Aptamer-based colorimetric detection of platelet-derived growth factor using unmodified goldnanoparticles

We developed a simple method for the detection of platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) based on base stacking effect coupled with an unmodified gold nanoparticle (AuNP) indicator. In the absence of a target, an aptamer probe and a capture probe stably co-exist in a solution, as it is difficult to sustain an interaction between both these probes due to the short 8 bp duplex. However, when a target protein binds to the aptamer probe, the strong base stacking effect can lead to a favorable and stable interaction between the aptamer and capture probes. Hence, the capture probe dissociates from the AuNP surfaces, inducing AuNP aggregation. Compared with other AuNP-based aptasensors for PDGFs, using this base stacking effect can overcome a structured-aptamer method's limitation of requiring thiolated-aptamer-modified AuNPs. Under optimal detection conditions, this label-free colorimetric sensor could detect PDGFs down to 6 nM with high selectivity in the presence of other interferring proteins. This simple detection approach provides viable methods for a structured-aptamer sensing protocol.

► A method to selectively recognize PDGF was developed based on base stacking effects.
► This assay provides the simple robust colorimetric detection using unmodified AuNPs.
► Probes are used without any further labelingstep.