DNA Circuits-Based Signal Amplification for Ultrasensitive Nucleic Acids Detection

Abstract

Nucleic acids detection has significant meanings in disease diagnosis, monitoring of environment and so on. However, only trace concentration of nucleic acids exists in specimen. Ultrasensitive nucleic acids detection is required based on the strategies of signal amplification. Currently, DNA nanotechnologies are employed to amplify the detecting signal, mainly including DNA hybridization-based sensors and DNA circuits-based sensors. DNA circuits-based sensors have higher sensitive than that of DNA hybridization-based sensors, which attract the attention of researchers. With this view, we present an overview of DNA circuits-based amplification strategies for nucleic acids detection with fluorescent sensors and electrochemical sensors, respectively. It mainly contains duplex specific nuclease (DSN)-based DNA circuits and strand displace reaction (SDR)-based DNA circuits, which enable nucleic acids to trigger DNA circuits without consumption. The strategies can multiply the increase of the signal of nucleic acids with simple operation. Meanwhile, this review discusses the current challenges and future outlook of DNA circuits in sensors. We envision that our review provides implications to promote the development of DNA circuits-based biosensors for nucleic acids detection.