A novel signal-on fluorescent aptasensor for ochratoxin A detection based on RecJf exonuclease-induced signal amplification

This article describes a simple and homogeneous fluorescent aptasensor for the detection of ochratoxin A (OTA). With its high specificity and simplicity; RecJ_f exonuclease is used to cleave DNA strand of the FAM-aptamer/OTA complex and realize target recycling signal amplification. In order to avoid the loss of reaction system, magnetic beads (MBs) are added only once at the last experimental step. This proposed fluorescent aptasensor showed the higher sensitivity in the range of 0.1–100 ng/mL with LOD of 0.056 ng/mL, and the good selectivity against other interfering toxins. The feasibility of the prepared aptasensor was studied by detecting OTA in spiked liquor and cereal samples. The obtained average recoveries ranged from 92% to 115%. This study provides a promising application with convenience and rapidness in the aptasensor fabrication for food safety analysis.     

A homogeneous hemin/G-quadruplex DNAzyme based turn-on chemiluminescence aptasensor for interferon-gamma detection via in-situ assembly of luminol functionalized gold nanoparticles,deoxyribonucleic acid,interferon-gamma and hemin

A homogeneous hemin/G-quadruplex DNAzyme (HGDNAzyme) based turn-on chemiluminescence aptasensor for interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) detection is developed, via dynamic in-situ assembly of luminol functionalized gold nanoparticles (lum-AuNPs), DNA, IFN-γ and hemin. The G-quadruplex oligomer of the HGDNAzyme was split into two halves, which was connected with the complementary sequence of P1 (IFN-γ-binding aptamer) to form the oligonucleotide P2. P2 hybridized with IFN-γ-binding aptamer and meanwhile assembled onto lum-AuNPs through biotin–streptavidin specific interaction. When IFN-γ was recognized by aptamer, P2 was released into the solution. The two lateral portions of P2 combined with hemin to yield the catalytic hemin/G-quadruplex DNAzyme, which amplified the luminol oxidation for a turn-on chemiluminescence signaling. Based on this strategy, the homogeneous aptasensor enables the facile detection of IFN-γ in a range of 0.5–100 nM. Moreover, the aptasensor showed high sensitivity (0.4 nM) and satisfactory specificity, pointing to great potential applications in clinical analysis.     

Label-free and fluorescence turn-on aptasensor for protein detection via target-induced silver nanoclusters formation

A simple turn-on and homogeneous aptasensor, which relies on target induced formation of silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs), was developed for the determination of platelet-derived growth factor B-chain homodimer (PDGF-BB). The aptasensor contains two hairpin DNA probes termed as P1 and P2. P1 consists of the aptamer sequence of PDGF-BB. Meanwhile, P2 contains the Ag NCs nucleation sequence, which is blocked by the hairpin stem region. P1 and P2 can co-exist metastably in the absence of PDGF-BB and maintain hairpin structure. However, in the presence of PDGF-BB, the binding of PDGF-BB with aptamer will result in the hybridization between P1 and P2, and release the Ag NCs nucleation sequence. In this case, Ag NCs can be formed via the reduction of Ag⁺ by NaBH₄. By monitoring the increase in fluorescence intensity, we could detect the target protein with high sensitivity. The detection limit of this aptasensor is 0.37 nM, which is comparable with that of other reported aptasensors. Furthermore, this proposed aptasensor shows high selectivity toward its target protein. Thus, the proposed aptasensor based on target induced formation of Ag NCs could be used as a sensitive and selective platform for the detection of target protein.     

Amplified fluorescence polarization aptasensors based on structure-switching-triggered nanoparticles enhancement for bioassays

We have developed an amplified fluorescence polarization aptasensor that relies on aptamer structure-switching-triggered nanoparticles (NPs) enhancement for biomolecules detection. This new type of assay exhibits higher detection sensitivity over traditional homogeneous aptasensors by two orders of magnitude and high specificity for target molecules.     

适配体电化学生物传感器研究进展

由于制备简便、易修饰、稳定性好和结合目标物范围广等特点,基于适配体的生物传感器研究工作一直得到广大科研工作者的关注.本文在阐述适配体基本原理的基础之上,结合近年来电化学适配体生物传感器研究领域的最新研究成果,对电化学技术在适配体生物传感器研究领域中的最新进展作一综述与展望.     

A fluorescence aptasensor based on DNA charge transport for sensitive protein detection in serum

A novel fluorescence aptasensor based on DNA charge transport for sensitive protein detection has been developed. A 15nt DNA aptamer against thrombin was used as a model system. The aptamer was integrated into a double strand DNA (dsDNA) that was labeled with a hole injector, naphthalimide (NI), and a fluorophore, Alexa532, at its two ends. After irradiation by UV light, the fluorescence of Alexa532 was bleached due to the oxidization of Alexa532 by the positive charge transported from naphthalimide through the dsDNA. In the presence of thrombin, the binding of thrombin to the aptamer resulted in the unwinding of the dsDNA into ssDNA, which led to the blocking of charge transfer and the strong fluorescence emission of Alexa532. By monitoring the fluorescence signal change, we were able to detect thrombin in homogeneous solutions with high selectivity and high sensitivity down to 1.2 pM. Moreover, as DNA charge transfer is resistant to interferences from biological contexts, the aptasensor can be used directly in undiluted serum with similar sensitivity as that in buffer. This new sensing strategy is expected to promote the exploitation of aptamer-based biosensors for protein assays in complex biological matrixes.     

Fluorescence aptasensor based on competitive-binding for human neutrophil elastase detection

To our knowledge, we report the first fluorescence aptasensor for detecting human neutrophil elastase (HNE) in homogeneous solution. The biosensor contains a short DNA scrambled sequence strand (SS) complementary to part of the aptamer sequence or the loop of molecular beacon (MB). The aptamer-HNE recognition event involves competition between the molecular beacon and loose HNE aptamer for the binding the short DNA strand. The new biosensor can detect as little as 0.34 nM of HNE, and the response is linear in the tested concentration range of 0.34-68 nM with the detection limit of 47 pM.     

A Hairpin Electrochemical Aptasensor for Sensitive and Specific Detection of Thrombin Based on Homogenous Target Recognition

An electrochemical aptasensor was developed for sensitive and specific detection of thrombin by combining homogenous recognition strategy and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) amplification. Streptavidin‐alkaline phosphatase was used as reporter molecule. Compared with the traditional hairpin aptasensor monitoring the distance of the redox molecule from the electrode surface, the proposed aptasensor successfully overcome the limitations of distance and improved the stability and high affinity of the aptamer hairpin through homogenous recognition, which enhanced the sensitivity and selectivity of the sensors effectively. Additionally, AuNPs were employed to increase the active area and conductivity of the electrode, thus, improving the sensitivity of the aptasensor. As a result, the designed thrombin detection sensor obtained a lower detection limit of 0.52 pM in buffer and 6.9 pM in blood serum.     

Direct detection of OTA by impedimetric aptasensor based on modified polypyrrole-dendrimers

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a carcinogenic mycotoxin that contaminates food such as cereals, wine and beer; therefore it represents a risk for human health. Consequently, the allowed concentration of OTA in food is regulated by governmental organizations and its detection is of major agronomical interest. In the current study we report the development of an electrochemical aptasensor able to directly detect trace OTA without any amplification procedure. This aptasensor was constructed by coating the surface of a gold electrode with a film layer of modified polypyrrole (PPy), which was thereafter covalently bound to polyamidoamine dendrimers of the fourth generation (PAMAM G4). Finally, DNA aptamers that specifically binds OTA were covalently bound to the PAMAM G4 providing the aptasensor, which was characterized by using both Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) techniques. The study of OTA detection by the constructed electrochemical aptasensor was performed using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and revealed that the presence of OTA led to the modification of the electrical properties of the PPy layer. These modifications could be assigned to conformational changes in the folding of the aptamers upon specific binding of OTA. The aptasensor had a dynamic range of up to 5 μg L⁻¹ of OTA and a detection limit of 2 ng L⁻¹ of OTA, which is below the OTA concentration allowed in food by the European regulations. The efficient detection of OTA by this electrochemical aptasensor provides an unforeseen platform that could be used for the detection of various small molecules through specific aptamer association.     

A novel fluorescent aptasensor based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles for the selective detection of sulfadiazine in edible tissue

Sulfadiazine (SDZ) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections in animals, and SDZ residues in food can be harmful to human health. As a result, an aptasensor based on silica nanoparticles was developed for the rapid detection of SDZ. An aptamer that specifically binds to SDZ was obtained using graphene oxide-SELEX and further truncated to a 13 nt sequence (SDZ30-1:5′-AACCCAATGGGAT-3′), which has a high affinity (K_d = 65.72 nM). In addition, it was found by molecular simulation that a steric hindrance could prevent the target molecule from entering the binding pocket formed by the key base “TGG”, which affects the total binding free energy of SDZ30-1 and the target molecule, thereby affecting the affinity of SDZ30-1 to the target. The SDZ30-1 was selected as the fluorescent probe to establish an aptasensor for the detection of SDZ residues in milk and honey. The aptasensor exhibited a wide dynamic linear range (3.125 – 100 ng/mL) and a limit of detection (LOD = 1.68 ng/mL). The aptasensor in spiked samples recovered at a rate of 95.12 – 105.47%, with a coefficient of variation of less than 13.18 %. The results of aptasensor were positively correlated with those of HPLC (R² > 0.8687). Based on the above results, it could be inferred that the aptasensor can be used sensitively and rapidly for the detection of SDZ residues in edible tissue.     

A novel fluorescent aptasensor for thrombin detection: using poly(m-phenylenediamine) rods as an effective sensing platform

In this communication, we develop a novel fluorescent aptasensor for thrombin detection with the use of poly(m-phenylenediamine) (PMPD) rods as an effective sensing platform. This aptasensor exhibits extraordinarily high sensitivity with a detection limit as low as 100 pM and excellent selectivity.     

基于电化学双共价键法构建可再生高灵敏的电化学发光适体传感器检测可卡因

基于点击化学和重氮盐法的双共价键固定化方法,制备了一种高灵敏、可重复使用的电化学发光(ECL)适体传感器. 该方法以可卡因为分析物,以可卡因适体为分子识别物质,以钌联吡啶衍生物为ECL信号物质. 采用电化学方法在玻碳电极表面重氮化叠氮苯胺,通过点击反应连接炔基功能化的钌联吡啶衍生物标记可卡因适体,获得适体传感器. 该传感器在共反应剂存在下,产生弱的电化学发光信号,可卡因存在下,电化学发光信号增加. 基于此,建立了“信号增强”型检测可卡因的电化学发光分析新方法. 电化学发光信号与可卡因浓度在0.1 nmol·L^-1 ~ 100 nmol·L^-1范围内呈良好的线性关系,检出限为60 pmol·L^-1. 该传感器具有良好的稳定性,可重复多次使用. 该双共价键法在构建ECL传感器方面具有很好的应用前景.     

Microfluidic chip-based aptasensor for amplified electrochemical detection of human thrombin

In this paper, a microchip-based sandwich-type aptasensor is developed for the detection of human thrombin. The SH-aptamer/thrombin/alkaline phosphatase-functionalized aptamer (ALP-aptamer) system was constructed in the microfluidic channels. And the substrate solution containing 4-aminophenyl phosphate (p-APP) was introduced to the microchannels for the end-column electrochemical detection. The on-chip aptasensor has a broad linear response range of 1–100 pM with a detection limit of 1 pM, which shows high sensitivity and specificity. The system was then applied to detect thrombin in human serum sample. Therefore, the on-chip aptasensor has a great promise for detecting and screening ultratrace levels of biomarkers in the complex matrices.     

A novel fluorescent aptasensor based on silica nanoparticles,PicoGreen and exonuclease III as a signal amplification method for ultrasensitive detection of myoglobin

Measurement of myoglobin (Mb) in human blood serum is of great interest for quick diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In this study, a novel fluorescent aptasensor was designed for ultrasensitive and selective detection of Mb, based on target-induced high fluorescence intensity, complementary strand of aptamer (CS), PicoGreen (PG) dye, exonuclease III (Exo III) and silica nanoparticles coated with streptavidin (SNPs-Streptavidin). The developed aptasensor obtains characteristics of SNPs as enhancers of fluorescence intensity, Exo III as an enzyme which selectively digests the 3'-end of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), PG as a fluorescent dye which could selectively bind to dsDNA and high selectivity and sensitivity of aptamer (Apt) toward its target. In the absence of Mb, no free CS remains in the environment of SNPs-Streptavidin, resulting in a weak fluorescence emission. In the present of Mb, dsDNA-modified SNPs-Streptavidin complex forms, leading to a very strong fluorescence emission. The developed fluorescent aptasensor exhibited high specificity toward Mb with a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 52 pM. In addition, the designed fluorescent aptasensor was efficiently used to detect Mb in human serum.     

A novel electrochemiluminescence aptasensor for protein based on a sensitive N-(aminobutyl)-N-ethylisoluminol-functionalized gold nanoprobe

A novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL) aptasensor for platelet-derived growth factor B chain (PDGF-BB) assay was developed by assembling N-(aminobutyl)-N-ethylisoluminol functionalized gold nanoparticles (ABEI-AuNPs) with aptamers as nanoprobes. In the protocol, the biotinylated aptamer capture probes were first immobilized on a streptavidin coated gold nanoparticle (AuNPs) modified electrode, afterwards, the target PDGF-BB and the ABEI-AuNPs tagged aptamer signal probe were successively attached to the modified electrode by virtue of the dimer structure of PDGF-BB to fabricate a "sandwich" conjugate modified electrode, i.e. an aptasensor. ECL measurement was carried out with a double-step potential in carbonate buffer solution containing H(2)O(2). The aptasensor showed high sensitivity and selectivity toward PDGF-BB and specificity toward PDGF-BB aptamer. The detection limit was as low as 2.7 × 10(-14) M. In this work, the ABEI-AuNPs synthesized by a simple seed growth method have been successfully used as aptamer labels, which greatly amplified the ECL signal by binding numbers of ABEI molecules on the surface of AuNPs. The ABEI-AuNPs signal amplification is superior to other reported signal amplification strategies based on aptamer-related polymerase chain reaction or functionalized nanoparticles in simplicity, stability, labeling property and practical applicability. And the ABEI-AuNPs based nanoprobe is more sensitive than the luminol functionalized AuNPs based nanoprobe. Moreover, such an ultra-sensitive and low-cost assay can be accomplished with a simple and fast procedure by using a simple ECL instrumentation. The aptasensor was also applied for the detection of PDGF-BB in human serum samples, showing great application potential. Given these advantages, the ECL aptasensor is well suited for the direct, sensitive and rapid detection of protein in complex clinical samples.     

基于碳纳米管的高灵敏度免标记电化学核酸适体传感电极

以电活性钌化合物[Ru(NH₃)₆]³⁺为信号传感源,借助碳纳米管构建了高灵敏检测腺苷免标记电化学传感电极（BSA/Apt/CNTs/GC）. BSA/Apt/CNTs/GC电极在最佳实验条件下检测腺苷线性范围为5.0×10^-11 ~ 1.0×10^-7 mol·L^-1,检测下限为2.7×10^-11 mol·L^-1. 该传感电极有较高的灵敏度、良好的选择性、重现性和稳定性. 与传统标记型适体传感电极相比,其制作简便,也许还适用于其他小分子和蛋白质的检测,有一定的普适性.     

Electrochemical Aptasensor for the Determination of Cocaine Incorporating Gold Nanoparticles Modification

A novel electrochemical aptasensor incorporating a signal enhancement for the determination of cocaine was designed. Gold nanoparticles were self‐assembled onto the surface of a gold electrode through 1,6‐hexanedithiol. A bifunctional derivative of the 32‐base cocaine‐binding aptamer with a redox‐active ferrocene moiety and a thiol linker group at the termini of the strand was self‐assembled onto the surface of gold nanoparticles. The oxidation peak current is linearly related to the concentration of cocaine from 1.0 to 15.0 μM with a detection limit of 0.5 μM. It was found that the sensitivity of the aptasensor with gold nanoparticles modification was ca. 10‐fold higher than that of the aptasensor without gold nanoparticles modification. This work demonstrates that gold nanoparticles‐assembled gold electrode provides a promising platform for immobilizing aptamer and enhancing the sensitivity.     

A label free aptasensor for Ochratoxin A detection in cocoa beans: An application to chocolate industries

Contamination of food by mycotoxin occurs in minute/trace quantities. Nearly 92.5% of the cocoa samples present Ochratoxin A (OTA) levels at trace quantity. Hence, there is a necessity for a highly sensitive and selective device that can detect and quantify these organic toxins in various matrices such as cocoa beans. This work reports for the first time, a facile and label-free electrochemical impedimetric aptasensor for rapid detection and quantitation of OTA in cocoa beans. The developed aptasensor was constructed based on the diazonium-coupling reaction mechanism for the immobilization of anti-OTA-aptamer on screen printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs). The aptasensor exhibited a very good limit of detection (LOD) as low as 0.15 ng/mL, with added advantages of good selectivity and reproducibility. The increase in electron transfer resistance was linearly proportional to the OTA concentration in the range 0.15–2.5 ng/mL, with an acceptable recovery percentage (91–95%, RSD = 4.8%) obtained in cocoa samples. This work can facilitate a general model for the detection of OTA in cocoa beans based on the impedimetric aptasensor. The analysis can be performed onsite with pre-constructed and aptamer modified electrodes employing a portable EIS set up.     

MXene–AuNP-Based Electrochemical Aptasensor for Ultra-Sensitive Detection of Chloramphenicol in Honey

A simple and label-free electrochemical aptasensor was developed for ultra-sensitive determination of chloramphenicol (CAP) based on a 2D transition of metal carbides (MXene) loaded with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The embedded AuNPs not only inhibit the aggregation of MXene sheets, but also improve the quantity of active sites and electronic conductivity. The aptamers (Apts) were able to immobilize on the MXene–AuNP modified electrode surface through Au–S interaction. Upon specifically binding with CAP with high affinity, the CAP–Apt complexes produced low conductivity on the aptasensor surface, leading to a decreased electrochemical signal. The resulting current change was quantitatively correlated with CAP concentration. Under optimized experimental conditions, the constructed aptasensor exhibited a good linear relationship within a wide range of 0.0001–10 nM and with a low detection limit of 0.03 pM for CAP. Moreover, the developed aptasensor has been applied to the determination of CAP concentration in honey samples with satisfactory results.