Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
08:23
Design and Development of Aptamer–Gold Nanoparticle Based Colorimetric Assays for In-the-field Applications
Published on: June 23, 2016
Affinity analysis of DNA aptamer-peptide interactions using gold nanoparticles
Lihan Tan1, Koon Gee Neoh, En-Tang Kang
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge 117576, Singapore.
Analytical Biochemistry
|January 5, 2012
Summary
Gold nanoparticles detect mucin 1 peptide binding to DNA aptamers. This method enhances aptamer screening for high-affinity binders, offering a rapid and sensitive alternative for biomarker identification.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biochemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Mucin 1 (MUC1) is a cancer biomarker.
- DNA aptamers are effective MUC1 binders.
- Developing sensitive MUC1 detection methods is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a gold nanoparticle-based assay for MUC1 peptide-DNA aptamer affinity analysis.
- To utilize gold nanoparticles as both colorimetric probes and fluorescence quenchers.
- To determine the dissociation constant (Kd) of DNA aptamers binding to MUC1 peptide.
Main Methods:
- Coating gold nanoparticles with single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) aptamers.
- Assessing gold nanoparticle stability and aggregation using UV-vis spectroscopy.
- Measuring fluorescence restoration of CY5-labeled ssDNA.
- Utilizing techniques like dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements.
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for structural analysis.
Main Results:
- ssDNA aptamer-coated gold nanoparticles exhibited enhanced stability in the presence of MUC1 peptide.
- UV-vis extinction spectra and fluorescence restoration correlated with ssDNA-MUC1 peptide complex formation.
- Dissociation constants (Kd) were determined, reflecting sequence-dependent binding affinity.
- Supporting data from hydrodynamic diameter, zeta potential, and TEM analyses.
Conclusions:
- The developed gold nanoparticle assay is a rapid and sensitive method for MUC1 peptide-DNA aptamer affinity analysis.
- This approach provides an alternative to traditional methods for identifying high-affinity binders from SELEX.
- The study demonstrates the utility of gold nanoparticles in aptamer-based biomarker detection.
