Protein Electrochemistry: Application in Medicine. A Review

• intrinsic electroactivity of proteins is generated by their prosthetic groups and amino acids.
• medical application of direct protein electrochemistry is discussed.
• mediator-free and label-free protein detection is considered.
• protein molecule modification, unfolding and aggregation are analyzed.
• a search for new enzyme substrates and inhibitors is described.

This mini-review outlines the current state of knowledge in field of protein electrochemistry and its application in medicine. Protein electrochemistry is considered according to (i) its intrinsic redox activity as generated by prosthetic groups and/or amino acid residues as well as (ii) charge transfer or adsorption at interfaces between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (liquid-liquid interfaces). Despite protein electrochemistry already has experimental and theoretical basis, its potential applications in medicine–where proteins serve as the most valuable biomarkers–is not yet attended. Mediator-free and label-free protein detection, analysis of its denaturation and aggregation, measurement and regulation of enzyme activity, a search for new substrates and inhibitors–i.e. the major problems of protein research–are treated in this mini-review from the electrochemical viewpoint. Significance of protein electrochemistry for clinical, pharmacological and scientific medicine is discussed.

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