Light-emitting crystals of aptamer-hybrid organic semiconductor signaling on human cells expressing EpCAM

초록

In this study, we successfully performed protein-cell recognition by combining an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) material and an aptamer with a three-dimensional DNA structure. Tris (8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq3), one of the most widely used green OLED components used in dis-plays, was chosen as an emitter. Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) was selected as a target because it is well-established in cancer studies. The generated micrometer-sized particles exhibited increased luminous intensity based on the specific recognition to proteins and cells on hybrid interfaces, proving that the aptamer maintained its three-dimensional structure while binding to its target. Interestingly, only human cells expressing EpCAMs were distinguishable, whereas mouse carcinoma cells were not. Furthermore, use of graphene oxide as a quencher made these aptamer-Alq3 microrods 2-fold more effective at enhancing the fluorescence signal upon interaction with human oral squamous carci-noma cells. This new approach, which imparts biometric functionality to organic semiconductor materi-als, will provide a new platform for the evolution of OLED hybrid materials.(c) 2022 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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