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Wang Z, Zhang R, Liu S, Zhang W, Han J, Bu H. Thermodynamic Allosteric Switch-Actuated 3D DNA Nanomachine for Ultrasensitive Electrochemical/Fluorescent Dual-Mode Biosensing of a Transcription Factor. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:1073-1080. [PMID: 38215043 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c01018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Herein, we reported an innovative thermodynamic allosteric switch-actuated 3D DNA nanomachine for selective, sensitive, and accurate electrochemical (EC)/fluorescent (FL) dual-mode biosensing of a microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). The thermodynamic allosteric switch was ingeniously customized as a hairpin probe (HP) that was in dynamic equilibrium but rapidly interconverting conformations. At the "inactive state", the MITF-binding region and the switch part were "sequestered". Upon the introduction of MITF, an MITF-HP complex promptly formed, and the equilibrium of HP thermodynamically inclined from the "inactive state" toward the "active state" conformation. Immediately, the exposed switch on HP effectively actuated the 3D DNA nanomachine and synchronously produced the restriction site for Nb.BbvCI nicking endonuclease. After the autonomous conveying of the 3D DNA nanomachine by means of the high-efficiency circularly nicking endonuclease signal amplification (NESA), not only was MB-S1 in the supernatant used for FL measurements but also MB-SP/MNs/S2 in the precipitate was adapted for EC analysis, significantly improving the utilization of output products derived from the 3D DNA nanomachine. Accordingly, benefiting from the efficient DNA nanomachine signal amplification manner and the self-calibration function of a dual-mode bioassay, the constructed biosensor exhibits superior sensitivity and accuracy for MITF determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China (Ministry of Education), Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, P. R. China
| | - Rongrong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710127, P. R. China
| | - Shuning Liu
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China (Ministry of Education), Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, P. R. China
| | - Wen Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Xi'an University, Xi'an 710065, China
| | - Jing Han
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710127, P. R. China
| | - Huaiyu Bu
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China (Ministry of Education), Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710069, P. R. China
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2
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Li S, Li Z, Tan GY, Xin Z, Wang W. In vitro allosteric transcription factor-based biosensing. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:1080-1095. [PMID: 36967257 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
A biosensor is an analytical device that converts a biological response into a measurable output signal. Bacterial allosteric transcription factors (aTFs) have been utilized as a novel class of recognition elements for in vitro biosensing, which circumvents the limitations of aTF-based whole-cell biosensors (WCBs) and helps to meet the increasing requirement of small-molecule biosensors for diverse applications. In this review, we summarize the recent advances related to the configuration of aTF-based biosensors in vitro. Particularly, we evaluate the advantages of aTFs for in vitro biosensing and highlight their great potential for the establishment of robust and easy-to-implement biosensing strategies. We argue that key technical innovations and generalizable workflows will enhance the pipeline for facile construction of diverse aTF-based small-molecule biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Zilong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, CAS, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - Gao-Yi Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, PR China
| | - Zhenguo Xin
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, CAS, Beijing 100101, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Weishan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, CAS, Beijing 100101, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China.
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3
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Bi H, Zhao C, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Xue B, Li C, Wang S, Yang X, Li C, Qiu Z, Wang J, Shen Z. IVT cell-free biosensors for tetracycline and macrolide detection based on allosteric transcription factors (aTFs). ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2022; 14:4545-4554. [PMID: 36314439 DOI: 10.1039/d2ay01316a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the issue of food safety has received a lot of attention. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prescribes the antibiotic's maximum residue limit (MRL) in food production. The standard detection methods of antibiotics are liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), with complex operations and precision instruments. In this study, allosteric transcription factor (aTF)-based in vitro transcription (IVT) cell-free biosensors were developed for tetracyclines and macrolides with nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA). Characterization of binding and dissociation processes between aTF and DNA was carried out by BIAcore assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). BIAcore was innovatively used to directly observe the real-time process of binding and dissociation of aTF with DNA. The biosensors produce more fluorescence RNA when target antibiotics are added to the three-way junction dimeric Broccoli (3WJdB). Four tetracyclines and two macrolides were quantified in the 0.5-15 μM range, while erythromycin and clarithromycin were detected over a range of 0.1-15 μM. NASBA, commonly used for viral detection, was used to amplify 3WJdB RNA generated by IVT, which greatly increased the LOD for tetracyclines and macrolides to 0.01 μM. The use of biosensors in milk samples demonstrated their on-site detection performance. Overall, our proposed biosensors are simple, rapid, selective, and sensitive, with the potential for field application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaixiu Bi
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China.
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China.
| | - Chen Zhao
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China.
| | - Yongkang Zhang
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China.
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China.
| | - Bin Xue
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China.
| | - Chenyu Li
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China.
| | - Shang Wang
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China.
| | - Xiaobo Yang
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China.
| | - Chao Li
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China.
| | - Zhigang Qiu
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China.
| | - Jingfeng Wang
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China.
| | - Zhiqiang Shen
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China.
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene, Tianjin Institute of Environmental and Operational Medicine, Tianjin 300050, China.
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4
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Two-step förster resonance energy transfer amplification for ratiometric detection of pathogenic bacteria in food samples. Food Chem 2022; 404:134492. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.134492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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5
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Grazon C, Chern M, Lally P, Baer RC, Fan A, Lecommandoux S, Klapperich C, Dennis AM, Galagan JE, Grinstaff MW. The quantum dot vs. organic dye conundrum for ratiometric FRET-based biosensors: which one would you chose? Chem Sci 2022; 13:6715-6731. [PMID: 35756504 PMCID: PMC9172442 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc06921g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a widely used and ideal transduction modality for fluorescent based biosensors as it offers high signal to noise with a visibly detectable signal. While intense efforts are ongoing to improve the limit of detection and dynamic range of biosensors based on biomolecule optimization, the selection of and relative location of the dye remains understudied. Herein, we describe a combined experimental and computational study to systematically compare the nature of the dye, i.e., organic fluorophore (Cy5 or Texas Red) vs. inorganic nanoparticle (QD), and the position of the FRET donor or acceptor on the biomolecular components. Using a recently discovered transcription factor (TF)-deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) biosensor for progesterone, we examine four different biosensor configurations and report the quantum yield, lifetime, FRET efficiency, IC50, and limit of detection. Fitting the computational models to the empirical data identifies key molecular parameters driving sensor performance in each biosensor configuration. Finally, we provide a set of design parameters to enable one to select the fluorophore system for future intermolecular biosensors using FRET-based conformational regulation in in vitro assays and new diagnostic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Grazon
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University Boston MA 02215 USA .,University Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629 F-33600 Pessac France .,University Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, ISM, UMR 5255 F-33400 Talence France
| | - Margaret Chern
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Boston University Boston MA 02215 USA
| | - Patrick Lally
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University Boston MA 02215 USA
| | - R. C. Baer
- Department of Microbiology, Boston UniversityBostonMA 02118USA,National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston UniversityBostonMA 02118USA
| | - Andy Fan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University Boston MA 02215 USA
| | | | | | - Allison M. Dennis
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Boston UniversityBostonMA 02215USA,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston UniversityBostonMA 02215USA
| | - James E. Galagan
- Department of Microbiology, Boston UniversityBostonMA 02118USA,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston UniversityBostonMA 02215USA,National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston UniversityBostonMA 02118USA
| | - Mark W. Grinstaff
- Department of Chemistry, Boston UniversityBostonMA 02215USA,Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Boston UniversityBostonMA 02215USA,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston UniversityBostonMA 02215USA
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6
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Ratiometric detection of transcription factor based on Europium(III) complex-doped silicon nanoparticles and a G-quadruplex-selective Iridium(III) complex. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1209:339855. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.339855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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7
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Zamani M, Dupaty J, Baer RC, Kuzmanovic U, Fan A, Grinstaff MW, Galagan JE, Klapperich CM. Paper-Based Progesterone Sensor Using an Allosteric Transcription Factor. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:5804-5808. [PMID: 35224340 PMCID: PMC8867790 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c05737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Progesterone monitoring is an essential component of in vitro fertilization treatments and reproductive management of dairy cows. Gold-standard biosensors for progesterone monitoring rely on antibodies, which are expensive and difficult to procure. We have developed an alternative transcription factor-based sensor that is superior to conventional progesterone biosensors. Here, we incorporate this transcription factor-based progesterone sensor into an affordable, portable paperfluidic format to facilitate widespread implementation of progesterone monitoring at the point of care. Oligonucleotides labeled with a fluorescent dye are immobilized onto nitrocellulose via a biotin-streptavidin interaction. In the absence of progesterone, these oligonucleotides form a complex with a transcription factor that is fluorescently labeled with tdTomato. In the presence of progesterone, the fluorescent transcription factor unbinds from the immobilized DNA, resulting in a decrease in tdTomato fluorescence. The limit of detection of our system is 27 nm, which is a clinically relevant level of progesterone. We demonstrate that transcription factor-based sensors can be incorporated into paperfluidic devices, thereby making them accessible to a broader population due to the portability and affordability of paper-based devices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Josh Dupaty
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | | | - Uros Kuzmanovic
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Andy Fan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Mark W. Grinstaff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - James E. Galagan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Catherine M. Klapperich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
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8
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Rodríguez-Serrano AF, Hsing IM. Allosteric Regulation of DNA Circuits Enables Minimal and Rapid Biosensors of Small Molecules. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:371-378. [PMID: 33481567 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.0c00545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Detection of environmental pollutants is crucial to safeguard ecological and public health. Here, we report a modular biosensing approach for the detection of contaminants based on the regulation of a minimal DNA signal amplifier and transducer circuit by allosteric transcription factors and their cognate ligands. We leverage the competition between allosteric proteins and an endonuclease to modulate cascade toehold-mediated strand displacement reactions, which are triggered in the presence of specific effectors and sustained by the endonuclease. We built two optical biosensors for the detection of tetracyclines and macrolides in water using repressors TetR and MphR, respectively. We demonstrate that our minimal, fast, and single-step biosensors can successfully detect antibiotics in nanomolar levels and apply them to report the presence of spiked-in antibiotics in water samples in a matter of minutes, suggesting great potential for monitoring of water contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan F. Rodríguez-Serrano
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - I-Ming Hsing
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
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9
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Transcription factor-based biosensors: a molecular-guided approach for natural product engineering. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2021; 69:172-181. [PMID: 33493842 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2021.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Natural products and their derivatives offer a rich source of chemical and biological diversity; however, traditional engineering of their biosynthetic pathways to improve yields and access to unnatural derivatives requires a precise understanding of their enzymatic processes. High-throughput screening platforms based on allosteric transcription-factor based biosensors can be leveraged to overcome the screening bottleneck to enable searching through large libraries of pathway/strain variants. Herein, the development and application of engineered allosteric transcription factor-based biosensors is described that enable optimization of precursor availability, product titers, and downstream product tailoring for advancing the natural product bioeconomy. We discuss recent successes for tailoring biosensor design, including computationally-based approaches, and present our future outlook with the integration of cell-free technologies and de novo protein design for rapidly generating biosensor tools.
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10
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Chen M, Grazon C, Sensharma P, Nguyen TT, Feng Y, Chern M, Baer RC, Varongchayakul N, Cook K, Lecommandoux S, Klapperich CM, Galagan JE, Dennis AM, Grinstaff MW. Hydrogel-Embedded Quantum Dot-Transcription Factor Sensors for Quantitative Progesterone Detection. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:43513-43521. [PMID: 32893612 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c13489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Immobilization of biosensors in or on a functional material is critical for subsequent device development and translation to wearable technology. Here, we present the development and assessment of an immobilized quantum dot-transcription factor-nucleic acid complex for progesterone detection as a first step toward such device integration. The sensor, composed of a polyhistidine-tagged transcription factor linked to a quantum dot and a fluorophore-modified cognate DNA, is embedded within a hydrogel as an immobilization matrix. The hydrogel is optically transparent, soft, and flexible as well as traps the quantum dot-transcription factor DNA assembly but allows free passage of the analyte, progesterone. Upon progesterone exposure, DNA dissociates from the quantum dot-transcription factor DNA assembly resulting in an attenuated ratiometric fluorescence output via Förster resonance energy transfer. The sensor performs in a dose-dependent manner with a limit of detection of 55 nM. Repeated analyte measurements are similarly successful. Our approach combines a systematically characterized hydrogel as an immobilization matrix and a transcription factor-DNA assembly as a recognition/transduction element, offering a promising framework for future biosensor devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingfu Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Chloé Grazon
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, Univ. Bordeaux, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Prerana Sensharma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Thuy T Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Yunpeng Feng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Margaret Chern
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - R C Baer
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, United States
| | - Nitinun Varongchayakul
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Katherine Cook
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | | | - Catherine M Klapperich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - James E Galagan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, United States
| | - Allison M Dennis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Mark W Grinstaff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
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11
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Chern M, Garden PM, Baer RC, Galagan JE, Dennis AM. Transcription Factor Based Small‐Molecule Sensing with a Rapid Cell Phone Enabled Fluorescent Bead Assay. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202007575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Chern
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering Boston University Boston MA USA
| | - Padric M. Garden
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Boston University Boston MA USA
| | - R C. Baer
- Department of Microbiology Boston University Boston MA USA
| | - James E. Galagan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Boston University Boston MA USA
- Department of Microbiology Boston University Boston MA USA
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories Boston University Boston MA USA
| | - Allison M. Dennis
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering Boston University Boston MA USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Boston University Boston MA USA
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12
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Chern M, Garden PM, Baer RC, Galagan JE, Dennis AM. Transcription Factor Based Small-Molecule Sensing with a Rapid Cell Phone Enabled Fluorescent Bead Assay. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:21597-21602. [PMID: 32945589 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202007575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Recently, allosteric transcription factors (TFs) were identified as a novel class of biorecognition elements for in vitro sensing, whereby an indicator of the differential binding affinity between a TF and its cognate DNA exhibits dose-dependent responsivity to an analyte. Described is a modular bead-based biosensor design that can be applied to such TF-DNA-analyte systems. DNA-functionalized beads enable efficient mixing and spatial separation, while TF-labeled semiconductor quantum dots serve as bright fluorescent indicators of the TF-DNA bound (on bead) and unbound states. The prototype sensor for derivatives of the antibiotic tetracycline exhibits nanomolar sensitivity with visual detection of bead fluorescence. Facile changes to the sensor enable sensor response tuning without necessitating changes to the biomolecular affinities. Assay components self-assemble, and readout by eye or digital camera is possible within 5 minutes of analyte addition, making sensor use facile, rapid, and instrument-free.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Chern
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Padric M Garden
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - R C Baer
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James E Galagan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Microbiology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.,National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Allison M Dennis
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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13
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Chen M, Nguyen TT, Varongchayakul N, Grazon C, Chern M, Baer RC, Lecommandoux S, Klapperich CM, Galagan JE, Dennis AM, Grinstaff MW. Surface Immobilized Nucleic Acid-Transcription Factor Quantum Dots for Biosensing. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e2000403. [PMID: 32691962 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202000403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Immobilization of biosensors on surfaces is a key step toward development of devices for real-world applications. Here the preparation, characterization, and evaluation of a surface-bound transcription factor-nucleic acid complex for analyte detection as an alternative to conventional systems employing aptamers or antibodies are described. The sensor consists of a gold surface modified with thiolated Cy5 fluorophore-labeled DNA and an allosteric transcription factor (TetR) linked to a quantum dot (QD). Upon addition of anhydrotetracycline (aTc)-the analyte-the TetR-QDs release from the surface-bound DNA, resulting in loss of the Förster resonance energy transfer signal. The sensor responds in a dose-dependent manner over the relevant range of 0-200 µm aTc with a limit of detection of 80 nm. The fabrication of the sensor and the subsequent real-time quantitative measurements establish a framework for the design of future surface-bound, affinity-based biosensors using allosteric transcription factors for molecular recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingfu Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Boston University Boston MA 02215 USA
| | - Thuy T. Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Boston University Boston MA 02215 USA
| | | | - Chloé Grazon
- Department of Chemistry Boston University Boston MA 02215 USA
- CNRS Bordeaux INP LCPO UMR 5629 Univ. Bordeaux Pessac F‐33600 France
| | - Margaret Chern
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering Boston University Boston MA 02215 USA
| | - R. C. Baer
- Department of Microbiology Boston University Boston MA 02118 USA
| | | | - Catherine M. Klapperich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Boston University Boston MA 02215 USA
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering Boston University Boston MA 02215 USA
| | - James E. Galagan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Boston University Boston MA 02215 USA
- Department of Microbiology Boston University Boston MA 02118 USA
| | - Allison M. Dennis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Boston University Boston MA 02215 USA
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering Boston University Boston MA 02215 USA
| | - Mark W. Grinstaff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Boston University Boston MA 02215 USA
- Department of Chemistry Boston University Boston MA 02215 USA
- Division of Materials Science and Engineering Boston University Boston MA 02215 USA
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