Visual and Electrochemical Detection of let-7a: A Tumor Suppressor and Biomarker

J Med Chem. 2023 Jun 8;66(11):7605-7614. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00499. Epub 2023 May 29.

Abstract

Let-7a, a type of low-expressed microRNAs in cancer cells, has been investigated as a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for tumor suppression. Developing simple and sensitive detection methods for let-7a is important for cancer diagnosis and treatment. In this work, the hybridization chain reaction (HCR) was initiated by let-7a via two hairpin primers (H1 and H2). After the HCR, the remaining hairpin H1 was further detected by lateral flow assay (LFA) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. For LFA, biotin-modified H1(bio-H1) and free H2 were used for HCR. With the decrease of let-7a concentration, the color of T line gradually increased. As for electrochemical methods, the H1'-AuNP-modified electrode was used for detection of bio-H1 based on the difference of impedance (ΔRct) detected without and with different concentrations of let-7a participating in the HCR. This method could detect let-7a in the range of 10.0 fM and 1.0 nM with detection limits of 4.2 fM.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Biotin
  • Electrochemical Techniques
  • MicroRNAs*
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization / methods

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • Biotin
  • Biomarkers