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A colorimetric method for determination of the prostate specific antigen based on enzyme-free cascaded signal amplification via  peptide-copper(II) nanoparticles

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Abstract

Biotinylated peptide-Cu2+ nanoparticles (Cu-P NPs) were synthesized via “one-pot” self-assembly. The peptide P conststs of a hydrophobic dipeptide (FF), a tripeptide (KGH), and a biotin moiety attached to the terminal amino group of the Lys residue. The Cu-P NPs contain abundant catalytically active Cu2+ ions which are liberated by acid-induced dissolution. The released Cu2+ ions catalyze the oxidization of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) by H2O2 because of their intrinsic peroxidase activity, and this results in the formation of a blue-green coloration. Based on the streptavidin–biotin interaction, the Cu-P NPs were employed to establish an enzyme-free colorimetric method for determination of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) as a model biomarker. Under optimal conditions, the linear response range is 0.001–1 ng mL−1, with a limit of detection as low as 1 pg mL−1.

Schematic illustration of a colorimetric immunoassay for the prostate specific antigen (PSA) with biotinylated peptide-Cu2+ nanoparticle (Cu-P NP) as the signal label based on the streptavidin (SA)–biotin interaction. The signal was produced by Cu2+-catalyzed oxidization of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). P: KGHFF

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Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the financial support of the Henan Province University Innovation Talents Support Program (18HASTIT005), the Science & Technology Foundation of Anyang City, and the First Class Discipline-Chemistry of Guizhou Education University (2019YLXKB03).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guizhou Education University, Gao Xin Road 115, Wudang District, Guizhou, 550000, People’s Republic of China

    Ting Sun

  2. Henan Province of Key Laboratory of New Optoelectronic Functional Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anyang Normal University, Anyang, Henan, 455000, People’s Republic of China

    Ting Sun, Ning Xia, Fang Yuan, Xiaoman Liu, Yong Chang, Shudi Liu & Lin Liu

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  1. Ting Sun
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  2. Ning Xia
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  3. Fang Yuan
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Correspondence to Yong Chang or Lin Liu.

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Sun, T., Xia, N., Yuan, F. et al. A colorimetric method for determination of the prostate specific antigen based on enzyme-free cascaded signal amplification via  peptide-copper(II) nanoparticles. Microchim Acta 187, 116 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-019-4074-5

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