Study on the Biosensor Based on Biomimetic PDA Vesicles Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer for the Determination of Ovarian Cancer Marker miRNA-21

In recent years, more and more research is being conducted on microRNAs and their involvement in the regulation of autophagy phagocytosis which is closely related to tumor growth. MicroRNA-21 is a kind of small RNA that can regulate gene expression and plays a significant role in autophagy of tumor cells. But the detection of microRNAs had always been a problem in the field of biological analysis. In this study, we designed a new fluorescent sensor for the detection of miRNA-21. The sensor was based on the successful signal reporting by E36-encapsulated vesicles and the specific interaction between E36 and miRNA-21. In the presence of miRNA, the E36/miRNA-21 complex formed and served as a donor molecule inside the acceptor PDA vesicles to amplify the fluorescence through FRET. Additionally, the sensor was applied to detect miRNA-21 in complex biological samples with satisfactory results.