Sub-femtomolar electrochemical detection of DNA using surface circular strand-replacement polymerization and gold nanoparticle catalyzed silver deposition for signal amplification

A highly sensitive method was developed for detection of target DNA. This method combined circular strand-displacement polymerization (CSRP) with silver enhancement to achieve dual signal amplification. After molecular beacon (MB) hybridized with target DNA, the reporter gold nanoparticle (Au NPs) was attached to an electrode surface by hybridization between Au NP labeled primer and stem part of the MB to initiate a polymerization of DNA strand, which led to the release of target and another polymerization cycle. Thus the CSRP produced the multiplication of target-related reporter Au NPs on the surface. The Au NPs then catalyzed silver deposition for subsequent stripping analysis of silver. The dual signal amplification offered a dramatic enhancement of the stripping response. This signal could discriminate perfect matched target DNA from 1-base mismatch DNA. The dynamic range of the sequence-specific DNA detection was from 10−16 to 10−12 mol L−1 with a detection limit down to sub-femtomolar level. This proposed method exhibited an efficient amplification performance, and would open new opportunities for sensitive detection of other biorecognition events.

► A highly sensitive electrochemical method is developed for detection of target DNA.
► Dual signal amplification by circular strand-displacement polymerization and silver enhancement is designed.
► The biosensor can discriminate target DNA from 1-base mismatch DNA.
► The biosensor can detect DNA down to sub-femtomolar level.