A reusable neurotransmitter aptasensor for the sensitive detection of serotonin

Abstract Serotonin is one of the important neurotransmitters in human nervous system and associated with central nervous system diseases. Herein, we have prepared a novel electrochemical aptasensor for rapid and sensitive detection of serotonin by using the pre-designed and prepared DNA aptamers. In the absence of serotonin, the electron transfer rate on the aptasensor was faster than that in the presence of serotonin due to the hairpin structure of the aptamer was loose and MB could be closer to the electrode surface. While in the presence of serotonin, the hairpin structure of the aptamer was extended and MB was far away from the electrode surface. The effect of MB labeled sites on analytical performances of the proposed aptasensors was discussed by comparing sensitivity of the aptasensors that MB labeled in the intermediate of the aptamer with that MB labeled at the 3′ end of the aptamer. It was found that sensitivity of the intermediate-labeled aptasensor was much higher than the terminal-labeled aptasensor due to the specific conformational changes before and after aptamer binding to serotonin. The developed aptasensors exhibits a rapid electrochemical response and high sensitivity for the determination of serotonin. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the linear range for serotonin concentrations by the intermediate-labeled aptasensor was 1 pM–10 nM with a detection limit of 0.017 fM (S/N = 3). Moreover, the proposed aptasensor is reusable and shows good reproducibility and selectivity for the detection of serotonin in 100-fold diluted rat cerebrospinal fluid, suggesting a good application prospect in the detection of serotonin in real samples.