pp. 2857-2865
S&M2660 Research Paper https://doi.org/10.18494/SAM.2021.3450 Published: August 24, 2021 Label-free Ratiometric Electrochemical DNA Sensing Based on β-Cyclodextrin-modified Probe Immobilized on Ferrocene Monolayers [PDF] Hiroshi Aoki (Received June 1, 2021; Accepted July 21, 2021) Keywords: label-free sensor, electrochemical oligonucleotide sensors, ratiometrics, DNA, RNA, biomarkers, synthetic probes, hybridization, molecular recognition, redox potential shift
We have developed a novel label-free oligonucleotide sensor that possesses β-cyclodextrin (β-
CD) as a hybridization-amenable signal repressor and ferrocene (Fc) as a signal generator with
two different redox potentials for single-stranded and double-stranded states. The probe gives us
an electrochemical ratiometric response based on the redox currents at these two potentials,
revealing an oligonucleotide recognition event. The sensor is based on an artificial
oligonucleotide probe, β-CD-DNA-SH, and FcUT immobilized on gold electrode surfaces.
Electrochemical measurements showed two redox peaks of Fc redox reactions, with the higher
potential peak corresponding to the redox reaction of Fc forming the inclusion complex with the
terminal β-CD, and the lower one corresponding to the redox reaction of Fc not forming the
inclusion complex. The ratios of these two peak currents were 0.815 and 0.398 for the target
DNA and mismatched DNA, respectively. A sequence-specific electrochemical ratiometric
response was observed. The sensors prepared from the developed probe are anticipated to detect
oligonucleotides even when a deterioration in effectiveness might be expected due to rough
treatment such as repeated use or unsuitable storage conditions. To the best of our knowledge,
this is the first report of a ratiometric electrochemical oligonucleotide sensor based on one
signal-generating moiety with two redox potentials.
Corresponding author: Hiroshi AokiThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Cite this article Hiroshi Aoki, Label-free Ratiometric Electrochemical DNA Sensing Based on β-Cyclodextrin-modified Probe Immobilized on Ferrocene Monolayers, Sens. Mater., Vol. 33, No. 8, 2021, p. 2857-2865. |