An allosteric dual-DNAzyme unimolecular probe for colorimetric detection of copper(II)

J Am Chem Soc. 2009 Oct 21;131(41):14624-5. doi: 10.1021/ja9062426.

Abstract

An effective dual-DNAzyme-based unimolecular probe design employing intramolecular signal transduction is demonstrated. The probe is composed of three domains: a DNA-cleaving DNAzyme, a substrate, and an HRP-mimicking DNAzyme. When the probe meets its target, cleavage of the substrate by the DNA-cleaving DNAzyme activates the HRP-mimicking DNAzyme, producing a colorimetric signal. The Cu(2+)-dependent DNAzyme engineered to demonstrate this design revealed a sensitivity corresponding to 65 ppb, which is sufficient to detect Cu(2+) in drinking water. The new probe has excellent selectivity toward Cu(2+). This three-component design is simple and easy to engineer. It may provide the basis for future development of other nucleic acid-based probes for toxicological and environmental monitoring.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allosteric Regulation
  • Base Sequence
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Colorimetry
  • Copper / analysis*
  • Copper / metabolism
  • DNA, Catalytic / genetics
  • DNA, Catalytic / metabolism*
  • Horseradish Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Protein Engineering

Substances

  • DNA, Catalytic
  • Copper
  • Horseradish Peroxidase