Raman and surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopic studies of the 15‐mer DNA thrombin‐binding aptamer

Aptamers are single‐stranded oligonucleotides that selectively bind to their target molecules owing to their ability to form secondary structures and shapes. The 15‐mer (5′‐GGTTGGTGTGGTTGG‐3′) DNA thrombin‐binding aptamer (TBA) binds to thrombin following the formation of a quadruplex structure via the Hoogsten‐type G–G interactions. In the present study, Raman and SERS spectra of TBA and thiolated TBA (used to facilitate covalent bonding to metal nanoparticle) in different conditions are investigated. The spectra of the two analogs exhibit vibrations, such as the C8N7 H2 deformation band at ∼1480 cm⁻¹ of the guanine tetrad, that are characteristic of the quadruplex structure in the presence of K⁺ ions or at low temperature. Interestingly, SERS spectra of the two analogs differ markedly from their respective normal Raman spectra, possibly due to changes in the conformation of the aptamer upon binding, as well as to the specific interaction of individual vibrational modes with the metal surface. In addition, the SERS spectra of the thiolated aptamer show significant changes with different concentrations, which may be due to different orientation of the molecule with respect to the metal surface. This study provides useful information for the development of label‐free aptamer‐based SERS sensors and assays. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Paper Sensor Printed with Multifunctional Bio/Nano Materials

We report a paper‐based aptasensor platform that uses two reaction zones and a connecting bridge along with printed multifunctional bio/nano materials to achieve molecular recognition and signal amplification. Upon addition of analyte to the first zone, a fluorescently labelled DNA or RNA aptamer is desorbed from printed graphene oxide, rapidly producing an initial fluorescence signal. The released aptamer then flows to the second zone where it reacts with printed reagents to initiate rolling circle amplification, generating DNA amplicons containing a peroxidase‐mimicking DNAzyme, which produces a colorimetric readout that can be read in an equipment‐free manner or with a smartphone. The sensor was demonstrated using an RNA aptamer for adenosine triphosphate (a bacterial marker) and a DNA aptamer for glutamate dehydrogenase (Clostridium difficile marker) with excellent sensitivity and specificity. These targets could be detected in spiked serum or feacal samples, demonstrating the potential for testing clinical samples.     

Enhanced Peroxidase‐Like Properties of Graphene–Hemin‐Composite Decorated with Au Nanoflowers as Electrochemical Aptamer Biosensor for the Detection of K562 Leukemia Cancer Cells

Graphene composites with hemin and gold nanoparticles show a better performance for hydrogen peroxide decomposition compared to that of the three components alone or duplex/hybrid complexes. Our previous studies showed that the morphology of the Au nanoparticles may greatly influence the catalytic activity of graphene‐family peroxidase mimics. Recently, we found that Au nanoflowers could grow in situ and form on the surface of hemin/RGO (reduced graphene oxide). The prickly morphology of this Au nanoflower brought a higher catalytic ability with enhanced kinetic parameters than traditional Au nanoparticles that showed a smooth surface. Therefore, based on this discovery, a smart electrochemical aptamer biosensor for K562 leukemia cancer cells was further presented with good performance in selectivity and sensitivity attributed to the excellent mimetic peroxidase catalytic activity of this newly synthesized Au nanoflower decorated graphene–hemin composite (H‐RGO‐Au NFs).     

基于微悬臂梁生物传感器检测三磷酸腺苷

基于适配子构建了无标记检测三磷酸腺苷(ATP)的微悬臂梁生物传感器。 将ATP适配子修饰在微悬臂梁阵列中的传感悬臂镀金面上,用来识别ATP,而参比悬臂修饰巯基己醇(MCH)防止非特异性吸附。 ATP与其适配子发生特异性相互作用,使悬臂的上下两个表面产生应力差,导致传感悬臂产生偏转,扣除参比悬臂偏转后其偏转值与ATP的浓度在0.5~5 mmol/L范围内有良好的线性关系,相关系数为0.998,最低检出限为0.06 mmol/L。 该微悬臂梁生物传感器响应快速、操作简单,并且对ATP具有良好的特异性。     

非标记夹心式电化学可卡因适体传感器的研究

设计一种基于双链核酸适体的非标记夹心式电化学适体传感器, 建立简单、高灵敏度的可卡因分析方法. 首先将末端巯基修饰的捕获适体探针组装在金电极表面, 构建可卡因适体传感器. 该传感器与目标分子可卡因和部分互补的检测适体探针作用后, 在电极表面形成适体/可卡因/适体复合物. 以六氨合钌为信号分子, 基于单链适体和适体/可卡因/适体复合物对六氨合钌吸附量的不同, 通过计时电量法检测电极表面吸附六氨合钌的还原电量, 进行可卡因的分析检测. 在优化的条件下, 还原电量与可卡因浓度在1～50 mmol/L范围内呈良好的线性关系, 检出限为0.1 mmol/L. 用于血清中可卡因的检测, 回收率为96.4%～104%. 该方法简单, 灵敏度高, 可作为一种通用型的适体传感器模型.     

In vitro selection and characterization of deoxyribonucleic acid aptamers for digoxin

The low therapeutic index of digoxin necessitates careful monitoring of its serum levels. Most of digoxin immunoassays suffer from interferences with digoxin-like immunoreactive substances. Since aptamers have been shown to be highly specific for their targets, the aim of this study was to develop DNA aptamers for this widely used cardiac glycoside. Digoxin was coated onto the surface of streptavidin magnetic beads. DNA aptamers against digoxin were designed using Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential enrichment method (SELEX) by 11 iterative rounds of incubation of digoxin-coated streptavidin magnetic beads with synthetic DNA library, DNA elution, electrophoresis and PCR amplification. The PCR product was cloned and sequenced. Binding affinity was determined using digoxin–BSA conjugate, coated onto ELISA plate. Inhibitory effect of anti-digoxin aptamer was conducted using isolated guinea-pig atrium. Three aptamers (D1, D2 and D3) were identified. Binding studies of fluorescein-labeled truncated (without primer binding region) D1 and D2 and full length D1 anti-digoxin aptamers were performed and their corresponding dissociation constants values were 8.2 × 10⁻⁹, 44.0 × 10⁻⁹ and 17.8 × 10⁻⁹ M, respectively. This is comparable to what other workers have obtained for interaction of monoclonal antibodies raised against digoxin. There was little difference in binding affinity between full length and truncated anti-digoxin D1 aptamer. D1 anti-digoxin aptamer also inhibited the effects of digoxin on the isolated guinea-pig atrium. D1 anti-digoxin aptamer distinguished between digoxin and ouabain in both tissue study and binding experiments. Our finding indicated that D1 anti-digoxin aptamer can selectively bind to digoxin. Further studies might show its suitability for use in digoxin assays and as a therapeutic agent in life-threatening digoxin toxicity.     

高灵敏光学和电化学适配体传感器在真菌毒素快速检测中的研究进展

高灵敏的生物传感器在痕量真菌毒素污染的快速检测中备受关注.适配体除具有与抗体类似的高选择性外,还具有可体外合成和易修饰等独特优势,已成为现阶段生物传感器中常用的识别元件.随着指数富集的配体系统进化(SELEX)技术的发展,筛选获得的真菌毒素适配体越来越多,为不同真菌毒素的检测提供了基础条件,而适配体结合现代新型纳米材料...     

基于铈配合物信号探针的凝血酶电化学适体传感器

以Ce³⁺为中心离子,N,N-二甲基甲酰胺(DMF)为有机配体,通过温度调节,合成系列形貌和电化学信号不同的铈配合物(Ce-COPs)。筛选出电化学信号最强的多面体状Ce-COP为信号探针。通过凝血酶(TB)与TB适体链之间的特异性识别作用,设计了一种简单通用的TB适体传感器。最优实验条件下,该传感器对TB的线性响应范围为1.0 fmol·L^-1~1.0 nmol·L^-1,检测限为0.94 fmol·L^-1。此外,本方案方法与商品人凝血酶(TM) ELISA试剂盒检测结果相近。结果表明,我们构建的TB适体传感器具有良好的灵敏度、特异性、选择性和稳定性。     

基于核酸适配体的生物标志物检测方法研究进展

核酸适配体是指能与特定靶分子结合的寡核苷酸链。因其具有易修饰、易合成和低免疫原性等特点,作为生物传感器的靶向元件,已广泛应用于各种生物标志物检测技术中。本文综述了近年来基于核酸适配体的生物标志物的检测技术在癌症、心血管疾病、阿尔兹海默症、抑郁症等多个疾病领域的诊断研究进展,列举核酸适配体新兴技术的创新应用,以期为生物标志物的检测提供新思路,也有望为相关疾病的早期诊断和治疗提供参考。