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Updated: Jan 9, 2026
Genetically-encoded Molecular Probes to Study G Protein-coupled Receptors
Published on: September 13, 2013
Macromolecule-Enriched Fluorescent Peptides Derived from Receptor Proteins for Sensitive Drug Identification via
Shiqi Liuye1, Tianhao Shi1, Yang Zhou1
1State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), Innovation Laboratory for Sciences and Technologies of Energy Materials of Fujian Province (IKKEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, P. R. China.
This study presents a novel peptide-based sensor array for detecting synthetic illicit drugs. The array achieves high accuracy and sensitivity in identifying multiple drugs simultaneously, even in complex samples like artificial urine.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Synthetic illicit drugs pose significant health and security risks.
- Simultaneous detection of multiple drugs is crucial but challenging.
- Developing sensitive and selective sensing elements is a key hurdle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design a peptide-based sensor array for sensitive and simultaneous detection of synthetic illicit drugs.
- To develop a dual signal amplification strategy for enhanced detection.
- To address the challenge of high-sensitivity detection using non-targeted sensing elements.
Main Methods:
- Rational truncation of receptor protein binding fragments to create fluorogenic peptides.
- Dual signal amplification using Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) enhancement and macromolecule-induced probe enrichment.
- Construction of a three-channel, four-complex sensor array.
Main Results:
- Simultaneous identification of 5 drugs at 100 nM concentration with 100% accuracy.
- Quantitative detection of drugs in various mixtures.
- Successful differentiation of simulated drug samples in artificial urine.
Conclusions:
- The developed sensor array offers high sensitivity and parallel detection capabilities in complex matrices.
- This approach provides a promising solution for the detection of prevalent synthetic illicit drugs.
- Peptide-based sensing elements combined with signal amplification strategies are effective for multi-drug detection.
