A Nanomechanical Genosensor Using Functionalized Cantilevers to Detect the Cancer Biomarkers miRNA-203 and miRNA-205

Author(s)

Andrade, Mariana A. ^[1] ; Rodrigues, Livia F. ^[1] ; Lerich, Jessica C. M. ^[1] ; Melendez, Matias E. ^[2] ; Carvalho, Andre L. ^[2] ; de Carvalho, Ana C. ^[2] ; Steffens, Clarice ^[3] ; Abdalla, Fabio C. ^[4] ; Oliveira, Jr., Osvaldo N. ^[5] ; Leite, Fabio L. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Phys Chem & Math, Nanoneurobiophys Res Grp, BR-18052780 Sorocaba - Brazil

^[2] Barretos Canc Hosp, Mol Oncol Res Ctr, BR-14784400 Barretos - Brazil

^[3] Reg Integrated Univ High Uruguay & Missions, Dept Food Engn, BR-99700000 Erechim - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Biol, Lab Struct & Funct Biol, BR-18052780 Sorocaba - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos Inst Phys, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL; v. 20, n. 6, p. 2860-2867, MAR 15 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

We report a nanomechanical genosensor based on an atomic force microscope (AFM) cantilever functionalized with complementary strands of miRNA-203 and miRNA-205, which are potential biomarkers of metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), especially in cervical lymph nodes. Hybridization with the corresponding complementary strand led to cantilever deflections that increased almost linearly with the concentration of either miRNA-203 or miRNA-205 in the fluid cell where AFM experiments were made. The detection limit was ca. 95 nM and 97 nM for miRNA-203 or miRNA-205, respectively, with higher deflections observed for miRNA-205 due to the larger number of interaction groups during hybridization. Selectivity was proven by measuring negligible cantilever deflections for non-specific miRNA sequences. The cantilever functionalization process during genosensor design was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and AFM imaging. The use of a single genosensor platform for detecting different miRNA molecules is advantageous for diagnosis and prognosis of cases where multiple biomarkers may be relevant, as in the case of HNSCC metastasis. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/50869-6 - INCT 2014: on Organic Electronics
• Grantee: Roberto Mendonça Faria
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/14262-7 - Nanostructured films from biologically-relevant materials
• Grantee: Osvaldo Novais de Oliveira Junior
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/12082-4 - Molecular modeling of the antigen-antibody complex to the investigations of autoimmune demyelinating diseases
• Grantee: Jéssica Cristiane Magalhães Ierich
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 15/25549-0 - Nanosensor cantilever mechanical application for detection metastases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)
• Grantee: Mariana Arnaud de Andrade Bortolini
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master