Academic Journal
Proof-of-concept bioelectrochemical characterization of Mycolicibacterium smegmatis for diagnostic applications.
| Title: | Proof-of-concept bioelectrochemical characterization of Mycolicibacterium smegmatis for diagnostic applications. |
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| Authors: | Oguntomi SO; Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute, University of Nottingham Ningbo, Ningbo 315100, China., Sahu A; International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Taizhou, Jiangsu 225316, China; School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China. Electronic address: sahuabhipsa@icgeb.cn., Yang Y; International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Taizhou, Jiangsu 225316, China., Marsili E; Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute, University of Nottingham Ningbo, Ningbo 315100, China. Electronic address: enrico.marsili@nottingham.edu.cn. |
| Source: | Bioelectrochemistry (Amsterdam, Netherlands) [Bioelectrochemistry] 2026 Oct; Vol. 171, pp. 109277. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Mar 09. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Elsevier Country of Publication: Netherlands NLM ID: 100953583 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1878-562X (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 15675394 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Bioelectrochemistry Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: [Amsterdam?] : Elsevier, 2000- |
| MeSH Terms: | Mycobacterium smegmatis*/enzymology , Mycobacterium smegmatis*/isolation & purification , Mycobacterium smegmatis*/genetics , Urease*/metabolism , Electrochemical Techniques*/methods , Biosensing Techniques*/methods, Indoles/chemistry ; Anthraquinones/chemistry ; Polymers/chemistry ; Riboflavin/chemistry ; Ferricyanides/chemistry ; Electrodes |
| Abstract: | Elevated urease activity in tuberculosis-infected individuals is often suggestive of bacterial virulence by promoting survivability and establishment of the causative pathogen (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) in the host. Thus, heightened urease activity could be a promising biomarker for screening pathogenic mycobacterial strains. In this proof-of-concept study, we evaluate the suitability of electrochemical techniques for direct screening of mycobacterial strains based on urease activity. Mycolicibacterium smegmatis wildtype (WT), a derived knockout mutant of the LCP protein family (∆0107) with high urease activity, and its complement strain (c-0107) were coated in polydopamine (PDA) and immobilized on a screen-printed electrode (SPE) for microscopy and electrochemical characterization, in presence of exogenous redox mediators: potassium ferricyanide, anthraquinone, and riboflavin. Microscopy showed compatibility of PDA as a coating material for mycobacterial cells. Electrochemical analysis results indicated enhanced M. smegmatis electroactivity in the presence of anthraquinone, with higher current output in the strain with high urease activity. Experiments at different urea concentrations suggest that urea is not required for this screening approach. This work shows that electrochemical data can potentially distinguish mycobacterial strains based on urease activity. It also lays a groundwork in the model mycobacteria M. smegmatis, which could facilitate development of assays for pathogenic mycobacterial species. (Copyright © 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.) |
| Competing Interests: | Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Biocoating; Electrochemical screening; Mycolicibacterium smegmatis; Urease |
| Substance Nomenclature: | EC 3.5.1.5 (Urease) 0 (Indoles) 0 (Anthraquinones) 0 (Polymers) 0 (polydopamine) U4MAF9C813 (potassium ferricyanide) TLM2976OFR (Riboflavin) 0 (Ferricyanides) |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260312 Date Completed: 20260710 Latest Revision: 20260710 |
| Update Code: | 20260711 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2026.109277 |
| PMID: | 41819721 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1878-562X |
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| DOI: | 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2026.109277 |