Polymerase chain reaction-based ultrasensitive detection of HBV DNA via G-quadruplex selective iridium(III) complex luminescent probe

Zongbing Li, Seyin Zou, Shujie Wu, Xiangmin Miao*, Edmond Dik Lung Ma*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the gold standard for low-abundant DNA detection. Here, to expand the application of PCR with novel detecting methods, we developed a label-free fluorescent sensor for ultrasensitive and one-step detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA using the G-quadruplex selective iridium(III) complex luminescent probe. By using HBV DNA as the template with two hairpin structure primers that contained oxyethylene glycol tethers, PCR amplification occurred and generated numbers of specific PCR products with free G-quadruplex sequences at both ends. Such free G-quadruplex sequences can change into G-quadruplex structure with the help of K+, resulting in a strong luminescence intensity upon their binding with the G-quadruplex selective iridium(III) complex. The luminescence intensity increase was proportional to the concentration of PCR products, and indirectly related with HBV DNA concentration. Moreover, the utilization of the iridium(III) complex effectively improved the specificity of the sensor, while PCR paved the way for the ultrasensitive detection of DNA in the linear range of 3.0 fM to 800 pM, with a detection limit of 1.6 fM. Notably, this assay was successfully used to detect HBV DNA in normal and patient serum samples, indicating a potential application for biomolecular analysis.

Original languageEnglish
Article number121661
JournalTalanta
Volume221
Early online date15 Sept 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2021

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Analytical Chemistry

User-Defined Keywords

  • Fluorescent sensor
  • G-quadruplex
  • Hepatitis B virus DNA
  • Iridium(III) complex
  • Polymerase chain reaction

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