Volume 57, Issue 14 pp. 3602-3606
Communication

Analyte-Triggered DNA-Probe Release from a Triplex Molecular Beacon for Nanopore Sensing

Bingyuan Guo

Bingyuan Guo

Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China

Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, Multidisciplinary Center, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China

University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China

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Yingying Sheng

Yingying Sheng

Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China

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Dr. Ke Zhou

Dr. Ke Zhou

Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, Multidisciplinary Center, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China

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Prof. Quansheng Liu

Prof. Quansheng Liu

Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, Multidisciplinary Center, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China

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Dr. Lei Liu

Corresponding Author

Dr. Lei Liu

Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, Multidisciplinary Center, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China

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Prof. Hai-Chen Wu

Corresponding Author

Prof. Hai-Chen Wu

Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190 China

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First published: 28 February 2018
Citations: 57

Graphical Abstract

A nanopore sensing strategy based on a triplex molecular beacon was developed for the detection of specific DNA or multivalent proteins. Upon analyte binding, the loop of the molecular beacon is opened and the stem-forming DNA probe is released for nanopore translocation recording. The frequency of current signatures can be used to quantify the concentrations of the analytes.

Abstract

A new nanopore sensing strategy based on triplex molecular beacon was developed for the detection of specific DNA or multivalent proteins. The sensor is composed of a triplex-forming molecular beacon and a stem-forming DNA component that is modified with a host–guest complex. Upon target DNA hybridizing with the molecular beacon loop or multivalent proteins binding to the recognition elements on the stem, the DNA probe is released and produces highly characteristic current signals when translocated through α-hemolysin. The frequency of current signatures can be used to quantify the concentrations of the target molecules. This sensing approach provides a simple, quick, and modular tool for the detection of specific macromolecules with high sensitivity and excellent selectivity. It may find useful applications in point-of-care diagnostics with a portable nanopore kit in the future.

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