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Sensitive detection of miRNA based on enzyme-propelled multiple photoinduced electron transfer strategy

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Abstract

A method is presented that uses photoinduced electron transfer (PET) for the determination of microRNAs (miRNAs) in clinical serum samples and complicated cell samples by using a smartphone. miRNA-21 is adopted as a model analyte. A 3′-phosphorylated DNA probe containing AgNCs is synthesized and hybridized with miRNA-21. Subsequently, the probe is cleaved specifically by duplex-specific nuclease to form 3′-hydroxylated products, then extended by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) with superlong G for G-quadruplex/hemin units fabrication. In this way, PET occurred between AgNCs and produced G-quadruplex/hemin units, leading to the fluorescence quenching of AgNCs. Notably, the fluorescence images can be captured and translated into digital information by smartphone, resulting in a direct quantitative determination of miRNA. As a result, our strategy for miRNA assay is achieved with a satisfactory detection limit of 1.43 pM. Interestingly, TdT-propelled G-quadruplex/hemin units as multiple electron acceptors promote the sensitivity of miRNA monitoring. Different miRNAs assays are realized by adjusting the complimentary sequences of DNA probe. These qualities not only broaden the practical application of PET-based strategy, but also provide a new insight into the nucleic acid detection.

Graphical abstract

Schematic representation of AgNCs and enzyme-propelled photoinduced electron transfer strategy. It has been successfully applied for detection of miRNA by image analysis software. The method displays portability and accuracy for miRNA determination, meeting the potential for biochemical and clinical applications in resource-limited settings.

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Funding

This work is financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 31800670 and 21603003), the Key Project of Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Provincial Department of Education (Grant No. KJ2019A0583), and the Foundation of State Key Laboratory of High-efficiency Utilization of Coal and Green Chemical Engineering (Grant No. 2018-K34).

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  1. Yumeng Yang and Shaowei Liu contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anqing Normal University, Anqing, 246011, China

    Yumeng Yang, Xiaofeng Cui, Li Yang & Yingchun Gao

  2. Key Laboratory of Aqueous Environment Protection and Pollution Control of Yangtze River in Anhui of Anhui Provincial Education Department, College of Resources and Environment, Anqing Normal University, Anqing, 246011, China

    Shaowei Liu & Xiaoxia Mao

  3. State Key Laboratory of High-efficiency Utilization of Coal and Green Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, 750021, People’s Republic of China

    Jianli Zhang

  4. Laboratory of Crop Genetic Breeding Improvement, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China

    Xiaoxia Mao

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  1. Yumeng Yang
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  2. Shaowei Liu
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  3. Xiaofeng Cui
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  4. Li Yang
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Correspondence to Xiaoxia Mao or Yingchun Gao.

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Yang, Y., Liu, S., Cui, X. et al. Sensitive detection of miRNA based on enzyme-propelled multiple photoinduced electron transfer strategy. Microchim Acta 188, 219 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-021-04874-2

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