A High-Sensitivity Assay of Nucleic Acids with Tetraphenyl Porphyrin Cobalt Chlorine by Resonance Light Scattering Technique

Abstract

A novel probe, tetraphenyl porphyrin cobalt chlorine (CoTPPCl), is first applied to determine nucleic acids at the nanogram level based on the measurement of resonance light scattering (RLS) signals, which result from the interaction of CoTPPCl with nucleic acids. Under pH 6.37 conditions, the reaction between CoTPPCl and nucleic acid enhances the weak resonance light scattering (RLS) signal of CoTPPCl, and the enhanced light scattering intensity is proportional to the concentration of nucleic acid. The method is sensitive (3.45 ng/mL for ctDNA), simple (one step and a common fluorimeter), and tolerant of the metal ions and other coexistent substances. The mode of the combination between CoTPPCl and nucleic acids and the reasons for RLS enhancement are clearly clarified. Synthetic samples were determined with satisfactory results.