An efficient ratiometric fluorescence sensor based on metal-organic frameworks and quantum dots for highly selective detection of 6-mercaptopurine

• Published in: Biosensors & bioelectronics Vol. 91; pp. 162 - 168
• Main Authors: Jin, Meng, Mou, Zhao-Li, Zhang, Rui-Ling, Liang, Si-Si, Zhang, Zhi-Qi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier B.V 15.05.2017
• Subjects: 3-Mercaptopropionic Acid - chemistry; 6-Mercaptopurine; adverse effects; Biosensing Techniques - methods; biosensors; Cadmium Compounds - chemistry; CdTe quantum dots; coordination polymers; detection limit; environmental factors; fluorescence; Fluorescent Dyes - chemistry; Humans; Inner filter effect; Limit of Detection; Mercaptopurine - urine; Metal-organic frameworks; Organometallic Compounds - chemistry; quantitative analysis; quantum dots; Quantum Dots - chemistry; Quantum Dots - ultrastructure; Ratiometric fluorescence sensor; Spectrometry, Fluorescence - methods; Tellurium - chemistry; urine; wavelengths; 6-Mercaptopurine; Inner filter effect; CdTe quantum dots; Ratiometric fluorescence sensor; Metal-organic frameworks
• ISSN: 0956-5663; 1873-4235; 1873-4235
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2016.12.022

The development of a simple and accurate quantitative method for the determination of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) is of great importance because of its serious side effects. Ratiometric fluorescence (RF) sensors are not subject to interference from environmental factors, and exhibit enhanced precision and accuracy. Therefore, a novel RF sensor for the selective detection of 6-MP was developed based on a dual-emission nanosensor. The nanosensor was fabricated by combining a blue-emission metal-organic framework (MOF) NH2-MIL-53(Al) (λem=425nm) with green-emission 3-mercaptopropionic acid-capped CdTe quantum dots (MPA-CdTe QDs) (λem=528nm) under a single excitation wavelength (335nm). Upon addition of 6-MP, the fluorescence of NH2-MIL-53(Al) in the nanohybrid was selectively quenched due to strong inner filter effects, while the fluorescence of the MPA-CdTe QDs was enhanced. The novel RF sensor exhibited higher selectivity towards 6-MP than CdTe QDs alone, and higher sensitivity than MOFs alone. 6-MP could be detected in the range of 0–50μM with a detection limit of 0.15μM (S/N=3). The developed sensor was applied for the determination of 6-MP in human urine samples and satisfactory results were obtained. Overall, a novel and efficient fluorescence-based method was developed for the detection of 6-MP in biosamples. Schematic illustration of the developed ratiometric fluorescent sensor for 6-MP. [Display omitted] •A ratiometric fluorescence sensor for 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) was developed.•The sensor was constructed by combining MOF with CdTe quantum dots.•Superior selectivity and comparable sensitivity were achieved.•The sensor was successfully applied to determine 6-MP in urine sample.