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An aptamer-based colorimetric lead(II) assay based on the use of gold nanoparticles modified with dsDNA and exonuclease I

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Abstract

The authors describe a colorimetric method for the sensitive and selective detection of Pb(II). It is based on the use exonuclease I (Exo I), a Pb(II)-binding aptamer bound to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and a DNA strand that complementary to the aptamer. In the absence of Pb(II), the dsDNA on the AuNPs prevents aggregation of the AuNPs in the presence of NaCl. In the presence of Pb(II), however, the aptamer binds Pb(II) and complementary strand is released and digested by Exo I. As a result, the solution of AuNPs undergoes a color change from red to purple if salt is added to the sample. The assay is selective for Pb(II) and has a limit of detection as low as 2.4 nM. It was successfully applied to the determination of Pb(II) in spiked tap water.

Schematic presentation of the aptamer based method for Pb2+ detection via salt-induced aggregation of gold nanoparticles and colorimetric quantitation.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support of this study was provided by Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, 91778-99191, Iran

    Mahin Shahdordizadeh & Rezvan Yazdian-Robati

  2. Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, 91778-99191, Iran

    Najmeh Ansari

  3. Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, 91778-99191, Iran

    Mohammad Ramezani & Khalil Abnous

  4. Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, 91778-99191, Iran

    Seyed Mohammad Taghdisi

Authors
  1. Mahin Shahdordizadeh
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  2. Rezvan Yazdian-Robati
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  3. Najmeh Ansari
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  4. Mohammad Ramezani
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  5. Khalil Abnous
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  6. Seyed Mohammad Taghdisi
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Khalil Abnous or Seyed Mohammad Taghdisi.

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Shahdordizadeh, M., Yazdian-Robati, R., Ansari, N. et al. An aptamer-based colorimetric lead(II) assay based on the use of gold nanoparticles modified with dsDNA and exonuclease I. Microchim Acta 185, 151 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-018-2699-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-018-2699-4

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