RNA aptazyme-tethered large gold nanoparticles for on-the-spot sensing of the aptazyme ligand

Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2011 Jan 1;21(1):155-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2010.11.048. Epub 2010 Dec 4.

Abstract

A single-step sensing system was developed to visually detect ligands of a cleavase-like RNA aptazyme at room temperature using aptazyme-tethered gold nanoparticles, the electrosteric stability of which was adjusted by increasing their diameter. In this system, the ligand induces self-cleavage of the aptazyme on gold nanoparticles to decrease the electrosteric stability of the gold nanoparticles, which causes them to visibly aggregate. In comparison to a previous multi-step system using aptazymes and gold nanoparticles separately, the present system requires only single handling and no special equipment, making it more suitable for on-the-spot sensing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry*
  • Biosensing Techniques
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Ligands*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • RNA, Catalytic / chemistry*
  • RNA, Catalytic / metabolism
  • Static Electricity
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide
  • Ligands
  • RNA, Catalytic
  • Gold