An entropy-driven three-dimensional multipedal-DNA walker for ultrasensitive detection of cancer cells

Sensitive and accurate detection of cancer cells is of great significance for the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In this work, we developed a simple fluorescent signal amplification biosensor based on an entropy-driven three-dimensional (3D) multipedal-DNA walker for highly sensitive detection of cancer cells. Firstly, DNA tetrahedron nanostructures (DTNs) combined with AS1411 aptamer were used as the capture probe to achieve efficient capture of cancer cells. Then, the bipedal hairpin fuel chain hybridized with DTNs and exposed two catalytic “legs” to form a walker probe. Finally, the walker probe autonomously walked on polystyrene microspheres (PS) via entropy-driven catalytic reaction. DTNs rolled on the PS to achieve multipedal walking, realizing fluorescence signal amplification due to fluorescence recovery of DNA-CdTe quantum dots on the PS surface. This fluorescence signal amplification strategy showed excellent selectivity and sensitivity toward cancer cells with the detection limit of 7 cell mL−1. This entropy-driven 3D multipedal DNA walker fluorescence exhibited great potential in detecting circulating tumor cells and tumor markers used for early diagnosis and clinical treatment of cancer. [Display omitted] •Cancer cells detection by entropy-driven DNA walker.•Bipedal hairpin fuel chain combines with the rolling of DTNs to achieve multipedal walking of DNA walkers.•3D multipedal-DNA walker increases the reaction rates and sensitivity of entropy-driven DNA walker.