Direct Electrochemiluminescence Detection of Oxidized DNA in Ultrathin Films Containing [Os(bpy)₂(PVP)₁₀]²⁺

Abstract

Direct electrochemiluminescence (ECL) involving oxidized DNA was demonstrated in ultrathin films of cationic polymer [Os(bpy)2(PVP)10]2+ [PVP = poly(vinyl pyridine)] assembled layer-by-layer with DNA or oligonucleotides. Electrochemically oxidized Os(II) sites generated ECL from films containing oxo-guanines on DNA formed by chemical oxidation using Fenton reagent. Films combining DNA, [Ru(bpy)2(PVP)10]2+, and [Os(bpy)2(PVP)10]2+ had Os(II) sites that produced ECL specific for oxidized DNA, and Ru(II) sites gave ECL from reaction with oxo-adenines, chemically damaged DNA, and possibly from cleaved DNA strands.