Aptamer functionalized gold nanoclusters as an emerging nanoprobe in biosensing, diagnostic, catalysis and bioimaging

Sobia Niazi; Imran Mahmood Khan; Wasim Akhtar; Faizan Ul Haq; Imran Pasha; Muhammad Kashif Iqbal Khan; Ali Mohsin; Shabbir Ahmad; Yin Zhang; Zhouping Wang

doi:10.1016/j.talanta.2023.125270

Aptamer functionalized gold nanoclusters as an emerging nanoprobe in biosensing, diagnostic, catalysis and bioimaging

Talanta. 2024 Feb 1;268(Pt 1):125270. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.125270. Epub 2023 Oct 14.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
² College of Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China. Electronic address: imk2654@jmu.edu.cn.
³ NIFSAT, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
⁴ NIFSAT, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan; Department of Food Engineering, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
⁵ State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, ECUST, Shanghai, 200237, China.
⁶ Department of Food Science and Technology, MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan.
⁷ Key Laboratory of Meat Processing of Sichuan, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, China.
⁸ State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China; Key Laboratory of Meat Processing of Sichuan, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, China. Electronic address: wangzp@jiangnan.edu.cn.

PMID: 37875028
DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.125270

Abstract

DNA nanostructures, with their fascinating luminescent and detecting capabilities, provide a basis that can accommodate a wide range of applications. The unique electronic configurations, and physical and chemical properties of aptamer-assembled gold nanoclusters (apt-AuNCs) as a novel type of fluorophore have gradually piqued the interest of the scientific community. Bending DNA sequences and other templates/legends as a stabilizing agent with Au metal has produced an abundance of biosensors, along with catalytic and imaging properties. This review article summarizes the synthesis, conjugation tactics, advantages, and sensing mechanisms of AuNCs aptasensor after providing a brief introduction to the topic. Moreover, the application of DNA/aptamer functionalization has been briefly discussed in the fields of food safety and quality, catalysis, clinical diagnosis, cancer cell bioimaging, detection of cancer cell indicators, and therapy. We also concluded the current obstacles and made recommendations about the future prospects of AuNCs for fundamental research and applications in line with the developments in DNA/aptamer-AuNCs.

Keywords: Application; Aptamer; AuNCs; DNA; Sensing mechanism.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Aptamers, Nucleotide* / chemistry
Biosensing Techniques* / methods
Catalysis
DNA
Gold / chemistry
Metal Nanoparticles* / chemistry
Nanostructures* / chemistry

Substances

Gold
Aptamers, Nucleotide
DNA