Semi-quantification and Potency Verification of the HIV Protease Inhibitor Based on the Matrix-Capsid Protein Immobilized Nickel (II)/NTA-Tol/Graphene Oxide/SPCE Electrochemical Biosensor

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causing acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is still a global issue. Long-term drug treatment and nonadherence to medication increase the spread of drug-resistant HIV strains. Therefore, the identification of new lead compounds is being investigated and is highly desirable. Nevertheless, a process generally necessitates a significant budget and human resources. In this study, a simple biosensor platform for semi-quantification and verification of the potency of HIV protease inhibitors (PIs) based on electrochemically detecting the cleavage activity of the HIV-1 subtype C-PR (C-SA HIV-1 PR) was proposed. An electrochemical biosensor was fabricated by immobilizing His6-matrix-capsid (H 6 MA-CA) on the electrode surface via the chelation to Ni 2+ -nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) functionalized GO. The functional groups and the characteristics of modified screenprinted carbon electrodes (SPCE) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). C-SA HIV-1 PR activity and the effect of PIs were validated by recording changes in electrical current signals of the ferri/ferrocyanide redox probe. The detection of PIs, i.e., lopinavir (LPV) and indinavir (IDV), toward the HIV protease was confirmed by the decrease in the current signals in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, our developed biosensor demonstrates the ability to distinguish the potency of two PIs to inhibit C-SA HIV-1 PR activities. We anticipated that this low-cost electrochemical biosensor would increase the efficiency of the lead compound screening process and accelerate the discovery and development of new HIV drugs.

A Dual Metal–Organic Framework-Based Electrochemical Biosensor for the Capture and Detection of Cancerous Exosomes

“…Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was first used, and the current peaks of SPCE in the ferricyanide electrolyte dramatically reduced after ZIF-8 modification, owing to the nonconductive ZIF-8, which blocked the interaction between ferricyanides and the underlying electrode (Figure 1d). 31 Notably, this modification process was fast, and a 30 min incubation was enough for efficient signal inhibition (Figure S1). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), a sensitive technique reflecting the surface change, was then conducted (Figure 1e).…”

“…Next, the ZIF-8-modified electrode was electrochemically investigated. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was first used, and the current peaks of SPCE in the ferricyanide electrolyte dramatically reduced after ZIF-8 modification, owing to the nonconductive ZIF-8, which blocked the interaction between ferricyanides and the underlying electrode (Figure d) . Notably, this modification process was fast, and a 30 min incubation was enough for efficient signal inhibition (Figure S1).…”