Cross-Reactive Fluorescent Sensor Array for Discrimination of Amyloid Beta Aggregates.

It has been hypothesized that misfolding and misassembly of proteins into various aggregation states contribute to several neurodegenerative diseases. For instance, amyloid beta (Aß) aggregation is considered a major factor in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Herein, a fluorescent sensor array for detecting Aß aggregates was fabricated using two probe pairs of conjugated polyelectrolytes and organic dye molecules, PPE1-Thioflavin T (ThT) and PPESO3-Nile Red (NR). Pattern recognition was achieved by linear discriminant analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis algorithms. As a result of distinguishing among monomers and three pure aggregate species, namely oligomers, protofibrils, and fibrils, the cross-reactive sensor array was also able to monitor aggregation kinetics in various aggregate forms and distinguish between on- and off- aggregate pathways. Our study provides a convenient approach for simultaneous detection of Aß aggregates in mixtures, which may also be applied to the analysis of other disease-related proteins that are prone to aggregates.

Fluorescence Sensor Array for Discrimination of Urine Proteins and Differentiation Diagnosis of Urinary System Diseases.

Successful discrimination of complex biological samples by sensor array remains a challenging problem. Herein, a three-unit fluorescence sensor array was fabricated using fluorescent molecules, which interact with proteins and generate rich response signals, to realize the discrimination of urinary proteins. As a proof of concept, six urinary proteins were selected as analytes. Results showed 100% accuracy in differentiation and quantitative discrimination of every single protein and their complex mixtures. Moreover, protein profiles of urine samples from healthy people and patients with different urinary diseases, including tubular injury (TI), diabetic nephropathy (DN), and nephropathy (Nep), were well distinguished.