An enzyme-based E-DNA sensor for sequence-specific detection of femtomolar DNA targets

J Am Chem Soc. 2008 May 28;130(21):6820-5. doi: 10.1021/ja800554t. Epub 2008 May 7.

Abstract

In this work, we report an enzyme-based E-DNA sensor for the sequence-specific detection of nucleic acids. This DNA sensor employs a "stem-loop" DNA probe dually labeled with biotin and digoxigenin (DIG). The probe is immobilized at an avidin-modified electrode surface via the biotin-avidin bridge, and the DIG serves as an affinity tag for the enzyme binding. In the initial state of the sensor, the probe adopts the stem-loop structure, which shields DIG from being approached by a bulky horseradish peroxidase-linked-anti-DIG antibody (anti-DIG-HRP) due to the steric effect. After hybridization, the probe undergoes a significant conformational change, forcing DIG away from the electrode. As a result, the DIG label becomes accessible by the anti-DIG-HRP, and the target hybridization event can be sensitively transduced via the enzymatically amplified electrochemical current signal. By using this new strategy, we demonstrate that the prototype E-DNA sensor has been able to detect as low as femtomolar DNA targets with excellent differentiation ability for even single mismatches.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Avidin / chemistry
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Biotin / chemistry
  • DNA, Bacterial / analysis*
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Digoxigenin / chemistry*
  • Enzymes, Immobilized / chemistry
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Horseradish Peroxidase / chemistry*
  • Oligonucleotides / chemistry*
  • Oligonucleotides / genetics
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Streptavidin / chemistry

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Enzymes, Immobilized
  • Oligonucleotides
  • Avidin
  • Biotin
  • Streptavidin
  • Horseradish Peroxidase
  • Digoxigenin