An electrochemical method for detecting the biomarker 4-HPA by allosteric activation of Acinetobacter baumannii reductase C1 subunit

A simple urine biomarker assay

26 November 2021

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.

Supported content

References

1. Journal of Biological Chemistry 296, 100467 (2021). doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100467