Blank peak current-suppressed electrochemical aptameric sensing platform for highly sensitive signal-on detection of small molecule

Nucleic Acids Res. 2010 Nov;38(20):e185. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkq728. Epub 2010 Aug 19.

Abstract

In this contribution, an electrochemical aptameric sensing scheme for the sensitive detection of small molecules is proposed using adenosine as a target model. A ferrocene (Fc)-functionalized thiolated aptamer probe is adapted and immobilized onto an electrode surface. Introducing a recognition site for EcoRI into the aptamer sequence not only suppresses the peak current corresponding to blank sample but also provides a signal-on response mechanism. In the absence of adenosine, the aptamer can fold into a hairpin structure and form a cleavable double-stranded region. Fc is capable of being removed from electrode surface by treatment with endonuclease, and almost no peak current is observed. The adenosine/aptamer binding induces the conformational transition of designed aptamer, dissociating the cleavable double-stranded segment. Therefore, the integrated aptamer sequence is maintained when exposing to endonuclease, generating a peak current of Fc. Utilizing the present sensing scheme, adenosine even at a low concentration can give a detectable current signal. Thus, a detection limit of 10(-10) M and a linear response range from 3.74×10(-9) to 3.74×10(-5) M are achieved. The proposed proof-of-principle of a novel electrochemical sensing is expected to extend to establish various aptameric platforms for the analysis of a broad range of target molecules of interest.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine / analysis
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry*
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electric Impedance
  • Electrochemical Techniques / methods*
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide
  • Adenosine