Colorimetric-based detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum using gold nanoparticles

IET Nanobiotechnol. 2020 Feb;14(1):19-24. doi: 10.1049/iet-nbt.2019.0088.

Abstract

Ureaplasma urealyticum (uu) is one of the most common agents of urogenital infections and is associated with complications such as infertility, spontaneous abortion and other sexually transmitted diseases. Here, a DNA sensor based on oligonucleotide target-specific gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was developed, in which the dispersed and aggregated states of oligonucleotide-functionalised AuNPs were optimised for the colorimetric detection of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicon of U. urealyticum DNA. A non-cross-linking approach utilising a single Au-nanoprobe specific of the urease gene was utilised and the effect of a PCR product concentration gradient evaluated. Results from both visual and spectral analyses showed that target-Au-nanoprobe hybrids were stable against aggregation after adding the inducer. Furthermore, when a non-target PCR product was used, the peak position shifted and salt-induced aggregation occurred. The assay's limit of detection of the assay was 10 ng with a dynamic range of 10-60 ng. This procedure provides a rapid, facile and low-cost detection format, compared to methods currently used for the identification of U. urealyticum.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Colorimetry / methods*
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Limit of Detection
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Molecular Probes / chemistry
  • Molecular Probes / genetics
  • Molecular Typing / methods
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Ureaplasma urealyticum* / genetics
  • Ureaplasma urealyticum* / isolation & purification
  • Urease / genetics

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Molecular Probes
  • Gold
  • Urease