Quantum Dot-Based Molecular Beacon to Monitor Intracellular MicroRNAs

Journal Article

S., Lee, J.; Moon, S.U.; Lee, Y.S.; Ali, B.A.; Al-Khedhairy, A.A.; Ali, D.; Ahmed, J.; Al Salem, A.M.; Kim, . 2015

• Publication Work Type: Research Article
• Magazine \ Newspaper: Sensors
• Volume Number: 15
• Pages: 12872-12883

Publication Abstract

Fluorescence monitoring of endogenous microRNA (miRNA or miR) activity

related to neuronal development using nano-sized materials provides crucial information

on miRNA expression patterns in a noninvasive manner. In this study, we report a new

method to monitor intracellular miRNA124a using quantum dot-based molecular beacon

(R9-QD-miR124a beacon). The R9-QD-miR124a beacon was constructed using QDs and

two probes, miR124a-targeting oligomer and arginine rich cell-penetrating peptide

(R9 peptide). The miR124a-targeting oligomer contains a miR124a binging sequence and a

black hole quencher 1 (BHQ1). In the absence of target miR124a, the R9-QD-miR124a