Lateral flow aptasensor for progesterone: Competitive target recognition and displacement of short complementary...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) require simple, accurate detection methods in environmental samples.
• Progesterone (P4) is an EDC that needs reliable monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a highly sensitive competitive lateral flow assay (LFA) for progesterone detection.
• To create a rapid, simple, and accurate analytical tool for environmental monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Functionalization of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with a P4-specific aptamer and a biotinylated complementary sequence.
• Development of a competitive assay where P4 presence disrupts aptamer-hybridization, leading to signal change.
• Optimization of aptamer-complement hybridization for enhanced sensitivity.

Main Results:

• Achieved a 20-fold sensitivity improvement, reaching a 5 nM detection level for P4.
• Demonstrated a dynamic range in the low nanomolar range for P4 detection in buffer and spiked tap water.
• Exhibited excellent selectivity against potential interferents like 17β-estradiol (E2).

Conclusions:

• The developed aptamer-based LFA is a simple, sensitive, and selective tool for P4 detection in water.
• This assay provides a rapid screening method, avoiding laborious extraction and conventional chromatographic analyses.
• The LFA facilitates efficient environmental monitoring of progesterone levels.