A colorimetric aptamer biosensor based on cationic polythiophene derivative as peroxidase mimetics for the ultrasensitive detection of thrombin

A colorimetric assay for the ultrasensitive determination of thrombin was presented, in which the cationic polythiophene derivative was used as catalyst of the 3,3 ',5,5 '-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB)-H2O2 reaction and the thrombin-binding aptamer (TBA) was used as inducing polymer's different conformation elements. It was found the cationic polythiophene derivative, poly[3-(3 '-N,N,N-triethylamino-1 '-propyloxy)-4-methyl-2,5-thiophene hydrochloride] (PMNT), can catalyze the oxidation reaction of TMB in the presence of H2O2 to produce a blue color solution. The catalytic activity of PMNT on the TMB-H2O2 reaction was closely relevant to the conformation of PMNT. The absorbance of TMB-H2O2 was distinctly increased in the presence of TBA. With the addition of thrombin, TBA interacted with thrombin to form a G-quadruplex structure. The conformational change weakened the catalytic activity of PMNT and resulted in a decrease in the absorbance. The colorimetric sensor could detect thrombin down to 4 pM with high selectivity against other interfering proteins. This work is not only of importance for a better understanding of the unique properties of cationic polythiophenes derivative but also have great potential for medical diagnostics and therapy for human health.