Electrosynthesized metal-organic framework: a dual-modality readout platform for Cu(II), coenzyme A and histone acetyltransferase analysis

A novel dual-modality readout biosensing method is developed for Cu(II), coenzyme (CoA) and histone acetyltransferase (HAT) analysis based on an electrosynthesized tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II)-functionalized metal-organic framework (Ru-MOF). In this protocol, the Ru-MOF with a delicate structure serves as both an electrochemiluminescent (ECL) and fluorescent (FL) probe. Interestingly, Cu(II) can hinder the two distinct processes favorably, thus realizing bidirectional detection of Cu(II) via an “on-off” method. Simultaneously, CoA, which contains a sulfhydryl group, can ignite a reverse “off-on” process due to the polymeric interaction of CoA and Cu(II) (2: 1). Similarly, abundant CoA molecules could also be generated regularly by a typical HAT p300-driven acetylation reaction, hence accomplishing HAT p300 activity analysis. Subsequently, an ingenious “on-off” route is exhibited again by the introduction of some small molecules (including anacardic acid and C646), which present an inhibiting effect on HAT p300 activity. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of Cu(II), CoA and HAT p300 (ECL/FL) is achieved brightly with detection limits of 0.19/0.76 nM, 1.3/6.5 nM and 1.5/8.8 nM, respectively. Ultimately, this two-channel biosensor with excellent analytical performance is applied successfully in real samples, demonstrating its potential use in bioanalysis.