Facile conversion of ATP-binding RNA aptamer to quencher-free molecular aptamer beacon

Highly sensitive and stable fluorescent aptasensor based on an exonuclease III-assisted amplification strategy for ATP detection

Fluctuations in intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration are closely associated with some cancer diseases. Thus, it is a worthwhile undertaking to predict sickness by monitoring changes in ATP levels. However, the detection limits of current fluorescent aptamer sensors for ATP detection are in the range of nmol L^-1 to μmol L^-1. It has become crucial to employ amplification strategies to increase the sensitivity of fluorescent aptamer sensors. In the current paper, a duplex hybrid aptamer probe was developed based on exonuclease III (Exo III)-catalyzed target recycling amplification for ATP detection. The target ATP forced the duplex probe configuration to change into a molecular beacon that can be hydrolyzed with Exo III to achieve the target ATP cycling to amplify the fluorescence signal. Significantly, many researchers ignore that FAM is a pH-sensitive fluorophore, leading to the fluorescence instability of FAM-modified probes in different pH buffers. The negatively charged ions on the surface of AuNPs were replaced by new ligands bis(p-sulfonatophenyl)phenylphosphine dihydrate dipotassium salt (BSPP) to improve the drawback of FAM instability in alkaline solutions in this work. The aptamer probe was designed to eliminate the interference of other similar small molecules, showing specific selectivity and providing ultra-sensitive detection of ATP with detection limits (3σ) as low as 3.35 nM. Such detection limit exhibited about 4-500-fold better than that of the other amplification strategies for ATP detection. Thus, a relatively general high sensitivity detection system can be established according to the wide target adaptability of aptamers, which can form specific binding with different types of targets.

DNA Aptamer Beacon Probe (ABP) for Monitoring of Adenosine Triphosphate Level in SW480 Cancer Cells Treated with Glycolysis Inhibitor 2-Deoxyglucose

Early cancer screening enables timely detection of carcinogenesis, and aids in prompt clinical intervention. Herein, we report on the development of a simple, sensitive, and rapid fluorometric assay based on the aptamer probe (aptamer beacon probe, ABP) for monitoring the energy-demand biomarker adenosine triphosphate (ATP), an essential energy source that is released into the tumor microenvironment. Its level plays a significant role in risk assessment of malignancies. The operation of the ABP for ATP was examined using solutions of ATP and other nucleotides (UTP, GTP, CTP), followed by monitoring of ATP production in SW480 cancer cells. Then, the effect of a glycolysis inhibitor, 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG), on SW480 cells was investigated. The stability of predominant ABP conformations in the temperature range of 23-91 °C and the effects of temperature on ABP interactions with ATP, UTP, GTP, and CTP were evaluated based on quenching efficiencies (QE) and Stern-Volmer constants (K_SV). The optimized temperature for best selectivity of ABP toward ATP was 40 °C (K_SV = 1093 M^-1, QE = 42%). We have found that the inhibition of glycolysis in SW480 cancer cells by 2-deoxyglucose resulted in lowering of ATP production by 31.7%. Therefore, monitoring and modulation of ATP concentration may aid in future cancer treatment.

An electrochemical aptasensor based on P-Ce-MOF@MWCNTs as signal amplification strategy for highly sensitive detection of zearalenone

In this research, a signal-off electrochemical aptasensor with high sensitivity was constructed for trace detection of zearalenone (ZEN). Specifically, Ce-based metal-organic framework and multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite was functionalized with polyethyleneimine (P-Ce-MOF@MWCNTs) and served as sensing platform for its high surface area and excellent electrochemical active. Subsequently, toluidine blue (TB) was electrodeposited as the signal probe, and platinum@gold nanoparticles (Pt@Au) were dropped for the attachment of aptamer (ZEA). In the presence of ZEN, the ZEA would specifically recognize and combine with the target, causing a decrease of electrochemical signal from TB. Under the optimal conditions, the aptasensor exhibited good linear relationship for ZEN in a concentration range from 5.0 × 10^-5 to 50.0 ng/mL, while the limit of detection (LOD, S/N = 3) and limit of quantitation (LOQ, S/N = 10) were 1.0 × 10^-5 ng/mL and 2.9 × 10^-5 ng/mL, respectively. Ultimately, the aptasensor was successfully applied into ZEN detection in semen coicis real samples.

Nucleic Acid Aptamer: A Novel Potential Diagnostic and Therapeutic Tool for Leukemia

Leukemia immunotherapy has been dominant via using synthetic antibodies to target cluster of differentiation (CD) molecules, nevertheless inevitable cytotoxicity and immunogenicity would limit its development. Recently, increasing reports have focused on nucleic acid aptamers, a class of high-affinity nucleic acid ligands. Aptamers purportedly serve as “chemical antibodies”, have negligible cytotoxicity and low immunogenicity, and would be widely applied for the therapy and diagnosis of various diseases, especially leukemia. In the preclinical applications, nucleic acid aptamers have displayed the augmented specificity and selectivity via recognizing targets on leukemia cells based on unique three-dimensional conformations. As small molecules with nucleic acid characteristics, aptamers need to be chemically modified to resist nuclease degradation, renal clearance and improve binding affinities. Moreover, aptamers can be linked with neoteric detection techniques to enhance sensitivity and selectivity of diagnosis and therapy. In this review, we summarized aptamers’ preparation, chemical modification and conjugation, and discussed the application of aptamers in diagnosis and treatment of leukemia through highly specifically recognizing target molecules. Significantly, the application prospect of aptamers in fusion genes would be introduced.

A fluorescent methylation-switchable probe for highly sensitive analysis of FTO N 6-methyladenosine demethylase activity in cells

N 6-Methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most abundant epigenetic modifications on mRNA. It is dynamically regulated by the m6A demethylases FTO and ALKBH5, which are currently attracting intense medical interest because of their strong association with several human diseases. Despite their clinical significance, the molecular mechanisms of m6A demethylases remain unclear, hence there is tremendous interest in developing analytical tools to facilitate their functional studies, with a longer term view of validating their therapeutic potentials. To date, no method exists which permits the analysis of m6A-demethylase activity in cells. To overcome this challenge, herein, we describe the first example of a fluorescent m6A-switchable oligonucleotide probe, which enables the direct detection of FTO demethylase activity both in vitro and in living cells. The m6A probe provides a simple, yet powerful visual tool for highly sensitive detection of demethylase activity. Through the use of m6A-probe, we were able to achieve real-time imaging and single-cell flow cytometry analyses of FTO activity in HepG2 cells. We also successfully applied the probe to monitor dynamic changes in FTO activity and m6A methylation levels during 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte differentiation. The strategy outlined here is highly versatile and may, in principle, be adapted to the study of a range of RNA demethylases and, more widely, other RNA modifying enzymes. To the best of our knowledge, the present study represents not only the first assay for monitoring FTO activity in living cells, but also a new strategy for sensing m6A methylation dynamics.