An electrochemical method for detecting the biomarker 4-HPA by allosteric activation of Acinetobacter baumannii reductase C1 subunit
- Journal:
- Journal of Biological Chemistry
- Published:
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100467
- Affiliations:
- 4
- Authors:
- 6
Research Highlight
A simple urine biomarker assay
© Douglas Sacha/Moment/Getty Images
A new electrochemical assay could help reveal signs of intestinal bacterial imbalance, cancer and other health problems.
The chemical 4-hydroxy-phenylacetate (4-HPA) is found in urine. It is a potential biomarker for imbalances in gut bacteria and for neural disorders and some cancers.
Now, a team led by researchers from Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology in Thailand has developed a test to detect 4-HPA.
The team created a simple biosensor that exploits a bacterial enzyme that works together with 4-HPA to modulate a key energy metabolism pathway, with hydrogen peroxide produced as a by-product. In the presence of 4-HPA, more hydrogen peroxide is thus produced, which can be easily measured via an electrochemical readout.
The researchers next plan to clinically validate it on urine samples from patients.
References
- Journal of Biological Chemistry 296, 100467 (2021). doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100467
Institutions | Authors | Share |
---|---|---|
Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC), Thailand | 0.50 | |
Suranaree University of Technology (SUT), Thailand | 0.17 | |
Chulalongkorn University (CU), Thailand | 0.17 | |
Kindai University, Japan | 0.17 |