ABSTRACT
We present a novel photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensing platform by taking advantage of the phenomenon that hemin intercalated in G-quadruplex "switched-on" the cathode photocurrent of p-type PbS quantum dots (QDs). Photoinduced electron transfer between PbS QDs and G-quadruplex/hemin(III) complexes with the subsequent catalytic oxygen reduction by the reduced G-quadruplex/hemin(II) led to an obvious enhancement in the cathodic photocurrent of the PbS QDs. For the detection process, in the presence of hemin, the specific recognition of the targets with the sensing sequence would trigger the formation of a stable G-quadruplex/hemin complex, which will result in reduced charge recombination and hence amplified photocurrent intensity of the PbS QDs. By using different target sequences, the developed system made possible a novel, label-free "switch-on" PEC aptasensor toward versatile biomolecular targets such as DNA and thrombin. Especially, with ambient oxygen to regenerate G-quadruplex/hemin(II) to G-quadruplex/hemin(III), this substrate-free strategy not only promoted the photoelectric effect and thus the enhanced sensitivity of the system, but also avoided the addition of supplementary substrates of G-quadruplex/hemin such as H2O2 and organic substances.
Subject(s)
Biosensing Techniques/methods , Electrochemical Techniques/methods , G-Quadruplexes , Hemin/chemistry , Lead/chemistry , Photochemistry , Quantum Dots , Sulfides/chemistry , Catalysis , DNA/analysis , Electrodes , Electron Transport , Thrombin/analysis , X-Ray DiffractionABSTRACT
An ultrasensitive photoelectrochemical (PEC) immunoassay based on signal amplification by enzyme mimetics was fabricated for the detection of mouse IgG (as a model protein). The PEC immunosensor was constructed by a layer-by-layer assembly of poly (diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA), CdS quantum dots (QDs), primary antibody (Ab1, polyclonal goat antimouse IgG), and the antigen (Ag, mouse IgG) on an indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrode. Then, the secondary antibody (Ab2, polyclonal goat antimouse IgG) combined to a bio-bar-coded Pt nanoparticle(NP)-G-quadruplex/hemin probe was used for signal amplification. The bio-bar-coded Pt NP-G-quadruplex/hemin probe could catalyze the oxidation of hydroquinone (HQ) using H2O2 as an oxidant, demonstrating its intrinsic enzyme-like activity. High sensitivity for the target Ag was achieved by using the bio-bar-coded probe as signal amplifier due to its high catalytic activity, a competitive nonproductive absorption of hemin and the steric hindrance caused by the polymeric oxidation products of HQ. For most important, the oxidation product of HQ acted as an efficient electron acceptor of the illuminated CdS QDs. The target Ag could be detected from 0.01pg/mL to 1.0ng/mL with a low detection limit of 6.0fg/mL. The as-obtained immunosensor exhibited high sensitivity, good stability and acceptable reproducibility. This method might be attractive for clinical and biomedical applications.
Subject(s)
Electrochemical Techniques/instrumentation , Immunoassay/instrumentation , Immunoglobulin G/analysis , Platinum/chemistry , Quantum Dots/chemistry , Animals , Antibodies, Immobilized/chemistry , Biosensing Techniques/instrumentation , Cadmium Compounds/chemistry , Electrodes , Equipment Design , G-Quadruplexes , Hemin/chemistry , Humans , Limit of Detection , Luminescent Measurements/instrumentation , Mice , Polyethylenes/chemistry , Quantum Dots/ultrastructure , Quaternary Ammonium Compounds/chemistry , Reproducibility of Results , Sulfides/chemistry , Tin Compounds/chemistryABSTRACT
Photocathode based on p-type PbS quantum dots (QDs) combing a novel signal amplification strategy utilizing catalase (CAT) mimetics was designed and utilized for sensitive photoelectrochemical (PEC) detection of DNA. The bio-bar-coded Pt nanoparticles (NPs)/G-quadruplex/hemin exhibited high CAT-like activity following the Michaelis-Menten model for decomposing H2O2 to water and oxygen, whose activity even slightly exceeded that of natural CAT. The bio-bar-code as a catalytic label was conjugated onto the surface of PbS QDs modified electrodes through the formed sandwich-type structure due to DNA hybridization. Oxygen in situ generated by the CAT mimetics of the bio-bar-code of Pt NPs/G-quadruplex/hemin acted as an efficient electron acceptor of illuminated PbS QDs, promoting charge separation and enhancing cathodic photocurrent. Under optimal conditions, the developed PEC biosensor for target DNA exhibited a dynamic range of 0.2pmol/L to 1.0nmol/L with a low detection limit of 0.08pmol/L. The high sensitivity of the method was resulted from the sensitive response of PbS QDs to oxygen and the highly efficient CAT-like catalytic activity of the bio-bar-coded Pt NPs/G-quadruplex/hemin.