Determination of Lead(II) by a Nitrocellulose Membrane Fluorescent Biosensor Based on G-Quadruplex Conformational Changes

Abstract

A simple, label-free fluorescence method was developed for the sensitive determination of lead(II) using a nitrocellulose membrane biosensor. The surface of the nitrocellulose membrane was modified by glutaraldehyde to conjugate streptavidin, followed by the immobilization of a DNA probe via a biotin modifier. The biotinylated DNA probe can fold into a G-quadruplex structure in the presence of potassium ion that selectively binds to N-methyl mesoporphyrin IX and yields a strong fluorescence signal. The presence of lead(II) can induce a conformational change of the G-quadruplex to a more compact structure, which results in the release of potassium ion and N-methyl mesoporphyrin IX with a concomitant reduction of the fluorescence signal. The biosensor displayed a detection limit as low as 10 nM with excellent selectivity for lead(II) over other metal ions. The developed biosensor was employed for the determination of lead(II) in spiked river water.