A label-free fluorescence sensor for bleomycin detection based on a cavity hairpin thioflavin T-light nucleic acid switch

Accurate monitoring of bleomycin (BLM) levels in clinical samples is essential for enhancing therapeutic outcomes while minimizing potential toxicity. In this study, we present a label-free fluorescent sensor for the sensitive detection of BLM, based on a cavity hairpin nucleic acid switch that acti...

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Main Authors: Nian Luo, Xueying Li, Li Zou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2025-06-01
Series:Biomedical Analysis
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950435X25000332
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author Nian Luo
Xueying Li
Li Zou
author_facet Nian Luo
Xueying Li
Li Zou
author_sort Nian Luo
collection DOAJ
description Accurate monitoring of bleomycin (BLM) levels in clinical samples is essential for enhancing therapeutic outcomes while minimizing potential toxicity. In this study, we present a label-free fluorescent sensor for the sensitive detection of BLM, based on a cavity hairpin nucleic acid switch that activates thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence. The engineered switch features two CGG-AAA cavities that facilitate ThT binding and fluorescence enhancement, along with a BLM-specific cleavage site (5’-GT-3’). Upon exposure to BLM, the BLM·Fe(Ⅱ)-induced DNA cleavage disrupts the hairpin structure, resulting in ThT release and a marked reduction in fluorescence intensity. Under optimized conditions, the sensor exhibits a strong linear correlation between fluorescence intensity and the logarithmic BLM concentration within the range of 10–1000 nM, achieving a detection limit of 1.26 nM. Furthermore, successful application of the sensor in human serum samples demonstrates its potential for clinical diagnostics and biomedical research.
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institution DOAJ
issn 2950-435X
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
record_format Article
series Biomedical Analysis
spelling doaj-art-b720e137aac243ab814ce63e9f38c7ea2025-08-20T03:15:22ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Biomedical Analysis2950-435X2025-06-0122626610.1016/j.bioana.2025.06.003A label-free fluorescence sensor for bleomycin detection based on a cavity hairpin thioflavin T-light nucleic acid switchNian Luo0Xueying Li1Li Zou2School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China; The Second Clinical Medical School of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University (Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital), Guangzhou 510317, China; Corresponding author at: School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China.Accurate monitoring of bleomycin (BLM) levels in clinical samples is essential for enhancing therapeutic outcomes while minimizing potential toxicity. In this study, we present a label-free fluorescent sensor for the sensitive detection of BLM, based on a cavity hairpin nucleic acid switch that activates thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence. The engineered switch features two CGG-AAA cavities that facilitate ThT binding and fluorescence enhancement, along with a BLM-specific cleavage site (5’-GT-3’). Upon exposure to BLM, the BLM·Fe(Ⅱ)-induced DNA cleavage disrupts the hairpin structure, resulting in ThT release and a marked reduction in fluorescence intensity. Under optimized conditions, the sensor exhibits a strong linear correlation between fluorescence intensity and the logarithmic BLM concentration within the range of 10–1000 nM, achieving a detection limit of 1.26 nM. Furthermore, successful application of the sensor in human serum samples demonstrates its potential for clinical diagnostics and biomedical research.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950435X25000332Label-freeFluorescence sensorBleomycinThioflavin TNucleic acid switch
spellingShingle Nian Luo
Xueying Li
Li Zou
A label-free fluorescence sensor for bleomycin detection based on a cavity hairpin thioflavin T-light nucleic acid switch
Biomedical Analysis
Label-free
Fluorescence sensor
Bleomycin
Thioflavin T
Nucleic acid switch
title A label-free fluorescence sensor for bleomycin detection based on a cavity hairpin thioflavin T-light nucleic acid switch
title_full A label-free fluorescence sensor for bleomycin detection based on a cavity hairpin thioflavin T-light nucleic acid switch
title_fullStr A label-free fluorescence sensor for bleomycin detection based on a cavity hairpin thioflavin T-light nucleic acid switch
title_full_unstemmed A label-free fluorescence sensor for bleomycin detection based on a cavity hairpin thioflavin T-light nucleic acid switch
title_short A label-free fluorescence sensor for bleomycin detection based on a cavity hairpin thioflavin T-light nucleic acid switch
title_sort label free fluorescence sensor for bleomycin detection based on a cavity hairpin thioflavin t light nucleic acid switch
topic Label-free
Fluorescence sensor
Bleomycin
Thioflavin T
Nucleic acid switch
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950435X25000332
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