Ligand-Induced G-Quadruplex Polymorphism: A DNA Nanodevice for Label-Free Aptasensor Platforms

J Am Chem Soc. 2019 Sep 11;141(36):14288-14297. doi: 10.1021/jacs.9b06533. Epub 2019 Sep 3.

Abstract

G-Quadruplexes (GQs) serve as popular recognition elements for DNA aptasensors and are incorporated into a DNA nanodevice capable of controlled conformational changes to activate a sensing mechanism. Herein we highlight the utility of a GQ-GQ nanodevice fueled by GQ-specific ligands as a label-free aptasensor detection strategy. The concept was first illustrated utilizing the prototypical polymorphic human telomeric repeat sequence (H-Telo22, d[AG3(T2AG3)3]) that can undergo ligand-induced topology changes between antiparallel, parallel, or hybrid GQ structures. The H-Telo22-ligand interactions served as a model of the GQ-GQ nanodevice. The utility of the device in a real aptasensor platform was then highlighted utilizing the ochratoxin A (OTA) binding aptamer (OTABA) that folds into an antiparallel GQ in the absence and presence of target OTA. Three cationic fluorogenic ligands served as GQ-specific light-up probes and as potential fuel for the GQ-GQ nanodevice by producing an inactive GQ topology (parallel or hybrid) of OTABA. Our findings demonstrate efficient OTA-mediated dye displacement with excellent emission sensitivity for OTA detection when the fluorogenic dyes induce a topology change in OTABA (parallel or hybrid). However, when the fluorogenic dye fails to induce a conformational change in the antiparallel fold of OTABA, subsequent additions of OTA to the aptamer-dye complex results in poor dye displacement with weak emission response for OTA detection. These results are the first to exemplify a ligand-induced GQ-GQ nanodevice as an aptasensor mechanism and demonstrate diagnostic applications for topology-specific GQ binders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry*
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • G-Quadruplexes
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Ochratoxins / chemistry*

Substances

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide
  • Ligands
  • Ochratoxins
  • ochratoxin A
  • DNA