Fluorescence aptameric sensor for strand displacement amplification detection of cocaine

Anal Chem. 2010 Feb 15;82(4):1358-64. doi: 10.1021/ac902416u.

Abstract

A new fluorescence method based on aptamer-target interactions has been developed for cocaine detection with target-induced strand displacement. Here we describe new probes, the hairpin-probe and the single strand-probe (ss-probe), that possess two recognition sequences of cocaine aptamer. In the presence of cocaine, both probes would associate with the target to form a tripartite complex. The conformational change in the hairpin-probe causes the opening of a hairpin structure and the hybridization to primer. With polymerase and the dNTPs, the replication of the single-stranded domain of hairpin-probe triggers the process of primer extension. When the hairpin-probe is converted into a fully double-stranded form, the ss-probe and cocaine are displaced to bind another hairpin-probe and initiate new amplification cycles. Fluorescence signal generation would be observed upon SYBR Green I intercalating into the new DNA double helix. The new protocol design permits detection of as low as 2 nM cocaine in a closed tube, offering a convenient approach for a homogeneous assay. Compared with previously reported cocaine aptameric sensors, our new method is highly sensitive, selective, and economical.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / genetics*
  • Base Sequence
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Cocaine / analysis*
  • Cocaine / chemistry
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • DNA Probes / chemistry
  • DNA Probes / genetics
  • DNA Replication
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / chemistry
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / genetics
  • Electrophoresis
  • Humans
  • Inverted Repeat Sequences
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques*
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA Probes
  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • Cocaine