A New Approach to Amplified Telomerase Detection with Polyvalent Oligonucleotide Nanoparticle Conjugates

Gengfeng Zheng, Weston L. Daniel and Chad A. Mirkin
Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3113
J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2008, 130 (30), pp 9644–9645
DOI: 10.1021/ja803035p
Publication Date (Web): July 3, 2008
Copyright © 2008 American Chemical Society

Abstract

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We report a new assay for human telomerase activity that relies on polyvalent oligonucleotide nanoparticle conjugates as diagnostic probes and amplification units. Gold nanoparticles functionalized with specific oligonucleotide sequences can efficiently capture telomerase enzymes and subsequently be elongated. Both the elongated and unmodified oligonucleotide sequences are simultaneously measured. The two strands not only serve as internal positive controls for each other but also provide a way of amplifying signal. At high concentrations, both elongated and unmodified strands exhibit measurable responses. At low telomerase concentrations (e.g., from 10 HeLa cells), elongated strands cannot be detected, but the unmodified sequences, which come from the same probe particles, can be detected because their concentration is higher, providing a novel form of amplification. This new assay rivals the sensitivity of the conventional PCR-based method of telomerase detection.

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History

  • Published In Issue July 30, 2008
  • Article ASAPJuly 03, 2008
  • Received: April 24, 2008

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