Electrochemical biosensors for detection of point mutation based on surface ligation reaction and oligonucleotides modified gold nanoparticles

An electrochemical method for point mutation detection based on surface ligation reaction and oligonucleotides (ODNs) modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was demonstrated. Point mutation identification was achieved using Escherichia coli DNA ligase. This system for point mutation detection relied on a sandwich assay comprising capture ODN immobilized on Au electrodes, target ODN and ligation ODN. Because of the sequence-specific surface reactions of E. coli DNA ligase, the ligation ODN covalently linked to the capture ODN only in the presence of a perfectly complementary target ODN. The presence of ligation products on Au electrode was detected using chronocoulometry through hybridization with reporter ODN modified AuNPs. The use of AuNPs improved the sensitivity of chronocoulometry in this approach, a detection limit of 0.9 pM complementary ODN was obtained. For single base mismatched ODN (smODN), a negligible signal was observed. Even if the concentration ratio of complementary ODN to smODN was decreased to 1:1000, a detectable signal was observed. This work may provide a specific, sensitive and cost-efficient approach for point mutant detection.     

Low‐Background,Highly Sensitive DNA Biosensor by Using an Electrically Neutral Cobalt(II) Complex as the Redox Hybridization Indicator

An electrically neutral cobalt complex, [Co(GA)₂(phen)] (GA=glycollic acid, phen=1,10‐phenathroline), was synthesized and its interactions with double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) were studied by using electrochemical methods on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). We found that [Co(GA)₂(phen)] could intercalate into the DNA duplex through the planar phen ligand with a high binding constant of 6.2(±0.2)×10⁵ M ^?1. Surface studies showed that the cobalt complex could electrochemically accumulate within the modified dsDNA layer, rather than within the single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) layer. Based on this feature, the complex was applied as a redox‐active hybridization indicator to detect 18‐base oligonucleotides from the CaMV35S promoter gene. This biosensor presented a very low background signal during hybridization detection and could realize the detection over a wide kinetic range from 1.0×10^?14 M to 1.0×10^?8 M , with a low detection limit of 2.0 fM towards the target sequences. The hybridization selectivity experiments further revealed that the complementary sequence, the one‐base‐mismatched sequence, and the non‐complementary sequence could be well‐distinguished by the cobalt‐complex‐based biosensor.     

Label‐Free and Label Based Electrochemical Detection of Hybridization by Using Methylene Blue and Peptide Nucleic Acid Probes at Chitosan Modified Carbon Paste Electrodes

A chitosan modified carbon paste electrode (ChiCPE) based DNA biosensor for the recognition of calf thymus double stranded DNA (dsDNA), single stranded DNA (ssDNA) and hybridization detection between complementary DNA oligonucleotides is presented. DNA and oligonucleotides were electrostatically attached by using chitosan onto CPE. The amino groups of chitosan formed a strong complex with the phosphate backbone of DNA. The immobilized probe could selectively hybridize with the target DNA to form hybrid on the CPE surface. The detection of hybridization was observed by using the label‐free and label based protocols. The oxidation signals of guanine and adenine greatly decreased when a hybrid was formed on the ChiCPE surface. The changes in the peak currents of methylene blue (MB), an electroactive label, were observed upon hybridization of probe with target. The signals of MB were investigated at dsDNA modified ChiCPE and ssDNA modified ChiCPE and the increased peak currents were observed, in respect to the order of electrodes. The hybridization of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes with the DNA target sequences at ChiCPE was also investigated. Performance characteristics of the sensor were described, along with future prospects.     

Electrochemical DNA Biosensor Based on Partially Reduced Graphene Oxide Modified Carbon Ionic Liquid Electrode for the Detection of Transgenic Soybean A2704‐12 Gene Sequence

In this work a partially reduced graphene oxide (p‐RGO) modified carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) was prepared as the platform to fabricate an electrochemical DNA sensor, which was used for the sensitive detection of target ssDNA sequence related to transgenic soybean A2704‐12 sequence. The CILE was fabricated by using 1‐butylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate as the binder and then p‐RGO was deposited on the surface of CILE by controlling the electroreduction conditions. NH₂ modified ssDNA probe sequences were immobilized on the electrode surface via covalent bonds between the unreduced oxygen groups on the p‐RGO surface and the amine group at the 5′‐end of ssDNA, which was denoted as ssDNA/p‐RGO/CILE and further used to hybridize with the target ssDNA sequence. Methylene blue (MB) was used as electrochemical indicator to monitor the DNA hybridization. The reduction peak current of MB after hybridization was proportional to the concentration of target A2704‐12 ssDNA sequences in the range from 1.0×10^?12 to 1.0×10^?6 mol/L with a detection limit of 2.9×10^?13 mol/L (3σ). The electrochemical DNA biosensor was further used for the detection of PCR products of transgenic soybean with satisfactory results.     

基于聚硫堇膜对DNA杂交的直接电化学检测

In this work, the application of a conducting polymer, poly（thionine）, modified electrode as matrix to DNA immobilization as well as transducer to label-free DNA hybridization detection was introduced. The electropolymerization of thionine onto electrode surface was carried out by a simple two-step method, which involved a preanodization of glassy carbon electrode at a constant positive potential in thionine solution following cyclic voltammetry scans in the solution. Electrochemical detection was performed by differential pulse voltammetry in the electroactivity potential domain of poly（thionine）. The resulting poly（thionine） modified electrode showed a good stability and electroactivity in aqueous media during a near neutral pH range. Additionally, the pendant amino groups on the poly（thionine） chains enabled poly（thionine） modified electrode to immobilize phosphate group terminated DNA probe via covalent linkage. Hybridization process induced a clear decrease in poly（thionine） redox current, which was corresponding to the decrease in poly（thionine） electroactivity after double stranded DNA was formed on the polymer film. The detection limit of this electrochemical DNA hybridization sensor was 1.0 × 10^-10mol/L. Compared with complementary sequence, the hybridization signal values of 1-base mismatched and 3-base mismatched samples were 63.9% and 9.2%, respectively.     

Synergistic effects of nano-ZnO/multi-walled carbon nanotubes/chitosan nanocomposite membrane for the sensitive detection of sequence-specific of PAT gene and PCR amplification of NOS gene

The remarkable synergistic effects of the zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were developed for the ssDNA probe immobilization and fabrication of the electrochemical DNA biosensor. The ZnO/MWNTs/chitosan nanocomposite membrane-modified glassy carbon electrode (ZnO/MWNTs/CHIT/GCE) was fabricated and the ssDNA probes were immobilized on the modified electrode surface. The preparation method is quite simple and inexpensive. The hybridization events were monitored by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) using methylene blue (MB) as an indicator. As compared with previous MWNTs-based DNA biosensors, this composite matrix combined the attractive biocompatibility of ZnO nanoparticles with the excellent electron-transfer ability of MWNTs and fine membrane-forming ability of CHIT increased the DNA attachment quantity and complementary DNA detection sensitivity. The approach described here can effectively discriminate complementary DNA sequence, noncomplementary sequence, single-base mismatched sequence and double-base mismatched sequence related to phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT) gene in transgenic corn. Under optimal conditions, the dynamic detection range of the sensor to PAT gene complementary target sequence was from 1.0 × 10⁻¹¹ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol/L with the detection limit of 2.8 × 10⁻¹² mol/L. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of nopaline synthase (NOS) gene from the real sample of one kind of transgenic soybeans was also satisfactorily detected with this electrochemical DNA biosensor, suggesting that the ZnO/MWNTs/CHIT nanocomposite hold great promises for sensitive electrochemical biosensor applications.     

Electrochemical DNA Hybridization Detection Using DNA Cleavage

We report the new method for detection of DNA hybridization using enzymatic cleavage. The strategy is based on that S1 nuclease is able to specifically cleave only single strand DNA, but not double strand DNA. The capture probe DNA, thiolated single strand DNA labeled with electroactive ferrocene group, was immobilized on a gold electrode. After hybridization of target DNA of complementary and noncomplementary sequences, nonhybridized single strand DNA was cleaved using S1 nuclease. The difference of enzymatic cleavage on the modified gold electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. We successfully applied this method to the sequence‐selective discrimination between perfectly matched and mismatched target DNA including a single‐base mismatched target DNA. Our method does not require either hybridization indicators or other exogenous signaling molecules which most of the electrochemical hybridization detection systems require.     

Electrochemical Quantitative Analysis of Nucleic Acids Using β‐Cyclodextrin Modified Gold Electrode

We present an electrochemical biosensor for the analysis of nucleic acids upon hybridization on the β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD)‐modified gold electrode. The strategy is based on the following: The 5’‐ferrocene‐labeled single stranded capture probe DNA (5’‐fc‐ss‐DNA) was incorporated into the cavity of thiolated β‐CD which was immobilized on the surface of gold electrode. After hybridization of complementary target DNA, hybridized double stranded DNA (ds‐DNA) was released from the cavity of β‐CD. The difference of electrochemical properties on the modified gold electrode was characterized by cyclic voltametry and surface plasmon resonance. We successfully applied this method to the investigation of the sensor responses due to hybridization on various concentrations of applied target DNA. As a result, the label‐free electrochemical DNA sensor can detect the target DNA with a detection limit of 1.08 nM. Finally, our method does not require either hybridization indicators or other signalling molecules such as DNA intercalaters which most of electrochemical hybridization detection systems require.     

Electrochemical Detection of DNA Hybridization Based on the Probe Labeled with Carbon‐Nanotubes Loaded with Silver Nanoparticles

A sensitive electrochemical method for the detection of DNA hybridization based on the probe labeled with multiwall carbon‐nanotubes (MWNTs) loaded with silver nanoparticles (Ag‐MWNTs) has been developed. MWNTs were electroless‐plated with a large number of silver nanoparticles to form Ag‐MWNTs. Probe single strand DNA (ss‐DNA) with a thiol group at the 3′‐terminal labeled with Ag‐MWNTs by self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) technique was employed as an electrochemical probe. Target ss‐DNA with a thiol group was immobilized on a gold electrode by SAM technique and then hybridized with the electrochemical probe. Binding events were monitored by differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) signal of silver nanoparticles. The signal difference permitted to distinguish the match of two perfectly complementary DNA strands from the near perfect match where just three base pairs were mismatched. There was a linear relation between the peak current at +120 mV (vs. SCE) and complementary target ss‐DNA concentration over the range from 3.1×10^?14 to 1.0×10^?11 mol/L with a detection limit of 10 fmol/L of complementary target ss‐DNA. The proposed method has been successfully applied to detection of the DNA sequence related to cystic fibrosis. This work demonstrated that the MWNTs loaded with silver nanoparticles offers a great promising approach for sensitive detection of DNA hybridization.     

Impedance‐Based DNA Biosensor Employing Molecular Beacon DNA as Probe and Thionine as Charge Neutralizer

In this paper, we present an impedance‐based DNA biosensor using thionine intercalation to amplify DNA hybridization signal. Beacon single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) probe and mercaptoacetic acid were self‐assembled onto a Au electrode by forming Au? S bonds. These beacon ssDNAs were hybridized with the complementary sequences around the loop structure. Then thionine was intercalated into the double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) immobilized on the Au electrode surface. Due to the neutralization of the negative charges of dsDNA by the intercalated thionine, the electronic transfer resistance (R_et) of the DNA modified Au electrode was significantly diminished. Herein, the decreased value of R_et resulted from the thionine intercalating into dsDNA was employed as the hybridization signal. SDS was used to reduce the unspecific adsorption between ssDNA and thionine. Several experimental conditions, including the surface coverage of ssDNA probe on Au electrode, the hybridization temperature and time were all optimized. Moreover, the hybridization reactions of the unstructured linear ssDNA probe and the structured beacon ssDNA probe with their complementary sequences were compared in this work. The sensitivity of the presented DNA biosensor highlighted that the intercalation of thionine into dsDNA was an efficient approach to amplify the hybridization signal using impedance detection technique. Additionally, in this DNA biosensing protocol, beacon ssDNA has a good ability to distinguish target DNA sequences. This results in a higher specificity than using traditional unstructured DNA probe.     

Colloid Au-enhanced DNA immobilization for the electrochemical detection of sequence-specific DNA

We use colloidal Au to enhance the DNA immobilization amount on a gold electrode and ultimately lower the detection limit of our electrochemical DNA biosensor. Self-assembly of approximately 16-nm diameter colloidal Au onto a cysteamine modified gold electrode resulted in an easier attachment of an oligonucleotide with a mercaptohexyl group at the 5′-phosphate end, and therefore an increased capacity for nucleic acid detection. Quantitative results showed that the surface densities of oligonucleotides on the Au colloid modified gold electrode were approximately (1–4)×10¹⁴ molecules cm⁻². Hybridization was induced by exposure of the ssDNA-containing gold electrode to ferrocenecarboxaldehyde labeled complementary ssDNA in solution. The detection limit is 5×10⁻¹⁰ mol l⁻¹ of complementary ssDNA, which is much lower than our previous electrochemical DNA biosensors. The Au nanoparticle films on the Au electrode provide a novel means for ssDNA immobilization and sequence-specific DNA detection.     

Sensitively Electrochemical Sensing for Sequence‐Specific Detection of Phosphinothricin Acetyltransferase Gene: Layer‐by‐Layer Films of Poly‐L‐Lysine and Au‐Carbon Nanotube Hybrid

An electrochemical DNA sensing film was constructed based on the multilayers comprising of poly‐L ‐lysine (pLys) and Au‐carbon nanotube (Au‐CNT) hybrid. A precursor film of mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) was firstly self‐assembled on the Au electrode surface. pLys and Au‐CNT hybrid layer‐by‐layer assembly films were fabricated by alternately immersing the MPA‐modified electrode into the pLys solution and Au‐CNT hybrid solution. Cyclic voltammetry was used to monitor the consecutive growth of the multilayer films by utilizing [Fe(CN)₆]^3?/4? and [Co(phen)₃]^3+/2+ as the redox indicators. The outer layer of the multilayer film was the positively charged pLys, on which the DNA probe was easily linked due to the strong electrostatic affinity. The hybridization detection of DNA was accomplished by using methylene blue (MB) as the indicator, which possesses different affinities to dsDNA and ssDNA. Differential pulse voltammetry was employed to record the signal response of MB and determine the amount of the target DNA sequence. The established biosensor has high sensitivity, a relatively wide linear range from 1.0×10^?10 mol/L to 1.0×10^?6 mol/L and the ability to discriminate the fully complementary target DNA from single or double base‐mismatched DNA. The sequence‐specific DNA related to phosphinothricin acetyltransferase gene from the transgenically modified plants was successfully detected.     

Lead Sulfide Nanoparticle as Oligonucleotides Labels for Electrochemical Stripping Detection of DNA Hybridization

We report a method for the detection of DNA hybridization in connection to lead sulfide (PbS) nanoparticle tags and electrochemical stripping measurement of the lead. A kind of lead sulfide nanoparticle with free carboxyl groups on its surface was synthesized in aqueous solution. The nanoparticle was used as a marker to label a sequence‐known oligonucleotide, which was then employed as a DNA probe for identifying a target ssDNA immobilized on a PPy modified electrode based on a specific hybridization reaction. The hybridization events were monitored by the oxidation dissolution of the lead sulfide anchored on the hybrids and the indirect determination of the lead ions by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). The detection limit is 0.3 pmol L^?1 of target oligonucleotides. The PbS nanoparticle combining its easy conjugation to the DNA molecule with the highly sensitive stripping voltammetry detection of lead shows its promising application in the electrochemical DNA hybridization analysis assay.     

Reaction of Cd(II)-Morin with dsDNA for biosensing of ssDNA oligomers with complementary, GCE-immobilized ssDNA

In this work, the complex cadmium(II)-morin was synthesized and its interaction with double-stranded salmon sperm DNA was studied by electrochemical methods on glassy carbon electrode (GCE). It was shown that Cd(II)-Morin with high electrochemical activity can intercalate into the double-helix DNA, and the binding stoichiometry and equilibrium dissociation constant according to the Hill model for cooperative binding were calculated to be 1.761 and 2.5 x 10(-5) M, respectively. Using Cd(II)-Morin as a novel hybridization indicator, the hybridization between the probe and its complementary and mismatched sequence was investigated by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), which was to access the selectivity of the developed electrochemical DNA biosensor. The complementary target ssDNA could be quantified over the range from 2.69 x 10(-8) M to 9.16 x 10(-7) M with a linear correlation of 0.9971 and a detection limit of 9.30 x 10(-9) M. These results demonstrated that the Cd(II)-Morin indicator provides great promise for the rapid and selective measurement of the target DNA.     

Detection of Aeromonas hydrophila DNA oligonucleotide sequence using a biosensor design based on Ceria nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide and Fast Fourier transform square wave voltammetry

A new strategy was introduced for ssDNA immobilization on a modified glassy carbon electrode. The electrode surface was modified using polyaniline and chemically reduced graphene oxide decorated cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO₂NPs-RGO). A single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) probe was immobilized on the modified electrode surface. Fast Fourier transform square wave voltammetry (FFT-SWV) was applied as detection technique and [Ru(bpy)₃]^2+/3+ redox signal was used as electrochemical marker. The hybridization of ssDNA with its complementary target caused a dramatic decrease in [Ru(bpy)₃]^2+/3+ FFT-SW signal. The proposed electrochemical biosensor was able to detect Aeromonas hydrophila DNA oligonucleotide sequence encoding aerolysin protein. Under optimal conditions, the biosensor showed excellent selectivity toward complementary sequence in comparison with noncomplementary and two-base mismatch sequences. The dynamic linear range of this electrochemical DNA biosensor for detecting 20-mer oligonucleotide sequence of A. hydrophila was from 1 × 10⁻¹⁵ to 1 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The proposed biosensor was successfully applied for the detection of DNA extracted from A. hydrophila in fish pond water up to 0.01 μg mL⁻¹ with RSD of 5%. Besides, molecular docking was applied to consider the [Ru(bpy)₃]^2+/3+ interaction with ssDNA before and after hybridization.     

Voltammetric determination of DNA hybridization using methylene blue and self-assembled alkanethiol monolayer on gold electrodes

An electrochemical DNA biosensor based on the recognition of single stranded DNA (ssDNA) by hybridization detection with immobilized complementary DNA oligonucleotides is presented. DNA and oligonucleotides were covalently attached through free amines on the DNA bases using N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide (NHS) and N-(3-dimethylamino)propyl-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) onto a carboxylate terminated alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAM) preformed on a gold electrode (AuE). Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used to investigate the surface coverage and molecular orientation of the immobilized DNA molecules. The covalently immobilized probe could selectively hybridize with the target DNA to form a hybrid on the surface despite the bases being attached to the SAM. The changes in the peak currents of methylene blue (MB), an electroactive label, were observed upon hybridization of probe with the target. Peak currents were found to increase in the following order: hybrid-modified AuE, mismatched hybrid-modified AuE, and the probe-modified AuE which indicates the MB signal is determined by the extent of exposed bases. Control experiments were performed using a non-complementary DNA sequence. The effect of the DNA target concentration on the hybridization signal was also studied. The interaction of MB with inosine substituted probes was investigated. Performance characteristics of the sensor are described.     

Electrochemical DNA Biosensor Based on Graphene and TiO2 Nanorods Composite Film for the Detection of Transgenic Soybean Gene Sequence of MON89788

Based on graphene (GR), TiO₂ nanorods, and chitosan (CTS) nanocomposite modified carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) as substrate electrode, a new electrochemical DNA biosensor was effectively fabricated for the detection of the transgenic soybean sequence of MON89788. By using methylene blue (MB) as hybridization indicator for monitoring the hybridization with different ssDNA sequences, the differential pulse voltammetric response of MB on DNA modified electrodes were recorded and compared. Due to the synergistic effects of TiO₂ nanorods and GR on the electrode surface, the electrochemical responses of MB were greatly increased. Under optimal conditions the differential pulse voltammetric response of the target ssDNA sequence could be detected in the range from 1.0×10^?12 to 1.0×10^?6 mol/L with a detection limit of 7.21×10^?13 mol/L (3σ). This electrochemical DNA biosensor was further applied to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product of transgenic soybeans with satisfactory results.     

基于聚苯胺掺杂乙醇胺固定DNA电化学传感器的研究

本研究以电化学聚合法制备了聚苯胺掺杂乙醇胺修饰电极,并成功固定了DNA探针。文中对修饰电极的制备和DNA的固定杂交条件进行了探讨,并利用循环伏安法测定嵌入双链DNA(dsDNA)分子碱基对中的亚甲基蓝的氧化还原峰电流,识别和测定溶液中互补的单链DNA(ssDNA)片段,从而实现对溶液中不同基因片段的检测。     

Electrochemical DNA biosensor for the detection of short DNA species of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia by using methylene blue

A novel assay for the voltammetric detection of 18-bases DNA sequences relating to Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML, Type b3a2) using methylene blue (MB) as the hybridization indicator was reported. DNA was covalently attached onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) through amines of the DNA bases using N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide (NHS) and N-(3-dimethylamion)propyl-N′-ethyl carbodiimidehydrochloride (EDC). The covalently immobilized single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) could selectively hybridize with its complementary DNA (cDNA) in solution to form double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) on the surface. A significant increase of the peak current for methylene blue upon the hybridization of immobilized ssDNA with cDNA in the solution was observed. This peak current change was used to monitor the recognition of CML DNA sequence. This electrochemical approach is sequence specific as indicated by the control experiments in which no peak current change was observed if a non-complementary DNA sequence was used. Factors, such as DNA target concentration and hybridization conditions determining the sensitivity of the electrochemical assay were investigated. Under optimal conditions, this sensor has a good calibration range between 1.25 × 10⁻⁷ and 6.75 × 10⁻⁷ M, with CML DNA sequence detection limit of 5.9 × 10⁻⁸ M.     

Application of diazo-thiourea and gold nano-particles in the design of a highly sensitive and selective DNA biosensor

An effective procedure for constructing a DNA biosensor is developed based on covalent immobilization of NH_2 labeled,single strand DNA(NH_2-ssDNA) onto a self-assembled diazo-thiourea and gold nanoparticles modified Au electrode(diazo-thiourea/GNM/Au).Gold nano-particles expand the electrode surface area and increase the amount of immobilized thiourea and single stranded DNA(ssDNA) onto the electrode surface.Diazo-thiourea film provides a surface with high conductibility for electron transfer and a bed for the covalent coupling of NH_2-ssDNA onto the electrode surface.The immobilization and hybridization of the probe DNA on the modified electrode is studied by differential pulse voltammetry(DPV) using methylene blue(MB) as a well-known electrochemical hybridization indicator.The linear range for the determination of complementary target ssDNA is from 9.5(±0.1) × 10~(-13) mol/L to1.2(±0.2) x 10~(-9) mol/L with a detection limit of 1.2(±0.1) 10~(-13) mol/L.