Single-Cell Caspase-3 Measurement Using a Biomimetic Nanochannel

Anal Chem. 2024 Feb 6;96(5):2094-2099. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c04782. Epub 2024 Jan 22.

Abstract

Direct single-cell caspase-3 (Casp-3) analysis has remained challenging. A study of single-cell Casp-3 could contribute to revealing the fundamental pathogenic mechanisms in Casp-3-associated diseases. Here, a biomimetic nanochannel capable of single-cell sampling and ionic detection of intracellular Casp-3 is devised, which is established upon the installment of target-specific organic molecules (luc-DEVD) within the orifice of a glass nanopipette. The specific cleavage of luc-DEVD by Casp-3 could induce changes of inner-surface chemical groups and charge properties, thus altering the ionic response of the biomimetic nanochannel for direct Casp-3 detection. The practical applicability of this biomimetic nanochannel is confirmed by probing intracellular Casp-3 fluctuation upon drug stimulation and quantifying the Casp-3 evolution during induced apoptosis. This work realizes ionic single-cell Casp-3 analysis and provides a different perspective for single-cell protein analysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis* / physiology
  • Biomimetics*
  • Caspase 3 / metabolism

Substances

  • Caspase 3