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Poly(thymine)-Templated Copper Nanoparticles as a Fluorescent Indicator for Hydrogen Peroxide and Oxidase-Based
Zhengui Mao1, Zhihe Qing1, Taiping Qing1
1State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Bio-Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, P. R. China.
This study introduces a new fluorescent sensor using poly(thymine)-templated copper nanoparticles (T-CuNPs) for detecting hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and oxidases. The sensor offers a simple, low-cost method for biochemical and clinical analysis.
Area of Science:
- Nanomaterials Science
- Biochemical Analysis
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Biomineralized fluorescent metal nanoparticles offer unique synthesis and application properties.
- Poly(thymine)-templated copper nanoparticles (T-CuNPs) show promise for signal transduction in biochemical analysis but are underutilized.
- Existing T-CuNPs applications are limited, necessitating novel sensing strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel fluorescent analytical strategy for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and oxidase-based biosensing.
- To utilize T-CuNPs as an effective signal indicator in a new sensing platform.
- To demonstrate the practical applicability of the developed strategy in clinical settings.
Main Methods:
- Development of a fluorescent assay based on T-CuNPs formation and oxidative cleavage of poly(thymine) probes.
- Utilizing the Fenton reaction where H2O2 generates hydroxyl radicals (·OH) that cleave the poly(thymine) probe, altering T-CuNPs fluorescence.
- Application of the strategy for detecting glucose in human serum samples as a proof-of-concept.
Main Results:
- The strategy effectively templates T-CuNPs formation in the absence of H2O2, yielding a high fluorescent signal.
- The presence of H2O2 leads to ·OH formation, cleaving the poly(thymine) probe and reducing fluorescence intensity.
- Successful detection of glucose in human serum samples, validating the sensor's practical applicability.
Conclusions:
- A new, simple, and low-cost fluorescent analytical strategy for H2O2 and oxidase detection has been established.
- The strategy leverages poly(thymine) length-dependent T-CuNPs formation and oxidative probe cleavage for signal transduction.
- The developed sensor demonstrates significant potential for effective biochemical and clinical applications, including real sample analysis.
