Electrochemical analysis of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase serum level: Exploiting protein binding to a functionalized nanostructured surface

This manuscript describes an electrochemical approach to the detection of the reverse transcriptase of the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1 RT) in serum exploiting an organometallic peptide conjugate that is chemically linked to a nanostructured gold surface. The assay format is based on the formation of a thin film of a ferrocene-labeled lipoic acid (Fc-LA) onto a gold nanoparticles-functionalized screen-printed carbon electrode (GNPs-SPCE). Time-of-Flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed to confirm the binding of the Fc-LA to the electrode surface via formation of a gold–thiol bond. The RT biosensor was developed by covalent attachment of the peptide VEAIIRILQQLLFIH to the carboxylic acid group of Fc-LA. Square wave voltammetry offered a two-dimensional measurement of RT based on the anodic shift and reduction of current density of the Fc redox signal upon binding of RT to its specific peptide. This allowed a linear quantification of the target RT in the range of 1–500 pg mL−1 equivalent to 0.9–427 fM, with a detection limit of 0.8 pg mL−1 (0.7 fM) with a short response time.