Stable DNA Aptamer–Metal–Organic Framework as Horseradish Peroxidase Mimic for Ultra-Sensitive Detection of Carcinoembryonic Antigen in Serum

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is an important broad-spectrum tumor marker. For CEA detection, a novel type of metal–organic framework (MOF) was prepared by grafting CEA aptamer-incorporated DNA tetrahedral (TDN) nanostructures into PCN-222 (Fe)-based MOF (referred as CEA<sub>apt</sub>-T...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lingjun Sha, Mingcong Zhu, Fuqing Lin, Xiaomeng Yu, Langjian Dong, Licheng Wu, Rong Ding, Shuai Wu, Jingjing Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-10-01
Series:Gels
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/7/4/181
Description
Summary:Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is an important broad-spectrum tumor marker. For CEA detection, a novel type of metal–organic framework (MOF) was prepared by grafting CEA aptamer-incorporated DNA tetrahedral (TDN) nanostructures into PCN-222 (Fe)-based MOF (referred as CEA<sub>apt</sub>-TDN-MOF colloid nanorods). The synthesized CEA<sub>apt</sub>-TDN-MOF is a very stable detection system due to the vertex phosphorylated TDN structure at the interface, possessing a one-year shelf-life. Moreover, it exhibits a significant horseradish peroxidase mimicking activity due to the iron porphyrin ring, which leads to a colorimetric reaction upon binding toward antibody-captured CEA. Using this method, we successfully achieved the highly specific and ultra-sensitive detection of CEA with a limit of detection as low as 3.3 pg/mL. In addition, this method can detect and analyze the target proteins in clinical serum samples, effectively identify the difference between normal individuals and patients with colon cancer, and provide a new method for the clinical diagnosis of tumors, demonstrating a great application potential.
ISSN:2310-2861