Colorimetric determination of BCR/ABL fusion genes using a nanocomposite consisting of Au@Pt nanoparticles covered with a PAMAM dendrimer and acting as a peroxidase mimic.

A colorimetric assay is described for the detection of BCR/ABL fusion genes. Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers were placed on peroxidase (POx) mimicking Au@Pt nanoparticles to form a nanocomposite of type Au@Pt-PAMAM. Capture DNA probe is a designed nucleic acid strand that specifically binds target DNA to the surface of the electrode. The capture probe was attached to magnetic beads via biotin and avidin interaction. The hairpin structure of the capture probe can only be opened by the complementary BCR/ABL DNA. This results in a highly specific assay. The POx-mimicking property of the Au@Pt-PAMAM causes the formation of a blue dye by reaction of H2O2 and 3,3,3',3'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) which is measured by a microplate reader. Under optimum conditions, the absorbance increases linearly the 1 pM to 100 nM BCR/ABL concentration range, and the detection limit is as low as 190 fM. The method is highly selective and was successfully applied to the determination of fusion genes in spiked real samples. Conceivably, it possesses a large potential in clinical testing of patients suffering from chronic myeloid leukemia. Graphical abstract Au@PtNP, an efficient catalyst, is bound with polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer to amplify the colorimetric signal. With the introduction of streptavidin-magnetic beads to remove non-specific signals, a novel colorimetric sensor is constructed to detect BCR/ABL fusion genes.