Sensitive electrochemical detection of microRNA-21 based on propylamine-functionalized mesoporous silica with glucometer readout

Abstract

A new homogeneous electrochemical sensing system was developed for sensitive detection of microRNA-21 (miRNA-21) based on target-induced glucose release from propylamine-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) with glucometer readout. Glucose molecules (as the signal tracers) were initially gated into the pores through the interaction of the negatively charged anchor DNA with the aminated MSN. Upon addition of target miRNA, the analyte competitively hybridized with anchor DNA to form the RNA-DNA duplex, thus resulting in detachment of anchor DNA from the MSN accompanying the pore opening. The loaded glucose molecules released out from the pores because of concentration gradients, which could be detected by using a portable personal glucometer (PGM). Experimental results indicated that the PGM signal increased with the increasing miRNA level, and exhibited a good linear dependence on the miRNA-21 concentration from 50 pM to 5.0 nM with a detection limit of 19 pM under optimum conditions. Additionally, multifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticles also showed good stability and favorable selectivity, and satisfactory accuracy for the miRNA detection in cell lysates with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Such good analytical performance endows it as a promising scheme for the efficient and convenient detection of miRNA in clinical diagnosis and therapy. Graphical abstract An electrochemical sensing system is designed for detection of microRNA-21 based on target-induced glucose release from propylamine-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticle with glucometer readout.

Point‐of‐Care Testing for the Detection of MicroRNAs: Towards Liquid Biopsy on a Chip

“…In fact, the PGM electrochemical readout [44][45][46][47] is living a second life as it enables the detection of nonglucose targets ranging from metal ion and small molecules to pathogens, proteins, and miRNAs. [48,49] PGMs have been coupled with biosensors for miRNAs by means of different recognition elements (e.g., invertase and amylase) and signal amplification methods (e.g., nanomaterials, hydrogels, DNAzyme) while employing glucose as signal tracer: [50][51][52] the combination of DNAzyme and invertase has allowed the miRNA-21 detection down to 68 fM in urine samples (Figure 3c). [34] In this case, the recognition oligonucleotides were immobilized on magnetic beads allowing to preconcentrate the target, to remove possible interferences and to prevent nonspecific adsorption by simply performing adequate washing steps of the beads (after incubation with the sample and prior to run the measurements).…”

Nanotechnology‐based electrochemical biosensors for monitoring breast cancer biomarkers

“…Using more porous materials amplified the EC signals as a result of higher loading capacity for redox components. 377 In this subsection, we discussed miR-21 detecting biosensors as a noninvasive approach for BC detection.…”

“…In this procedure, the EC readouts are always increased. Using more porous materials amplified the EC signals as a result of higher loading capacity for redox components 377 …”

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“…Deng and his colleagues invented an electrochemical device fully focused on propylamine functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles and glucose release caused by a target [71]. With a DL of 19 pM [71], the whole method allowed for the elimination of time-consuming labeling and repeated washing operations. There have been a variety of studies that have been conducted to detect miRNA155.…”