Molecular Beacon Nano-Sensors for Probing Living Cancer Cells.
Heterogeneities and oncogenesis essentially result from proteomic disorders orchestrated by changes in DNA and/or cytoplasmic mRNA. These genetic fluctuations, however, cannot be decoded through conventional label-free methods (e.g., patch clamps, electrochemical cellular biosensors, etc.) or morphological characterization. Molecular beacons (MBs) have recently emerged as efficient probes for interrogating biomarkers in live cancer cells. MBs hybridize with their intracellular targets (e.g., mRNAs, DNAs, or proteins), emitting a fluorescent signal that can be quantified and correlated with the expression levels of their targets. In this review we discuss MB probes with different delivery platforms for intracellular probing as well as novel MB designs for detecting a variety of targets in living cancer cells. Finally, we describe current trends in MB-based intracellular biosensors.
National Engineering Research Center of Novel Equipment for Polymer Processing, The Key Laboratory of Polymer Processing Engineering of Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Tairong
T
Kuang
Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Electronic address: chang.982@osu.edu.
Lingqian
L
Chang
National Engineering Research Center of Novel Equipment for Polymer Processing, The Key Laboratory of Polymer Processing Engineering of Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China.
Xiangfang
X
Peng
Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science and Institute of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China. Electronic address: xlhu@scnu.edu.cn.
Xianglong
X
Hu
Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Mission CAIRRS (Consortium for Advancements and Innovations in Restorative and Regenerative Strategies), Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cell-Based Therapies, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Daniel
D
Gallego-Perez
D000818:Animals; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D059010:Single-Cell Analysis / Q000379:methods*
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes
cancer cells; heterogeneities; intracellular delivery; intracellular probes; mRNAs; molecular beacons