Measuring interactions and conformational changes of DNA molecules using electrochemiluminescence resonance energy transfer in the conjugates consisting of luminol, DNA and quantum dot

A method based on electrochemiluminescence resonance energy transfer (ECRET) between luminol as the donor and CdSe/ZnS quantum dot (QD) for evaluation of the interactions between DNAs and measurement of the conformational changes of DNAs was developed. When a positive potential was applied to the conjugates consisting luminol, DNA and QD, ECRET between luminol molecules and QDs could be detected in 0.2 mol/L Na2CO3–NaHCO3 buffer (pH 10) containing 1.0 × 10−2 mol/L H2O2. In this case, luminol molecules emitted a light with a maximum emission (λm) of 460 nm or transferred energy to proximal ground-state QDs. The excited state QDs relaxed to their ground state by emitting a light with a λm of 655 nm. The ECRET between luminol and QD was used to evaluate interactions between DNAs and to measure conformational changes of DNAs.

Graphical abstractElectrochemiluminescence resonance energy transfer in the conjugates consisting of luminol, DNA and quantum dot.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Electrochemiluminescence resonance energy transfer in DNA conjugates is studied. ► The ECRET system is used to evaluate the interactions between DNAs. ► The ECRET system is used to examine the conformational changes of DNAs. ► The ECRET system is used to measure distances between groups in DNAs.