Label-Free and Simple G-quadruplex-based Turn-Off Fluorescence Assay for the Detection of Kanamycin

We have developed a label-free and turn-off fluorescence assay for the determination of kanamycin. The detection system consists of an aptamer for specifically recognizing kanamycin and two auxiliary probes functionalized with two GGG repeats at the 3′ or 5′ ends for signal reporting. Two probes both hybridize with the aptamer and then their G-rich sequences combine to form a G-quadruplex. When thioflavin T, a fluorophore, is bound to the G-quadruplex, the fluorescence intensity of the solution dramatically increases. Upon the addition of the kanamycin, the aptamer–kanamycin binding inhibits the hybridization of two probes and aptamer, and restrains the GGG repeats from getting closer to form the G-quadruplex structure, resulting a significant decrease in the fluorescence intensity. The proposed aptamer-based fluorescent sensing platform showed a linear relationship with the concentration of kanamycin from 0.6 to 20.0?nM. The detection limit was determined to be 0.33?nM. The sensing platform provides resistance to interferences from other antibiotics and can be used to efficiently recognize kanamycin in real samples.     

基于磁纳米颗粒的二段对称分裂式G-四分体DNA酶生物传感器用于Hg2+的快速检测

提出了一种可用于Hg²⁺快速检测的基于磁纳米颗粒与二段对称分裂式G-四分体DNA酶的生物传感器. 分别用紫外-可见光谱法, 圆二色光谱法和荧光显微镜成像技术对实验设计的DNA酶传感器进行了表征. 传感器中磁纳米颗粒的应用不仅可以直接从水样中通过磁分离方法分离和富集被测物Hg²⁺, 并且还能将游离的未与Hg²⁺结合的DNA酶和hemin等除去, 有效地提高检测灵敏度和降低背景信号; 此外, 二段对称分裂式G-四分体DNA酶的运用还可增强传感器的灵活性和选择性. 传感器对Hg²⁺检测的线性范围为0.8～20 nmol/L, 检出限为0.3 nmol/L. 当水体中的共存离子大量存在时, 传感器对Hg²⁺的检测仍具有高度特异性. 对实际水样的检测回收率在95.3%～104.4%之间. 实验设计的DNA酶传感器操作简便, 费用低廉, 具有良好的再生能力. 可用于天然水体和饮用水样品中痕量Hg²⁺的检测.     

Label-Free Fluorescence Molecular Beacon Probes Based on G-Triplex DNA and Thioflavin T for Protein Detection

Protein detection plays an important role in biological and biomedical sciences. The immunoassay based on fluorescence labeling has good specificity but a high labeling cost. Herein, on the basis of G-triplex molecular beacon (G3MB) and thioflavin T (ThT), we developed a simple and label-free biosensor for protein detection. The biotin and streptavidin were used as model enzymes. In the presence of target streptavidin (SA), the streptavidin hybridized with G3MB-b (biotin-linked-G-triplex molecular beacon) perfectly and formed larger steric hindrance, which hindered the hydrolysis of probes by exonuclease III (Exo III). In the absence of target streptavidin, the exonuclease III successively cleaved the stem of G3MB-b and released the G-rich sequences which self-assembled into a G-triplex and subsequently activated the fluorescence signal of thioflavin T. Compared with the traditional G-quadruplex molecular beacon (G4MB), the G3MB only needed a lower dosage of exonuclease III and a shorter reaction time to reach the optimal detection performance, because the concise sequence of G-triplex was good for the molecular beacon design. Moreover, fluorescence experiment results exhibited that the G3MB-b had good sensitivity and specificity for streptavidin detection. The developed label-free biosensor provides a valuable and general platform for protein detection.     

Smartphone-Assisted Colorimetric Detection of Glutathione and Glutathione Reductase Activity in Human Serum and Mouse Liver Using Hemin/G-Quadruplex DNAzyme

Abnormal levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione reductase (GR) are usually related to a variety of diseases, so it is of great significance to determine the GSH concentration and GR activity. We herein develop a smartphone-assisted colorimetric biosensor for the detection of GSH and GR activity in human serum and mouse liver using hemin/G-quadruplex DNAzyme. Firstly, an obvious color change from colorless to green can be observed, owing to the high peroxidase-like activity of hemin/G-quadruplex DNAzyme toward 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS). With the addition of GSH or GR, the H₂O₂-mediated oxidation of ABTS catalyzed by hemin/G-quadruplex DNAzyme is significantly inhibited, resulting in remarkable color fading. Therefore, the detection of GSH and GR activity can be achieved by observing the color transition or measuring the absorbance at 420 nm. The detection limit was estimated to be as low as 0.1 μM and 10 μU/mL for GSH and GR, respectively. More interestingly, the RGB values of the sensing system can be identified by the smartphone application (APP, color collect), which makes it an ideal format for on-site determination and point-of-care testing (POCT). In addition, the proposed method shows excellent selectivity and acceptable applicability for the determination of GSH concentration and GR activity in human serum samples and mouse liver tissues, which might hold great application potential in clinical diagnosis and drug screening.     

Enzyme Assay by Fluorescence Quenching Release: A Novel Fluorometric Method

Abstract

When concentrated fluorescent dye is encapsulated in lecithin liposomes, the fluorescence is Largely self-quenched, The quenching is relieved when the liposomes are disrupted end the escapes. The fluorescence quenching release (FQR) is shown to be proportional to the amount of phospholipase C of C. welchii which hydrolyses lecithin. The FQR method is more sensitive, rapid, and convenient than conventional titrimetric assay and is amenable to automation and Kinetic studies. As a general method, FQR could be adapted to the measurement of other enzymes or agents which disrupt dye-containing microstructures.     

A Label-Free Fluorescence Aptasensor Based on G-Quadruplex/Thioflavin T Complex for the Detection of Trypsin

A novel, label-free fluorescent assay has been developed for the detection of trypsin by using thioflavin T as a fluorescent probe. A specific DNA aptamer can be combined by adding cytochrome c. Trypsin hydrolyzes the cytochrome c into small peptide fragments, exposing the G-quadruplex part of DNA aptamer, which has a high affinity for thioflavin T, which then enhances the fluorescence intensity. In the absence of trypsin, the fluorescence intensity was inhibited as the combination of cytochrome c and the DNA aptamer impeded thioflavin T’s binding. Thus, the fluorescent biosensor showed a linear relationship from 0.2 to 60 μg/mL with a detection limit of 0.2 μg/mL. Furthermore, the proposed method was also successfully employed for determining trypsin in biological samples. This method is simple, rapid, cheap, and selective and possesses great potential for the detection of trypsin in bioanalytical and biological samples and medical diagnoses.     

Conformational conversion of DNA G-quadruplex induced by a cationic porphyrin

The interactions between cationic meso-tetrakis(4-(N-methylpyridiumyl))porphyrin (TMPyP4) and the G-quadruplex (G4) of human telomeric single-strand oligonucleotide d(TTAGGG)₂ (S12) have been investigated by means of circular dichroism (CD), UV–visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. It is found that TMPyP4 can preferentially induce the conformational conversion of the G4 structure from the parallel type to the parallel/antiparallel mixture in the presence of K⁺, and that it can directly induce the formation of antiparallel G4 structure from the single-strand oligonucleotide S12 in the absence of K⁺. Furthermore, the comparable experiments of TMPyP4 with two single-strand oligonucleotides S6 d(TTAGGG) and S24 d(TAGGG(TTAGGG)₃T) in the absence of K⁺ show that TMPyP4 can also induce the formation of antiparallel G4 from S24 but not from S6, indicating that the end-loops of the G4 structure are the key factors for the formation of G4 induced by TMPyP4.     

基于硫代黄素T诱导G-四联体构成的生物传感器检测铅离子

硫代黄素T(ThT)荧光分子在自由状态下荧光强度很弱,通过在Tris-HCl缓冲液中加入Pb²⁺的适配体即富含G的DNA序列,可与ThT荧光分子形成G-四联体结构,使荧光信号迅速增强;向溶液中加入Pb²⁺,Pb²⁺与其适配体有很好的结合特异性,可生成更牢固的G-四联体结构,使ThT分子被释放出来,导致溶液的荧光强度降低,基于此可检测溶液中的Pb²⁺离子.实验中优化了缓冲溶液组成、ThT荧光分子浓度、Pb²⁺适配体浓度及反应时间等条件.结果表明,在10 mmol/L Tris-HCl(pH=8. 3,含2 mmol/L MgCl₂)缓冲溶液中,ThT荧光分子和Pb²⁺适配体的浓度分别为10μmol/L和200 nmol/L,反应10 min时,随着溶液中Pb2+浓度的增加,荧光强度减弱.Pb²⁺浓度在20～1000 nmol/L范围内时,荧光强度与Pb²⁺的浓度呈现良好的线性关系(R^...     

基于对硫黄素T诱导的DNA G-四链体抑制作用检测银离子

发展了基于DNA探针的新型银离子免标记检测方法。富含C和G碱基的DNA序列可在荧光染料硫黄素T(Th T)的诱导下折叠形成四链体结构,并使Th T的荧光显著增强,但该Th T—DNA复合形成的四链体易被银离子破坏。依据此特性,设计了一种新型的免标记银离子传感器。银离子的响应范围为0.1~10μmol/L,检出限为60 nmol/L,具有较高的灵敏度。该方法已成功应用于湘江水和自来水样品中银离子的检测,结果表明Th T—DNA复合四链体有望提供一种可靠、高灵敏和特异的检测平台,实现复杂体系中银离子的定量分析。     

基于聚集诱导荧光性质的免标记DNA四链体检测以及凝血酶的传感研究

基于带正电荷硅杂环戊二烯衍生物的聚集诱导荧光性质,利用其与富含G的单链DNA和四链体作用后的荧光强度差别,发展了一种免标记的DNA四链体检测方法,并将该方法应用于凝血酶的荧光分析.     

基于小分子的铜离子与汞离子双识别荧光探针

铜离子在不同细胞生理过程中作为催化辅助因子起着很重要的作用,但是体内铜离子浓度出现异常也会导致疾病甚至死亡。与铜离子相比,汞离子是各种重金属污染物中最普遍、最危险的一种。因此,对它们高灵敏度、高选择性检测具有非常重要的意义。荧光探针法由于具有灵敏度高、快速便捷、可视化和原位无损检测等优点而成为Cu²⁺与Hg²⁺离子重要的检测手段之一。本文总结了近几年基于小分子Cu²⁺和Hg²⁺离子双识别荧光探针的设计合成、性能及其在分析方面的研究与最新进展,并展望了此类荧光探针未来的研究与发展方向。     

利用对G-四链体环部的构型调节进行传感器的设计

对鸟嘌呤碱基G重复序列之间连接环结构对G-四链体形成的影响进行了研究。发现在连接环较长,DNA链不易形成G-四链体的情况下,可以通过将环序列设计成双链结构的方式促进G-四链体的重新形成。这就为传感器的设计提供了一个新途径,即可以利用目标分子对环部双链的调节作用控制G-四链体DNA酶的活性。为证明这一点,在双链区域引入T-T碱基错配,破坏双链结构使DNA链不能形成G-四链体。Hg2+对T-T错配的稳定作用可以促进双链结构的形成,DNA链重新折叠成G-四链体,得到的G-四链体与氯化血红素(Hemin)结合后形成具有过氧化物酶活性的G-四链体DNA酶,据此构建了Hg2+传感器。利用此传感器可在10~700 nmol/L范围内实现Hg2+的定量检测,检出限为8.7 nmol/L。在此基础上,利用半胱氨酸可以将Hg2+从T-Hg2+-T碱基对上竞争下来的能力,设计了一种半胱氨酸的检测方法。此方法可以在20~600 nmol/L范围内实现半胱氨酸的定量检测,检出限为14 nmol/L。     

新型四苯乙烯衍生物的设计合成及其在羧酸酯酶活性分析中的应用

设计合成了一个含有p-乙酰氧基苄基单元的四苯乙烯吡啶盐衍生物,利用羧酸酯酶选择性地切除乙酰基以及所致的连锁反应将其从水溶性吡啶盐结构转为中性吡啶结构,使其聚集,实现荧光“点亮”,从而发展了新型的羧酸酯酶活性分析和抑制剂筛选的荧光探针.     

基于内滤效应的信号增强型诺氟沙星荧光分析法

基于茜素红和卟啉之间的荧光内滤效应,成功构建了一种分子识别事件与信号报告空间分离的、高选择性的荧光增强型诺氟沙星分析方法。结果表明,无诺氟沙星时,茜素红在420 nm处有最大吸收,这和卟啉的最大激发波长有较大重叠,茜素红和卟啉之间因发生内滤效应导致卟啉的荧光被有效猝灭;而茜素红与诺氟沙星的配合物在523 nm处有最大吸收,和卟啉的最大激发波长不再重叠,即诺氟沙星与茜素红之间的荷移反应破坏了该内滤效应,导致卟啉荧光恢复,据此,可将茜素红的吸收信号转变为高灵敏的卟啉的荧光信号。在最佳实验条件下,诺氟沙星的质量浓度在10 ~ 450 mg?L-1范围内与体系的相对荧光强度(IF/I0F)呈线性关系(r2=0.987 8),检出限(S/N=3)为5 mg?L-1。方法选择性好,常见金属离子和药物辅料不干扰诺氟沙星的测定。该研究利用内滤效应,将灵敏度较低的诺氟沙星紫外可见分析法转换为灵敏度较高的荧光分析法,且无需将分子识别单元和信号转导单元共价连接,无需复杂的荧光探针合成工艺,为设计该类药物的荧光分析法提供了新思路。     

An Overview of Biosensors Based on Glutathione Transferases and for the Detection of Glutathione

Glutathione transferases are enzymes involved in the detoxification against xenobiotics and noxious compounds. These enzymes catalyse a variety of reactions on many physiological and xenobiotic compounds using glutathione as a co-substrate. Moreover, many compounds are inhibitors of such enzymes. A wide array of biosensors based on glutathione transferases have been developed for analysing a variety of noxious compounds, as well as several biosensors devoted to the detection and quantification of glutathione and of glutathione transferases themselves. Here, we review the state of the art in this active field of research, highlighting the possible applications of such devices.     

以喹啉酮为核心高选择快速检测谷胱甘肽的荧光探针

为了选择性检测小分子生物硫醇,以具有优良荧光性能的喹啉酮为荧光团,依据依布硒啉中Se—N键易与硫醇分子反应的性质,将喹啉酮组块(E)-3-(5-巯基-1,3,4-恶二唑-2-基)-N-(4-甲基-2-氧代-1,2-二氢喹啉-7-基)丙烯酰胺(MQ5)与依布硒啉2-(4-溴苯基)苯并[d][1,2]硒唑-3(2H)-酮(SQ6)对接,设计合成了一种新型荧光探针(E)-N-(4-甲基-2-氧代-1,2-二氢喹啉-7-基)-3-(5-((4-(3-氧代苯并[d][1,2]硒烯唑-2 (3H)-基)苯基)硫基)-1,3,4-噁二唑-2-基)丙烯酰胺(MNQ)。 通过傅里叶变换红外光谱(FT-IR)、核磁共振波谱仪(NMR)和高分辨质谱(HRMS)和荧光光谱等测试手段对其进行了结构表征,探究了其荧光性能。 结果表明,MNQ对谷胱甘肽(GSH)有明显的荧光猝灭,在其他氨基酸等干扰时,探针具有良好的抗干扰能力,可作为识别检测GSH的荧光猝灭型探针。 检测限为2.99×10^-8 mol/L,响应时间在35 s可完成,有望作为检测谷胱甘肽的荧光探针。     

Exploring the Interaction of G-quadruplex Binders with a (3 + 1) Hybrid G-quadruplex Forming Sequence within the PARP1 Gene Promoter Region

The enzyme PARP1 is an attractive target for cancer therapy, as it is involved in DNA repair processes. Several PARP1 inhibitors have been approved for clinical treatments. However, the rapid outbreak of resistance is seriously threatening the efficacy of these compounds, and alternative strategies are required to selectively regulate PARP1 activity. A noncanonical G-quadruplex-forming sequence within the PARP1 promoter was recently identified. In this study, we explore the interaction of known G-quadruplex binders with the G-quadruplex structure found in the PARP gene promoter region. The results obtained by NMR, CD, and fluorescence titration, also confirmed by molecular modeling studies, demonstrate a variety of different binding modes with small stabilization of the G-quadruplex sequence located at the PARP1 promoter. Surprisingly, only pyridostatin produces a strong stabilization of the G-quadruplex-forming sequence. This evidence makes the identification of a proper (3+1) stabilizing ligand a challenging goal for further investigation.     

Highly Sensitive Fluorometric Assay Method for Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor Based on Nile Red‐Adsorbed Gold Nanoparticles

A new sensitive fluorometric assay method for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and its inhibitor was developed using a fluorescent dye, nile red (NR). Due to the fluorescence resonance energy transfer between the NR and the gold nanoparticle (AuNPs), the fluorescence was quenched. AChE can break down acetylthiocholine to produce a thiol‐bearing compound, thiocholine. In the presence of thiocholine, the nile red is replaced from the AuNPs surfaces and simultaneously transformed to a derivative of nile red. The fluorescence intensity of the derivative is much stronger than that of the native nile red with the same concentration and its maximum emission wavelength has a blue shift so that the sensor achieves a good signal‐to‐background ratio. In addition, when organophosphate pesticide (OPs) exists, the activity of AChE can be inhibited, the generation of thiocholine will be prevented and no fluorescence enhancement occurs. The results show that the method is sensitive to AChE and paraoxon with the detection limits of 0.2 mU/mL and 0.05 ng/mL, respectively.     

A Label-Free Deoxyribozymes Resonance Rayleigh Scattering Assay for Trace Lead(II) Based on Nanogold Catalysis of Chloroauric Acid-Vitamin C Particle Reaction

In pH 7.2 Tris-HCl buffer solution, the substrate strand DNA (SDNA) was hybridized to the enzyme strand DNA (EDNA) forming a double strand DNA (dsDNA). The SDNA in dsDNA could be cleaved by lead(II) to release a cleavaged single-stranded (ssDNA) that prevented the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) from forming a stable AuNPs-ssDNA conjugate. The unconjugated AuNPs were aggregated to form AuNP aggregation (AuNPsA) that appeared as a resonance Rayleigh scattering (RS) peak at 532 nm. When the lead(II) concentration increased, the AuNPs-ssDNA increased, the AuNPsA decreased, the color changed from blue to red, and the RS intensity at 532 nm decreased. The decreased RS intensity ΔI _532 nm was linear to the lead(II) concentration in the range of 0.67–60 nmol/L, with a detection limit of 0.3 nmol/L. The AuNPs-ssDNA exhibited a strong catalytic effect on the reaction between chloroauric acid and vitamin C (VC) that can be detected by an RS method at 620 nm. When the lead(II) concentration increased, the intensity at 620 nm increased, and the increased intensity ΔI _620 nm was linear to the lead(II) concentration in the range of 1.33–120 pmol/L, with a detection limit of 0.5 pmol/L. The proposed method was applied to detect lead(II) in water samples, with satisfactory results.