Development of a novel ssDNA aptamer for glycated human serum albumin based on reduced graphene oxide

Abstract

Diabetes is one of the top 10 global causes of death. About one in 11 global adults have diabetes. As the disease progresses, the mortality rate increases and complications can develop. Thus, early detection and effective management of diabetes are especially important. Herein, we present a novel glycated human serum albumin (GHSA) aptamer, GABAS-01, which has high affinity and specificity. The aptamer was selected by reduced graphene oxide-based systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (rGO-based SELEX) against GHSA. After five rounds of selection through gradually harsher conditions, GABAS-01 with high affinity and specificity for the target was obtained. GABAS-01 was labeled by FAM at the 5′-end and characterized by measuring the recovery of a fluorescence signal that is the result of fluorescence quenching effect of rGO. As a result, GABAS-01 had a low-nanomolar Kd values of 1.748 ± 0.227 nM and showed a low limit of detection of 16.40 μg/mL against GHSA. This result shows the potential application of GABAS-01 as an effective on-site detection probe of GHSA. In addition, these properties of GABAS-01 are expected to contribute to detection of GHSA in diagnostic fields.