Fluorimetric detection of DNA methylation by cerium oxide nanoparticles for early cancer diagnosis

In this study, a very sensitive fluorescence nano-biosensor was developed using CeO2 nanoparticles for the rapid detection of DNA methylation. The characteristics of CeO2 nanoparticles were determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The CeO2 nanoparticles were reacted with a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) probe, and then methylated and unmethylated target DNAs hybridized with an ssDNA probe, and the fluorescence emission was measured. Upon adding the target unmethylated and methylated ssDNA, the fluorescence intensity increased in the linear range of concentration from 2 × 10−13 - 10−18 M. The limit of detection (LOD) was 1.597 × 10−6 M for methylated DNA and 1.043 × 10−6 M for unmethylated DNA. The fluorescence emission intensity of methylated sequences was higher than of that unmethylated sequences. The fabricated DNA nanobiosensor showed a fluorescence emission at 420 nm with an excitation wavelength of 280 nm. The impact of CeO2 binding on methylated and unmethylated DNA was further demonstrated by agarose gel electrophoresis. Finally, the actual sample analysis suggested that the nanobiosensor could have practical applications for detecting methylation in the human plasma samples. •The CeO2 nanocomposite was applied for the detection of DNA methylation.•The fluorescence technique was used for the determination of DNA methylation.•The limit of detection was 1.597 × 10−6 M for methylated DNA and 1.043 × 10−6 M for unmethylated DNA.