Colorimetric Detection with Aptamer-Gold Nanoparticle Conjugates: Effect of Aptamer Length on Response

Published

September 14, 2012

Author(s)

Jorge L. Chavez, Robert I. MacCuspie, Nancy Kelley-Loughnane, Morley O. Stone

Abstract

A riboflavin binding aptamer (RBA) was used in combination with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to detect riboflavin in vitro. The RBA-AuNPs responded colorimetrically to the presence of riboflavin and this response could be followed by the naked eye. We used this system as a model to study how modifications on the aptamer sequence affect the response of the aptamer-AuNP conjugates (Apt-AuNPs) to their target. To mimic primers and other sequence modifications typically used in aptamer work, the RBA was extended by adding random bases to its 5' end and the response of these Apt-AuNPs was evaluated. These extra bases were designed to avoid interactions with the RBA binding site. We observed that the length of the aptamer significantly affected the Apt-AuNPs stability and the magnitude of the detection response to riboflavin. The addition of thymine nucleotides instead of random tails to the RBA showed that the effects observed were not specific to the sequence used but rather general. This work shows that modifications of the aptamer sequence provide a means to improve the Apt-AuNPs sensing response.

Citation

Journal of Nanoparticle Research

Volume

14

Issue

10

Pub Type

Journals

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DOI Link

Keywords

gold nanoparticles, riboflavin binding aptamer, biosensors

Citation

Chavez, J. , MacCuspie, R. , Kelley-Loughnane, N. and Stone, M. (2012), Colorimetric Detection with Aptamer-Gold Nanoparticle Conjugates: Effect of Aptamer Length on Response, Journal of Nanoparticle Research, [online], https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-012-1166-0 (Accessed April 24, 2024)