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Douaki A, Stuber A, Hengsteler J, Momotenko D, Rogers DM, Rocchia W, Hirst JD, Nakatsuka N, Garoli D. Theoretical analysis of divalent cation effects on aptamer recognition of neurotransmitter targets. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:14713-14716. [PMID: 37997814 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc04334g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Aptamer-based sensing of small molecules such as dopamine and serotonin in the brain, requires characterization of the specific aptamer sequences in solutions mimicking the in vivo environment with physiological ionic concentrations. In particular, divalent cations (Mg2+ and Ca2+) present in brain fluid, have been shown to affect the conformational dynamics of aptamers upon target recognition. Thus, for biosensors that transduce aptamer structure switching as the signal response, it is critical to interrogate the influence of divalent cations on each unique aptamer sequence. Herein, we demonstrate the potential of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to predict the behaviour of dopamine and serotonin aptamers on sensor surfaces. The simulations enable molecular-level visualization of aptamer conformational changes that, in some cases, are significantly influenced by divalent cations. The correlations of theoretical simulations with experimental findings validate the potential for MD simulations to predict aptamer-specific behaviors on biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Douaki
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genova 16136, Italy.
| | - Annina Stuber
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Switzerland.
| | - Julian Hengsteler
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Switzerland.
| | - Dmitry Momotenko
- Department of Chemistry, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg D-26129, Germany
| | - David M Rogers
- School of Chemistry | University of Nottingham University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Walter Rocchia
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genova 16136, Italy.
| | - Jonathan D Hirst
- School of Chemistry | University of Nottingham University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Nako Nakatsuka
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Switzerland.
| | - Denis Garoli
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genova 16136, Italy.
- Dip. di Scienze e Metodi dell'Ingegneria, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, via Amendola 2, Reggio Emilia 42122, Italy
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Lauzon D, Vallée-Bélisle A. Programing Chemical Communication: Allostery vs Multivalent Mechanism. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:18846-18854. [PMID: 37581934 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c04045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of life has relied on chemical communication and the ability to integrate multiple chemical inputs into a specific output. Two mechanisms are typically employed by nature to do so: allostery and multivalent activation. Although a better understanding of allostery has recently provided a variety of strategies to optimize the binding affinity, sensitivity, and specificity of molecular switches, mechanisms relying on multivalent activation remain poorly understood. As a proof of concept to compare the thermodynamic basis and design principles of both mechanisms, we have engineered a highly programmable DNA-based switch that can be triggered by either a multivalent or an allosteric DNA activator. By precisely designing the binding interface of the multivalent activator, we show that the affinity, dynamic range, and activated half-life of the molecular switch can be programed with even more versatility than when using an allosteric activator. The simplicity by which the activation properties of molecular switches can be rationally tuned using multivalent assembly suggests that it may find many applications in biosensing, drug delivery, synthetic biology, and molecular computation fields, where precise control over the transduction of binding events into a specific output is key.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Lauzon
- Département de Chimie, Laboratoire de Biosenseurs et Nanomachines, Université de Montréal, Montréal QC H2V 0B3, Canada
| | - Alexis Vallée-Bélisle
- Département de Chimie, Laboratoire de Biosenseurs et Nanomachines, Université de Montréal, Montréal QC H2V 0B3, Canada
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3
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Aptamer-functionalized capacitive biosensors. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 224:115014. [PMID: 36628826 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.115014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The growing use of aptamers as target recognition elements in label-free biosensing necessitates corresponding transducers that can be used in relevant environments. While popular in many fields, capacitive sensors have seen relatively little, but growing use in conjunction with aptamers for sensing diverse targets. Few reports have shown physiologically relevant sensitivity in laboratory conditions and a cohesive picture on how target capture modifies the measured capacitance has been lacking. In this review, we assess the current state of the field in three areas: small molecule, protein, and cell sensing. We critically analyze the proposed hypotheses on how aptamer-target capture modifies the capacitance, as many mechanistic postulations appear to conflict between published works. As the field matures, we encourage future works to investigate individual aptamer-target interactions and to interrogate the physical mechanisms leading to measured changes in capacitance. To this point, we provide recommendations on best practices for developing aptasensors with a particular focus on considerations for biosensing in clinical settings.
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Dillen A, Lammertyn J. Paving the way towards continuous biosensing by implementing affinity-based nanoswitches on state-dependent readout platforms. Analyst 2022; 147:1006-1023. [DOI: 10.1039/d1an02308j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Combining affinity-based nanoswitches with state-dependent readout platforms allows for continuous biosensing and acquisition of real-time information about biochemical processes occurring in the environment of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelies Dillen
- KU Leuven, Department of Biosystems – Biosensors Group, Willem de Croylaan 42, Box 2428, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Lammertyn
- KU Leuven, Department of Biosystems – Biosensors Group, Willem de Croylaan 42, Box 2428, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
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Aptamer-modified biosensors to visualize neurotransmitter flux. J Neurosci Methods 2022; 365:109386. [PMID: 34653500 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2021.109386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chemical biosensors with the capacity to continuously monitor various neurotransmitter dynamics can be powerful tools to understand complex signaling pathways in the brain. However, in vivo detection of neurochemicals is challenging for many reasons such as the rapid release and clearance of neurotransmitters in the extracellular space, or the low target analyte concentrations in a sea of interfering biomolecules. Biosensing platforms with adequate spatiotemporal resolution coupled to specific and selective receptors termed aptamers, demonstrate high potential to tackle such challenges. Herein, we review existing literature in this field. We first discuss nanoparticle-based systems, which have a simple in vitro implementation and easily interpretable results. We then examine methods employing near-infrared detection for deeper tissue imaging, hence easier translation to in vivo implementation. We conclude by reviewing live cell imaging of neurotransmitter release via aptamer-modified platforms. For each of these sensors, we discuss the associated challenges for translation to real-time in vivo neurochemical imaging. Realization of in vivo biosensors for neurotransmitters will drive future development of early prevention strategies, treatments, and therapeutics for psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Liu J, Li W, Li R, Yin X, He S, Hu J, Ruan S. Programmable DNA Framework Sensors for In Situ Cell-Surface pH Analysis. Anal Chem 2021; 93:12170-12174. [PMID: 34448560 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c03227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The availability of strategies for developing sensors with a defined responsiveness as well as the ability to working in a biological environment is critical to the fields of bioanalysis, nanomedicine, and nanorobotics. Herein, we developed programmable pH sensors by employing a tetrahedral DNA framework (TDF) as a robust structural skeleton for the sensors in biological working scenes and DNA i-motif structures as proton-recognition probes. The sensors' response midpoint and dynamic range can be fine-tuned by deliberately altering the i-motif's sequence composition or by combining different sensors, affording pH response windows that are consecutively distributed in the biologically relevant pH range of 5.0-7.5. This controllable tunability was successfully employed for in situ cell-surface pH analysis after anchoring the i-motif-TDF nanosensor on the cell surface via a two-step anchoring strategy, providing a useful platform for the diagnostics of diseases associated with extracellular pH variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxin Liu
- College of Health Science and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Weiwu Li
- Physikalisches Institut, Universität Stuttgart, Stuttgart 70569, Germany
| | - Rongsong Li
- College of Health Science and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Xiuzhao Yin
- College of Health Science and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Shiliang He
- College of Health Science and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Junqing Hu
- College of Health Science and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China.,Shenzhen Bey Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China
| | - Shuangchen Ruan
- College of New Materials and New Energies, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China.,Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Laser Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
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Dillen A, Vandezande W, Daems D, Lammertyn J. Unraveling the effect of the aptamer complementary element on the performance of duplexed aptamers: a thermodynamic study. Anal Bioanal Chem 2021; 413:4739-4750. [PMID: 34109445 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-021-03444-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Duplexed aptamers (DAs) are widespread aptasensor formats that simultaneously recognize and signal the concentration of target molecules. They are composed of an aptamer and aptamer complementary element (ACE) which consists of a short oligonucleotide that partially inhibits the aptamer sequence. Although the design principles to engineer DAs are straightforward, the tailored development of DAs for a particular target is currently based on trial and error due to limited knowledge of how the ACE sequence affects the final performance of DA biosensors. Therefore, we have established a thermodynamic model describing the influence of the ACE on the performance of DAs applied in equilibrium assays and demonstrated that this relationship can be described by the binding strength between the aptamer and ACE. To validate our theoretical findings, the model was applied to the 29-mer anti-thrombin aptamer as a case study, and an experimental relation between the aptamer-ACE binding strength and performance of DAs was established. The obtained results indicated that our proposed model could accurately describe the effect of the ACE sequence on the performance of the established DAs for thrombin detection, applied for equilibrium assays. Furthermore, to characterize the binding strength between the aptamer and ACEs evaluated in this work, a set of fitting equations was derived which enables thermodynamic characterization of DNA-based interactions through thermal denaturation experiments, thereby overcoming the limitations of current predictive software and chemical denaturation experiments. Altogether, this work encourages the development, characterization, and use of DAs in the field of biosensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelies Dillen
- Department of Biosystems - Biosensors Group, KU Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42, Box 2428, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wouter Vandezande
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems - Centre for Membrane Separations, Adsorption, Catalysis and Spectroscopy for Sustainable Solutions, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Box 2454, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Devin Daems
- Department of Chemistry - AXES research group, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2010, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Lammertyn
- Department of Biosystems - Biosensors Group, KU Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42, Box 2428, 3001, Leuven, Belgium.
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Nakatsuka N, Abendroth JM, Yang KA, Andrews AM. Divalent Cation Dependence Enhances Dopamine Aptamer Biosensing. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:9425-9435. [PMID: 33410656 PMCID: PMC7933093 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c17535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Oligonucleotide receptors (aptamers), which change conformation upon target recognition, enable electronic biosensing under high ionic-strength conditions when coupled to field-effect transistors (FETs). Because highly negatively charged aptamer backbones are influenced by ion content and concentration, biosensor performance and target sensitivities were evaluated under application conditions. For a recently identified dopamine aptamer, physiological concentrations of Mg2+ and Ca2+ in artificial cerebrospinal fluid produced marked potentiation of dopamine FET-sensor responses. By comparison, divalent cation-associated signal amplification was not observed for FET sensors functionalized with a recently identified serotonin aptamer or a previously reported dopamine aptamer. Circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed Mg2+- and Ca2+-induced changes in target-associated secondary structure for the new dopamine aptamer, but not the serotonin aptamer nor the old dopamine aptamer. Thioflavin T displacement corroborated the Mg2+ dependence of the new dopamine aptamer for target detection. These findings imply allosteric binding interactions between divalent cations and dopamine for the new dopamine aptamer. Developing and testing sensors in ionic environments that reflect intended applications are best practices for identifying aptamer candidates with favorable attributes and elucidating sensing mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nako Nakatsuka
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - John M. Abendroth
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Kyung-Ae Yang
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Anne M. Andrews
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, and Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- Corresponding Author:
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Li S, Li C, Wang Y, Li H, Xia F. Re-engineering Electrochemical Aptamer-Based Biosensors to Tune Their Useful Dynamic Range via Distal-Site Mutation and Allosteric Inhibition. Anal Chem 2020; 92:13427-13433. [PMID: 32872766 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c02782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical aptamer-based (E-AB) sensors, exploiting binding-induced changes in biomolecular conformation, are rapid, specific, and selective and perform well even in a complex matrix, such as directly in whole blood and even in vivo. However, like all sensors employing biomolecular recognitions, E-AB sensors suffer from an inherent limitation of single-site binding, i.e., its fixed dose-response curve. To circumvent this, we employ here distal-site mutation and allosteric inhibition to rationally tune the dynamic range of E-AB sensors, achieving sets of sensors with a significantly varied target affinity (∼3 orders of magnitude). Using their combination, we recreate several approaches to narrow (down to 5-fold) or extend (up to 2000-fold) the dynamic range of biological receptors. The thermodynamic consequences of aptamer-surface interactions are estimated via the free-energy difference in solution-phase and surface-bound biosensors employing the same aptamer as a recognition element, revealing that an allostery strategy provides a more predictable and efficient means to finely control the target affinity and dynamic range. Such an ability to rationally modulate the affinity of biomolecule receptors would open the door to applications including cancer therapy, bioelectronics, and many other fields employing biomolecule recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoguang Li
- Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Chengcheng Li
- Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Hui Li
- Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Fan Xia
- Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
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Campuzano S, Pedrero M, Gamella M, Serafín V, Yáñez-Sedeño P, Pingarrón JM. Beyond Sensitive and Selective Electrochemical Biosensors: Towards Continuous, Real-Time, Antibiofouling and Calibration-Free Devices. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 20:E3376. [PMID: 32560028 PMCID: PMC7348748 DOI: 10.3390/s20123376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays, electrochemical biosensors are reliable analytical tools to determine a broad range of molecular analytes because of their simplicity, affordable cost, and compatibility with multiplexed and point-of-care strategies. There is an increasing demand to improve their sensitivity and selectivity, but also to provide electrochemical biosensors with important attributes such as near real-time and continuous monitoring in complex or denaturing media, or in vivo with minimal intervention to make them even more attractive and suitable for getting into the real world. Modification of biosensors surfaces with antibiofouling reagents, smart coupling with nanomaterials, and the advances experienced by folded-based biosensors have endowed bioelectroanalytical platforms with one or more of such attributes. With this background in mind, this review aims to give an updated and general overview of these technologies as well as to discuss the remarkable achievements arising from the development of electrochemical biosensors free of reagents, washing, or calibration steps, and/or with antifouling properties and the ability to perform continuous, real-time, and even in vivo operation in nearly autonomous way. The challenges to be faced and the next features that these devices may offer to continue impacting in fields closely related with essential aspects of people's safety and health are also commented upon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Campuzano
- Departamento de Química Analítica, Facultad de CC. Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, E-28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.P.); (M.G.); (V.S.); (P.Y.-S.)
| | | | | | | | | | - José Manuel Pingarrón
- Departamento de Química Analítica, Facultad de CC. Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, E-28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.P.); (M.G.); (V.S.); (P.Y.-S.)
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