A new method for the detection of adenosine based on time-resolved fluorescence sensor

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Aptamer-based sensors offer high specificity for target molecules.
• Time-resolved fluorescence (TRF) provides sensitive detection capabilities.
• Developing efficient sensors for small molecule detection in biological samples remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel time-resolved fluorescence sensor for small molecule detection.
• To utilize a thrombin binding aptamer complex for enhanced sensor performance.
• To demonstrate the sensor's efficacy in detecting adenosine in serum.

Main Methods:

• The sensor utilizes two oligonucleotide strands (DNA1 and DNA2) functionalized with aptamers (α-aptamer and β-aptamer).
• Thrombin binding induces hybridization, concealing biotin and preventing streptavidin binding, thus inhibiting signal generation.
• The system integrates aptamer recognition with time-resolved fluorescence detection.

Main Results:

• A sensitive sensor for small molecule detection was successfully developed.
• The sensor demonstrated a low detection limit of 0.5 nM for adenosine in serum.
• A linear relationship between signal and adenosine concentration was observed.

Conclusions:

• The thrombin binding aptamer complex-based TRF sensor is a viable strategy for sensitive small molecule detection.
• The developed sensor shows promise for detecting biomarkers like adenosine in complex biological matrices.
• This approach integrates aptamer specificity with fluorescence detection for robust analytical applications.