A Nucleic Acid Biosensor for Detection of Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1a Using Poly(l-Glutamic Acid)-Modified Electrode

An electrochemical nucleic acid biosensor based on label-free DNA detection method was prepared for the first time by using electropolymerized poly(l-glutamic acid)-modified pencil graphite electrode (PGA/PGE) for detection of hepatitis C virus genotype 1a (HCV1a). Inosine-substituted 20-mer probes related to the HCV1a were immobilized onto PGA/PGE surface by covalent linking with the formation of amide bonds. Square wave voltammetry (SWV) was used to monitor the oxidation signal of guanine in the hybridization events, which gave an oxidation peak at +1.05 V. An increase in the oxidation signal of guanine was showed by hybridization of the probe with the complementary DNA. Noncomplementary oligonucleotides were also used to investigate the selectivity of the biosensor. The proposed nucleic acid biosensor was linear in the range of 50 nM to 1.0 μM, exhibiting a limit of detection of 40.6 nM. Finally, single-stranded synthetic PCR product analogues of HCV1a were performed in optimal condition. This PGA-modified nucleic acid sensor is cost-effective and disposable, and besides, it has superior electrocatalytic effect on the oxidation of guanine.