Sensitive Electrochemical Biosensor for Rapid Screening of Tumor Biomarker TP53 Gene Mutation Hotspot

Abstract

Rapid and sensitive detection of cancer biomarkers is crucial for cancer screening, early detection, and improving patient survival rate. The present study proposes an electrochemical gene-sensor capable of detecting tumor related TP53 gene mutation hotspots by self-assembly of sulfhydryl ended hairpin DNA probes tagged with methylene blue (MB) onto a gold electrode. By performing a hybridization reaction with the target DNA sequence, the gene-sensor can rearrange the probe’s structure, resulting in significant electrochemical signal differences by differential pulse voltammetry. When the DNA biosensor is hybridized with 1 μM target DNA, the peak current response signal can decrease more than 60%, displaying high sensitivity and specificity for the TP53 gene. The biosensor achieved rapid and sensitive detection of the TP53 gene with a detection limit of 10 nmol L−1, and showed good specific recognition ability for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and base sequence mismatches in the TP53 gene affecting residue 248 of the P53 protein. Moreover, the biosensor demonstrated good reproducibility, repeatability, operational stability, and anti-interference ability for target DNA molecule in the complex system of 50% fetal bovine serum. The proposed biosensor provides a powerful tool for the sensitive and specific detection of TP53 gene mutation hotspot sequences and could be used in clinical samples for early diagnosis and detection of cancer.

Crafting Iron Oxides for Next-Generation Biomedical Applications

“…The TP53 gene, often referred to as the "guardian of the genome," serves as a pivotal tumor suppressor gene with a crucial role in regulating the cell cycle and overseeing DNA repair processes. 261 Acting as a sentinel, this gene is adept at sensing stress or damage within cells. In response to such cellular distress, the TP53 gene initiates protective measures to impede the affected cells from dividing or undergoing programmed cell death.…”

“…Based on research by Liu et al, magnetic peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-modified Fe 3 O 4 /α-Fe 2 O 3 @Au nanocomposites are used as the basis of an electrochemical sensor to detect TP53 gene mutations. The TP53 gene, often referred to as the “guardian of the genome,” serves as a pivotal tumor suppressor gene with a crucial role in regulating the cell cycle and overseeing DNA repair processes . Acting as a sentinel, this gene is adept at sensing stress or damage within cells.…”