Figure 1
From: A novel dengue virus detection method that couples DNAzyme and gold nanoparticle approaches
Overview of the DDZ-AuNP assay for dengue virus detection. Schematic of the DENV detection system using DENV-specific DNAzyme (DDZ) catalysis coupled with gold nanoparticle (AuNP) aggregation. AuNPs are conjugated with the sulfide-linked anti-DENV DNAzyme, DDZ, which is complimentary to the DENV RNA genome (shown in orange). Black vertical lines indicate complimentary base pairing between DDZ and the target RNA. In the presence of DENV RNA (A), the 5’ and 3’ arms of the anti-DENV DNAzyme, DDZ, bind to the 3’ and 5’ ends of the targeted 5’-3’ CS region, respectively (B). When Mg2+ and heat (37°C) are introduced DDZ digests the viral RNA (C). This digestion results in deshielding of the AuNP, leading to aggregation of these AuNPs in the presence of NaCl and heat (D) allowing a rapid and visually detectable red to clear color transition (E). This color transition signifies the successful detection of DENV, and can be quantified by UV/Vis spectrophotometry at 520 nm AuNPs = red, tethered DNA probe = orange, DENV genome = purple.