Preparation of protein imprinted polymers via protein-catalyzed eATRP on 3D gold nanodendrites and their application in biosensors

Sensitive detection of metalloproteins is very essential in human pathologies. Hemoglobin (Hb) was represented as a metal-containing protein to prepare protein imprinted polymers (PIPs) and used for electrochemical biosensors. The PIPs were synthesized via electrochemically mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (eATRP) with protein as, both, catalyst and template on the surface of 3D Au nanodendrites. The nanodendrites modified with PIPs could determine Hb by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) method. A linear response from 1.0 × 10−13 to 1.0 × 10−1 mg mL−1 with a detection limit of 3.2 × 10−14 mg mL−1 (S/N = 3) for Hb was achieved from the results of the experiments. Compared with other Hb sensors based on PIPs, the broader linear range and lower detection limit suggested the promising prospect of the biosensor. In a word, this study significantly reports the preparation of PIPs, catalysis of eATRP by proteins and the sensitive detection of metalloproteins.