The biocatalytic activity of electrode-immobilized luciferase followed by bioluminescence emitted from the electrode surface was reversibly tuned and switched by applying electrochemical signals. When a reductive potential (-0.9 V vs. Ag/AgCl) was applied, O2 was consumed at the electrode resulting in its depletion in a thin film near the electrode surface. This resulted in the inhibition of the immobilized luciferase which needs O2 for the biocatalytic reaction. Releasing the potential resulted in diffusional equilibration of the O2 local concentration with the bulk solution, then reactivating luciferase. Reversible inhibition-activation of luciferase was obtained upon cyclic application and releasing of the potential, respectively.
Keywords: Bioluminescence; Electrochemically switchable; Electrochemically tunable; Luciferase; Modified electrode.
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