In-solution multiplex miRNA detection using DNA-templated silver nanocluster probes

Analyst. 2014 May 7;139(9):2158-66. doi: 10.1039/c3an02150e.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs (size ∼21nt to ∼25nt) that can be used as biomarkers of disease diagnosis, and efforts have been directed towards the invention of a rapid, simple and sequence-selective detection method for miRNAs. We recently developed a DNA/silver nanoclusters (AgNCs)-based turn-off fluorescence method in the presence of target miRNA. To further advance our method toward multiplex miRNA detection in solution, the design of various fluorescent DNA/AgNCs probes was essential. Therefore, tethering of DNA-12nt scaffolds with 9 different AgNCs emitters to target-sensing DNA sequences was investigated. Interestingly, for the creation of spectrally different DNA/AgNCs probes, not only were the emitters encapsulated in 9 different DNA-12nt scaffolds necessary but the tethered target-sensing DNA sequences are also crucial to tune the fluorescence across the visible to infra-red region. In this study, we obtained three spectrally distinctive emitters of each DNA/AgNCs probes such as green, red, and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence. Using these DNA/AgNCs probes, we here show a proof of concept for a rapid, one-step, in-solution multiplex miRNA detection method.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • MicroRNAs / analysis*
  • Molecular Probes
  • Nanostructures*
  • Native Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
  • Silver / chemistry*

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • Molecular Probes
  • Silver
  • DNA