Abstract
Telomerase, as a valuable biomarker, is an important target in cancer diagnosis. Here, we report a ratiometric fluorescent probe for telomerase activity assay in urine and bladder cancer diagnoses based on the color change of Rox-DNA functionalized quantum dots (QDs). The green fluorescence of the QDs was sensitive to H2O2, but the red fluorescence of Rox showed no change. An HRP-mimicking hemin/G-quadruplex, which was formed with the help of telomerase activity, catalyzed H2O2 into H2O and O2. This quadruplex effectively avoided H2O2 interference with green fluorescence. In the presence of H2O2, the detected color changed from red to yellow-green by increasing the telomerase concentration. The detection limit (LOD) was 10 cells, and response time was within 60 min. More importantly, a paper sensor was developed based on this probe and used for the assay of telomerase activity in urine samples. The results were highly sensitive and reproducible, and visual semi-quantitative detection was realized using the naked eye.
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