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MoS2 quantum dots modified with a labeled molecular beacon as a ratiometric fluorescent gene probe for FRET based detection and imaging of microRNA

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Abstract

A dual-channel ratiometric nanoprobe is described for detection and imaging of microRNA. It was prepared from MoS2 quantum dots (QDs; with blue emission and excitation/emission peaks at 310/398 nm) which acts as both the gene carrier and as a donor in fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Molecular beacons containing loops for molecular recognition of microRNA and labeled with carboxyfluorescein (FAM) were covalently attached to the MoS2 QDs and serve as the FRET acceptor. In the absence of microRNA, the nanoprobe exhibits low FRET efficiency due to the close distance between the FAM tag and the QDs. Hybridization with microRNA enlarges the distance between QD and beacon. This results in an enhancement of the FRET efficiency of the nanoprobe. The ratio of green and blue fluorescence (I520/I398) increases linearly in the 5 to 150 nM microRNA concentration range in both aqueous solution and diluted artificial cerebrospinal fluid. The limit of detection (LOD) is as low as 0.38 nM and 0.52 nM, respectively. Other features of this nanoprobe include (a) excellent resistance to nuclease-induced false positive signals and (b) the option to use it for distinguishing different cell lines by in-situ imaging of intracellular microRNAs.

Schematic of a dual-channel photoluminescence nanoprobe for the determination of microRNA-21 (miR-21) by monitoring the microRNA-triggered enhancement of the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) efficiency between MoS2 QDs and carboxyfluorescein-labeled molecular beacons.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21705012, 21675016) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (106112017CDJXFLX0014).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China

    Xinsheng Yu, Feng Zhang, Min Wang, Zhining Xia & Weili Wei

  2. Chongqing Key Laboratory of Green Synthesis and Applications, College of Chemistry, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 401331, China

    Lianzhe Hu

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  1. Xinsheng Yu
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  2. Lianzhe Hu
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  3. Feng Zhang
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  4. Min Wang
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Correspondence to Min Wang or Weili Wei.

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Yu, X., Hu, L., Zhang, F. et al. MoS2 quantum dots modified with a labeled molecular beacon as a ratiometric fluorescent gene probe for FRET based detection and imaging of microRNA. Microchim Acta 185, 239 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-018-2773-y

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