Scientific Reports (Mar 2021)

Non-covalently embedded oxytocin in alkanethiol monolayer as Zn2+ selective biosensor

  • Jessica Attia,
  • Sivan Nir,
  • Evgeniy Mervinetsky,
  • Dora Balogh,
  • Agata Gitlin-Domagalska,
  • Israel Alshanski,
  • Meital Reches,
  • Mattan Hurevich,
  • Shlomo Yitzchaik

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-85015-w
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
pp. 1 – 7

Abstract

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Abstract Peptides are commonly used as biosensors for analytes such as metal ions as they have natural binding preferences. In our previous peptide-based impedimetric metal ion biosensors, a monolayer of the peptide was anchored covalently to the electrode. Binding of metal ions resulted in a conformational change of the oxytocin peptide in the monolayer, which was measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Here, we demonstrate that sensing can be achieved also when the oxytocin is non-covalently integrated into an alkanethiol host monolayer. We show that ion-binding cause morphological changes to the dense host layer, which translates into enhanced impedimetric signals compared to direct covalent assembly strategies. This biosensor proved selective and sensitive for Zn2+ ions in the range of nano- to micro-molar concentrations. This strategy offers an approach to utilize peptide flexibility in monitoring their response to the environment while embedded in a hydrophobic monolayer.