Proton mediated control of biochemical reactions with bioelectronic pH modulation

Sci Rep. 2016 Apr 7:6:24080. doi: 10.1038/srep24080.

Abstract

In Nature, protons (H(+)) can mediate metabolic process through enzymatic reactions. Examples include glucose oxidation with glucose dehydrogenase to regulate blood glucose level, alcohol dissolution into carboxylic acid through alcohol dehydrogenase, and voltage-regulated H(+) channels activating bioluminescence in firefly and jellyfish. Artificial devices that control H(+) currents and H(+) concentration (pH) are able to actively influence biochemical processes. Here, we demonstrate a biotransducer that monitors and actively regulates pH-responsive enzymatic reactions by monitoring and controlling the flow of H(+) between PdHx contacts and solution. The present transducer records bistable pH modulation from an "enzymatic flip-flop" circuit that comprises glucose dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase. The transducer also controls bioluminescence from firefly luciferase by affecting solution pH.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biochemical Phenomena*
  • Electronics / methods*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Luminescent Measurements
  • Protons*
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Solutions
  • Transducers

Substances

  • Protons
  • Solutions