Plasmonic colorimetric biosensor for visual detection of telomerase activity based on horseradish peroxidase-encapsulated liposomes and etching of Au nanobipyramids

Abstract

Telomerase aberrant activation is a critical feature in the vast majority of cancers. To visualize telomerase expression level in tumor cells, we developed a plasmonic colorimetric sensor for highly sensitive detection of telomerase activity by integrating an excellent etching substrate Au nanobipyramids (Au NBPs) with a liposome-based signal amplification strategy. Upon telomerase-triggered extension, the telomerase activity was converted into the amount of the attached horseradish peroxidase-encapsulated liposomes (HRP-Ls) on the surfaces of magnetic beads. Afterwards, HRP was liberated from the liposomes following the addition of H2O2-3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine sulfate (TMB) substrate, and then the oxidation reaction between H2O2 and TMB was initiated to form TMB2+. The morphological evolution of Au NBPs relied on the TMB2+-mediated etching reaction, which gave rise to tremendous localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) responses and concomitant tonality transitions. Benefiting from cascaded signal amplification capacity of HRP-Ls and the intriguing optical properties of Au NBPs, an impressive sensitivity toward telomerase was obtained with detection limits equivalent to 1 HeLa cell for LSPR peak measurement and a visual detection limit of 20 HeLa cells. Furthermore, a facile and portable kit was fabricated for visual evaluation of telomerase activity in different cell lines.