Direct Detection of Model Target MicroRNA Using a DMAEMA-EGDMA Dendritic Polymer DNA Probe Complex for Clinical Applications

摘要

Recent studies have shown that MicroRNAs (small regulatory RNA molecules typically 22 nt in size) can be associated with cancer[l]. Levels of prostate gland related mir-141 are deregulated in prostate cancer and this can be detected in human plasma/serum [2]. Our hypothesis is that by using a polymer with amine groups, we can develop a polymer-DNA probe complex (duplex) that is capable of specifically finding and attaching to the prefect complementary target mir-141. In this study, we show the complexion capability of the polymer to 22nt ssDNA probe (purchased from eurofins, Germany, sequence: 5' CTTTACCAGACAGTGTTA 3') and specific model target detection using UV/VIS spectroscopy and Agarose Gel Electrophoresis. This can be applied for detection of microRNAs (using a fluorescent polymer based method of detection) in human serum/plasma and could eventually be used as a diagnostic tool for prostate cancer detection.