Ultrarapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA using a reverse transcription-free exponential amplification reaction, RTF-EXPAR.

A rapid isothermal method for detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for COVID-19, is reported. The procedure uses an unprecedented reverse transcription-free (RTF) approach for converting genomic RNA into DNA. This involves the formation of an RNA/DNA heteroduplex whose selective cleavage generates a short DNA trigger strand, which is then rapidly amplified using the exponential amplification reaction (EXPAR). Deploying the RNA-to-DNA conversion and amplification stages of the RTF-EXPAR assay in a single step results in the detection, via a fluorescence read-out, of single figure copy numbers per microliter of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in under 10 min. In direct three-way comparison studies, the assay has been found to be faster than both RT-qPCR and reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), while being just as sensitive. The assay protocol involves the use of standard laboratory equipment and is readily adaptable for the detection of other RNA-based pathogens.

Rationalisation of a mechanism for sensing single point variants in target DNA using anthracene-tagged base discriminating probes.

The labelling of DNA oligonucleotides with signalling groups that give a unique response to duplex formation depending on the target sequence is a highly effective strategy in the design of DNA-based hybridisation sensors. A key challenge in the design of these so-called base discriminating probes (BDPs) is to understand how the local environment of the signalling group affects the sensing response. The work herein describes a comprehensive study involving a variety of photophysical techniques, NMR studies and molecular dynamics simulations, on anthracene-tagged oligonucleotide probes that can sense single base changes (point variants) in target DNA strands. A detailed analysis of the fluorescence sensing mechanism is provided, with a particular focus on rationalising the high dependence of this process on not only the linker stereochemistry but also the site of nucleobase variation within the target strand. The work highlights the various factors and techniques used to respectively underpin and rationalise the BDP approach to point variant sensing, which relies on different responses to duplex formation rather than different duplex binding strengths.

Linear dichroism of visible-region chromophores using M13 bacteriophage as an alignment scaffold.

It is a challenge within the field of biomimetics to recreate the properties of light-harvesting antennae found in plants and photosynthetic bacteria. Attempts to recreate these biological structures typically rely on the alignment of fluorescent moieties via attachment to an inert linear scaffold, e.g. DNA, RNA or amyloid fibrils, to enable Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between attached chromophores. While there has been some success in this approach, refinement of the alignment of the chromophores is often limited, which may limit the efficiency of energy transfer achieved. Here we demonstrate how linear dichroism spectroscopy may be used to ascertain the overall alignment of chromophores bound to the M13 bacteriophage, a model linear scaffold, and demonstrate how this may be used to distinguish between lack of FRET efficiency due to chromophore separation, and chromophore misalignment. This approach will allow the refinement of artificial light-harvesting antennae in a directed fashion.

Macrocyclic Metal Complex-DNA Conjugates for Electrochemical Sensing of Single Nucleobase Changes in DNA.

The direct incorporation of macrocyclic cyclidene complexes into DNA via automated synthesis results in a new family of metal-functionalized DNA derivatives that readily demonstrate their utility through the ability of one redox-active copper(II)-containing strand to distinguish electrochemically between all four canonical DNA nucleobases at a single site within a target sequence of DNA.

Single Site Discrimination of Cytosine, 5-Methylcytosine, and 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine in Target DNA Using Anthracene-Tagged Fluorescent Probes.

The ability to discriminate between epigenetic variants in DNA is a necessary tool if we are to increase our understanding of the roles that they play in various biological processes and medical conditions. Herein, it is demonstrated how a simple two-step fluorescent probe assay can be used to differentiate all three major epigenetic variants of cytosine at a single locus site in a target strand of DNA.

Metal-responsive structural transformation between artificial DNA duplexes and three-way junctions.

DNA three-way junctions (3WJs) are essential structural motifs for DNA nanoarchitectures and DNA-based materials. We report herein a metal-responsive structural transformation between DNA duplexes and 3WJs using artificial oligonucleotides modified with a 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) ligand. A mixture of bpy-modified DNA strands and natural complementary strands were self-assembled exclusively into duplexes without any transition metal ions, while they formed 3WJs in the presence of NiII ions. This transformation was induced by the formation of an interstrand NiII(bpy)3 complex, which served as a template for the 3WJ assembly. Altering the amount and identity of the metal ion regulated the 3WJ induction efficiency. Removal of the metal using EDTA quantitatively regenerated the duplexes. The metal-dependent structural conversion shown here has many potential applications in the development of stimuli-responsive DNA materials.

Photocontrolled binding and binding-controlled photochromism within anthracene-modified DNA.

Modified DNA strands undergo a reversible light-induced reaction involving the intramolecular photodimerization of two appended anthracene tags. The photodimers exhibit markedly different binding behavior toward a complementary strand that depends on the number of bases between the modified positions. By preforming the duplex, photochromism can be suppressed, illustrating dual-mode gated behavior.

Detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms within a sequence of a gene associated with prostate cancer using a fluorophore-tagged DNA probe.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms within a sequence of a gene associated with prostate cancer were identified using oligodeoxynucleotide probe sequences bearing internal anthracene fluorophores proximal to the SNP site. Depending upon the nature of the synthesised target sequences, probe-target duplex formation could lead to enhanced or attenuated fluorescence emission from the anthracene, enabling detection of a proximal base-pair as either matching or mismatching.

Detection of DNA base variation and cytosine methylation at a single nucleotide site using a highly sensitive fluorescent probe.

A fluorescent DNA probe containing an anthracene group attached via an anucleosidic linker can identify all four DNA bases at a single site as well as the epigenetic modification C/5-MeC via a hybridisation sensing assay.