title: A general strategy to create RNA aptamer sensors using "regulated" graphene oxide adsorption.
abstract: Aptamers have been used as molecular recognition elements for sensor development in combination with graphene oxide (GO), a nanomaterial with properties including fluorescence quenching, and selective adsorption of single-stranded nucleic acids. However, previous sensor designs based on aptamer-GO adsorption have not demonstrated wide applicability, and few studies have explored the potential of RNA aptamers. Herein, we present a new sensing strategy based on "regulated" GO adsorption that can accommodate various RNA aptamers. First, adsorption of a fluorophore-labeled RNA aptamer to GO results in fluorescence quenching due to close proximity of the fluorophore to GO. The addition of a complementary, "blocking" DNA strand (BDNA) that hybridizes to the 3'-end of the aptamer, weakens aptamer-GO interaction, and enables increased fluorescent signal generation upon the addition of target, as the sensing system becomes completely separated from GO. Our findings can be applied toward different aptamers, and adapted to enhance generality of existing sensing applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University , 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4M1, Canada.
authors.forename: Jinping
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Pui Sai
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Meng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Shaomin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shuang
authors.forename: Chuan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Yingfu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000737:chemistry*; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013806:Theophylline / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; D017931:DNA Primers; D010087:Oxides; D006108:Graphite; D013806:Theophylline
keywords: RNA; aptamers; fluorescence; graphene oxide; sensors