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Single-Molecule Sensor for High-Confidence Detection of miRNA
Kalani M Wijesinghe1, Mazhar A Kanak2, J Chuck Harrell3
1Department of Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23284, United States.
ACS Sensors
|March 21, 2022
Summary
A novel DNA-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) sensor offers ultrasensitive detection of microRNAs (miRNAs) linked to triple-negative breast cancer. This technology enables early disease diagnosis without target amplification.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical gene regulators implicated in various diseases.
- Accurate and sensitive miRNA detection is essential for early disease diagnosis.
- Current miRNA detection methods face challenges due to miRNA properties and complexity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a DNA-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) sensor for ultrasensitive miRNA detection.
- To detect miRNA-342-3p, a biomarker for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
Main Methods:
- Development of a DNA-based FRET sensor.
- Utilizing hybridization-based detection principles.
- Testing the sensor's performance with miRNA extracts from cancer cell lines and xenografts.
Main Results:
- The FRET sensor exhibits ultrasensitive detection of miRNA-342-3p down to femtomolar (fM) levels.
- The sensor demonstrates high specificity and a broad dynamic range (3 orders of magnitude).
- Successful detection of miRNA-342-3p in biological samples from cancer cell lines and TNBC patient-derived xenografts.
Conclusions:
- The developed FRET sensor provides a simple, sensitive, and specific platform for miRNA detection.
- This technology holds potential for early diagnosis and screening of various genetic disorders.
- The platform's design allows for adaptation to detect a wide array of miRNAs.
