Two-dye based arrayed primer extension for simultaneous multigene detection in lipid metabolism

Label-free electrochemical biosensor with magnetic self-assembly constructed via PNA-DNA hybridization process on α-Fe2O3/Fe3O4 nanosheets for APOE ε4 genes ultrasensitive detection

A label-free electrochemical DNA detection strategy based on self-assembled α-Fe2O3/Fe3O4 nanosheets with PNA-DNA hybridization process was developed for ultrasensitive detection of APOE ε4 gene, one of the most robust genetic risks for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). In this work, magnetic α-Fe2O3/Fe3O4 heterogeneous nanosheets were prepared by hydrothermal-calcined reduction method and loaded with Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) on their surfaces. The magnetic α-Fe2O3/Fe3O4@Au nanocomposites significantly enhanced the electrochemical response as a signal amplification matrix and were able to bind to the magnetic glassy carbon electrode (MGCE) surface by magnetic self-assembly. Moreover, owing to the high specificity and stable binding capacity of PNA with respect to the target DNA, the biosensor not only enabled accurate (the limit of detection was estimated to be 0.147 pM) and rapid detection of the APOE ε4 gene, but also exhibited excellent specificity, stability and regeneration capability. Additional, the satisfactory recoveries were also obtained in real samples of human serum, ranging from 92.83 % to 106.22 % with relative standard deviation (RSD) between 0.25 % and 1.85 %. The results possessed important reference value for exploring the application of DNA biosensor technology in the diagnosis of APOE gene mutation.

Toehold-Mediated Strand Displacement Reaction for Dual-Signal Electrochemical Assay of Apolipoprotein E Genotyping

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) polymorphic genes are one of the main genetic determinants of Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk. Relying on the toehold-mediated strand displacement reaction (SDR), the dual-signal electrochemical assay of apoE genotyping with potential applications in the early diagnosis of AD has been achieved. The displacement of the surface-confined methylene blue- and ferrocene-capped detection probe-modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by the complementary sequences (Tc 1 and Tc 2, fragment of allele ε4 at codon 112 and that of allele ε3 or ε4 at codon 158, respectively), triggered by the highly specific SDR, results in decreased voltammetric signals. In contrast, partial strand displacement caused by the single mismatched sequences (Tsm 1 and Tsm 2, fragment of allele ε2 or ε3 at codon 112 and that of allele ε2 at codon 158, respectively) produces larger voltammetric signals. The proposed method serves as a versatile platform for the discrimination of six apoE genotypes, including three homozygotes (ε2/2, ε3/3, and ε4/4) and three heterozygotes (ε2/3, ε2/4, and ε3/4), and for the quantification of apoE ε3/3 from genomic DNA extracts of AD patients.

Dual-Channel Surface Plasmon Resonance for Quantification of ApoE Gene and Genotype Discrimination in Unamplified Genomic DNA Extracts

Identification of gene variation is of great importance for attaining information related to disease susceptibility. A highly sensitive and specific surface plasmon resonance (SPR) method for quantification of the apoE gene and genotype discrimination was demonstrated. The complementary sequences with the specific recognition sites of GCGC bases upon hybridization to the preimmobilized biotinylated probes could be cleaved by the restriction enzyme HhaI, while the existence of the single-base mismatch (GTGC) prevented the cleavage reaction. In both cases, the incorporation of streptavidin increased the sensitivity of the SPR assay, and the detection levels of 10 fM and 50 fM for the complementary and single-base mismatched sequences were attained, respectively. The sensing protocol is simple, label-free, and quantitative, thus avoiding the complicated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification procedures. The proposed method serves as a viable means for facile and sensitive analyses of apoE genes in four unamplified genomic DNA extracts.