A Visual Sensor Array for Pattern Recognition Analysis of Proteins Using Novel Blue-Emitting Fluorescent Gold Nanoclusters

Abstract

This paper describes a visual sensor array for pattern recognition analysis of proteins based on two different optical signal changes: colorimetric and fluorometric, by using two types of novel blue-emitting collagen protected gold nanoclusters and macerozyme R-10 protected gold nanoclusters with lower synthetic demands. Eight proteins have been well-discriminated by this visual sensor array, and protein mixtures after one-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis also could be well-discriminated. The possible mechanism of this sensor array was illustrated and validated by fluorescence spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), fluorescence lifetime, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) experiments. It was attributed to that the adsorption of proteins onto the surface of gold nanoclusters (Au NCs), forming the protein-Au NCs complex. Furthermore, serums from normal and hepatoma patients were also effectively discriminated by this visual sensor array, showing feasible potential for diagnostic applications.

Colorimetric Sensor Arrays for the Detection and Identification of Chemical Weapons and Explosives

“…Complex mixtures including beer, coffee, and soft drinks have also been characterized (Zhang and Suslick, 2007; Zhang et al., 2006; Suslick et al., 2010). Even biological targets such as proteins (Xu et al., 2014), fungi (Zhang et al., 2014), bacteria (Carey et al., 2011; Li et al., 2011), steroids and sport doping compounds (Batres et al., 2014), and specific molecules indicative of lung cancer in breath (Mazzone et al., 2012) have been detected.…”

Recent Progresses of Fluorescent Gold Nanoclusters in Biomedical Applications

“…The detection of biological molecules (hydroxyl radical, proteins, DNA, RNA, small biomolecules) under physical conditions is a promising analytical application in biomedicine for AuNCs (Table I) [50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62] Interactions of biological molecules with functional AuNCs could be detected based on the quenching change of fluorescence. Therefore, AuNCs can serve as colorimetric assays for biological molecules detection.…”

Direct chemiluminescence of fluorescent gold nanoclusters with classic oxidants for hydrogen peroxide sensing

“…Among the reported metal NCs, Au NCs are the most extensively studied for their attractive features, such as easy synthesis, low toxicity, excellent photo-stability, good biocompatibility, and easy surface functionalization (Chen et al, 2015). The Au NCs have been extensively explored in sensing, enzyme activity assay, protein discrimination, as well as in bioimaging (Chen et al, 2015;Xiong et al, 2015;Sun et al, 2014;Xu et al, 2014;Yu et al, 2014).…”