A label-free electrochemical RNA aptamer for selective detection of theophylline

In this work, we report a novel electrochemical RNA aptamer for the selective detection of theophylline. Firstly, gold nanoparticles were electrodeposited on the surface of glassy carbon (GC) electrode to form a gold nanoparticles modified electrode. Secondly, the designed single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) was immobilized on gold nanoparticles through a thiol linker as a probe RNA. Then, the complement stranded RNA, which can combine with the probe ssRNA to form a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) with a recognition unit of theophylline, was linked on the probe RNA through a hybrid reaction in the presence of theophylline. Doxorubicin was selected as an electrochemical indicator. The proposed RNA aptamer presents an excellent selectivity for the detection of theophylline. The detectable concentration range of theophylline is from 2.0 to 50.0 μM with a limit of detection of 1.2 μM.     

Reagentless, reusable, ultrasensitive electrochemical molecular beacon aptasensor

A bifunctional derivative of the thrombin-binding aptamer with a redox-active Fc moiety and a thiol group at the termini of the aptamer strand was synthesized. The ferrocene-labeled aptamer thiol was self-assembled through S-Au bonding on a polycrystalline gold electrode surface and the surface was blocked with 2-mercaptoethanol to form a mixed monolayer. By use of a fluorescent molecular beacon, the effect of counterions on quadruplex formation was established. The aptamer-modified electrode was characterized electrochemically by cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The modified electrode showed a voltammetric signal due to a one-step redox reaction of the surface-confined ferrocenyl moiety of the aptamer immobilized on the electrode surface in 10 mM N-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) buffer of pH 8.0. An increase in the DPV current signal was evident after blocking with 2-mercaptoethanol, effectively removing aptamer nonspecifically absorbed rather than bound to electrode surface or due to the formation of the aptamer-thrombin affinity interaction. The impedance measurement, in agreement with the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), showed decreased Faradaic resistances in the same sequence. The "signal-on" upon thrombin association could be attributed to a change in conformation from random coil-like configuration on the probe-modified film to the quadruplex structure. The DPV of the modified electrode showed a linear response of the Fc oxidation signal to the increase in the thrombin concentration in the range between 5.0 and 35.0 nM with a linear correlation of r = 0.9988 and a detection limit of 0.5 nM. The molecular beacon aptasensor was amenable to full regeneration by simply unfolding the aptamer in 1.0 M HCl, and could be regenerated 25 times with no loss in electrochemical signal upon subsequent thrombin binding.     

Aptamer-based electrochemical sensors that are not based on the target binding-induced conformational change of aptamers

This study describes a new kind of aptamer-based electrochemical sensor that is not based on the target binding-induced conformational change of the aptamers by using a 15-mer thrombin-binding aptamer (5'-GGTTGGTGTGGTTGG-3') as the model oligonucleotide. The sensors are developed by first self-assembling the aptamer (i.e. a thrombin-binding aptamer) onto an Au electrode and then hybridizing the assembled aptamer with a ferrocene (Fc)-labeled short aptamer-complementary DNA oligonucleotide to form an electroactive double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA) oligonucleotide onto the Au electrode. The binding of the target (i.e. thrombin) towards the aptamer essentially destroys the Watson-Crick helix structure of the ds-DNA oligonucleotide assembled onto the electrode and leads to the dissociation of the Fc-labeled short complementary DNA oligonucleotide from the electrode surface to the solution, resulting in a decrease in the current signal obtained at the electrode, which can be used for the determination of the target. With the thrombin-binding aptamer as the model oligonucleotide, the current decrease obtained with the aptamer-based electrochemical sensors is linear with the concentration of thrombin within the concentration range from 0 to 10 nM (DeltaI/nA = 6.7C(thrombin)/nM + 2.8, gamma = 0.975). Unlike most kinds of existing aptamer-based electrochemical sensor, the electrochemical aptasensors demonstrated here are not based on the conformational change of the aptamers induced by the specific target binding. Moreover, the aptasensors are essentially label-free and are very responsive toward the targets. This study may pave a facile and general way to the development of aptamer-based electrochemical sensors.     

Competitive Assay for Theophylline Based on an Abasic Site‐Containing DNA Duplex Aptamer and a Fluorescent Ligand

A fluorescence assay for theophylline, one of the common drugs for acute and chronic asthmatic conditions, has been developed based on an abasic site‐containing DNA duplex aptamer (AP aptamer) in combination with an abasic site‐binding fluorescent ligand, riboflavin. The assay is based on the competitive binding of theophylline and riboflavin at the abasic (AP) site of the AP aptamer. In the absence of theophylline, riboflavin binds to the receptor nucleotide opposite the AP site, which leads to fluorescence quenching of the riboflavin. Upon addition of theophylline, competitive binding occurs between theophylline and riboflavin, which results in an effective fluorescence restoration due to release of riboflavin from the AP site. From an examination of the optimization of the AP aptamers, the complex of riboflavin with a 23‐mer AP aptamer (5′‐TCT GCG TCC AGX GCA ACG CAC AC‐3′/5′‐GTG TGC GTT GCC CTG GAC GCA GA‐3′; X : the AP site (Spacer C3, a propylene residue)) possessing cytosine as a receptor nucleotide was found to show a selective and effective fluorescence response to theophylline; the limit of detection for theophylline was 1.1 μM . Furthermore, fluorescence detection of theophylline was successfully demonstrated with high selectivity in serum samples by using the optimized AP aptamer and riboflavin.     

基于多边形金纳米颗粒的非标记型可卡因适体传感器的研制

实验合成了多边形金纳米颗粒,通过壳聚糖(CHIT)将合成的多边形金纳米颗粒固定在玻碳电极表面,然后通过自组装技术将带巯基的捕获DNA探针固定在修饰有多边形金纳米颗粒的电极表面,利用杂交反应使可卡因适体与DNA捕获探针结合,制成非标记型可卡因适体传感器。以六氨合钌作为电化学指示剂,通过测量传感器与目标物可卡因结合前后电流变化情况对可卡因进行测定。考察了缓冲溶液的pH、可卡因培育时间、扫描速度等对测定的影响。结果表明,在pH为7.40时该传感器的检测范围为1.0×10-10～1.0×10-3 mol/L,检测限为3.0×10-11 mol/L。该传感器制作简单,响应好,抗干扰能力强。     

Aptamer-based Electrochemical Biosensors for Highly Selective and Quantitative Detection of Adenosine

A new adenosine biosensor based on aptamer probe is introduced in this article. An amino-labeled aptamer probe was immobilized on the gold electrode modified with an o-phenylenediamine electropolymerized film. When adenosine is bound specifically to the aptamer probe, the interface of the biosensor is changed, resulting in the decrement of the peak current. The response current is proportional to the amount of adenosine in sample. The used electrode can be easily regenerated in hot water. The proposed biosensor represents a linear response to adenosine over a concentration range of 1.0x 10^-7-l.0x10^-4 mol/L with a detection limit of 1.0xl0^-8 mol/L. The presented biosensor exhibits a nice specificity towards adenosine. It offers a promising approach for adenosine assay due to its excellent electrochemical properties that are believed to be very attractive for electrochemical studies and electroanalytical applications.     

A highly selective and sensitive cocaine aptasensor based on covalent attachment of the aptamer-functionalized AuNPs onto nanocomposite as the support platform

Based on the conformational changes of the aptamer-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto MWCNTs/IL/Chit nanocomposite as the support platform, we have developed a sensitive and selective electrochemical aptasensor for the detection of cocaine. The 5′-amine-3′-AuNP terminated aptamer is covalently attached to a MWCNTs/IL/Chit nanocomposite. The interaction of cocaine with the aptamer functionalized AuNP caused the aptamer to be folded and the AuNPs with negative charge at the end of the aptamer came to the near of electrode surface therefore, the electron transfer between ferricyanide (K₃Fe(CN)₆) as redox probe and electrode surface was inhibited. A decreased current of (K₃Fe(CN)₆) was monitored by differential pulse voltammetry technique. In an optimized condition the calibration curve for cocaine concentration was linear up to 11 μM with detection limit (signal-to-noise ratio of 3) of 100 pM. To test the selectivity of the prepared aptasensor sensing platform applicability, some analgesic drugs as the interferes were examined. The potential of the aptasensor was successfully applied for measuring cocaine concentration in human blood serum. Based on our experiments it can be said that the present method is absolutely beneficial in developing other electrochemical aptasensor.     

Electrochemical detection of thrombin by sandwich approach using antibody and aptamer

The goal of this work was to introduce a modified electrochemical sandwich model for target protein detection, exploiting antibody as the capturing probe, aptamer as the detection probe and methylene blue as the electrochemical active marker intercalating in the probing aptamer without previous labeling. With appropriate design of the sequence of the aptamer, the aptamer was successfully utilized instead of antibody for obtaining the electrochemical detection. A special immobilization interface consisting of nanogold-chitosan composite film was used to improve the conductivity and performance characteristics of the electrode. The capturing antibody was linked to the glassy carbon electrodes modified with composite film via a linker of glutaraldehyde. Differential pulse voltammetry was performed to produce the response signal. Thrombin was taken as the model target analyte to demonstrate the feasibility of proposed methodology. The sensor shows the linear response for thrombin in the range 1-60 nM with a detection limit of 0.5 nM. The proposed approach provides an alternative approach for sandwich protein assay using aptamers.     

基于主客体竞争模式的凝血酶适配体传感器的研究

基于β-环糊精(β-CD)主客体竞争模式,构建了开关型凝血酶适配体电化学传感器.将末端修饰了二茂铁(Fc)的核酸适配体通过与β-CD的主客体识别固定在金电极表面,当凝血酶存在时,适配体由原来的直立线状构型变为"G-四链体",远离电极表面,适配体探针的氧化还原电流强度减小,即"Signal-off".利用此效应对凝血酶进行了灵敏检测,结果表明,在5.0×10-13~5.0×10-9 mol/L浓度范围内,凝血酶的浓度与电化学响应信号呈良好的线性关系,检出限为2.0×10-13 mol/L(3σ).与其它蛋白分子相比,本方法对凝血酶蛋白的检测具有高特异性.本传感器构建简单,再生性好,为生物血清样本中凝血酶的实时高效检测提供了方法.     

Electrochemical redox control of ferrocene using a supramolecular assembly of ferrocene-linked C(60) derivative and metallooctaethylporphyrin array on a Au(111) electrode

Supramolecular assembled layers of ferrocene-linked C(60) derivative (C(60)Fc) and various metal ions coordinated to octaethylporphyrin (MOEP) were formed on the surface of a Au(111) single-crystal electrode by immersing the Au substrate successively into a benzene solution containing MOEP and one containing C(60)Fc molecules. The MOEPs used were zinc(II) (ZnOEP), cobalt(II) (CoOEP), copper(II) (CuOEP), and iron(III) chloride (FeClOEP) of OEP (2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethyl-21H,23H-porphine). The molecules of C(60)Fc directly attached to the Au(111) electrode showed poorly defined electrochemical redox response, whereas a clear electrochemical redox reaction of the ferrocene group in the C(60)Fc molecule was observed at 0.78 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode on ZnOEP, CoOEP, and CuOEP adlayers, but not on the FeClOEP adlayer. Adlattices of the underlying layer and the top layer of C(60)Fc were determined by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy. Adlayer structures of MOEP were independent of the central metal ion; that is, MOEP molecules were arranged hexagonally with two different orientations. Highly ordered C(60)Fc arrays were formed with 1:1 composition on the ZnOEP-, CoOEP-, and CuOEP-modified Au(111) surface, whereas a disordered structure of C(60)Fc was found on the FeClOEP-modified Au(111) surface. The presence of Cl ligand was found to prevent the formation of supramolecularly assembled layers with C(60)Fc molecules, resulting in an ill-defined unclear electrochemical response of the Fc group. The well-defined electrochemical response of the Fc group in C(60)Fc was clearly due to the control of orientation of C(60)Fc molecules.     

Unusually short RNA sequences: design of a 13-mer RNA that selectively binds and recognizes theophylline

RNA plays critical roles in numerous biological processes and constitutes valuable therapeutic targets. RNA is significant not only for its roles in transmitting the genetic code but also for its enzymatic functions in ribozymes and in peptide bond formation in ribosomes. Recent studies have shown that RNAs containing as few as 22 nucleotides can be key elements in cellular functions. This suggests the possibility of using short RNAs as regulatory elements. Here, we show that ligand recognition and selectivity by RNA molecules can occur with only the presence of a binding pocket and as few as six additional scaffolding nucleotides holding the binding pocket in place. A 13-mer RNA truncation of a 33-mer aptamer for theophylline preserves the ability to bind to theophylline and to discriminate against the structurally similar compound caffeine. The truncated aptamer retains nearly all of the same structural elements in its binding site as those present in the original aptamer. This is the first demonstration of selective ligand binding by a 13-mer RNA.     

A solid-state electrochemiluminescence sensing platform for detection of adenosine based on ferrocene-labeled structure-switching signaling aptamer

A solid-state electrochemiluminescence sensing platform based on ferrocene-labeled structure-switching signaling aptamer (Fc-aptamer) for highly sensitive detection of small molecules is developed successfully using adenosine as a model analyte. Such special sensing platform included two main parts, an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) substrate and an ECL intensity switch. The ECL substrate was made by modifying the complex of Au nanoparticle and Ruthenium (II) tris-(bipyridine) (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺-AuNPs) onto Au electrode. An anti-adenosine aptamer labeled by ferrocene acted as the ECL intensity switch. A short complementary ssDNA for the aptamer was applied to hybridizing with the aptamer, yielding a double-stranded complex of the aptamer and the ssDNA on the electrode surface. The introduction of adenosine triggered structure switching of the aptamer. As a result, the ssDNA was forced to dissociate from the sensing platform. Such structural change of the aptamer resulted in an obvious ECL intensity decrease due to the increased quenching effect of Fc to the ECL substrate. The analytic results were sensitive and specific.     

Aptamer-based competitive electrochemical assay of small biomolecules

A convenient aptamer-based competitive electrochemical biosensor for a small biomolecule,adenosine,was described. The sensing surface was fabricated by self-assembly of an aptamer/mercaptohexanol monolayer on a gold disk electrode. The principle of this aptasensor is based on the competition between an adenosine target molecule and a ferrocene-conjugated signaling DNA strand for the aptamer binding site on the sensing surface. Due to the competitive nature of this assay,the electrochemical responses of the ...     

Synthesis of a liposome incorporated 1-carboxyalkylxanthine-phospholipid conjugate and its recognition by an RNA aptamer

RNA or DNA aptamers have received much attention in recent literature as therapeutic agents and chromatographic matrices, however, their use in analytical methodologies is relatively unexplored. We describe here investigations aiming to combine this promising technology with versatile liposomes in a competitive assay format. Thus, a phospholipid derivative of an unsymmetrical 1,3-disubstituted xanthine (1-carboxyethyl-3-methylxanthine-DPPE) was prepared for incorporation into the lipid bilayers of dye-encapsulating liposomes. Its synthesis and characterization using GC-MS, ¹H NMR, and HPLC are described. Equilibrium filtration experiments using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were completed to assess the affinity for theophylline of an unmodified RNA aptamer and one that had been modified on the 3′ end with biotin. A dissociation constant (K_d) for theophylline with the unmodified RNA aptamer of 0.9 μM and biotinylated aptamer of 1.0 μM was determined which showed that this modification did not affect the aptamer's affinity using this technique. The observed K_d values correlated well to the previously reported value of 0.6 μM. Experiments were also carried out in a competitive manner with the prepared 1-carboxypropyl-3-methylxanthine intermediate, and the final 1-carboxypropyl-3-methylxanthine-DPPE conjugate once it had been incorporated into the bilayers of liposomes. The K_d value for 1-carboxypropyl-3-methylxanthine was approximately 2.7 μM. Finally, successful binding to theophylline-analog-tagged liposomes in a competitive assay format was shown versus liposomes prepared without the tag.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Bis-1,2,3-Triazole Ligand and its Corresponding Copper Complex for the Development of Electrochemical Affinity Biosensors

The bis-triazole ligand and its corresponding copper complexes were synthesized and characterized for the first time and proposed as new labels for the development of electrochemical aptasensors. The bis-triazole ligand was prepared from methyl 1,6-heptadiyne-4-carboxylate and 2-(azidomethyl)phenol using classical CuAAC in presence of different copper salts. The X-ray structure of bis-triazole showed a symmetry center (C1). UV-Vis and X-band EPR spectra showed that the coordination capacity of the bis-triazole ligand was improved in the presence of triethylamine due to deprotonation of the triazole and phenolate moieties. After complexation with copper, the obtained complex was successfully attached to an anti-estradiol aptamer through thiol-maleimide coupling, and the resulting labelled aptamer was immobilized on a carbon screen-printed electrode by carbodiimide coupling. The electrochemical response of the resulting sensor was shown to decrease in the presence of estradiol, demonstrating that the developed complexes can be applied for the development of aptasensors.     

An ultrasensitive aptasensor for prostate specific antigen assay based on Exonuclease T-aided cyclic cleavage

An ultrasensitive electrochemical aptasensor is presented for prostate specific antigen(PSA) detection. DNA tetrahedronaptamer is designed, which not only facilitates the molecular self-assembly events,but also improves the recognition efficiency between PSA and aptamer sequence on the electrode interface. The DNA conformation on top of DNA tetrahedron changes accordingly, which can be further digested by Exonuclease T(Exo T), a type of single-strand specific nuclease. Electrochemical species are removed synchronously and the initial PSA level can thus be determined. A linear range from 0.5 pg mL~(-1) to50 ng mL~(-1) is achieved with the limit of detection(LOD) as low as 0.15 pg mL~(-1). Moreover, this proposed method is highly selective and is successfully applied to determine PSA in human serum samples.     

A Rapid and Sensitive Aptamer‐Based Electrochemical Biosensor for Direct Detection of Escherichia Coli O111

A sensitive and specific electrochemical biosensor based on target‐induced aptamer displacement was developed for direct detection of Escherichia coli O111. The aptamer for Escherichia coli O111 was immobilized on a gold electrode by hybridization with the capture probe anchored on the electrode surface through Au‐thiol binding. In the presence of Escherichia coli O111, the aptamer was dissociated from the capture probe‐aptamer duplex due to the stronger interaction between the aptamer and the Escherichia coli O111. The consequent single‐strand capture probe could be hybridized with biotinylated detection probe and tagged with streptavidin‐alkaline phosphatase, producing sensitive enzyme‐catalyzed electrochemical response to Escherichia coli O111. The designed biosensor showed weak electrochemical signal to Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and common non‐pathogenic Escherichia coli, indicating high specificity for Escherichia coli O111. Under the optimal conditions, the proposed strategy could directly detect Escherichia coli O111 with the detection limit of 112 CFU mL^?1 in phosphate buffer saline and 305 CFU mL^?1 in milk within 3.5 h, demonstrated the sensitive and accurate quantification of target pathogenic bacteria. The designed biosensor could become a powerful tool for pathogenic microorganisms screening in clinical diagnostics, food safety, biothreat detection and environmental monitoring.     

Streptavidin binding bifunctional aptamers and their interaction with low molecular weight ligands

This paper describes the measurement of the binding affinities of two bifunctional RNA aptamers to their respective ligands. The aptamers comprise either a theophylline or malachite green binding sequence fused to a streptavidin binding sequence. These bifunctional aptamers are shown to bind simultaneously to both the small ligand and to streptavidin whether in free solution or on gold surfaces. Binding isotherms for both interactions were measured by different physiochemical techniques: surface plasmon resonance, fluorescence spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. Both qualitatively and quantitatively there is little difference in binding affinities between the bifunctional aptamers and their monofunctional components. The respective K_d values for streptavidin binding in the monofunctional aptamer and in the theophylline bifunctional aptamer were 12 nM and 65 nM, respectively whilst the K_d values for theophylline binding in the monofunctional aptamer and the streptavidin bifunctional aptamer were 300 nM and 120 nM. These results are consistent with treating each aptamer sequence as a module that can be combined with others without significant loss of function. This allows for the use of streptavidin based immobilization strategies without either the cost of biotinylated dNTPs or the variable yields associated with the chemical biotinylation of RNA.     

二茂铁及其与DNA复合物的电化学行为

在Tris-NaCl(pH=7.2)缓冲溶液中, 应用循环伏安法、微分脉冲伏安法、旋转圆盘电极实验、电化学阻抗谱等技术研究了二茂铁在旋转碳纳米管(CNT)修饰电极上的电化学行为及其与小牛胸腺DNA的相互作用. 结果表明, 二茂铁及其与双链DNA的电活性产物在静止的CNT修饰电极上均呈现一对基本可逆的氧化还原峰；在旋转电极上呈现出明显的极限扩散电流, 电化学阻抗谱呈现一个压扁的半圆. 二茂铁与DNA的作用在扩散控制过程中表现为峰电流和极限扩散电流随DNA浓度增大而减小；电化学控制过程则表现为电化学反应电阻随DNA浓度增大而增大, 条件电位下的速度常数也有一定程度的减小.     

A Competitor-switched Electrochemical Sensor for Detection of DNA

A competitor‐switched electrochemical sensor based on a generic displacement strategy was designed for DNA detection. In this strategy, an unmodified single‐stranded DNA (cDNA) completely complementary to the target DNA served as the molecular recognition element, while a hairpin DNA (hDNA) labeled with a ferrocene (Fc) and a thiol group at its terminals served as both the competitor element and the probe. This electrochemical sensor was fabricated by self‐assembling a dsDNA onto a gold electrode surface. The dsDNA was pre‐formed through the hybridization of Fc‐labeled hDNA and cDNA with their part complementary sequences. Initially, the labeled ferrocene in the dsDNA was far from surface of the electrode, the electrochemical sensor exhibited a "switch‐off" mode due to unfavorable electron transfer of Fc label. However, in the presence of target DNA, cDNA was released from hDNA by target DNA, the hairpin‐open hDNA restored its original hairpin structure and the ferrocene approached onto the electrode surface, thus the electrochemical sensor exhibited a "switch‐on" mode accompanying with a change in the current response. The experimental results showed that as low as 4.4×10⁻¹⁰ mol/L target DNA could be distinguishingly detected, and this method had obvious advantages such as facile operation, low cost and reagentless procedure.