Enhanced electrochemiluminescence imaging of single cell membrane proteins based on Co3O4 nanozyme catalysis

Abstract

The development of enhanced strategies with excellent biocompatibility is critical for electrochemiluminescence (ECL) imaging of single cells. Here, we report an ECL imaging technique for a single cell membrane protein based on a Co₃O₄ nanozyme catalytic enhancement strategy. Due to the remarkable catalytic performance of Co₃O₄ nanozymes, H₂O₂ can be efficiently decomposed into reactive oxygen radicals, and the reaction with L012 was enhanced, resulting in stronger ECL emission. The anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was coupled with nanozyme particles to construct a probe that specifically recognized the overexpressed CEA on the MCF-7 cell membrane. According to the locally enhanced visualized luminescence, the rapid ECL imaging of a single cell membrane protein was eventually realized. Accordingly, Co₃O₄ nanozymes with highly efficient activity will provide new insights into ECL imaging analysis of more biological small molecules and proteins.