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We described an aptamer based and Mg2+ mediated free zone capillary electrophoresis-laser induced fluorescence (CE-LIF) assay for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) detection. This CE-LIF assay applied an anti-AFB1 aptamer with a single fluorescein (FAM) label at 5′ end and a short complementary DNA (cDNA). In the absence of AFB1, the cDNA hybridized with the aptamer probe and formed a duplex DNA. The use of running buffer containing MgCl 2 allowed good isolation of the duplex DNA from the single stranded DNA in CE. We found introducing a biotin label on the cDNA further improved the isolation. When AFB1 existed in sample solution, the aptamer probe bound with AFB1, dissociating from the duplex DNA. Thus, the duplex DNA peak decreased, while the aptamer probe peak increased during CE-LIF analysis. We achieved detection of AFB1 by measuring the aptamer probe peak. The length of cDNA, the ratio of aptamer to cDNA, and the concentration of MgCl 2 in sample buffer and separation buffer had great effect on the aptamer based CE-LIF assay. Under optimized conditions, the detection limit of AFB1 was 0.2 nM, and the dynamic range was from 0.2 nM to 500 nM. Limit of quantitation was 0.5 nM. This CE-LIF assay enabled detection of AFB1 spiked in diluted human serum, diluted human urine, and corn flour samples. This assay exhibits potential for wide application as it integrates the rapidity, high sensitivity, low sample consumption of CE-LIF analysis and the strengths of aptamer. An aptamer free zone capillary electrophoresis coupled with laser induced fluorescence assay (CE-LIF) was developed for detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). AFB1 competes with a short complementary DNA (cDNA) in the binding to a fluorescein (FAM)-labeled aptamer probe. The duplex DNA is well isolated from the FAM-labeled aptamer in CE with separation buffer containing MgCl 2. The presence of AFB1 caused decrease of the aptamer-cDNA duplex peak and increase of aptamer probe peak during CE-LIF analysis. Image 1 • Aptamer free zone capillary electrophoresis (CE) assay for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). • Complementary DNA (cDNA) and fluorescein-labeled aptamer probe are used. • MgCl 2 mediated CE allows separation of aptamer probe and aptamer-cDNA duplex. • AFB1 binding causes decrease of duplex peak and increase of aptamer probe peak. • AFB1 is detected by peaks changes in CE coupled with laser induced fluorescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We previously reported a fluorescence anisotropy (FA) approach for small molecules using tetramethylrhodamine (TMR) labeled aptamer. It relies on target-binding induced change of intramolecular interaction between TMR and guanine (G) base. TMR-labeling sites are crucial for this approach. Only terminal ends and thymine (T) bases could be tested for TMR labeling in our previous work, possibly causing limitation in analysis of different targets with this FA strategy. Here, taking the analysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as an example, we demonstrated a success of conjugating TMR on other bases of aptamer adenine (A) or cytosine (C) bases and an achievement of full mapping various labeling sites of aptamers. We successfully constructed aptamer fluorescence anisotropy (FA) sensors for adenosine triphosphate (ATP). We conjugated single TMR on adenine (A), cytosine (C), or thymine (T) bases or terminals of a 25-mer aptamer against ATP and tested FA responses of 14 TMR-labeled aptamer to ATP. The aptamers having TMR labeled on the 16th base C or 23rd base A were screened out and exhibited significant FA-decreasing or FA-increasing responses upon ATP, respectively. These two favorable TMR-labeled aptamers enabled direct FA sensing ATP with a detection limit of 1 µM and the analysis of ATP in diluted serum. The comprehensive screening various TMR labeling sites of aptamers facilitates the successful construction of FA sensors using TMR-labeled aptamers. It will expand application of TMR-G interaction based aptamer FA strategy to a variety of targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Affinity probes, such as nucleic acid aptamers, have been combined with fluorescence anisotropy (FA)/fluorescence polarization (FP) technology for the development of a diverse range of assays. Formation of a complex between a small fluorescent molecule and its binding partner usually increases the overall size of the fluorescent molecule and decreases its rate of rotation, resulting in increases in fluorescence anisotropy/polarization. Structure-switching of the fluorescently labeled aptamers arising from target binding can also affect molecular volume, local rotation of the fluorophore, and/or fluorescence lifetime, causing changes in anisotropy/polarization. Incorporation of the unique adsorptive properties of single-stranded nucleic acid aptamers on nanomaterials, hybridization of aptamers with complementary sequences, and the amplifiable ability of nucleic acid aptamers have broadened the applications of fluorescence anisotropy assays and enhanced their sensitivity. This review focuses on nucleic acid aptamer-based fluorescence anisotropy assays for the detection of small molecules, such as therapeutic drugs, environmental contaminants, natural toxins, and metabolites. Highlights • Diverse assays use aptamer binding and fluorescence anisotropy detection. • Direct assays enable studies of binding affinity. • Competitive assays achieve fluorescence anisotropy detection of small molecules. • Structure-switching of fluorescently labeled aptamers results in anisotropy changes. • Proteins and nanomaterials facilitate amplification of detection signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A DNA aptamer based high-performance affinity chromatography is developed for selective extraction and screening of a basic protein lysozyme. First, a poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) monolithic column was synthesized in situ by thermally initiated radical polymerization, and then an anti-lysozyme DNA aptamer was covalently immobilized on the surface of the monolith through a 16-atom spacer arm. The target protein lysozyme but non-target proteins can be trapped by the immobilized anti-lysozyme DNA aptamer. In contrast, lysozyme cannot be trapped by the immobilized oligodeoxynucleotide that does not contain the sequence of the anti-lysozyme DNA aptamer. The study clearly demonstrates the trapping of lysozyme by the immobilized anti-lysozyme DNA aptamer is mainly due to specific recognition rather than simple electrostatic interaction of positively charged protein and the negatively charged DNA. The inter-day precision was determined as 0.8% for migration time and 4.2% for peak area, respectively. By the use of aptamer affinity monolith, a screening strategy is developed to selectively extract lysozyme from chicken egg white, showing the advantages of high efficiency, low cost and ease-of-operation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The detection and quantification of disease-related proteins play critical roles in clinical practice and diagnostic assays. We present an affinity probe capillary electrophoresis/laser-induced fluorescence polarization (APCE/LIFP) assay for detection of human thrombin using a specific aptamer as probe. In the APCE/LIFP assay, the mobility and fluorescence polarization of complex are measured simultaneously during CE analysis. The affinity complex of human thrombin can be well separated from unbound aptamer on CE and clearly identified on the basis of its fluorescence polarization and migration. Because of the binding favorable G-quartet conformation potentially involved in the specific aptamer, it was assumed that monovalent and bivalent cations promoting the formation of a stable G quadruplex conformation in the aptamer may enhance the binding of the aptamer and thrombin. Therefore, we investigated the effects of various metal cations on the binding of human thrombin and the aptamer. Our results show that cations like K+ and Mg2+ could not stabilize the affinity complex. Without the use of typical cations, a highly sensitive assay of human thrombin was developed with the corresponding detection limits of 4.38×10−19 and 2.94×10−19 mol in mass for standard solution and human serum, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]