Self-assembly of Copper Nanoclusters Using DNA Nanoribbon Templates for Sensitive Electrochemical Detection of H2O2 in Live Cells

Abstract

The excessive secretion of H2O2 within cells is closely associated with cellular dysfunction. Therefore, high sensitivity in situ detection of H2O2 released from living cells was valuable in clinical diagnosis. In the present work, a novel electrochemical cells sensing platform by synthesizing copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) at room temperature based on DNA nanoribbon (DNR) as a template (DNR-CuNCs). The tight and ordered arrangement of nanostructured assemblies of DNR-CuNCs conferred the sensor with superior stability (45 days) and electrochemical performance. The MUC1 aptamer extending from the DNR template enabled the direct capture MCF-7 cells on electrode surface, this facilitated real-time monitoring of H2O2 release from stimulated MCF-7 cells. While the captured MCF-7 cells on the electrode surface significantly amplified the current signal of H2O2 release compared with the traditional electrochemical detection H2O2 released signal by MCF-7 cells in PBS solution. The approach provides an effective strategy for the design of versatile sensors and achieving monitored cell release of H2O2 in long time horizon (10 h). Thereby expanding the possibilities for detecting biomolecules from live cells in clinical diagnosis and biomedical applications.