A Graphene-enhanced imaging of microRNA with enzyme-free signal amplification of catalyzed hairpin assembly in living cells.
In situ imaging of miRNA in living cells could help us to monitor the miRNA expression in real time and obtain accurate information for studying miRNA related bioprocesses and disease. Given the low-level expression of miRNA, amplification strategies for intracellular miRNA are imperative. Here, we propose an amplification strategy with a non-destructive enzyme-free manner in living cells using catalyzed hairpin assembly (CHA) based on graphene oxide (GO) for cellular miRNA imaging. The enzyme-free CHA exhibits stringent recognition and excellent signal amplification of miRNA in the living cells. GO is a good candidate as a fluorescence quencher and cellular carrier. Taking the advantages of the CHA and GO, we can monitor the miRNA at low level in living cells with a simple, sensitive and real-time manner. Finally, imaging of miRNAs in the different expression cells is realized. The novel method could supply an effective tool to visualize intracellular low-level miRNAs and help us to further understand the role of miRNAs in cellular processes.
Key Laboratory of Chemical Sensing & Analysis in Universities of Shandong, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan, Shandong 250022, China.
Haiyun
H
Liu
Key Laboratory of Chemical Sensing & Analysis in Universities of Shandong, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan, Shandong 250022, China.
Tian
T
Tian
School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qilu University of Technology, Jinan, Shandong 250353, China.
Dandan
D
Ji
Key Laboratory of Chemical Sensing & Analysis in Universities of Shandong, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan, Shandong 250022, China.
Na
N
Ren
Key Laboratory of Chemical Sensing & Analysis in Universities of Shandong, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan, Shandong 250022, China.
Shenguang
S
Ge
Key Laboratory of Chemical Sensing & Analysis in Universities of Shandong, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan, Shandong 250022, China.
Mei
M
Yan
Key Laboratory of Chemical Sensing & Analysis in Universities of Shandong, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan, Shandong 250022, China. Electronic address: ujn.yujh@gmail.com.
Jinghua
J
Yu
D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002384:Catalysis; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005453:Fluorescence; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000032:analysis*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry
D035683:MicroRNAs; D010087:Oxides; D006108:Graphite
Catalyzed hairpin assembly; Imaging; Living cells; MicroRNA; Signal amplification