Early quantification of multiplex biomarkers such as
microRNAs
(miRNAs) is critical during disease pathologic development and therapy.
To tackle challenges of low abundance and multiplexing, we herein
report a mass-encoded biosensing approach with duplex-specific nuclease
(DSN) mediated signal amplification. Magnetic Fe3O4 cores are coated with small gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which
are applied to achieve facile DNA immobilization subsequent separation.
This biosensor integrates multiple mass reporters corresponding to
different targets (five miRNAs as examples). Due to the excellent
resolution of mass spectrometry, these targets can be successfully
distinguished in a single spectrum. Wide detection ranges from 10
fM to 1 nM are achieved, and the limits of detection are estimated
to be 10 fM. High selectivity is promised due to the enzyme activity
of DSN, and practical application in human serum samples performs
satisfactorily. The number of targets to be tested can be further
expanded by designing different specific mass tags in theory. Therefore,
the proposed method can be utilized as an important and valuable tool
to quantify multiplex miRNAs for disease screening as well as biomedical
investigations.