Abstract
Monitoring DNA–nucleobases and their oxidized forms in living cells is regarded as a biomarker for DNA damage. Adenine (Ad) electrochemical sensor was designed based on phosphorus-doped carbon spherical eye-like structure (P-CES). Spherical electrochemical sensors oriented with abundant multiple directional gates, such as micro-, meso-pores, and open cave-like eyes may lead to design a potential sensor with fast response, low surface charge resistance, high electron diffusion, and functionalized binding active centers to accommodate Ad molecules. The P-CES hierarchically ordered sphere electrode features dense and reactive exposure sites for a variety of additional interactions and flexible mobility surfaces during the detection of Ad. The key role of the circular shape with a rugged surface, multi-hole construction, and open grooves creates an active catalyst of strong binding to the target molecules and facilitate the molecular diffusion inner/outer the electrode surface. Moreover, the doping of P atoms to the hierarchical carbon chain leads to the distortion of sp2-graphitic construction, increases the number of plane edge defects, and induces the functionalization of the abundant active sites. Thus, P-CES provides active transducing element for detection of Ad in its resources (oxidative DNA in living cells) with high sensitivity, good selectivity, excellent stability, and facile reproducibility. The fabricated P-CES shows an ultrasensitive Ad sensor with a limit of detection as low as 0.002 μmolL−1, with a wide linear range of 0.01–0.8 μmolL−1. The Ad liberated from the oxidative-DNA in living cells can be detected with high affinity and sensitivity. The Ad sensor assay can be employed for investigation of DNA damage and deliver information for diagnosis of diseases caused by cell mutation and immune system deficiency.
The sensory protocol has been successfully designed for oxidative stresses effects evaluation on the living cells based on the design of phosphorus-doped carbon spherical eye like structure (P-CES). The adenine molecules liberated from hydrolyzed and damaged DNA was monitored in real time by using the P-CSE-sensor with high sensitivity and selectivity, good reproducibility, and high biocompatibility. [Display omitted]
•Adenine electrochemical sensor was successfully designed using a hierarchical P-CES eye-like structure.•P-CES sensor oriented with abundant multiple directional gates and functionalized binding active centers.•The P- CES provides a highly sensitive Adenine-biosensor in living cells “Hela cells and A549 cells”.•Screening of ultra-trace concentrations of adenine in living cells with a limit of detection as low as 2 nM.•Investigation of DNA damage and deliver information for diagnosis of diseases caused by cell mutation and immune system deficiency.