A highly sensitive electrochemical sensor based on DNA Y-Junction for detection of estrogen receptor using target protein protection strategy

Estrogen receptors (ERs) play a major role in the signaling pathways and participate in regulating and maintaining the basic activities of life. The abnormal expression of ERs has a significant effect on tumorigenesis. Herein, we propose an electrochemical method for detecting ERs based on the formation of DNA Y-Junction with a 3′-blunt end. The DNA Y-junction was designed to have one of its arms bound to an ER. When an ER was bound to the junction, which was immobilized on the electrode surface, it protected the DNA Y-junction from Exo III-catalyzed digestion. DNA Y-Junction also contained G-quadruplex rich duplex, which generated electrochemical signals when hemin was added to the electrode, resulting in the quantitative detection of ERs. The detection range of the ER using this method was 0.1–200 nM with a detection limit of 0.034 nM. Since this assay can be employed to detect ERs in tumor cells, it may be useful in tumor diagnosis in the future. [Display omitted] •An electrochemical method for Estrogen receptor (ER) detection has been developed.•The DNAzyme-mediated signal amplification is based on the formation of DNA Y-Junction.•DNA Y-Junction is modified by target protein protection strategy.•The method shows a lower detection limit by the DNAzyme-mediated signal amplification.•ER is detected effectively in cell samples.