Ratiometric Fluorescent Biosensor Based on Self-Assembled Fluorescent Gold Nanoparticles and Duplex-Specific Nuclease-Assisted Signal Amplification for Sensitive Detection of Exosomal miRNA

Bioconjug Chem. 2022 Sep 21;33(9):1698-1706. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.2c00309. Epub 2022 Aug 12.

Abstract

The sensitive detection of cancer-associated exosomal microRNAs shows enormous potential in cancer diagnosis. Herein, a ratiometric fluorescent biosensor based on self-assembled fluorescent gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) and duplex-specific nuclease (DSN)-assisted signal amplification was fabricated for sensitive detection of colorectal cancer (CRC)-associated exosomal miR-92a-3p. In this biosensing system, the hairpin DNA modified with sulfhydryl and fluorescent dye Atto-425 at both ends is conjugated to fluorescent Au NPs through Au-S bonds, resulting in the quenching of Atto-425. The miR-92a-3p can open the hairpin of DNA and forms an miR-92a-3p/DNA heteroduplex, triggering the specific cleavage of DSN for the DNA in the heteroduplex. As a result, Atto-425 leaves the fluorescent Au NPs and recovers the fluorescence emission. The released miR-92a-3p can hybridize with another hairpin DNA and lead to a stronger fluorescence recovery of Atto-425 to form a signal amplification cycle. The stable fluorescence of Au NPs and the changing fluorescence of Atto-425 constitute a ratiometric fluorescent system reflecting the concentration of miR-92a-3p. This biosensor exhibits excellent specificity and can distinguish CRC patients from healthy individuals by detecting miR-92a-3p extracted from clinical exosome samples, showing the potential in CRC diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques* / methods
  • DNA
  • Endonucleases
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry
  • Gold / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Metal Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • MicroRNAs* / chemistry

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • MicroRNAs
  • Gold
  • DNA
  • Endonucleases