The construction of the mOMe-Ir-PI/MWCNTs@PDA/GCE sensor and purine detection in zebrafish embryos

Abnormal purine metabolism can result in oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction, heightening the risks for conditions such as gout and cardiovascular disorders, which may subsequently trigger various physiological dysfunctions. Thus, the rapid and sensitive detection of metabolic abnormalities in purines is crucial for the early diagnosis and prevention of related diseases. Zebrafish has emerged as a popular model organism in metabolic, genetic, and toxicological studies due to its high genetic similarity to humans and the transparency of its embryos, facilitating observation. In this study, we developed a novel electrochemical sensor based on m OMe-Ir-PI/MWCNTs@PDA/GCE to detect purine molecules sensitively. Using this method, we analyzed the electrochemical behavior of zebrafish embryos, correlating the electrochemical signals with X/G and HX/A. Investigating purine metabolism in zebrafish embryos across different developmental stages, we found that from the cleavage stage to the somite formation stage, the activity of degrading enzymes increased, leading to enhanced purine oxidative degradation and the activation of metabolic pathways. This resulted in a decline in purine content, observed as decreasing electrochemical signals. Conversely, from the somite formation stage to hatching, cell differentiation, tissue formation, and organ development accelerated, leading to an increase in purines involved in energy metabolism and biosynthesis, which was reflected in rising electrochemical signals. This study represents the first application of electrochemical methods for detecting purine metabolism in zebrafish embryos throughout various developmental stages, thus providing insights into the role of purine metabolism in early life development.