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

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.