Conducting redoxpolymer-based reagentless biosensors using modified PQQ-dependent glucose dehydrogenase

Reagentless, oxygen-independent glucose biosensors based on an Os-complex-modified polypyrrole matrix and on soluble PQQ-dependent glucose dehydrogenase from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus are described. As the soluble form of glucose dehydrogenase from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus is a hydrophilic enzyme with a positive net charge, its entrapment into the positively charged hydrophobic polypyrrole film is much more complicated than that of the corresponding membrane enzyme or the negatively charged and very stable glucose oxidase. Possible ways for using soluble PQQ-dependent glucose dehydrogenase in combination with conducting polymer films are seen in the modulation of the enzyme properties by covalent binding of suitable compounds to the protein shell together with the adjustment of the properties of the conducting polymer film. This can be done by neutralising the net charge of the protein and/or optimising the electron-transfer pathway between enzyme and electrode surface by covalent binding of suitable redox relays to the protein surface. In addition, methods for increasing the hydrophilicity of the polymer film, such as the co-entrapment of high-molecular weight hydrophilic additives and copolymerisation of hydrophilic pyrrole derivatives are presented. It is demonstrated that the replacement of the parent monomer pyrrole by a suitable hydrophilic pyrrole derivative facilitates the entrapment of the modified soluble PQQ-dependent glucose dehydrogenase into the Os-complex-modified polymer and hence allows for the development of reagentless biosensors.