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Theranostics 2018; 8(9):2424-2434. doi:10.7150/thno.23852 This issue Cite

Research Paper

High-Discrimination Factor Nanosensor Based on Tetrahedral DNA Nanostructures and Gold Nanoparticles for Detection of MiRNA-21 in Live Cells

Shulian Bai¹, Bangtian Xu², Yongcan Guo³, Juhui Qiu⁴, Wen Yu¹, Guoming Xie^1✉

1. Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medical Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P R China
2. Department of pharmacy, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401331, P R China
3. Clinical Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, P R China
4. Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, P R China

✉ Corresponding author: G.M.X (guomingxieedu.cn)

Abstract

While detection of microRNA with or without signal amplification is highly informative, nanosensors with high specificity for cell-specific RNA detection are rare.

Methods: In this study, a tetrahedral DNA nanostructure (TDN) with a specific function was combined with gold nanoparticles (Au-NP) possessing fluorescence quenching effects and a large surface area to fabricate a fluorescence resonance energy transfer based nanosensor (Au-TDNN). The presence of miR-21 (target) can separate the fluorescent dye-labeled detection probe on Au-TDNNs from Au-NPs, which separates the donor and acceptor, thus inducing an intensive fluorescence signal. High specificity for discerning point mutation targets was achieved by rationally designing the nucleic acid strand displacement reaction to occur spontaneously with ΔG⁰ ≈ 0 based on thermodynamic parameters; under this condition, slight thermodynamic changes caused by base mismatch exert significant effects on hybridization yield.

Results: Chemically synthesized DNA of three single-base-changed analogues of target, let-7d, and miR-200b were tested. A discrimination factor (DF) of 15.4 was produced by the expected detection probe on Au-NPs for proximal single-base mismatch. As the control group, the DF produced by an ordinary detection probe on Au-NPs only reached 2.4. The feasibility of the proposed strategy was also confirmed using hepatocyte cancer cells (HepG2).

Conclusion: This improved nanosensor opens a new avenue for the specific and easy detection of microRNA in live cells.

Keywords: miR-21, tetrahedral nanostructure, gold nanoparticle, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, strand displacement reaction

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