Spinach RNA aptamer detects lead(II) with high selectivity.
Spinach RNA aptamer contains a G-quadruplex motif that serves as a platform for binding and fluorescence activation of a GFP-like fluorophore. Here we show that Pb(2+) induces formation of Spinach's G-quadruplex and activates fluorescence with high selectivity and sensitivity. This device establishes the first example of an RNA-based sensor that provides a simple and inexpensive tool for Pb(2+) detection.
Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. jpicciri@uchicago.edu.
Saurja
S
DasGupta
Sandip A
SA
Shelke
Nan-sheng
NS
Li
Joseph A
JA
Piccirilli
D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D054856:G-Quadruplexes; D007477:Ions / Q000737:chemistry; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D018724:Spinacia oleracea / Q000378:metabolism*
D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007477:Ions; D007854:Lead