Label-Free Photoelectrochemical “Off–On” Platform Coupled with G-Wire-Enhanced Strategy for Highly Sensitive MicroRNA Sensing in Cancer Cells

MicroRNA (miRNAs) quantification, especially at low abundance, is vital for disease diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy. Herein we develop a distinctive label-free “off–on” configuration for photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing platform fabrication, coupled with DNA four-way junction (4J) architecture as well as G-wire superstructure for signal amplification. In addition, ultrathin copper phosphate nanosheets (CuPi NSs) coating Au nanoparticles (Au-CuPi NSs) serve as a highly efficient photocathode substrate. To improve the sensitivity, and avoid the false positive signals, the quencher, gold nanoparticles (GNPs), is utilized to switch off the PEC signal because of the commendable surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption. Subsequently, ingenious DNA 4J architecture is applied to export proportional c-myc regions for target quantification. Assisted with the G-wire superstructure formation, the enhancer 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-sulfophenyl)-21H,23H-porphyrin (TSPP) is coupled on the substrate to switch on the PEC signal, thus realizing the miRNA assay with persuasive accuracy, high sensitivity, and low detection limit. In addition, we execute the miRNA detection in prostate carcinoma cell line 22Rv1, and acquire desirable quantitative capability. Remarkably, the prepared PEC sensing platform not only realizes the highly efficient miRNAs quantification, but also uncovers a marvelous horizon for sensing platform fabrication.