents unreacted dopamine, 241 represents cystine, 273.1 represents dopamine covalently bound to 1 cysteine molecule, 338.2 represents dopamine covalently bound to 1 cysteine molecule and 1 formaldehyde molecule, 393.8 represents dopamine covalently bound to two cysteine molecules
We have developed a Field-Effect Transistor (FET) capacitive biosensor, which employs a polydopamine layer that acts as both the functional and semiconducting component of the sensor

Summary

Introduction

Small molecule S-nitrosothiols (SNOs) are generated by activating various forms of nitric oxide synthase and by interactions of nitric oxide (NO) with other metalloproteins [1]. The regulation and misregulation of these molecules has been shown to play a role in control of breathing, ventilation-perfusion matching, pulmonary hypertension, human airway smooth muscle tone, asthma, regulation of blood pressure, diabetes, and other metabolic diseases [1,2,3,4] In all of these cases, the ability to measure and detect SNOs in biological samples is important in understanding their role in both normal function and disease states. Transducers measure molecular interactions taking place on the bioreceptor and output an electrical signal based on that interaction These include electrochemistry [7,8], mass sensitivity [7,14], optical sensing [7,15,16], and thermal sensing [7,17].

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