Development of mercury (II) ion biosensors based on mercury-specific oligonucleotide probes

Mercury (II) ion (Hg(2+)) contamination can be accumulated along the food chain and cause serious threat to the public health. Plenty of research effort thus has been devoted to the development of fast, sensitive and selective biosensors for monitoring Hg(2+). Thymine was demonstrated to specifically combine with Hg(2+) and form a thymine-Hg(2+)-thymine (T-Hg(2+)-T) structure, with binding constant even higher than T-A Watson-Crick pair in DNA duplex. Recently, various novel Hg(2+) biosensors have been developed based on T-rich Mercury-Specific Oligonucleotide (MSO) probes, and exhibited advanced selectivity and excellent sensitivity for Hg(2+) detection. In this review, we explained recent development of MSO-based Hg(2+) biosensors mainly in 3 groups: fluorescent biosensors, colorimetric biosensors and electrochemical biosensors.

Functional nucleic acid-based sensors for heavy metal ion assays

Heavy metal contaminants such as lead ions (Pb(2+)), mercury ions (Hg(2+)) and silver ions (Ag(+)) can cause significant harm to humans and generate enduring bioaccumulation in ecological systems. Even though a variety of methods have been developed for Pb(2+), Hg(2+) and Ag(+) assays, most of them are usually laborious and time-consuming with poor sensitivity. Due to their unique advantages of excellent catalytic properties and high affinity for heavy metal ions, functional nucleic acids such as DNAzymes and aptamers show great promise in the development of novel sensors for heavy metal ion assays. In this review, we summarize the development of functional nucleic acid-based sensors for the detection of Pb(2+), Hg(2+) and Ag(+), and especially focus on two categories including the direct assay and the amplification-based assay. We highlight the emerging trends in the development of sensitive and selective sensors for heavy metal ion assays as well.

A label-free activatable aptamer probe for colorimetric detection of cancer cells based on binding-triggered in situ catalysis of split DNAzyme

A novel label-free tailed hairpin-shaped activatable aptamer probe (THAAP) was developed by rationally integrating an aptamer and a split G-quadruplex into one sequence. Based on target recognition-triggered in situ catalysis of split DNAzyme, the THAAP strategy achieved a simple, fast, washing-free, specific and quantitative colorimetric assay of human leukemic CCRF-CEM cells.

A highly sensitive, direct and label-free technique for Hg(2+) detection using Kelvin probe force microscopy

For several decades, various nanomaterials have been used in a wide range of industrial fields, research areas, and commercial products. Among many nanomaterials, nano-sized mercury materials are one of the most widely used nanomaterials in real life. However, due to the high toxicity of Hg(2+), it is imperative to develop an effective and practical detection method for Hg(2+) to protect human health and environment. In this study, a highly sensitive, label-free method of detecting Hg(2+) that requires only a single drop of solution was developed. The detection mechanism is based on the different surface potential arising from Hg(2+) binding to mismatched thymine-thymine sequences, creating a very stable base pair. The surface potential is measured with Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) to a molecular resolution. The developed method is capable of detecting 2 fmol of Hg(2+), which is 500 times more sensitive than previously reported techniques. Moreover, our method can selectively detect Hg(2+) and can also be applied to tap water and river water. This KPFM-based Hg(2+) detection method can be used as an early detection technique for practical applications.

A strongly coupled Au/Fe3O4/GO hybrid material with enhanced nanozyme activity for highly sensitive colorimetric detection, and rapid and efficient removal of Hg(2+) in aqueous solutions

We have developed an efficient strategy for synthesizing a strongly coupled Au/Fe3O4/GO hybrid material to improve the catalytic activity, stability, and separation capability of Au nanoparticles (NPs) and Hg(2+). The hybrid material can be synthesized by the direct anchoring of Au and Fe3O4 NPs on the functional groups of GO. This approach affords strong chemical attachments between the NPs and GO, allowing this hybrid material to ultrasensitively detect Hg(2+) in aqueous solutions with a detection limit as low as 0.15 nM. In addition, the deposition of Hg(0) on the surface of Au/Fe3O4/GO could be quickly (within 30 min) and efficiently (>99% elimination efficiency) removed by the simple application of an external magnetic field and then Au/Fe3O4/GO could be subsequently reused at least 15 times, with the elimination efficiency remaining high (>96%).

"Turn on" and label-free core-shell Ag@SiO2 nanoparticles-based metal-enhanced fluorescent (MEF) aptasensor for Hg(2+)

A turn on and label-free fluorescent apasensor for Hg(2+) with high sensitivity and selectivity has been demonstrated in this report. Firstly, core-shell Ag@SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthetized as a Metal-Enhanced Fluorescent (MEF) substrate, T-rich DNA aptamers were immobilized on the surface of Ag@SiO2 NPs and thiazole orange (TO) was selected as fluorescent reporter. After Hg(2+) was added to the aptamer-Ag@SiO2 NPs and TO mixture buffer solution, the aptamer strand can bind Hg(2+) to form T-Hg(2+)-T complex with a hairpin structure which TO can insert into. When clamped by the nucleic acid bases, the fluorescence quanta yield of TO will be increased under laser excitation and emitted a fluorescence emission. Furthermore, the fluorescence emission can be amplified largely by the MEF effect of the Ag@SiO2 NPs. The whole experiment can be finished within 30 min and the limit of detection is 0.33 nM even with interference by high concentrations of other metal ions. Finally, the sensor was applied for detecting Hg(2+) in different real water samples with satisfying recoveries over 94%.

Highly sensitive chemiluminescent detection of lead ion based on its displacement of potassium in G-Quadruplex DNAzyme

A simple and highly sensitive chemiluminescence (CL) detection method for Pb²⁺ in biosamples, such as human hairs, based on its displacement of potassium in G-Quadruplex DNAzyme, was successfully developed.

Versatile G-quadruplex-mediated strategies in label-free biosensors and logic systems

This review addresses how G-quadruplex (G4)-mediated biosensors convert the events of target recognition into a measurable physical signal. The application of label-free G4-strategies in the construction of logic systems is also discussed.

Structures, physicochemical properties, and applications of T–HgII–T, C–AgI–C, and other metallo-base-pairs

In this feature article, recent progress and future perspectives of metal-mediated base-pairs such as T–Hg(ii)–T and C–Ag(i)–C are presented.

A supramolecular probe for colorimetric detection of Pb2+ based on recognition of G-quadruplex

A colorimetric probe of Pb²⁺ has been designed based on the mechanism that a supramolecular probe selectively recognized the Pb²⁺-induced conformational transition of G-quadruplexes.

Fluorescent and colorimetric sensors for environmental mercury detection

The development of fluorescent and colorimetric sensing strategies for environmental mercury is described.

Lab in a tube: a fast-assembled colorimetric sensor for highly sensitive detection of oligonucleotides based on a hybridization chain reaction

Upon adding T_HBV, the self-assembly of T_HBV with H₁ allows the rest of the DNA sequence of H₁ to accelerate H₁–H₂ complex formation. The G-quadruplex at the end of the H₁–H₂ complex could catalyze TMB into a colored product.

Visual detection of mercury(ii) based on recognition of the G-quadruplex conformational transition by a cyanine dye supramolecule

Visual detection of mercury(ii) based on recognition of the G-quadruplex conformational transition by a cyanine dye supramolecule is reported.

A nano-graphite-DNA hybrid sensor for magnified fluorescent detection of mercury(II) ions in aqueous solution

In this communication, we present a nano-graphite-DNA hybrid sensor for fluorescent detection of mercury(II) ions in aqueous solution for the first time. Furthermore, an amplification strategy based on nano-graphite for Hg(2+) detection by using DNase I was demonstrated. The proposed amplified assay was simple and cost-effective with a limit of detection (LOD) for Hg(2+) of 0.5 nM, which was about 20-fold lower than that of traditional unamplified homogeneous assays. We further demonstrated its practical application to detect Hg(2+) in a real sample.

Interlocked DNA nanostructures controlled by a reversible logic circuit

DNA nanostructures constitute attractive devices for logic computing and nanomechanics. An emerging interest is to integrate these two fields and devise intelligent DNA nanorobots. Here we report a reversible logic circuit built on the programmable assembly of a double-stranded (ds) DNA [3]pseudocatenane that serves as a rigid scaffold to position two separate branched-out head-motifs, a bimolecular i-motif and a G-quadruplex. The G-quadruplex only forms when preceded by the assembly of the i-motif. The formation of the latter, in turn, requires acidic pH and unhindered mobility of the head-motif containing dsDNA nanorings with respect to the central ring to which they are interlocked, triggered by release oligodeoxynucleotides. We employ these features to convert the structural changes into Boolean operations with fluorescence labelling. The nanostructure behaves as a reversible logic circuit consisting of tandem YES and AND gates. Such reversible logic circuits integrated into functional nanodevices may guide future intelligent DNA nanorobots to manipulate cascade reactions in biological systems.

N-Methyl-4-hydrazino-7-nitrobenzofurazan: a fluorogenic substrate for peroxidase-like DNAzyme, and its potential application

Characterization and optimization studies of N-methyl-4-hydrazino-7-nitrobenzofurazan (MNBDH) as a new fluorogenic substrate in the peroxidation reaction catalyzed by DNAzyme are reported. The effects of pH, H2O2 concentration, metal-cation type, and the concentration and type of surfactant on the fluorescence intensity were investigated. The optimized reaction was subsequently used for the development of an assay for DNA detection based on a molecular-beacon probe. The use of a fluorogenic substrate enabled the detection of a single-stranded DNA target with a 1 nmol L(-1) detection limit.

Detection of mercury(II) ions using colorimetric gold nanoparticles on paper-based analytical devices

An on-field colorimetric sensing strategy employing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and a paper-based analytical platform was investigated for mercury ion (Hg(2+)) detection at water sources. By utilizing thymine-Hg(2+)-thymine (T-Hg(2+)-T) coordination chemistry, label-free detection oligonucleotide sequences were attached to unmodified gold nanoparticles to provide rapid mercury ion sensing without complicated and time-consuming thiolated or other costly labeled probe preparation processes. Not only is this strategy's sensing mechanism specific toward Hg(2+), rather than other metal ions, but also the conformational change in the detection oligonucleotide sequences introduces different degrees of AuNP aggregation that causes the color of AuNPs to exhibit a mixture variance. To eliminate the use of sophisticated equipment and minimize the power requirement for data analysis and transmission, the color variance of multiple detection results were transferred and concentrated on cellulose-based paper analytical devices, and the data were subsequently transmitted for the readout and storage of results using cloud computing via a smartphone. As a result, a detection limit of 50 nM for Hg(2+) spiked pond and river water could be achieved. Furthermore, multiple tests could be performed simultaneously with a 40 min turnaround time. These results suggest that the proposed platform possesses the capability for sensitive and high-throughput on-site mercury pollution monitoring in resource-constrained settings.

Functional nucleic-acid-based sensors for environmental monitoring

Efforts to replace conventional chromatographic methods for environmental monitoring with cheaper and easy to use biosensors for precise detection and estimation of hazardous environmental toxicants, water or air borne pathogens as well as various other chemicals and biologics are gaining momentum. Out of the various types of biosensors classified according to their bio-recognition principle, nucleic-acid-based sensors have shown high potential in terms of cost, sensitivity, and specificity. The discovery of catalytic activities of RNA (ribozymes) and DNA (DNAzymes) which could be triggered by divalent metallic ions paved the way for their extensive use in detection of heavy metal contaminants in environment. This was followed with the invention of small oligonucleotide sequences called aptamers which can fold into specific 3D conformation under suitable conditions after binding to target molecules. Due to their high affinity, specificity, reusability, stability, and non-immunogenicity to vast array of targets like small and macromolecules from organic, inorganic, and biological origin, they can often be exploited as sensors in industrial waste management, pollution control, and environmental toxicology. Further, rational combination of the catalytic activity of DNAzymes and RNAzymes along with the sequence-specific binding ability of aptamers have given rise to the most advanced form of functional nucleic-acid-based sensors called aptazymes. Functional nucleic-acid-based sensors (FNASs) can be conjugated with fluorescent molecules, metallic nanoparticles, or quantum dots to aid in rapid detection of a variety of target molecules by target-induced structure switch (TISS) mode. Although intensive research is being carried out for further improvements of FNAs as sensors, challenges remain in integrating such bio-recognition element with advanced transduction platform to enable its use as a networked analytical system for tailor made analysis of environmental monitoring.

DNA as sensors and imaging agents for metal ions

Increasing interest in detecting metal ions in many chemical and biomedical fields has created demands for developing sensors and imaging agents for metal ions with high sensitivity and selectivity. This review covers recent progress in DNA-based sensors and imaging agents for metal ions. Through both combinatorial selection and rational design, a number of metal-ion-dependent DNAzymes and metal-ion-binding DNA structures that can selectively recognize specific metal ions have been obtained. By attachment of these DNA molecules with signal reporters such as fluorophores, chromophores, electrochemical tags, and Raman tags, a number of DNA-based sensors for both diamagnetic and paramagnetic metal ions have been developed for fluorescent, colorimetric, electrochemical, and surface Raman detection. These sensors are highly sensitive (with a detection limit down to 11 ppt) and selective (with selectivity up to millions-fold) toward specific metal ions. In addition, through further development to simplify the operation, such as the use of "dipstick tests", portable fluorometers, computer-readable disks, and widely available glucose meters, these sensors have been applied for on-site and real-time environmental monitoring and point-of-care medical diagnostics. The use of these sensors for in situ cellular imaging has also been reported. The generality of the combinatorial selection to obtain DNAzymes for almost any metal ion in any oxidation state and the ease of modification of the DNA with different signal reporters make DNA an emerging and promising class of molecules for metal-ion sensing and imaging in many fields of applications.

Recent trends in SELEX technique and its application to food safety monitoring

The method referred to as "systemic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment" (SELEX) was introduced in 1990 and ever since has become an important tool for the identification and screening of aptamers. Such nucleic acids can recognize and bind to their corresponding targets (analytes) with high selectivity and affinity, and aptamers therefore have become attractive alternatives to traditional antibodies not the least because they are much more stable. Meanwhile, they have found numerous applications in different fields including food quality and safety monitoring. This review first gives an introduction into the selection process and to the evolution of SELEX, then covers applications of aptamers in the surveillance of food safety (with subsections on absorptiometric, electrochemical, fluorescent and other methods), and then gives conclusions and perspectives. The SELEX method excels by its features of in vitro, high throughput and ease of operation. This review contains 86 references.

A G-quadruplex-based platform for the detection of Hg2+ ions using a luminescent iridium(iii) complex

We report herein the synthesis of a series of cyclometalated iridium(iii) complexes as luminescent G-quadruplex-selective probes, which were used to construct an oligonucleotide-based platform for the dual detection and removal of Hg²⁺ ions.

A new colorimetric strategy for monitoring caspase 3 activity by HRP-mimicking DNAzyme–peptide conjugates

A new colorimetric method is designed for the detection of caspase 3 activity by HRP-mimicking DNAzyme–peptide conjugates.

Unusual seedless approach to gold nanoparticle synthesis: application to selective rapid naked eye detection of mercury(ii)

Highly selective and sensitive naked eye detection of Hg²⁺was achieved based on the Hg²⁺–Au⁺interaction and Au^Ito Au⁰was observed in the absence of a seed.

Amplified colorimetric detection of mercuric ions through autonomous assembly of G-quadruplex DNAzyme nanowires

An amplified colorimetric detection of Hg(2+) is proposed by combining T-Hg(2+)-T base pairs and hybridization chain reaction (HCR). Two hairpins consisting of three-fourths and one-fourth of the horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-mimicking DNAzyme in inactive configuration are used as functional elements. In the presence of Hg(2+), one of the hairpins is opened by an assistant probe with the help of T-Hg(2+)-T base pairs and this triggers an autonomous cross-opening of the two hairpins using the strand displacement principle, resulting in the formation of DNA nanowires consisting of numerous reunited Q-quadruplex DNAzyme units. The resulting catalytically active hemin/G-quadruplex HRP-mimicking DNAzymes catalyze the oxidation of ABTS(2-) by H2O2 into a green-colored cationic radical ABTS(•+) for the colorimetric readout. This "turn-on" sensing system enables the high sensitive and selective detection of aqueous Hg(2+) with a detection limit of 9.7 pM.

Resonance Raman scattering of catalytic beacons for DNA detection

A novel method for analysing the catalytic action of a DNAzyme is reported. Resonance Raman scattering (RRS) is shown to successfully monitor the oxidation of two different peroxidase substrates and has been implemented in an assay for the detection of target DNA, providing a more sensitive method of analysis than current colorimetric techniques.

Switchable catalytic acrylamide hydrogels cross-linked by hemin/G-quadruplexes

Copolymer chains consisting of acrylamide units and guanine (G)-containing oligonucleotide-tethered acrylamide units undergo, in the presence of K(+) ions, cross-linking by G-quadruplexes to yield a hydrogel. The hydrogel is dissociated upon addition of 18-crown-6 ether that traps the K(+) ions. Reversible formation and dissociation of the hydrogel is demonstrated by the cyclic addition of K(+) ions and 18-crown-6 ether, respectively. Formation of the hydrogel in the presence of hemin results in a hemin/G-quadruplex-cross-linked catalytic hydrogel mimicking the function of horseradish peroxidase, reflected by the catalyzed oxidation of 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), ABTS(2-), by H2O2 to ABTS(·-) and by the catalyzed generation of chemiluminescence in the presence of luminol/H2O2. Cyclic "ON" and "OFF" activation of the catalytic functions of the hydrogel are demonstrated upon the formation of the hydrogel in the presence of K(+) ions and its dissociation by 18-crown-6 ether, respectively. The hydrogel is characterized by rheology measurements, circular dichroism, and probing its chemical and photophysical properties.

"Fitting" makes "sensing" simple: label-free detection strategies based on nucleic acid aptamers

Nucleic acid aptamers are small sequences of DNA made via in vitro selection techniques to bind targets with high affinity and specificity. The term aptamer derives from the Latin, aptus, meaning "to fit", emphasizing the lock-and-key relationship between aptamers and their binding targets. In 2004, aptamers began to attract researchers' attention as new binding elements for biosensors (i.e. aptasensors). Their advantages over other sensors include a diverse range of possible target molecules, high target affinity, simple synthesis, and ability to form Watson-Crick base pairs. These attributes create an enormous array of possible sensing applications and target molecules, spanning nearly all detection methods and readout techniques. In particular, aptamers provide an opportunity for designing "label-free" sensors, meaning sensors that do not require covalently labeling a signal probe to either the analyte or the recognition element (here, the aptamer). "Label-free" systems previously could only analyze large molecules using a few readout techniques, such as when employing the other recognition elements like antibodies. "Label-free" methods are one of the most effective and promising strategies for faster, simpler, and more convenient detection, since they avoid the expensive and tedious labeling process and challenging labeling reactions, while retaining the highest degree of activity and affinity for the recognition element. "Label-free" sensors are one of the most promising future biosensors. In this Account, we describe our efforts exploring and constructing such label-free sensing strategies based on aptamers. Our methods have included using various readout techniques, employing novel nanomaterials, importing lab-on-a-chip platforms, and improving logical recognition. The resulting sensors demonstrate that aptamers are ideal tools for "label-free" sensors. We divide this Account into three main parts describing three strategies for designing "label-free" sensors: (1) Label-free, separation-free strategies. These include colorimetric sensors based on G-quadruplex-hemin complex, and fluorescent sensors based on fluorescent small molecules, novel conjugated polymers, and metal ion clusters. (2) Label-free, separation-required strategies. In this part, electrochemical sensors are introduced, including sensors with different subtechniques using an electrode array. (3) Logic sensors. Some logic recognition systems are introduced. We emphasize that label-free aptasensors are not merely simple. We hope our introduction illustrates the powerful, flexible, and smart functions of aptamers in carrying out various detection tasks or playing various recognition games. Our work is only a start. We believe this field will bring additional knowledge on general designs, anti-interference, multianalysis, minimization, and auto-operation of aptamer biosensors.

Colorimetric assay for T4 polynucleotide kinase activity based on the horseradish peroxidase-mimicking DNAzyme combined with λ exonuclease cleavage

T4 polynucleotide kinase (PNK) plays a critical role in various cellular events. Here, we describe a novel colorimetric strategy for estimating the activity of PNK and screening its inhibitors taking advantage of the efficient cleavage of λ exonuclease and the horseradish peroxidase-mimicking DNAzyme (HRPzyme) signal amplification. A label-free hairpin DNA with the sequence of HRPzyme was utilized in the assay. The 5'-hydroxyl terminal of the hairpin DNA was firstly phosphorylated in the presence of PNK and then digested by λ exonuclease. As a result, the blocked 'HRPzyme' sequence of the hairpin DNA was released due to the removal of its completely complementary sequence. Using this strategy, the assay for PNK activity was successfully translated into the detection of HRPzyme. Because of the completely blocking and efficiently releasing of HRPzyme, the colorimetric method exhibited an excellent performance in PNK analysis with a low detection limit of 0.06 U mL(-1) and a wide detection range from 0.06 to 100 U mL(-1). Additionally, the effects of different inhibitors on PNK activity were also evaluated. The proposed strategy holds great potential in the development of high-throughput phosphorylation investigation as well as in the screening of the related drugs.

Mercury-thymine interaction with a chair type G-quadruplex architecture

The T-Hg-T bond was utilized to cross-link two lateral loops of chair-type G-quadruplex DNA (G4-DNA) structures. Two out of five cross-linking geometries are able to increase the melting temperature and simultaneously reduce the polymorphism of the G4-DNA conformations.

DNA-based chemiluminescent nanoprobes for highly sensitive and selective detection of mercury(II) ion

A simple and sensitive DNA-stablized gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based chemiluminescent (CL) probe for detecting mercury ion (Hg(2+)) in aqueous solution has been developed. The CL strategy relies upon the catalytic activity of unmodified AuNPs on the luminol-H2 O2 CL reaction, and the interaction of unmodified AuNPs with DNA. The unmodified AuNPs can effectively differentiate unstructured and folded DNA. The DNA desorbs from AuNPs in the presence of Hg(2+), leading to the increase in CL signal. By rationally varying the number of thymine in single-strand oligonucleotides, the detection range could be tuned. Employing single-strand oligonucleotides with 14 thymine in the detecting system, a sensitive linear range for Hg(2+) ions from 5.0 × 10(-10) to 1.0 × 10(-7) mol/L and a detection limit of 2.1 × 10(-10) mol/L are obtained. Changing the number of thymine to 10 and 6, it leads to a narrow detection range but a high sensitivity. Besides, DNA-based CL nanoprobes exhibit a remarkable selectivity for Hg(2+) ions over a variety of competing metal ions.

Specific binding of anionic porphyrin and phthalocyanine to the G-quadruplex with a variety of in vitro and in vivo applications

The G-quadruplex, a four-stranded DNA structure with stacked guanine tetrads (G-quartets), has recently been attracting attention because of its critical roles in vitro and in vivo. In particular, the G-quadruplex functions as ligands for metal ions and aptamers for various molecules. Interestingly, the G-quadruplex can show peroxidase-like activity with an anionic porphyrin, iron (III) protoporphyrin IX (hemin). Importantly, hemin binds to G-quadruplexes with high selectivity over single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), which is attributable to an electrostatic repulsion of phosphate groups in ssDNA and dsDNA. The G-quadruplex and hemin-G-quadruplex complex allow development of sensing techniques to detect DNA, metal ions and proteins. In addition to hemin, anionic phthalocyanines also bind to the G-quadruplex formed by human telomere DNA, specifically over ssDNA and dsDNA. Since the binding of anionic phthalocyanines to the G-quadruplex causes an inhibition of telomerase activity, which plays a role in the immortal growth of cancer cells, anionic phthalocyanines are promising as novel anticancer drug candidates. This review focuses on the specific binding of hemin and anionic phthalocyanines to G-quadruplexes and the applications in vitro and in vivo of this binding property.

Sensitive dual DNAzymes-based sensors designed by grafting self-blocked G-quadruplex DNAzymes to the substrates of metal ion-triggered DNA/RNA-cleaving DNAzymes

A universal label-free metal ion sensor design strategy was developed on the basis of a metal ion-specific DNA/RNA-cleaving DNAzyme and a G-quadruplex DNAzyme. In this strategy, the substrate strand of the DNA/RNA-cleaving DNAzyme was designed as an intramolecular stem-loop structure, and a G-rich sequence was caged in the double-stranded stem and could not form catalytically active G-quadruplex DNAzyme. The metal ion-triggered cleavage of the substrate strand could result in the release of the G-rich sequence and subsequent formation of a catalytic G-quadruplex DNAzyme. The self-blocking mechanism of the G-quadruplex DNAzyme provided the sensing system with a low background signal. The signal amplifications of both the DNA/RNA-cleaving DNAzyme and the G-quadruplex DNAzyme provided the sensing system with a high level of sensitivity. This sensor design strategy can be used for metal ions with reported specific DNA/RNA-cleaving DNAzymes and extended for metal ions with unique properties. As examples, dual DNAzymes-based Cu(2+), Pb(2+) and Hg(2+) sensors were designed. These "turn-on" colorimetric sensors can simply detect Cu(2+), Pb(2+) and Hg(2+) with high levels of sensitivity and selectivity, with detection limits of 4 nM, 14 nM and 4 nM, respectively.