Direct wiring of cytochrome c's heme unit to an electrode: Electrochemical studies

[Image displayed in pdf]A novel strategy for the immobilization of cytochrome c on the surface of chemically modified electrodes is demonstrated and used to investigate the protein's electron-transfer kinetics. Mixed monolayer films of alkanethiols and ?-terminated alkanethiols (terminated with pyridine, imidazole, or nitrile groups that are able to ligate with the heme) are used to adsorb cytochrome c to the surface of gold electrodes. The use of mixed films, as opposed to pure films, allows the concentration of adsorbed cytochrome to remain dilute and ensures a higher degree of homogeneity in their environment. The adsorbed protein is studied using electrochemical methods and scanning tunneling microscopy