Electric detection of target DNA by fabricating gold nanowire bridges on planar nanogap electrodes

For the electrical detection of target DNA (partial avian influenza virus/H1N1/HA sequence) prepared via asymmetric PCR, we fabricated DNA-templated conducting gold nanowire bridges on planar nanogap electrodes using positively charged gold nanoparticles.     

Electrochemical transduction of DNA hybridization at modified electrodes by using an electroactive pyridoacridone intercalator

A synthetic redox probe structurally related to natural pyridoacridones was designed and electrochemically characterised. These heterocycles behave as DNA intercalators due to their extended planar structure that promotes stacking in between nucleic acid base pairs. Electrochemical characterization by cyclic voltammetry revealed a quasi-reversible electrochemical behaviour occurring at a mild negative potential in aqueous solution. The study of the mechanism showed that the iminoquinone redox moiety acts similarly to quinone involving a two-electron reduction coupled with proton transfer. The easily accessible potential region with respect to aqueous electro-inactive window makes the pyridoacridone ring suitable for the indirect electrochemical detection of chemically unlabelled DNA. Its usefulness as electrochemical hybridization indicator was assessed on immobilised DNA and compared to doxorubicin. The voltamperometric response of the intercalator acts as an indicator of the presence of double-stranded DNA at the electrode surface and allows the selective transduction of immobilised oligonucleotide hybridization at both macro- and microscale electrodes.     

基于新亚甲蓝为介体的免疫传感器的研究

利用共价键合法,将新亚甲蓝(NMB)与辣根过氧化酶(HRP)标记的羊抗小鼠IgG抗体(Ab)修饰于玻碳电极表面,制成一种新型的电流型免疫传感器。研究了该传感器对H2O2的电化学响应及对小鼠IgG抗原(m IgG)的免疫检测。结果表明NMB作为介体能有效地传递电子,测得电子转移系数为0.77,表观反应速率常数为1.18 s-1。利用传感器对m IgG的检测,线性范围为0.5~3μg/L;检出限为0.028μg/L;相关系数r为0.996。     

Colorimetric determination of the microcystin leucine-arginine based on the use of a hairpin aptamer,graphene oxide,and Methylene Blue acting as an optical probe

Microchimica Acta - The authors describe an aptamer-based colorimetric assay for the specific detection of the toxic microcystin leucine-arginine (MC-LR). The method is based on the use of graphene...     

Detection of DNA immobilized on bare gold electrodes and gold nanoparticle-modified electrodes via electrogenerated chemiluminescence using a ruthenium complex as a tag

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) for DNA hybridization detection is demonstrated based on DNA that was self-assembled onto a bare gold electrode and onto a gold nanoparticles modified gold electrode. A ruthenium complex served as an ECL tag. Gold nanoparticles were self-assembled on a gold electrode associated with a 1,6-hexanedithiol monolayer. The surface density of single stranded DNA (ssDNA) on the gold nanoparticle modified gold electrode was 4.8?×?10¹⁴ molecules per square centimeter which was 12-fold higher than that on the bare gold electrode. Hybridization was induced by exposure of the target ssDNA gold electrode to the solution of ECL probe consisting of complementary ssDNA tagged with ruthenium complex. The detection limit of target ssDNA on a gold nanoparticle modified gold electrode (6.7?×?10^?12 mol L^?1) is much lower than that on a bare gold electrode (1.2?×?10^?10 mol L^?1). The method has been applied to the detection of the DNA sequence related to cystic fibrosis. This work demonstrates that employment of gold nanoparticles self-assembled on a gold electrode is a promising strategy for the enhancement of the sensitivity of ECL detection of DNA.     

亚甲基蓝在云母表面吸附状态的研究

利用XPS测定吸附前后亚甲基蓝（MB）各原子的电子结合能的变化,以判断原子化学环境的改变,从而确定MB在云母表面的吸附位点是二甲胺基上的氮原子.通过AFM测量得到吸附于云母表面的MB分子的平均高度为0.820 nm,这证实了Hähner吸附模型的正确性,即MB分子的最大横截面以65～70°倾斜在云母的（001）表面上.     

亚甲基蓝与鲱鱼精DNA相互作用的光谱法研究

以吖啶橙(AO)作为光谱探针, 采用UV和荧光光谱等方法研究了亚甲基蓝(MB)与鲱鱼精DNA的作用机制. 确定了在低浓度MB时, MB与DNA以嵌插方式作用; 而在高浓度MB时, MB与DNA之间为混合作用方式. 结合比n(MB)∶n(DNA)＝10∶1, 结合常数 ＝2.46×10⁵ L•mol^－1, MB-DNA复合物的表观摩尔吸光系数ε＝5.70×10⁶ L•mol^－1•cm^－1. 同时研究了酸度和温度等对MB与DNA相互作用的影响, 热力学研究推导了MB结合DNA为焓驱动反应.     

Characterization of the Binding of Methylene Blue to DNA by Spectroscopic Methods

ABSTRACT

Methylene blue (MB) binds to the double helical DNA with a high affinity, as deduced from the absorption and fluorescence spectral data. Extensive hypochromism and red shifts in the absorption spectra were observed when MB binds to calf thymus DNA(CT DNA), which suggested the intercalation mechanism of MB into DNA bases. Upon binding to DNA, the fluorescence from MB was efficiently quenched by the DNA bases, with no shifts in the emission maximum. The large increases in the polarization upon binding to CT DNA supported the intercalation of MB into the helix. Ferrocyanide quenching studies showed that the magnitude of K_sv of the bound MB was lower than that of the free MB. The results of competitive binding studies showed that ethidium bromide could be displaced by MB from ethidium-DNA complex. The results of all above further studies also proved the intercalation of MB into DNA base stack.     

Methylene blue as an electrochemical discriminator of single- and double-stranded oligonucleotides immobilised on gold substrates.

Self-assembly of thiol-terminated oligonucleotides on gold substrates provides a convenient and versatile route to DNA-functionalised surfaces. Here we show that the square-wave voltammetric peak position of methylene blue complexed to thiol-terminated single-stranded oligonucleotides immobilised on gold electrodes differs from that of methylene blue complexed to thiol-terminated double-stranded oligonucleotides immobilised on gold electrodes. The peak potential of methylene blue at the single-stranded oligonucleotide array was consistently found to occur at potentials ca. 10-15 mV more positive than that at double-stranded oligonucleotide arrays, the precise difference being dependent on the direction of the voltammetry. This voltammetric behaviour mirrors that found for methylene blue bound to freely diffusing single- and double-stranded calf thymus DNA and suggests that the immobilised oligonucleotides retain the methylene blue binding properties of their freely diffusing counterparts. Thus methylene blue provides a simple electrochemical indicator for the status of oligonucleotide-functionalised gold surfaces.     

DNA修饰碳纳米管电极对DNA与亚甲基蓝相互作用的研究

通过羧基化的多壁碳纳米管（MWNTs）电极表面的-CO0H与DNA末端的-NH2,在N-羟基琥珀酰亚胺（NHS）和1-乙基一3-（3-二甲基氨丙基）碳二亚胺盐酸盐（EDC）活化作用下,制备了DNA共价修饰MWNTs电极。采用循环伏安法系统研究了崮定在MWNTs电极表面的DNA与亚甲基蓝（MB）之间的相互作用。实验结果表明：在20～200mV·s^-1范围内,MB在DNA修饰MWNTs电极上的氧化还原过程为表面控制过程;在pH5．1～7．6范围内,MB在DNA修饰MWNTs电极上的峰电位随pH的增加向负方向移动。     

Amperometric biosensor for microRNA based on the use of tetrahedral DNA nanostructure probes and guanine nanowire amplification

MicroRNAs are endogenous noncoding RNAs that play critical roles in biological processes and can be considered as molecular markers for early diagnosis and pathogenesis of diseases. The authors describe a highly sensitive electrochemical biosensor for microRNA that is based on the use of tetrahedral DNA nanostructure probes and guanine nanowire amplification. The DNA tetrahedral probe is self-assembled on a gold electrode and enhances reactivity, accessibility, and molecular recognition efficiency. Combined with the tetrahedral probe, the guanine nanowire amplifies the signal and improves the analytical performance of the biosensor. Operated best at a voltage of typically 150 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl), the sensor has a linear response to the logarithmic microRNA concentration in the 500 f. to 10 nM range, with a 176 f. detection limit. It is highly selective and can be applied to real samples. It is concluded that this strategy has a good potential with respect to the determination of microRNA in clinical diagnosis and in biological research.

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Graphical abstract Schematic of a tetrahedral DNA nanostructure-based amperometric biosensor coupled to guanine nanowire amplification for analysis of microRNA-21. This strategy is highly selective and also performs well for the detection of microRNA levels of breast cancer patients.

     

DNA sensor based on an Escherichia coli lac Z gene probe immobilization at self-assembled monolayers-modified gold electrodes

A novel approach to construct an electrochemical DNA sensor based on immobilization of a 25 base single-stranded probe, specific to E. coli lac Z gene, onto a gold disk electrode is described. The capture probe is covalently attached using a self-assembled monolayer of 3,3′-dithiodipropionic acid di(N-succinimidyl ester) (DTSP) and mercaptohexanol (MCH) as spacer. Hybridization of the immobilized probe with the target DNA at the electrode surface was monitored by square wave voltammetry (SWV), using methylene blue (MB) as electrochemical indicator. Variables involved in the sensor performance, such as the DTSP concentration in the modification solution, the self-assembled monolayers (SAM) formation time, the DNA probe drying time atop the electrode surface and the amount of probe immobilized, were optimized.

A good stability of the single- and double-stranded oligonucleotides immobilized on the DTSP-modified electrode was demonstrated, and a target DNA detection limit of 45 nM was achieved without signal amplification. Hybridization specificity was checked with non-complementary and mismatch oligonucleotides. A single-base mismatch oligonucleotide gave a hybridization response only 7 ± 3%, higher than the signal obtained for the capture probe before hybridization. The possibility of reusing the electrochemical genosensor was also tested.     

Environmental Effect on the Laser-Excited Fluorescence Spectra of Methylene Blue and Methylene Green Dyes

A laser-induced fluorescence investigation of the phenothiazine dyes Methylene Blue (MB⁺) and Methylene Green (MG⁺) is reported. To study the effect of environment, fluorescence spectra of these molecules in a variety of solvents with different polarity and various concentrations of an anionic surfactant were measured. The polarization and anisotropy analysis showed that there is no abrupt behavior except at the surfactant concentrations corresponding to the critical micellar concentration.     

Electrocatalytic activity of DNA on electrodes as an indication of hybridisation

Electron transfer between metal electrodes and ferro/ferricyanide is completely suppressed at low ionic concentration. We describe here a new phenomenon related to this reaction: an immobilisation of thiolated single-stranded DNA on gold electrodes retains this activity at low ionic strength up to the level corresponding to the high ionic strength. In contrast, a hybridisation of the complementary DNA with the thiolated single-stranded DNA followed by a binding onto the electrodes, attenuated the electrocatalytic effect. These effects can be used for discrimination between single-stranded DNA and double-stranded DNA and for semi-quantitative measurement of complementary DNA in a sample.     

A DNA biosensor based on the electrocatalytic oxidation of amine by a threading intercalator

An electrochemical biosensor for the detection of DNA based a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) capture probe (CP) modified indium tin oxide electrode (ITO) is described in this report. After hybridization, a threading intercalator, N,N′-bis[(3-propyl)-imidazole]-1,4,5,8-naphthalene diimide (PIND) imidazole complexed with Ru(bpy)₂Cl (PIND-Ru, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine), was introduced to the biosensor. PIND-Ru selectively intercalated to double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA) and became immobilized on the biosensor surface. Voltammetric tests showed highly stable and reversible electrochemical oxidation/reduction processes and the peak currents can directly be utilized for DNA quantification. When the tests were conducted in an amine-containing medium, Tris-HCl buffer for example, a remarkable improvement in the voltammetric response and noticeable enhancements of voltammetric and amperometric sensitivities were observed due to the electrocatalytic activity of the [Ru(bpy)₂Cl] redox moieties. Electrocatalytic current was observed when as little as 3.0 attomoles of DNA was present in the sample solution.     

DNA-纳米多孔羟基磷灰石修饰电极用于研究DNA与亚甲基蓝的相互作用

利用溶胶-凝胶法将具有优良生物相容性和独特吸附性的羟基磷灰石(HAp)修饰在玻碳电极上形成纳米多孔薄膜. 电化学实验结果证明该纳米多孔羟基磷灰石薄膜能有效地将双链DNA吸附于其表面. 采用循环伏安法系统研究了固定在HAp薄膜上的DNA与亚甲基蓝(MB)之间的相互作用. 实验结果表明, 在20～200 mV•s^－1扫描速度范围内该电极反应过程系表面反应控制; 在pH 6.0～7.4范围内, MB在DNA修饰电极上的峰电位随pH的增加而向负方向移动; 当磷酸盐缓冲溶液中的离子强度小于59 mmol•L^－1时, MB与DNA之间为静电作用, 当离子强度大于59 mmol•L^－1时, 二者之间既有静电作用, 也有部分嵌入作用. 根据Langmuir吸附公式, 得出MB与DNA之间的结合常数为4.2×10⁴ mol^－1•L.     

Electrochemical properties of Nile Blue covalently immobilized on self-assembled thiol-monolayer modified gold electrodes.

A monolayer of Nile Blue (NB) has been covalently immobilized on the self-assembled thiol-monolayer modified gold electrode. Cyclic voltammograms indicated a stable and reverse redox process of NB bonded on the electrode surface. The mechanisms of redox process coupling with proton transfer were proposed. The NB-modified electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic activity toward Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) oxidation and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) reduction. A hydrogen peroxide biosensor based on NB as a mediator has been demonstrated.     

Photodynamic Action of Methylene Blue on the Paramecium Membrane

An electrophysiological study of photodynamic action on the Paramecium membrane was carried out. In the presence of methylene blue (MB), light-spot stimulation of an anterior and a posterior part induced a depolarization and a hyperpolarization of the membrane, respectively. Under voltage-clamping, the anterior stimulation induced an inward current, while the posterior stimulation induced an outward current. The amplitudes of these currents were dependent on the membrane potential. When K⁺ channels were blocked with Cs⁺ and tetraethylammonium (TEA⁺), the posterior outward current was inhibited, while the anterior inward current was not inhibited. Intracellular application of the Ca²⁺ chelator, 1,2 -bis (2-aminophenoxy) ethane- N,N,N',N' -tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) also inhibited the posterior outward current, but the anterior inward current was unaffected. These results suggest that photodynamic action on the Paramecium membrane primarily opens the Ca²⁺ channels and the following influx of Ca²⁺ activates the Ca²⁺-dependent K⁺ channels localized mainly on the posterior part of the membrane.