Direct labeling microRNA with an electrocatalytic moiety and its application in ultrasensitive microRNA assays

An ultrasensitive procedure for the detection of microRNA (miRNA) in total RNA is described in this work. The miRNA is directly labeled with a redox active and electrocatalytic moiety, Ru(PD)2Cl2 (PD = 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione), through coordinative bonds with purine bases in the miRNA molecule. The excellent electrocatalytic activity of the Ru(PD)2Cl2 towards the oxidation of hydrazine makes it possible to conduct ultrasensitive miRNA detection. Under optimized experimental conditions, the assay allows the detection of miRNAs in the range of 0.50–400 pM with a detection limit of 0.20 pM in 2.5 μl (0.50 amole). MicroRNA quantitation is therefore performed in as little as 10 ng of total RNA, providing a much-needed platform for miRNA expression analysis.