Oxidation Of Dopamine Research Articles

L-Theanine Effectively Protects Against Copper-Facilitated Dopamine Oxidation: Implication for Relieving Dopamine Overflow-Associated Neurotoxicities.

Non-physiological disorders release dopamine into extracellular brain fluid to induce neurodegenerative brain diseases. The harmful mechanism of dopamine overflow is attributed to the dopamine-mediated production of hydroxyl radicals, suggesting that transition metal copper which is high in the brain is involved in promoting dopamine oxidation. MPP+ , an intermediate formed from the conversion of MPTP, is one of the most potent dopamine-releasing agents. It has been reported that L-theanine could improve motor dysfunction in MPTP-treated mice, suggesting that L-theanine may restrain copper-mediated oxidation of released dopamine. The present study examined the influences of L-theanine on extracellular dopamine-mediated cytotoxicity in the absence and presence of copper in SH-SY5Y cells. L-theanine significantly but only moderately suppressed cytotoxicity caused by dopamine alone. Surprisingly, dopamine together with copper rapidly and dramatically caused apoptotic responses by massively disrupting redox homeostasis. Nonetheless, L-theanine exhibited an extraordinary protective effect against these devastating events by chelating copper. The above great contrast in terms of copper could be recapitulated in a cell-free system. Though L-theanine reduced dopamine autoxidation as detected by HPLC, the capacity was not impressive, since a molar ratio of 10,000 (L-theanine to dopamine) was required for fully suppressing dopamine decrease. However, HPLC measurement showed that L-theanine was highly efficient in suppressing copper-mediated dopamine oxidation because only a molar ratio of 10 was required for fully suppressing dopamine decrease. Since copper plays a crucial role in promoting extracellular dopamine oxidation, our results suggest that L-theanine by chelating copper is an attractive food-based protective agent against dopamine overflow.

Lanthanide coordination polymers as luminescent laccase mimics for ratiometric sensing of dopamine

Some metal ions, with inner enzyme-like catalytic activity, could be doped into lanthanide coordination polymers (Ln CPs) through coordination, which has been proved as a facile strategy to prepare the luminescent nanozymes. In this study, Cu-doped Ln CPs with laccase-mimic activity and double luminescence were rationally designed and synthesized by self-assembly of guanine monophosphate (GMP), 2-aminoterephthalic acid (ATA), Cu2+ and Tb3+ in buffer solution at room temperature. The obtained probes Tb/Cu-GMP/ATA CPs not only emitted green fluorescence of Tb3+ and blue fluorescence of ATA simultaneously under irradiation at the same wavelength, but also processed enhanced laccase-like activity for catalyzing the oxidation of phenolic substrates. Upon dopamine (DA), the probes catalyzed the oxidation of DA to polydopamine (PDA), which effectively quenched the fluorescence of Tb3+ due to the internal filtration effect. Based on this, a ratiometric fluorescent sensor for DA was constructed accordingly, and the corresponding fluorescence intensity ratio of Tb3+to ATA (F547/F427) was linearly correlated with the DA concentration in the range of 1 to 400 μM, with a detection limit of 0.44 μM. Besides, this sensor could be used to detect DA in human serum samples with good recovery, which results were highly consistent with that of HPLC method. The constituent and luminescence tunability, as well as the extraordinarily facile synthesis, made Ln CPs a potential platform for designing and preparing the integrated multifunctional probe for special target in sensing applications.

Neuroprotective Effect of Natural Indole and β-carboline Alkaloids against Parkinson's Disease: An Overview.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a devastating neurodegenerative condition that mostly damages dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and impairs human motor function. Males are more likely than females to have PD. There are two main pathways associated with PD: one involves the misfolding of α-synuclein, which causes neurodegeneration, and the other is the catalytic oxidation of dopamine via MAO-B, which produces hydrogen peroxide that can cause mitochondrial damage. Parkin (PRKN), α-synuclein (SNCA), heat shock protein (HSP), and leucine-rich repeat kinase-2 (LRRK2) are some of the target areas for genetic alterations that cause neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD). Under the impact of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), which is also important in Parkinson's disease (PD), inhibition of mitochondrial complex 1 results in enhanced ROS generation in neuronal cells. Natural products are still a superior option in the age of synthetic pharmaceuticals because of their lower toxicity and moderate side effects. A promising treatment for PD has been discovered using beta-carboline (also known as " β-carboline") and indole alkaloids. However, there are not many studies done on this particular topic. In the herbs containing β-carbolines and indoles, the secondary metabolites and alkaloids, β-carbolines and indoles, have shown neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing properties. In this review, we have presented results from 18 years of research on the effects of indole and β-carboline alkaloids against oxidative stress and MAO inhibition, two key targets in PD. In the SAR analysis, the activity has been correlated with their unique structural characteristics. This study will undoubtedly aid researchers in looking for new PD treatment options.

RGO-g-C3N4-Co3O4 Composite Modified Platinum Electrode for Electrochemical Detection of Dopamine

Abstract A novel RGO-g-C3N4-Co3O4 composite modified platinum electrode with significant sensing performance for dopamine was fabricated. Herein, RGO-g-C3N4-Co3O4 hybrid nanostructure could boost the electrocatalytic performance of nanoparticles by avoiding the clustering of nanoparticles. These spinel-based composites are stable and affordable materials. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed enhanced electron transfer at the modified electrode, as evidenced by the lowest charge transfer resistance (Rct) for the RGO-g-C₃N₄-Co₃O₄/Pt electrode. An increased electroactive surface area compared to bare and other modified Pt electrodes was obtained. Several experimental parameters were optimized to maximize sensitivity, including the choice of supporting electrolyte and pH. Cyclic voltammetry conducted at varying scan rates confirmed that the oxidation of dopamine followed a diffusion-controlled process. The modified electrode exhibits outstanding electrocatalytic activity, with a detection limit as low as 8.10×10−7M, demonstrating a wide linear range between 2.00×10−6 M to 4×10−4 M. Selectivity tests indicated that the sensor could reliably detect dopamine in the presence of common interfering substances such as NaCl, KCl, glucose and urea, ascorbic acid, uric acid and L-dopa. This enhanced sensitivity and selectivity were validated in both synthetic blood and urine samples, providing the electrode’s potential for real-world applications in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases.

An electrochemical sensor for simultaneous voltammetric detection of ascorbic acid and dopamine enabled by higher electrocatalytic activity of co-modified MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieve

It is of great value to develop effective methods for accurately and simultaneously detecting ascorbic acid (AA) and dopamine (DA) in the field of biochemistry. This work reports a nonenzymatic electrochemical sensor for the simultaneous detection of AA and DA by employing a Co-modified MCM-41 (CoMCM-41) mesoporous molecular sieve as an efficient electrocatalytic material, which was synthesized by a two-step hydrothermal method. Subsequently, the high structural organization of the CoMCM-41 mesoporous structure was characterized, and the electrocatalytic performance of CoMCM-41 toward AA and DA oxidation was then evidenced by the catalytic effect of different electrodes modified with or without CoMCM-41. By virtue of the superior electrocatalytic activity of the CoMCM-41, a much wider peak potential difference (ΔEpa) of 310 mV was obtained for the oxidation of AA and DA in their mixture solution, and the parameters that influenced the electrochemical signals of the modified electrode were also optimized. Under optimal conditions, a good linear response to AA and DA was observed on the CoMCM-41 modified electrode. For individual detection of AA and DA, the linear ranges were 7 ~ 105 μM and 5 ~ 110 μM respectively, while the linear response range was 20 ~ 100 μM for simultaneous detection of AA and DA. Satisfactory recovery results were obtained when the fabricated sensor was applied to determine AA in orange juice and DA in madopar pill samples.

Copper-Based Electrochemical Sensor Derived from Thiosemicarbazide for Selective Detection of Neurotransmitter Dopamine.

This paper presents the synthesis of the ligand 1-picolinoyl-4-cyclohexyl-3-thiosemicarbazide (H2pctc) and new metal complexes [Ni(Hpctc)2] (1), [Cu(Hpctc)Cl] (2), and [Cd(Hpctc)2] (3). The synthesized metal complexes were precisely characterized using single crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD). In addition, complexes 1-3 were also characterized by UV-vis, fluorescence, and infrared spectroscopy. SC-XRD data confirmed the distorted octahedral geometry around the Ni(II) and Cd(II) centers and the distorted square planar geometry around the Cu(II) center. Data derived from the emission spectra depict that higher fluorescence intensity was exhibited by complexes 1, 2, and 3 in comparison to that of the free ligand H2pctc, and complex 3 showed the maximum intensity. Further, these metal complex-modified GCEs (glassy carbon electrodes) were utilized for electrochemical sensing of dopamine (DPM). The electrochemical studies of these complexes were performed using modified glassy carbon electrodes supported by electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) methods. In contrast to complexes 1 and 3, complex 2 is a superior electrode material with a high effective surface area for the electrochemical oxidation of DPM, according to the electrochemical response results. The derived sensor had a wide linear detection range of 1 to 1400 μM, an acceptable sensitivity of 0.01531 μA cm-2 μM-1, and a low LOD of 0.38 μM. The proposed approach was free of the interfering effects of ascorbic acid, uric acid, aminophenol, and other substances. During the successive scans, no fouling of the electrode surface was observed. The proposed electrochemical sensor had excellent stability, sensitivity, and a low detection limit making it suitable for the analysis of a variety of real samples. Additionally, it was proven to be useful for analyzing biological fluids.

Synergistic Coordination Effect and Metal-Support Interaction Engineering of Single-Atom Mn-N2 Sites for Boosting Sensitive and Selective Dopamine Biosensing in Human Serum.

Coordination environment of metal atoms is core for designing high-performance single-atom catalysts (SACs), while metal-support interaction also has an important effect on structure-function relationship. Nevertheless, the interaction effect of metal-support is mostly ignored. Through synergistic regulation of coordination environment and metal-support interaction, Mn SAC with atom-dispersed Mn-N2 sites on dopamine (DA) support is synthesized for sensitive and selective DA oxidation based on theoretical calculations and experimental explorations. MnN2 presents the more optimal catalytic site for DA oxidation than other coordination conditions, enhancing sensitivity including a wide range, a low limit of detection, and particularly a very low catalytic potential. The construction of Mn-N2 active sites on DA carbon promotes the coupling between Mn metal atoms and DA support, decreasing work function, facilitating electron exchange, shortening response time, and boosting selectivity. Both the catalytic mechanism of Mn SAC toward DA and the relation construction of catalyst's structure and catalytic function are established.

Tailoring phases of ferrihydrite/α-Fe2O3@C nanocomposites using syringyl and guaiacyl-rich biomass-derived carbon nanodots for electrochemical application

Biomass-derived carbon nanodots (CNDs) hold promise as effective reducing agents for metal oxide nanoparticles yet understanding the intricate interplay with CND structure remains challenging. This study explores the impact of lignin types, specifically syringyl (S), and guaiacyl (G) units in CNDs on metal oxide phases and their electrochemical activity toward dopamine oxidation. We design phases of ferrihydrite/α-Fe2O3@C nanocomposites, using hazelnut carbon nanodots (HS-CNDs (S-rich)) and beetroot carbon nanodots (BS-CNDs (G-rich)) via a one-pot hydrothermal technique. Our findings show S units in HS-CNDs promote α-FeOOH/α-Fe2O3@CHS, while G units in BS-CNDs favor α (β)-FeOOH/α-Fe2O3@CBS. In contrast to α(β)-FeOOH/α-Fe2O3@CBS, α-FeOOH/α-Fe2O3@CHS exhibits superior electrochemical performance in dopamine oxidation due to its larger electrochemical active surface area, higher absorbance capacity, and shortened electron transfer length. Moreover, α-FeOOH/α-Fe2O3@CHS nanocomposites demonstrate remarkable dopamine selectivity, achieving rapid detection response in 10 s with a low LOD of 4 nM within a broad linear range (0.05–0.3 μM), demonstrating impressive reproducibility (97.5 %), stability (96.4 %), and works in real-time human urine detection with a recovery rate of ranging from 94.57 % and 102.2 %. Therefore, the utilization of biomass-derived CNDs, particularly S and G units-rich CNDs, in tailoring the phases of ferrihydrite/α-Fe2O3@C nanocomposites for electrochemical dopamine detection is promising.

Evaluation of the electrochemical response of aromatic peptides for biodetection of dopamine

Biologically inspired aromatic peptide-based materials are gaining increasing interest as novel charge transport materials for bioelectronics due to their remarkable electrical response and inherent biocompatibility. In this work, the electrochemical response of ten aromatic amino acids and eleven aromatic peptides has been evaluated to assess the potential of incorporating peptides into electrochemical sensors not as biorecognition elements but as biocompatible electronic materials. While the electrochemical response of amino acids is null in all cases, the hexapeptide of phenylalanine (Phe) capped with eight polyethylene glycol units at the N-terminus and, especially, the cyclic dipeptide formed by two dehydro-phenylalanine residues (cyclo(ΔPhe2)), which organize in fibrillary self-assembled structures of nano- and submicrometric size, respectively, are the most electroactive peptides. Electrodes to electrochemically detect the oxidation of dopamine have been prepared using a plasma-activated polyethylene terephthalate glycol substrate covered with a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) layer and a peptide coating deposited at the surface. The highest analytical sensitivity and the lowest limits of detection and quantifications have been obtained for the electrode coated with cyclo(ΔPhe2), which shows much better results than that without peptide. These results, on the one hand, confirm the significant role of electron transport through π-stacking interactions in the electrochemical response of peptides and, on the other hand, demonstrate that peptides can be directly used as electronic materials rather than as simple recognition elements in electrochemical biosensors.

Self-assembly Pt hollow nanospheres for highly selective and ultrasensitive detection of dopamine

Abnormal concentration of dopamine, one critical neurotransmitter in central nervous system, causes several neurological diseases associated with behavioral responses and brain functions in human beings. Highly sensitive detection of dopamine is of great significance yet challengeable. In this work, Pt hollow nanospheres (Pt HNSs) with a uniform diameter of 30 nm were successfully synthesized in water by self-assembly method under room temperature. The fabricated Pt hollow/Nafion nanospheres modified glassy carbon electrode (Pt HNSS/Nafion/GCE) exhibited superior electrocatalytic performance, with peak currents 2.24 and 4.54 times higher than those of Nafion-modified glassy carbon electrode (Nafion/GCE) and bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE), respectively. Theoretical calculations indicate that dopamine has an adsorption energy of −3.18 eV on the Pt(111) surface, with an electron transfer of + 1.84 |e|, aligning with the 2-electron transfer mechanism. Furthermore, the low energy barrier observed during dopamine oxidation process suggests that the Pt(111) surface is highly favorable for dopamine oxidation. Meanwhile, Pt HNSS/Nafion/GCE electrochemical sensor exhibits highly sensitive and selective response in determination of dopamine ranging from 0.01 to 250 μM with low detection limits of 0.804 nM (S/N = 3). Moreover, the electrochemical sensor shows reliable signals in real test with great anti-interference and stability during the experiments, making it a promising candidate for applications in dopamine sensing.

Enhanced dopamine detection using Ti3C2Tx/rGO/Pt ternary composite synthesized via microwave-assisted hydrothermal method

A novel electrochemical sensing platform for dopamine (DA) detection was developed by fabricating the ternary composite of Ti3C2Tx MXene (M) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) through microwave-assisted hydrothermal heating. The exceptional electrical conductivity and rich surface chemistry of MXene provide abundant active catalytic sites for electrochemical reactions, while the large surface area of rGO facilitates ion and electron pathways. The integration of rGO in the MXene sheet, forming MXene-rGO (M_rGO) heterostructure composite, imparts long-term stability to the 2D heterostructure while providing additional electron pathways and significantly enhancing conductivity. Pt NPs synergistically increased the electrocatalytic activity of the electrochemical sensor's performance. Ternary nanocomposites were fabricated with different weight percentages (wt.%) of Pt NPs, ranging from 5 to 20. Characterizations of the samples (rGO, M, M_rGO, and 5–20 wt% Pt@M_rGO) were conducted through X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Raman spectroscopy (RAMAN), and X-ray spectroscopy (XPS). Electrochemical evaluations of the samples were investigated in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (PBS) using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) analyses. The analysis revealed that the ternary composite with 5 wt% of Pt NPs (5% Pt@M_rGO) exhibited a uniform well-distribution of Pt NPs and the highest oxidation peak for DA oxidation in CV studies. The presence of metal nanoparticles, aided by the synergistic effects between the MXene and rGO, resulted in an excellent DA sensor with a 0.147 μM detection limit from 1 to 14 μM linearity range. The sensor demonstrated outstanding selectivity, reproducibility (RSD values of 8.10%), repeatability (RSD value of 2.46%) and, excellent stability over 14 days. In human urine samples, the sensor exhibited excellent DA recovery (88.62–110.65%). This study significantly advances the development of electrochemical sensors for DA detection by introducing a rapid, facile and, efficient method for fabricating ternary composites. The fabricated sensor exhibited high sensitivity, excellent selectivity, and robust electrochemical performance, offering valuable insights into human and behavioral health advancements.

Electrochemical sensing for simultaneous determination of dopamine and acetaminophen based on ZIF-8@ZIF-67 derived Co/Mo2C embedded in N-doped carbon hollow nanocages

The exploration of an economical and efficient noble metal-free heterogeneous catalyst is of great significance for the construction of an electrochemical method for the simultaneous detection of Dopamine (DA) and acetaminophen (AC). In this paper, we employed a facile strategy to obtain Co/Mo2C nanoparticles embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon hollow nanocages (Co/Mo2C@N-C HNCs) heterogeneous structure by pyrolyzing ZIF-8@ZIF-67 precursor. The unique hollow structure ensures a fast electron transport channel, N doping regulates the local electronic structure of the catalyst, and the synergistic effect with Mo2C and Co nanoparticles provides more electrocatalytic active sites. The Co/Mo2C@N-C HNCs electrode separates the overlapping voltammetry peaks of DA and AC into two distinct voltammetry peaks (△E=200 mV), thereby selectively determining DA in the presence of AC and vice versa. The transfer coefficient (α) and electron transfer number (n) of DA and AC electrocatalytic oxidation were also studied. Using Co/Mo2C@N-C HNCs as electrode, an electrochemical sensor platform for the simultaneous detection of acetaminophen (AC) and dopamine (DA) was first constructed with linear range of 1–185 μM, and 1–100 μM and low detection limit of 0.35 μM and 0.46 μM for AC and DA, respectively. Satisfactory results have been obtained in the determination of human serum and acetaminophen tablets samples. DFT calculation reveals the molecular mechanisms for DA and AC interacting with the Co/Mo2C@N-C HNCs catalysts. This strategy provides a new idea for the selective determination of several analytes in complex substrates.

Inflammation-free electrochemical in vivo sensing of dopamine with atomic-level engineered antioxidative single-atom catalyst

Electrochemical methods with tissue-implantable microelectrodes provide an excellent platform for real-time monitoring the neurochemical dynamics in vivo due to their superior spatiotemporal resolution and high selectivity and sensitivity. Nevertheless, electrode implantation inevitably damages the brain tissue, upregulates reactive oxygen species level, and triggers neuroinflammatory response, resulting in unreliable quantification of neurochemical events. Herein, we report a multifunctional sensing platform for inflammation-free in vivo analysis with atomic-level engineered Fe single-atom catalyst that functions as both single-atom nanozyme with antioxidative activity and electrode material for dopamine oxidation. Through high-temperature pyrolysis and catalytic performance screening, we fabricate a series of Fe single-atom nanozymes with different coordination configurations and find that the Fe single-atom nanozyme with FeN4 exhibits the highest activity toward mimicking catalase and superoxide dismutase as well as eliminating hydroxyl radical, while also featuring high electrode reactivity toward dopamine oxidation. These dual functions endow the single-atom nanozyme-based sensor with anti-inflammatory capabilities, enabling accurate dopamine sensing in living male rat brain. This study provides an avenue for designing inflammation-free electrochemical sensing platforms with atomic-precision engineered single-atom catalysts.

Heterogenous Copper(0)-Assisted Dopamine Oxidation: A New Pathway to Controllable and Scalable Polydopamine Synthesis.

In this study, we introduce an approach for synthesizing polydopamine (PDA) through the controlled oxidation of dopamine using metallic copper. Traditional methods of PDA synthesis often encounter challenges such as scalability, reproducibility, and control over polymerization. Our approach utilizes the catalytic properties of metallic copper in the presence of dissolved oxygen to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) without additional chemicals. This process allows for precise control over dopamine oxidation, leading to reliable, materials and cost-effective upscalable PDA production. We investigated the reaction kinetics and the role of copper and ROS in dopamine oxidation, using several different experimental techniques. Our results demonstrate that, even at low pH, the copper-assisted method produces PDA with properties comparable to those synthesized through conventional means. We propose a mechanism for PDA synthesis that is initiated by oxygen adsorption onto copper surface, leading to the generation of various ROS which act as oxidizing agents in PDA synthesis. This method presents an advancement in the scalable and controlled production of PDA, with potential applications in various scientific and industrial fields.

Biomimetic Electronic Communication of Iodine Doped Single-Atom Fe Site for Highly Active and Stable Dopamine Oxidation.

Rational design of highly active and stable catalysts for dopamine oxidation is still a great challenge. Herein, inspired by the catalytic pocket of natural enzymes, an iodine (I)-doped single Fe-site catalyst (I/FeSANC) is synthesized to mimic the catalytic center of heme enzymes in both geometrical and electronic structures, aiming to enhance dopamine (DA) oxidation. Experimental studies and theoretical calculations show that electronic communication between I and FeN5 effectively modulates the electronic structure of the active site, greatly optimizing the overlap of Fe 3d and O 2p orbitals, thereby enhancing OH adsorption. In addition, the electronic communication induced by iodine doping attenuates the attack of proton hydrogen on the active center, thereby enhancing the stability of I/FeSANC. This work provides new insights into the design of highly active and stable single-atom catalysts and enhances the understanding of catalytic mechanisms for DA oxidation at the atomic scale.

Polydopamine functionalized FeTiO3 nanohexagons for selective and simultaneous electrochemical determination of dopamine and uric acid.

Herein we report the simultaneous detection of dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) using polydopamine (PDA) functionalized FeTiO3 nanohexagons. The nanohexagons were hydrothermally synthesized and subsequently functionalized with PDA in a Tris-buffer solution. The PDA functionalized nanostructure was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), respectively. The SEM and TEM investigations revealed the presence of FeTiO3 nanohexagons along with a peripheral coating of PDA over the nanostructures. The XRD pattern confirmed the formation of the ilmenite structure, while the chemical structure was investigated through XPS and FTIR respectively. Using cyclic voltammetry (CV) the efficacy of FeTiO3-PDA electrode was evaluated toward DA oxidation. The enhanced activity of the functionalized electrode in DA oxidation, as compared to the untreated FeTiO3, may be attributed to the significant presence of hydroxyl, amine, and imine functional groups over the polymer layer. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was utilized for the detection of DA and UA. With a linear range of 50 μM to 250 μM, the detection limits of 0.30 μM and 4.61 μM were determined for DA and UA, respectively. The peak separation of 263 mV between DA and UA demonstrates the sensor's remarkable selectivity. In addition, the study displayed the ability to detect both DA and UA simultaneously, and the validity of the sensor was evaluated in serum samples, respectively.

Highly Efficient Dopamine Sensing with Carbon Nanotube Encapsulated Metal Chalcogenide Nanostructure

Carbon nanotube encapsulated nickel selenide composite nanostructures were used as a non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor for dopamine detection. These composite nanostructures were synthesized through a simple, one-step, and environmentally friendly chemical vapor deposition method, wherein the CNTs were formed in situ from pyrolysis of carbon-rich metallo-organic precursor. The composition and morphology of these NiSe2 filled hybrid nanostructures were confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction, Raman, XPS, and HRTEM images. Electrochemical tests demonstrated that the as-synthesized nanostructures exhibited outstanding electrocatalytic performance toward dopamine oxidation, with a high sensitivity of 19.62 μA μM−1 cm−2, low detection limit, broad linear range of (5 nM – 640 μM), and high selectivity. The synergistic effects of enhanced electrochemical activity of nickel selenide along with enhanced conductivity of carbon nanotubes leads to the high efficiency for these nanostructured composites. The high sensitivity and selectivity of this nano-structured composite could be exploited to develop simple, selective, and sensitive electrochemical sensor to detect and quantify dopamine in human tear samples with high reliability. This nanotube encapsulated sensor hence paves the way for new discoveries in the development of novel dopamine sensors with low cost and high stability than can be used for non-invasive dopamine detection in peripheral fluids.

Toward Precise Modeling of Dopamine Release Kinetics: Comparison and Validation of Kinetic Models Using Voltammetry.

Dopamine (DA) is a neurotransmitter present within the animal brain that is responsible for a wide range of physiologic functions, including motivation, reward, and movement control. Changes or dysfunction in the dynamics of DA release are thought to play a pivotal role in regulating various physiological and behavioral processes, as well as leading to neuropsychiatric diseases. Therefore, it is of fundamental interest to neuroscientists to understand and accurately model the kinetics that govern dopaminergic neurotransmission. In the past several decades, many mathematical models have been proposed to attempt to capture the biologic parameters that govern dopaminergic kinetics, with each model seeking to improve upon a previous model. In this review, each of these models are derived, and the ability of each model to properly fit two fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) data sets will be demonstrated and discussed. The dopamine oxidation current in both FSCV data sets exhibits hang-up and overshoot behaviors, which have traditionally been difficult for mathematical models to capture. We show that more recent models are better able to model DA release that exhibits these behaviors but that no single model is clearly the best. Rather, models should be selected based on their mathematical properties to best fit the FSCV data one is trying to model. Developing such differential equation models to describe the kinetics of DA release from the synapse confers significant applications both for advancing scientific understanding of DA neurotransmission and for advancing clinical ability to treat neuropsychiatric diseases.

DNA aptamer-functionalized PDA nanoparticles: from colloidal chemistry to biosensor applications.

Polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs) are widely utilized in the field of biomedical science for surface functionalization because of their unique characteristics, such as simple and low-cost preparation methods, good adhesive properties, and ability to incorporate amine and oxygen-rich chemical groups. However, challenges in the application of PDA NPs as surface coatings on electrode surfaces and in conjugation with biomolecules for electrochemical sensors still exist. In this work, we aimed to develop an electrochemical interface based on PDA NPs conjugated with a DNA aptamer for the detection of glycated albumin (GA) and to study DNA aptamers on the surfaces of PDA NPs to understand the aptamer-PDA surface interactions using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. PDA NPs were synthesized by the oxidation of dopamine in Tris buffer at pH 10.5, conjugated with DNA aptamers specific to GA at different concentrations (0.05, 0.5, and 5μM), and deposited on screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs). The charge transfer resistance of the PDA NP-coated SPCEs decreased, indicating that the PDA NP composite is a conductive bioorganic material. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed that the PDA NPs were spherical, and dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy data indicated the successful conjugation of the aptamers on the PDA NPs. The as-prepared electrochemical interface was employed for the detection of GA. The detection limit was 0.17μg/mL. For MD simulation, anti-GA aptamer through the 5'terminal end in a single-stranded DNA-aptamer structure and NH2 linker showed a stable structure with its axis perpendicular to the PDA surface. These findings provide insights into improved biosensor design and have demonstrated the potential for employing electrochemical PDA NP interfaces in point-of-care applications.

Soft modeling strategies at work to follow and rationalize dopamine oxidative polymerization

The role of dopamine (DA) oxidation in Parkinson’s disease makes to investigate the chemical aspects behind this process: in this paper, we applied Design of Experiments and Principal Component Analysis, to model the DA oxidative polymerization, unveiling the effect exerted by pH, ionic strength (I), temperature, and metal ions. Higher pH and T, lower I and Cu over Fe were found to result in faster DA consumption and smaller oligomers formation. We demonstrated that soft modelling strategies provide a valuable approach to deal with complex biochemical phenomena, regardless system complexity.