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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
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The Visual Colorimetric Detection of Multi-nucleotide Polymorphisms on a Pneumatic Droplet Manipulation Platform
Published on: September 27, 2016
Multiplex detection of endonucleases by using a multicolor gold nanobeacon
Yong Huang1, Shulin Zhao, Hong Liang
1Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, PR China.
Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|May 11, 2011
Summary
A novel gold nanobeacon assay enables sensitive, simultaneous detection of multiple endonucleases. This highly sensitive method offers significant improvements over existing assays and shows potential for screening endonuclease inhibitors.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Endonucleases are crucial enzymes involved in DNA metabolism and disease.
- Existing methods for endonuclease detection often lack sensitivity and multiplexing capabilities.
- Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) offer unique optical properties for biosensing applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a highly sensitive and selective assay for the multiplex detection of endonucleases.
- To utilize enzyme-responsive multicolor gold nanobeacons for quantitative analysis.
- To demonstrate the potential of the assay for screening endonuclease inhibitors.
Main Methods:
- Development of enzyme-responsive multicolor gold nanobeacons using AuNPs and fluorescently labeled DNA hairpins.
- Utilizing nanosurface energy-transfer (NSET) for fluorescence quenching.
- Monitoring fluorescence recovery upon specific DNA cleavage by endonucleases.
- Simultaneous quantification of three model endonucleases (HaeIII, EcoRI, EcoRV) in solution.
Main Results:
- The assay achieved high sensitivity with limits of detection between 5.0×10⁻⁴ to 1.0×10⁻³ U/mL, over 100 times more sensitive than previous methods.
- Simultaneous and specific quantification of multiple endonucleases in homogeneous mixtures was demonstrated.
- The assay successfully detected the inhibitory effects of anticancer drugs on endonuclease activity.
Conclusions:
- The developed gold nanobeacon assay provides a sensitive, reliable, and facile platform for multiplex endonuclease detection.
- This method significantly advances endonuclease detection sensitivity and offers a promising tool for drug discovery and screening.
- The assay's ability to detect inhibitors highlights its potential in pharmaceutical research and development.
