A label-free fluorescent biosensor for ultratrace detection of terbium (ш) based on structural conversion of G-quadruplex DNA mediated by ThT and terbium (ш).

In this paper, a novel label-free fluorescent biosensor for terbium (ш) (Tb(3+)) was proposed based on structural conversion of G-quadruplex DNA mediated by Thioflavin T (ThT) and Tb(3+). In the presence of K(+), ThT could bind to K(+)-stabilized parallel G-quadruplex, giving rise to high fluorescence intensity. Upon the addition of Tb(3+), Tb(3+) could competitively bind to parallel G-quadruplex leading to the structural change, which resulted in fluorescence decrease. The change of fluorescence intensity (ΔF=F0-F) showed a good linear response toward the concentration of Tb(3+) over the range from 1.0 pM to 10.0 µM with a limit of detection of 0.55 pM. This proposed biosensor was simple and cost-effective in design and in operation with ultrahigh sensitivity and selectivity. Thus, the proposed biosensor could be a promising candidate for monitoring ultratrace Tb(3+) in environment.