title: Droplet-based microfluidics for dose-response assay of enzyme inhibitors by electrochemical method.
abstract: A simple but robust droplet-based microfluidic system was developed for dose-response enzyme inhibition assay by combining concentration gradient generation method with electrochemical detection method. A slotted-vials array and a tapered tip capillary were used for reagents introduction and concentration gradient generation, and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic chip integrated with microelectrodes was used for droplet generation and electrochemical detection. Effects of oil flow rate and surfactant on electrochemical sensing were investigated. This system was validated by measuring dose-response curves of three types of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, including carbamate pesticide, organophosphorus pesticide, and therapeutic drugs regulating Alzheimer's disease. Carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, and tacrine were used as model analytes, respectively, and their IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) values were determined. A whole enzyme inhibition assay was completed in 6 min, and the total consumption of reagents was less than 5 μL. This microfluidic system is applicable to many biochemical reactions, such as drug screening and kinetic studies, as long as one of the reactants or products is electrochemically active.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Shuqing
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Youlan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Yaping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Fenfen
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Qingsheng
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004593:Electrophorus; D057075:Enzyme Assays / Q000295:instrumentation; D004867:Equipment Design; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase
keywords: Concentration gradient; Droplet; Electrochemical detection; Enzyme inhibition; Microfluidic