title: Multicolor-Encoded Reconfigurable DNA Nanostructures Enable Multiplexed Sensing of Intracellular MicroRNAs in Living Cells.
abstract: Despite the widespread utilization of gold nanoparticles and graphene for in vivo applications, complex steps for the preparation and functionalization of these nanomaterials are commonly required. In addition, the cytotoxicity of such materials is currently still under debate. In this work, by taking the significant advantages of DNA in terms of biocompatibility, nontoxicity, and controllability as building blocks for DNA nanostructures, we describe the construction of a reconfigurable, multicolor-encoded DNA nanostructure for multiplexed monitoring of intracellular microRNAs (miRNAs) in living cells. The DNA nanostructure nanoprobes containing two fluorescently quenched hairpins can be obtained by simple thermal annealing of four ssDNA oligonucleotides. The presence of the target miRNAs can unfold the hairpin structures and recover fluorescent emissions at distinct wavelengths to achieve multiplexed detection of miRNAs. Importantly, the DNA nanostructure nanoprobes exhibit significantly improved stability over conventional DNA molecular beacon probes in cell lysates and can steadily enter cells to realize simultaneous detection of two types of intracellular miRNAs. The demonstration of the self-assembled DNA nanostructures for intracellular sensing thus offers great potential application of these nanoprobes for imaging, drug delivery and cancer therapy in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Luminescent and Real-Time Analytical Chemistry, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University , Chongqing 400715, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Wenjiao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Luminescent and Real-Time Analytical Chemistry, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University , Chongqing 400715, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Daxiu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Luminescent and Real-Time Analytical Chemistry, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University , Chongqing 400715, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Chengyi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Luminescent and Real-Time Analytical Chemistry, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University , Chongqing 400715, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Ruo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Luminescent and Real-Time Analytical Chemistry, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University , Chongqing 400715, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiang
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000032:analysis*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D035683:MicroRNAs; D004247:DNA
keywords: DNA nanostructures; intracellular; living cells; microRNAs; multiplex