CoAl-layered double hydroxide nanosheet-based fluorescence assay for fast DNA detection.

In the study, CoAl-layered double hydroxide (CoAl-LDH) was prepared as a fluorescence quenching agent to detect DNA molecules. Because of its simple preparation for a large scale, excellent surface effect, good biocompatibility and high fluorescence quenching capability, the effective, rapid, and sensitive DNA detection was realized. The fluorescence quenching efficiency of LDH to 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein attached to single stranded DNA (FAM-ssDNA) was as high as 88%, and after FAM-ssDNA hybridized with the complementary DNA oligonucleotide, that to FAM-dsDNA was about 33%. The quenching mechanisms of LDH for ssDNA and dsDNA were discussed. Phosphate exposed of ssDNA played an important role in quenching effect. Compared to dsDNA, more exposed phosphate groups in ssDNA resulted in the stronger electrostatic interaction between ssDNA and LDH, and thus the higher quenching efficiency. Under optimal conditions, the linear equation was y = 38.26 + 3.37x in a linear relationship of 1-50 nM, and the correlation coefficient R2 corresponded to 0.999, and the limit of detection was calculated to be 0.79 nM (3σ). Cytotoxicity studies have shown that LDH has good biocompatibility. The study provides an effective, sensitive and safe approach for DNA detection and gives an insight for the design of LDH-based biosensing materials.