Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

A novel biosensor for investigation of levofloxacin–DNA interactions: A voltammetric biosensor and docking study

Year 2026, Volume: 30 Issue: 2, 629 - 643, 15.03.2026
https://doi.org/10.12991/jrespharm.1693336
https://izlik.org/JA48FM97AL

Abstract

This work aims to develop a voltammetric biosensor to analyze the interaction between the quinolone antibiotic levofloxacin (LVX) and DNA. The development steps include defining the electrochemical behaviors of LVX, the DNA-LVX interaction, and molecular docking of DNA-LVX. The exploited docking study determines the interaction mechanism of the binding region of the DNA and LVX. The peak currents of DNA guanine oxidation signals in the presence and absence of LVX were determined by square wave voltammetry using a pencil electrode. In addition, LVX peak currents were evaluated alone, and the interaction between DNA and LVX was determined electrochemically. LVX was determined in the range of 0.5-20 µg/mL. Under the optimum conditions, the LOD value 0.0018 µg/mL was detected for LVX. The effects, such as time, pH, and concentration, affecting the interaction with DNA were examined in the study, and the results were given. The studies were compared with molecular docking, and the data obtained about DNA-drug interactions were compared and characterized.

References

  • [1] Ruiz J. Transferable mechanisms of quinolone resistance from 1998 onward. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2019; 32(4): e00007-19. https://doi.org/10.1128/cmr.00007-19
  • [2] Dönmez F, Yardım Y, Şentürk Z. Electroanalytical determination of enrofloxacin based on the enhancement effect of the anionic surfactant at anodically pretreated boron-doped diamond electrode. Diam Relat Mater. 2018; 84: 95-102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diamond.2018.03.013
  • [3] Spencer AC, Panda SS. DNA Gyrase as a Target for Quinolones. Biomedicines. 2023; 11(2): 371. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11020371
  • [4] Hooper DC, Jacoby GA. Mechanisms of drug resistance: quinolone resistance. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2015; 1354(1): 12-31. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.12830
  • [5] Laponogov I, Sohi MK, Veselkov DA, Pan XS, Sawhney R, Thompson AW, McAuley KE, Fisher LM, Sanderson MR. Structural insight into the quinolone–DNA cleavage complex of type IIA topoisomerases. Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2009; 16(6): 667-669. https://doi.org/10.1038/nsmb.1604
  • [6] Hara Y, Honjo Y. Ofloxacin and Levofloxacin (Tarivid/Cravit) Best-in-class antimicrobial agents. In Nagaoka S. (Ed.). Drug Discovery in Japan: Investigating the Sources of Innovation. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd., Singapore, 2019, pp.85-110.
  • [7] Saour KY, Atto RA. Synthesis of new levofloxacin derivatives and their biological activity. Pharmacie Globale. 2012; 3(1): 1-5.
  • [8] Bandari S, Dronam VR, Eedara BB. Development and preliminary characterization of levofloxacin pharmaceutical cocrystals for dissolution rate enhancement. J Pharm Investig. 2017; 47: 583-591. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40005-016-0302-8
  • [9] Rafat C, Debrix I, Hertig A. Levofloxacin for the treatment of pyelonephritis. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2013; 14(9): 1241-1253. https://doi.org/10.1517/14656566.2013.792805
  • [10] Bush LM, Chaparro-Rojas F, Okeh V, Etienne J. Cumulative clinical experience from over a decade of use of levofloxacin in urinary tract infections: critical appraisal and role in therapy. Infect Drug Resist. 2011; 4(2011): 177-189. https://doi.org/10.2147/IDR.S15610
  • [11] Sitovs A, Sartini I, Giorgi M. Levofloxacin in veterinary medicine: a literature review. Res Vet Sci. 2021; 137: 111-126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.04.031
  • [12] Liu HH. Safety profile of the fluoroquinolones: focus on levofloxacin. Drug Saf. 2010; 33: 353-369. https://doi.org/10.2165/11536360-000000000-00000
  • [13] Czyrski A, Szałek E. An HPLC method for levofloxacin determination and its application in biomedical analysis. J Anal Chem. 2016; 71: 840-843. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1061934816080049
  • [14] Fekry AM. An innovative simple electrochemical levofloxacin sensor assembled from carbon paste enhanced with nano-sized fumed silica. Biosens. 2022; 12(10): 906. https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12100906
  • [15] Sabhachandani P, Sarkar S, Zucchi PC, Whitfield BA, Kirby JE, Hirsch EB, Konry T. Integrated microfluidic platform for rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing and bacterial growth analysis using bead-based biosensor via fluorescence imaging. Mikrochim Acta. 2017; 184: 4619-4628. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-017-2492-9
  • [16] Sun L, Guo H, Liu B, Pan Z, Wu N, Zhang H, Yang W. Ultrasensitive levofloxacin electrochemical biosensor based on semiconducting covalent organic framework/poly-L-cysteine/triangular Ag nanoplates modified glassy carbon electrode. Mikrochim Acta. 2023; 190(9): 346. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-023-05866-0
  • [17] Davis F, Shimizu FM, Altintas Z. Smart nanomaterials: Applications in biosensors and diagnostics. In: Altintas Z. (Eds). Biosensors and Nanotechnology: Applications in Health Care Diagnostics. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., London, UK, 2018, pp.219-276.
  • [18] Ranjan P, Parihar A, Jain S, Kumar N, Dhand C, Murali S, Mishra D, Sanghi SK, Chaurasia J, Srivastava AK. Biosensor-based diagnostic approaches for various cellular biomarkers of breast cancer: A comprehensive review. Anal Biochem. 2020; 610: 113996. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ab.2020.113996
  • [19] Ganta D, Chavez J, Lopez A. Disposable chronoamperometric sensor coated with silver nanowires for detecting levofloxacin. Anal Lett. 2020; 53(12): 1992-2001. https://doi.org/10.1080/00032719.2020.1727494
  • [20] Radi A, El Ries M, Kandil S. Electrochemical study of the interaction of levofloxacin with DNA. Anal Chim Acta. 2003; 495(1-2): 61-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2003.08.018
  • [21] Mehlhorn A, Rahimi P, Joseph Y. Aptamer-based biosensors for antibiotic detection: A review. Biosens. 2018; 8(2): 54. https://doi.org/10.3390/bios8020054
  • [22] Reinemann C, Von Fritsch UF, Rudolph S, Strehlitz B. Generation and characterization of quinolone-specific DNA aptamers suitable for water monitoring. Biosens Bioelectron. 2016; 77: 1039-1047. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2015.10.069
  • [23] Ghanbari MH, Khoshroo A, Sobati H, Ganjali MR, Rahimi-Nasrabadi M, Ahmadi F. An electrochemical sensor based on poly (L-Cysteine)@ AuNPs@ reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite for determination of levofloxacin. Microchem J. 2019; 147: 198-206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2019.03.016
  • [24] Rkik M, Brahim MB, Samet Y. Electrochemical determination of levofloxacin antibiotic in biological samples using boron doped diamond electrode. J Electroanal Chem. 2017; 794: 175-181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2017.04.015
  • [25] Bagni G, Osella D, Sturchio E, Mascini M. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) biosensors for environmental risk assessment and drug studies. Anal Chim Acta. 2006; 573–574: 81-89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2006.03.085
  • [26] Subak H. Novel Determination of the influence of idarubicin upon DNA chain structure using an electrochemical DNA biosensor by voltammetry. Anal Lett. 2024; 57(18): 2994-3008. https://doi.org/10.1080/00032719.2024.2308051
  • [27] H. Subak, G. Selvolini, M. Macchiagodena, D. Ozkan-Ariksoysal, M. Pagliai, P. Procacci, G. Marrazza, Mycotoxins aptasensing: From molecular docking to electrochemical detection of deoxynivalenol, Bioelectrochemistry. 2021 (138) 107691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioelechem.2020.107691.
  • [28] Drew HR, Wing RM, Takano T, Broka C, Tanaka S, Itakura K, Dickerson RE. Structure of a B-DNA dodecamer: conformation and dynamics. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 1981; 78(4): 2179-2183. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.78.4.2179
  • [29] Findik M, Kuzu B, Pehlivanoglu S, Kaya S, Sayin U, Akgemci EG, Saf AO. Synthesis of Carbazole-Substituted thiosemicarbazone and its Cu (II) Complex, DNA/Protein Binding, Cytotoxic, antiproliferative activities and molecular docking studies. Inorg Chem Commun. 2023; 152: 110711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inoche.2023.110711
There are 29 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Fatih Donmez

Burak Kuzu 0000-0002-7305-7177

Hasret Subak 0000-0003-0100-2529

Submission Date May 6, 2025
Acceptance Date June 18, 2025
Publication Date March 15, 2026
DOI https://doi.org/10.12991/jrespharm.1693336
IZ https://izlik.org/JA48FM97AL
Published in Issue Year 2026 Volume: 30 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Donmez, F., Kuzu, B., & Subak, H. (2026). A novel biosensor for investigation of levofloxacin–DNA interactions: A voltammetric biosensor and docking study. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, 30(2), 629-643. https://doi.org/10.12991/jrespharm.1693336
AMA 1.Donmez F, Kuzu B, Subak H. A novel biosensor for investigation of levofloxacin–DNA interactions: A voltammetric biosensor and docking study. J. Res. Pharm. 2026;30(2):629-643. doi:10.12991/jrespharm.1693336
Chicago Donmez, Fatih, Burak Kuzu, and Hasret Subak. 2026. “A Novel Biosensor for Investigation of Levofloxacin–DNA Interactions: A Voltammetric Biosensor and Docking Study”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 30 (2): 629-43. https://doi.org/10.12991/jrespharm.1693336.
EndNote Donmez F, Kuzu B, Subak H (March 1, 2026) A novel biosensor for investigation of levofloxacin–DNA interactions: A voltammetric biosensor and docking study. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 30 2 629–643.
IEEE [1]F. Donmez, B. Kuzu, and H. Subak, “A novel biosensor for investigation of levofloxacin–DNA interactions: A voltammetric biosensor and docking study”, J. Res. Pharm., vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 629–643, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.12991/jrespharm.1693336.
ISNAD Donmez, Fatih - Kuzu, Burak - Subak, Hasret. “A Novel Biosensor for Investigation of Levofloxacin–DNA Interactions: A Voltammetric Biosensor and Docking Study”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 30/2 (March 1, 2026): 629-643. https://doi.org/10.12991/jrespharm.1693336.
JAMA 1.Donmez F, Kuzu B, Subak H. A novel biosensor for investigation of levofloxacin–DNA interactions: A voltammetric biosensor and docking study. J. Res. Pharm. 2026;30:629–643.
MLA Donmez, Fatih, et al. “A Novel Biosensor for Investigation of Levofloxacin–DNA Interactions: A Voltammetric Biosensor and Docking Study”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, vol. 30, no. 2, Mar. 2026, pp. 629-43, doi:10.12991/jrespharm.1693336.
Vancouver 1.Fatih Donmez, Burak Kuzu, Hasret Subak. A novel biosensor for investigation of levofloxacin–DNA interactions: A voltammetric biosensor and docking study. J. Res. Pharm. 2026 Mar. 1;30(2):629-43. doi:10.12991/jrespharm.1693336