Nanopore-Based Selective Discrimination of MicroRNAs with Single-Nucleotide Difference Using Locked Nucleic Acid-Modified Probes

Anal Chem. 2016 Nov 1;88(21):10540-10546. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b02620. Epub 2016 Oct 21.

Abstract

The accurate discrimination of microRNAs (miRNAs) with highly similar sequences would greatly facilitate the screening and early diagnosis of diseases. In the present work, a locked nucleic acid (LNA)-modified probe was designed and used for α-hemolysin (α-HL) nanopore to selectively and specifically identify miRNAs. The hybridization of the LNA probe with the target miRNAs generated unique long-lived signals in the nanopore thus facilitated an accurate discrimination of miRNAs with similar sequences, even a single-nucleotide difference. Furthermore, the developed nanopore-based analysis with LNA probe could selectively detect target miRNAs in a natural serum background. This selective and sensitive approach may be highly valuable in the detection of clinically relevant biomarkers in complex samples.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Toxins / chemistry*
  • Base Pair Mismatch
  • DNA Probes / genetics*
  • Hemolysin Proteins / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / blood*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • Nanopores*
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • Oligonucleotides / genetics*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / chemistry

Substances

  • Bacterial Toxins
  • DNA Probes
  • Hemolysin Proteins
  • MicroRNAs
  • Oligonucleotides
  • locked nucleic acid
  • staphylococcal alpha-toxin