title: A versatile proximity-dependent probe based on light-up DNA-scaffolded silver nanoclusters.
abstract: It is well-known that proximity-dependent probes containing an analyte recognization site and a signal formation domain could be assembled specifically into a sandwich-like structure (probe-analyte-probe) via introducing an analyte. In this work, using the design for zirconium ion (Zr(4+)) detection as the model, we develop a novel and reliable proximity-dependent DNA-scaffolded silver nanocluster (DNA/AgNC) probe for Zr(4+) detection via target-induced emitter proximity. The proposed strategy undergoes the two following processes: target-mediated emitter pair proximity as target recognition implement and the synthesis of DNA/AgNCs with fluorescence as a signal reporter. Upon combination of the rationally designed probe with Zr(4+), the intact templates were obtained according to the -PO3(2-)-Zr(4+)-PO3(2-)- pattern. The resultant structure with an emitter pair serves as a potent template to achieve highly fluorescent DNA/AgNCs. To verify the universality of the proposed proximity-dependent DNA/AgNC probe, we extend the application of the proximity-dependent probe to DNA and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) detection by virtue of a specific DNA complementary sequence and ATP aptamer as a recognition unit, respectively. The produced fluorescence enhancement of the DNA/AgNCs in response to the analyte concentration allows a quantitative evaluation of the target, including Zr(4+), DNA, and ATP with detection limits of ∼3.00 μM, ∼9.83 nM, and ∼0.81 mM, respectively. The proposed probe possesses good performance with simple operation, cost-effectiveness, good selectivity, and without separation procedures.
authors.affiliation: Lab of Biosystem and Microanalysis, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China. binchengyin@ecust.edu.cn bcye@ecust.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Jin-Liang
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Lab of Biosystem and Microanalysis, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China. binchengyin@ecust.edu.cn bcye@ecust.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Bin-Cheng
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.affiliation: Lab of Biosystem and Microanalysis, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China. binchengyin@ecust.edu.cn bcye@ecust.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Bang-Ce
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Ye
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000378:metabolism; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008027:Light; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry*; D015040:Zirconium / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; D012834:Silver; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D004247:DNA; D015040:Zirconium