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Majdoub M, Sengottuvelu D, Nouranian S, Al-Ostaz A. Graphitic Carbon Nitride Quantum Dots (g-C 3N 4 QDs): From Chemistry to Applications. CHEMSUSCHEM 2024; 17:e202301462. [PMID: 38433108 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202301462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Since their emergence in 2014, graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots (g-C3N4 QDs) have attracted much interest from the scientific community due to their distinctive physicochemical features, including structural, morphological, electrochemical, and optoelectronic properties. Owing to their desirable characteristics, such as non-zero band gap, ability to be chemically functionalized or doped, possessing tunable properties, outstanding dispersibility in different media, and biocompatibility, g-C3N4 QDs have shown promise for photocatalysis, energy devices, sensing, bioimaging, solar cells, optoelectronics, among other applications. As these fields are rapidly evolving, it is very strenuous to pinpoint the emerging challenges of the g-C3N4 QDs development and application during the last decade, mainly due to the lack of critical reviews of the innovations in the g-C3N4 QDs synthesis pathways and domains of application. Herein, an extensive survey is conducted on the g-C3N4 QDs synthesis, characterization, and applications. Scenarios for the future development of g-C3N4 QDs and their potential applications are highlighted and discussed in detail. The provided critical section suggests a myriad of opportunities for g-C3N4 QDs, especially for their synthesis and functionalization, where a combination of eco-friendly/single step synthesis and chemical modification may be used to prepare g-C3N4 QDs with, for example, enhanced photoluminescence and production yields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Majdoub
- Center for Graphene Research and Innovation, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, United States
| | - Dineshkumar Sengottuvelu
- Center for Graphene Research and Innovation, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, United States
| | - Sasan Nouranian
- Center for Graphene Research and Innovation, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, United States
| | - Ahmed Al-Ostaz
- Center for Graphene Research and Innovation, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, United States
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, United States
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2
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Shen Q, Song G, Lin H, Bai H, Huang Y, Lv F, Wang S. Sensing, Imaging, and Therapeutic Strategies Endowing by Conjugate Polymers for Precision Medicine. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2310032. [PMID: 38316396 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202310032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Conjugated polymers (CPs) have promising applications in biomedical fields, such as disease monitoring, real-time imaging diagnosis, and disease treatment. As a promising luminescent material with tunable emission, high brightness and excellent stability, CPs are widely used as fluorescent probes in biological detection and imaging. Rational molecular design and structural optimization have broadened absorption/emission range of CPs, which are more conductive for disease diagnosis and precision therapy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the application of CPs, aiming to elucidate their structural and functional relationships. The fluorescence properties of CPs and the mechanism of detection signal amplification are first discussed, followed by an elucidation of their emerging applications in biological detection. Subsequently, CPs-based imaging systems and therapeutic strategies are illustrated systematically. Finally, recent advancements in utilizing CPs as electroactive materials for bioelectronic devices are also investigated. Moreover, the challenges and outlooks of CPs for precision medicine are discussed. Through this systematic review, it is hoped to highlight the frontier progress of CPs and promote new breakthroughs in fundamental research and clinical transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Shen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Gang Song
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Hongrui Lin
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Haotian Bai
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Yiming Huang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Fengting Lv
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Shu Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
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Lv H, Duan X, Han Z, Yu H, Liu B. Quencher-free fluorescent assays by controlled DNA partitioning in the aqueous two-phase system with crowding-enhanced kinetics. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 246:115864. [PMID: 38039730 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115864] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescent DNA assays are promising in disease diagnosis, environmental monitoring, and drug screening, encompassing both heterogeneous and homogeneous assay types. Nevertheless, heterogeneous assays suffer from tedious washing steps and slow reaction kinetics, whereas homogenous assays require well-designed fluorophore pairs to modulate signal off/on. Herein, we developed a cost-effective and efficient quencher-free fluorescent DNA assay using an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS). Using a strand-displacement reaction, we showed that similar sensing performance could be achieved at a much lower cost. Furthermore, the unique crowding environment in ATPS accelerated strand-displacement reactions by up to six-fold and reduced DNA amplification time from 120 min to 30 min. Our assay demonstrated robust sensing in serum environments and successful detection of miRNA extracted from cells. This innovative assay format has the potential for biosensor development with both heterogeneous readout and rapid reaction kinetics in various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyue Lv
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Instrument for Life Science, The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, PR China
| | - Xiaoman Duan
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Instrument for Life Science, The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, PR China
| | - Zhaoyu Han
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Instrument for Life Science, The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, PR China
| | - Haozhen Yu
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Instrument for Life Science, The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, PR China
| | - Biwu Liu
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Instrument for Life Science, The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, PR China.
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4
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Pataer P, Gao K, Zhang P, Li Z. Ultrasensitive and visual detection of genetically modified crops using two primers-induced cascade exponential amplification assay. Talanta 2024; 268:125282. [PMID: 37913599 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.125282] [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: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The increased global cultivation area of genetically modified (GM) crops has caused severe controversies over potential health and environmental risks worldwide. There is an urgent need to verify even trace amount of a particular GM material in products. Herein, a two primers-induced cascade exponential amplification reaction combined with cationic conjugated polymers (CCPs)-based visual detection method is developed for rapid and ultrasensitive detection of GM crops. This method only uses two primers to specifically recognize the four regions of the target gene, which is easier for primer design and probably more suitable for the detection of shorter targets. By integrating the two exponential amplification reactions, as low as 5 pg genomic DNA from GM maize can be accurately detected, which is more sensitive than the single amplification-based methods. Taking advantage of the efficient fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between CCPs and the commercial fluorescent dye SYBR Green I (SG), our method can differentiate as low as 0.01 % GM maize from a large amount of non-GM maize, which is the most accurate method so far. By changing the two primers according to target gene, our method can be modified to the detection of any other GM materials, indicating that our method is promising to be applied in other GM materials-related testing and screening system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parezhati Pataer
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Kejian Gao
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Pengbo Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Zhengping Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China.
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Mohammadi F, Zahraee H, Izadpanah Kazemi M, Habibi ZS, Taghdisi SM, Abnous K, Khoshbin Z, Chen CH. Recent advances in aptamer-based platforms for cortisol hormone monitoring. Talanta 2024; 266:125010. [PMID: 37541008 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.125010] [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: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
The stressful conditions of today-life make it urgent the timely prevention and treatment of many physiological and psychological disorders related to stress. According to the significant progress made in the near future, rapid, accurate, and on-spot measurement of cortisol hormone as a dominant stress biomarker using miniaturized digital devices is not far from expected. With a special potency in the fields of diagnosis and healthcare monitoring, aptamer-mediated biosensors (aptasensors) are promising for the quantitative monitoring of cortisol levels in the different matrices (sweat, saliva, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, blood serum, etc.). Accordingly, this in-depth study reviews the superior achievements in the aptasensing strategies to detect cortisol hormone with the synergism of diverse two/three dimensional nanostructured materials, enzymatic amplification components, and antibody motifs. The represented discussions offer a universal perspective to achieve lab-on-chip aptasensing arrays as future user-friendly skin-patchable electronic gadgets for on-site and real-time quantification of cortisol levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Mohammadi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran; Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hamed Zahraee
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran; Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Zahra Sadat Habibi
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Taghdisi
- Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Khalil Abnous
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Zahra Khoshbin
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Chih-Hsin Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Tamkang University, New Taipei City, 25137, Taiwan.
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Yu H, Zhao Q. Profiling Additional Effects of Aptamer Fluorophore Modification on Microscale Thermophoresis Characterization of Aptamer-Target Binding. Anal Chem 2023; 95:17011-17019. [PMID: 37946406 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c03603] [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: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Aptamers are promising affinity ligands with considerable applications, such as biosensors, disease diagnosis, therapy, etc. Characterization of aptamer-target binding is important in aptamer selection and aptamer applications. Microscale thermophoresis (MST) is an emerging optical technique for molecular interactions, which monitors fluorescence responses of fluorescent molecules in a microscopic temperature gradient. Harnessing merits in trace sample consumption, high speed, free separation, free immobilization, and ratiometric analysis, MST draws intense wide attention. MST is often applied for aptamer-target binding studies using fluorescently labeled aptamers. However, the MST signal is strongly dependent on fluorophore modifications at aptamers, which brings additional challenges and effects for MST analyzing aptamer affinity. Here, we systematically explored effects of fluorophore modifications (e.g., fluorophore types, fluorophore positions, etc.) of aptamer probes on MST characterizing aptamer-target interactions and identified gaps of MST analysis in aptamer affinity determination, taking aptamers against cadmium ions and aflatoxin B1 as two representatives. The same aptamers with different fluorophore modifications showed distinct MST signals in response magnitudes and signs as well as determined affinities, and some of them failed to respond to target binding and gave false affinity information in MST. A competitive MST method can be used to extract the affinity of unmodified aptamers, excluding effects of fluorophore modification. This work highlights that appropriate fluorophore modification is crucial in MST analysis of aptamer affinity, and caution is needed in MST applications, providing a basis for rational design of the MST method for the reliable molecular interaction study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China
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Chang T, Li G, Chang D, Amini R, Zhu X, Zhao T, Gu J, Li Z, Li Y. An RNA-Cleaving DNAzyme That Requires an Organic Solvent to Function. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202310941. [PMID: 37648674 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202310941] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Engineering functional nucleic acids that are active under unusual conditions will not only reveal their hidden abilities but also lay the groundwork for pursuing them for unique applications. Although many DNAzymes have been derived to catalyze diverse chemical reactions in aqueous solutions, no prior study has been set up to purposely derive DNAzymes that require an organic solvent to function. Herein, we utilized in vitro selection to isolate RNA-cleaving DNAzymes from a random-sequence DNA pool that were "compelled" to accept 35 % dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a cosolvent, via counter selection in a purely aqueous solution followed by positive selection in the same solution containing 35 % DMSO. This experiment led to the discovery of a new DNAzyme that requires 35 % DMSO for its catalytic activity and exhibits drastically reduced activity without DMSO. This DNAzyme also requires divalent metal ions for catalysis, and its activity is enhanced by monovalent ions. A minimized, more efficient DNAzyme was also derived. This work demonstrates that highly functional, organic solvent-dependent DNAzymes can be isolated from random-sequence DNA libraries via forced in vitro selection, thus expanding the capability and potential utility of catalytic DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianjun Chang
- School of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, 454000, China
| | - Guangping Li
- School of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, 454000, China
| | - Dingran Chang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Ryan Amini
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Xiaoni Zhu
- School of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, 454000, China
| | - Tongqian Zhao
- School of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, 454000, China
| | - Jimmy Gu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Zhongping Li
- Institute of Environmental Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
| | - Yingfu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada
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Kara N, Ayoub N, Ilgu H, Fotiadis D, Ilgu M. Aptamers Targeting Membrane Proteins for Sensor and Diagnostic Applications. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28093728. [PMID: 37175137 PMCID: PMC10180177 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28093728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Many biological processes (physiological or pathological) are relevant to membrane proteins (MPs), which account for almost 30% of the total of human proteins. As such, MPs can serve as predictive molecular biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognosis. Indeed, cell surface MPs are an important class of attractive targets of the currently prescribed therapeutic drugs and diagnostic molecules used in disease detection. The oligonucleotides known as aptamers can be selected against a particular target with high affinity and selectivity by iterative rounds of in vitro library evolution, known as Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential Enrichment (SELEX). As an alternative to antibodies, aptamers offer unique features like thermal stability, low-cost, reuse, ease of chemical modification, and compatibility with various detection techniques. Particularly, immobilized-aptamer sensing platforms have been under investigation for diagnostics and have demonstrated significant value compared to other analytical techniques. These "aptasensors" can be classified into several types based on their working principle, which are commonly electrochemical, optical, or mass-sensitive. In this review, we review the studies on aptamer-based MP-sensing technologies for diagnostic applications and have included new methodological variations undertaken in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilufer Kara
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara 06800, Turkey
| | - Nooraldeen Ayoub
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara 06800, Turkey
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Huseyin Ilgu
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dimitrios Fotiadis
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Muslum Ilgu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara 06800, Turkey
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Aptalogic Inc., Ames, IA 50014, USA
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Lin Y, Li Y, Chang H, Ye S, Ye Y, Yang L, Liao L, Dai H, Wei Z, Deng Y, Zhang J, Zheng C. Rapid Testing of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Its Metabolite On-Site Using a Label-Free Ratiometric Fluorescence Assay on a Smartphone. Anal Chem 2023; 95:7363-7371. [PMID: 37127404 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c00666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Excessive consumption of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) severely endangers human health and has raised public safety concerns. However, its quantification by readily rapid tools with simplicity and low cost is still challenging. Herein, we found that a G-rich THC aptamer (THC1.2) can tightly bind to thioflavin T (ThT) with strong fluorescence, which would be specifically quenched in the presence of THC. Based on that, a label-free ratiometric fluorescent sensor for the sensing of THC and its metabolite (THC-COOH) based on THC1.2/ThT as a color emitter and red CdTe quantum dots as reference fluorescence was constructed. Notably, a transition of the fluorescent color of the ratiometric probe from green to red can be instantly observed upon the increased concentration of THC and THC-COOH. Furthermore, a portable smartphone-based fluorescence device integrated with a self-programmed Python program was fabricated and used to accomplish on-site monitoring of THC and THC-COOH within 5 min. Under optimized conditions, this ratiometric fluorescent sensor allowed for an instant response toward THC and its metabolite with considerable limits of detection of 97 and 254 nM, respectively. The established sensor has been successfully applied to urine and saliva samples and exhibited satisfactory recoveries (88-116%). This ratiometric fluorescent sensor can be used for the simultaneous detection of THC and THC-COOH with the advantages of rapidness, low cost, ease of operation, and portability, providing a promising strategy for on-site detection and facilitating law enforcement regulation and roadside control of THC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Lin
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yuyang Li
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Hongqi Chang
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Simin Ye
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry & Technology of MOE, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, China
| | - Yi Ye
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Lin Yang
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Linchuan Liao
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Hao Dai
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Zeliang Wei
- Core Facilities of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yurong Deng
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry & Technology of MOE, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, China
| | - Jinyi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry & Technology of MOE, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, China
| | - Chengbin Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry & Technology of MOE, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, China
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Zhang H, Li AZ, Liu J. Surfactant-Assisted Label-Free Fluorescent Aptamer Biosensors and Binding Assays. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:bios13040434. [PMID: 37185509 PMCID: PMC10135756 DOI: 10.3390/bios13040434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Using DNA staining dyes such as SYBR Green I (SGI) and thioflavin T (ThT) to perform label-free detection of aptamer binding has been performed for a long time for both binding assays and biosensor development. Since these dyes are cationic, they can also adsorb to the wall of reaction vessels leading to unstable signals and even false interpretations of the results. In this work, the stability of the signal was first evaluated using ThT and the classic adenosine aptamer. In a polystyrene microplate, a drop in fluorescence was observed even when non-binding targets or water were added, whereas a more stable signal was achieved in a quartz cuvette. Equilibrating the system can also improve signal stability. In addition, a few polymers and surfactants were also screened, and 0.01% Triton X-100 was found to have the best protection effect against fluorescence signal decrease due to dye adsorption. Three aptamers for Hg2+, adenosine, and cortisol were tested for their sensitivity and signal stability in the absence and presence of Triton X-100. In each case, the sensitivity was similar, whereas the signal stability was better for the surfactant. This study indicates that careful control experiments need to be designed to ensure reliable results and that the reliability can be improved by using Triton X-100 and a long equilibration time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanxiao Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Albert Zehan Li
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Juewen Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
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Zhang P, Zandieh M, Ding Y, Wu L, Wang X, Liu J, Li Z. A Label-Free, Mix-and-Detect ssDNA-Binding Assay Based on Cationic Conjugated Polymers. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:bios13010122. [PMID: 36671957 PMCID: PMC9855919 DOI: 10.3390/bios13010122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The accurate, simple, and efficient measurement of the concentration of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) is important for many analytical applications, such as DNA adsorption, biosensor design, and disease diagnosis, but it is still a challenge. Herein, we studied a cationic conjugated polymer (CCP)-based ssDNA assay taking advantage of the obvious fluorescence change of CCPs upon binding ssDNA. Poly(3-(3'-N,N,N-triethylamino-1'-propyloxy)-4-methyl-2,5-thiophene hydrochloride) (PMNT) achieved an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of 57 ± 4 nM for ssDNA, indicating a very high binding affinity between PMNT and ssDNA. This allowed us to develop a CCP-based ssDNA biosensor with a detection limit of 0.6 nM, similar to the fluorescence-dye-based method using SYBR Green I and SYBR Gold. Our CCP-based biosensor produced smaller differences among ssDNA samples with different base compositions. In addition, the existence of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) at different concentrations did not interfere with the fluorescence of PMNT, indicating that our CCP-based biosensor was more suitable for the measurement of ssDNA. Compared with fluorescence-intensity-based quantification, our CCP system allowed ratiometric quantification, which made the calibration easier and more robust. We then applied our method to the quantification of ssDNA on AuNPs using both unmodified and thiolated ssDNA, and the accurate quantification of ssDNA was achieved without any fluorophore modification. This method provides an alternative approach for the measurement of ssDNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengbo Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Mohamad Zandieh
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Yuzhe Ding
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Lyuyuan Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Juewen Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Zhengping Li
- School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
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Lu C, Lopez A, Zheng J, Liu J. Using the Intrinsic Fluorescence of DNA to Characterize Aptamer Binding. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27227809. [PMID: 36431910 PMCID: PMC9692703 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27227809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The reliable, readily accessible and label-free measurement of aptamer binding remains a challenge in the field. Recent reports have shown large changes in the intrinsic fluorescence of DNA upon the formation of G-quadruplex and i-motif structures. In this work, we examined whether DNA intrinsic fluorescence can be used for studying aptamer binding. First, DNA hybridization resulted in a drop in the fluorescence, which was observed for A30/T30 and a 24-mer random DNA sequence. Next, a series of DNA aptamers were studied. Cortisol and Hg2+ induced fluorescence increases for their respective aptamers. For the cortisol aptamer, the length of the terminal stem needs to be short to produce a fluorescence change. However, caffeine and adenosine failed to produce a fluorescence change, regardless of the stem length. Overall, using the intrinsic fluorescence of DNA may be a reliable and accessible method to study a limited number of aptamers that can produce fluorescence changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Lu
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Anand Lopez
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Jinkai Zheng
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Juewen Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
- Correspondence:
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