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Mereuta L, Bhatti H, Asandei A, Cimpanu A, Ying YL, Long YT, Luchian T. Controlling DNA Fragments Translocation across Nanopores with the Synergic Use of Site-Directed Mutagenesis, pH-Dependent Charge Tuning, and Electroosmotic Flow. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024. [PMID: 39038810 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c03848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Biological and solid-state nanopores are at the core of transformative techniques and nanodevices, democratizing the examination of matter and biochemical reactions at the single-molecule level, with low cost, portability, and simplicity in operation. One of the crucial hurdles in such endeavors is the fast analyte translocation, which limits characterization, and a rich number of strategies have been explored over the years to overcome this. Here, by site-directed mutagenesis on the α-hemolysin protein nanopore (α-HL), sought to replace selected amino acids with glycine, electrostatic binding sites were induced on the nanopore's vestibule and constriction region and achieved in the most favorable case a 20-fold increase in the translocation time of short single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) at neutral pH, with respect to the wild-type (WT) nanopore. We demonstrated an efficient tool of controlling the ssDNA translocation time, via the interplay between the nanopore-ssDNA surface electrostatic interactions and electroosmotic flow, all mediated by the pH-dependent ionization of amino acids lining the nanopore's translocation pathway. Our data also reveal the nonmonotonic, pH-induced alteration of ssDNA average translocation time. Unlike mildly acidic conditions (pH ∼ 4.7), at a pH ∼ 2.8 maintained symmetrically or asymmetrically across the WT α-HL, we evidenced the manifestation of a dominant electroosmotic flow, determining the speeding up of the ssDNA translocation across the nanopore by counteracting the ssDNA-nanopore attractive electrostatic interactions. We envision potential applications of the presented approach by enabling easy-to-use, real-time detection of short ssDNA sequences, without the need for complex biochemical modifications to the nanopore to mitigate the fast translocation of such sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loredana Mereuta
- Department of Physics, Alexandru I. Cuza University, 700506 Iasi, Romania
| | - Huma Bhatti
- Molecular Sensing and Imaging Center, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Alina Asandei
- Interdisciplinary Research Institute, Sciences Department, Alexandru I. Cuza University, 700506 Iasi, Romania
| | - Adina Cimpanu
- Department of Physics, Alexandru I. Cuza University, 700506 Iasi, Romania
| | - Yi-Lun Ying
- Molecular Sensing and Imaging Center, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Tao Long
- Molecular Sensing and Imaging Center, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Tudor Luchian
- Department of Physics, Alexandru I. Cuza University, 700506 Iasi, Romania
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Wang J, Zhou H, Liang R, Qin W. Chronopotentiometric Nanopore Sensor Based on a Stimulus-Responsive Molecularly Imprinted Polymer for Label-Free Dual-Biomarker Detection. Anal Chem 2024; 96:9370-9378. [PMID: 38683892 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c05817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
The development of sensors for detection of biomarkers exhibits an exciting potential in diagnosis of diseases. Herein, we propose a novel electrochemical sensing strategy for label-free dual-biomarker detection, which is based on the combination of stimulus-responsive molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-modified nanopores and a polymeric membrane chronopotentiometric sensor. The ion fluxes galvanostatically imposed on the sensing membrane surface can be blocked by the recognition reaction between the target biomarker in the sample solution and the stimulus-responsive MIP receptor in the nanopores, thus causing a potential change. By using two external stimuli (i.e., pH and temperature), the recognition abilities of the stimulus-responsive MIP receptor can be effectively modulated so that dual-biomarker label-free chronopotentiometric detection can be achieved. Using alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) as model biomarkers, the proposed sensor offers detection limits of 0.17 and 0.42 ng/mL for AFP and PSA, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhao Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research (YIC), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); Shandong Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes, YICCAS, Yantai, Shandong 264003, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Huihui Zhou
- The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, Shandong 264099, China
| | - Rongning Liang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research (YIC), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); Shandong Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes, YICCAS, Yantai, Shandong 264003, China
| | - Wei Qin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research (YIC), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); Shandong Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes, YICCAS, Yantai, Shandong 264003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
- Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, China
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Yao G, Ke W, Xia B, Gao Z. Nanopore-based glycan sequencing: state of the art and future prospects. Chem Sci 2024; 15:6229-6243. [PMID: 38699252 PMCID: PMC11062086 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc01466a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Sequencing of biomacromolecules is a crucial cornerstone in life sciences. Glycans, one of the fundamental biomolecules, derive their physiological and pathological functions from their structures. Glycan sequencing faces challenges due to its structural complexity and current detection technology limitations. As a highly sensitive sensor, nanopores can directly convert nucleic acid sequence information into electrical signals, spearheading the revolution of third-generation nucleic acid sequencing technologies. However, their potential for deciphering complex glycans remains untapped. Initial attempts demonstrated the significant sensitivity of nanopores in glycan sensing, which provided the theoretical basis and insights for the realization of nanopore-based glycan sequencing. Here, we present three potential technical routes to employ nanopore technology in glycan sequencing for the first time. The three novel technical routes include: strand sequencing, capturing glycan chains as they translocate through nanopores; sequential hydrolysis sequencing, capturing released monosaccharides one by one; splicing sequencing, mapping signals from hydrolyzed glycan fragments to an oligosaccharide database/library. Designing suitable nanopores, enzymes, and motors, and extracting characteristic signals pose major challenges, potentially aided by artificial intelligence. It would be highly desirable to design an all-in-one high-throughput glycan sequencer instrument by integrating a sample processing unit, nanopore array, and signal acquisition system into a microfluidic device. The nanopore sequencer invention calls for intensive multidisciplinary cooperation including electrochemistry, glycochemistry, engineering, materials, enzymology, etc. Advancing glycan sequencing will promote the development of basic research and facilitate the discovery of glycan-based drugs and disease markers, fostering progress in glycoscience and even life sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangda Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences 201203 Shanghai China
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University 201210 Shanghai China
- Lingang Laboratory 200031 Shanghai China
| | - Wenjun Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences 201203 Shanghai China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences 100049 Beijing China
| | - Bingqing Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences 201203 Shanghai China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences 100049 Beijing China
| | - Zhaobing Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences 201203 Shanghai China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences 100049 Beijing China
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences 528400 Zhongshan China
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Zhang H, Jiang H, Liu X, Wang X. A review of innovative electrochemical strategies for bioactive molecule detection and cell imaging: Current advances and challenges. Anal Chim Acta 2024; 1285:341920. [PMID: 38057043 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Cellular heterogeneity poses a major challenge for tumor theranostics, requiring high-resolution intercellular bioanalysis strategies. Over the past decades, the advantages of electrochemical analysis, such as high sensitivity, good spatio-temporal resolution, and ease of use, have made it the preferred method to uncover cellular differences. To inspire more creative research, herein, we highlight seminal works in electrochemical techniques for biomolecule analysis and bioimaging. Specifically, micro/nano-electrode-based electrochemical techniques enable real-time quantitative analysis of electroactive substances relevant to life processes in the micro-nanostructure of cells and tissues. Nanopore-based technique plays a vital role in biosensing by utilizing nanoscale pores to achieve high-precision detection and analysis of biomolecules with exceptional sensitivity and single-molecule resolution. Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) technology is utilized for real-time monitoring of the behavior and features of individual cancer cells, enabling observation of their dynamic processes due to its capability of providing high-resolution and highly sensitive bioimaging of cells. Particularly, scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) and scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) which are widely used in real-time observation of cell surface biological processes and three-dimensional imaging of micro-nano structures, such as metabolic activity, ion channel activity, and cell morphology are introduced in this review. Furthermore, the expansion of the scope of cellular electrochemistry research by innovative functionalized electrodes and electrochemical imaging models and strategies to address future challenges and potential applications is also discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210096, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210096, China
| | - Xiaohui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210096, China.
| | - Xuemei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210096, China.
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Yin B, Tang P, Wang L, Xie W, Chen X, Wang Y, Weng T, Tian R, Zhou S, Wang Z, Wang D. An aptamer-assisted nanopore strategy with a salt gradient for direct protein sensing. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:11064-11072. [PMID: 37966856 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb01875j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Nanopore sensing is at the forefront of the technological revolution of the protein research field and has been widely used in molecular diagnosis and molecular dynamics, as well as for various sequencing applications. However, direct protein sensing with biological nanopores is still challenging owing to the large molecular size. Here, we propose an aptamer-assisted nanopore strategy for direct protein sensing and demonstrate its proof-of-concept utilities by experiments with SARS-Cov-2 nucleocapsid protein (NP), the most abundantly expressed viral protein, that is widely used in clinical diagnosis for COVID-19. NP binds with an oligonucleotide-tailed aptamer to form a protein-DNA complex which induces a discriminative two-level pattern of current blockades. We reveal the potential molecular interaction mechanism for the characteristic blockades and identify the salt gradient condition as the dominant factor of the phenomenon. Furthermore, we achieve a high sensitivity of 10 pM for NP detection within one hour and make a preliminary exploration on clinical diagnosis. This work promises a new platform for rapid and label-free protein detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohua Yin
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, 130022, Jilin, China.
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Multi-Scale Manufacturing Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Fangzheng Avenue, Beibei District, Chongqing, 400714, Chongqing, China.
| | - Peng Tang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Multi-Scale Manufacturing Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Fangzheng Avenue, Beibei District, Chongqing, 400714, Chongqing, China.
| | - Liang Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Multi-Scale Manufacturing Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Fangzheng Avenue, Beibei District, Chongqing, 400714, Chongqing, China.
| | - Wanyi Xie
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Multi-Scale Manufacturing Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Fangzheng Avenue, Beibei District, Chongqing, 400714, Chongqing, China.
| | - Xiaohan Chen
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Multi-Scale Manufacturing Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Fangzheng Avenue, Beibei District, Chongqing, 400714, Chongqing, China.
| | - Yunjiao Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Multi-Scale Manufacturing Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Fangzheng Avenue, Beibei District, Chongqing, 400714, Chongqing, China.
| | - Ting Weng
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Multi-Scale Manufacturing Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Fangzheng Avenue, Beibei District, Chongqing, 400714, Chongqing, China.
| | - Rong Tian
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Multi-Scale Manufacturing Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Fangzheng Avenue, Beibei District, Chongqing, 400714, Chongqing, China.
| | - Shuo Zhou
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Multi-Scale Manufacturing Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Fangzheng Avenue, Beibei District, Chongqing, 400714, Chongqing, China.
| | - Zuobin Wang
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, 130022, Jilin, China.
| | - Deqiang Wang
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, 130022, Jilin, China.
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Multi-Scale Manufacturing Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Fangzheng Avenue, Beibei District, Chongqing, 400714, Chongqing, China.
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Awasthi S, Ying C, Li J, Mayer M. Simultaneous Determination of the Size and Shape of Single α-Synuclein Oligomers in Solution. ACS NANO 2023. [PMID: 37327131 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c01393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Soluble oligomers of amyloid-forming proteins are implicated as toxic species in the context of several neurodegenerative diseases. Since the size and shape of these oligomers influence their toxicity, their biophysical characterization is essential for a better understanding of the structure-toxicity relationship. Amyloid oligomers are difficult to characterize by conventional approaches due to their heterogeneity in size and shape, their dynamic aggregation process, and their low abundance. This work demonstrates that resistive pulse measurements using polymer-coated solid-state nanopores enable single-particle-level characterization of the size and shape of individual αSyn oligomers in solution within minutes. A comparison of the resulting size distribution with single-particle analysis by transmission electron microscopy and mass photometry reveals good agreement with superior resolution by nanopore-based characterization. Moreover, nanopore-based analysis has the capability to combine rapid size analysis with an approximation of the oligomer shape. Applying this shape approximation to putatively toxic oligomeric species that range in size from 18 ± 7 aggregated monomers (10S) to 29 ± 10 aggregated monomers (15S) and in concentration from picomolar to nanomolar revealed oligomer shapes that agree well with previous estimates by cryo-EM with the added advantage that nanopore-based analysis occurs rapidly, in solution, and has the potential to become a widely accessible technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurabh Awasthi
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Cuifeng Ying
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Jiali Li
- University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, United States
| | - Michael Mayer
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
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