Molecular Beacon Nano-Sensors for Probing Living Cancer Cells
- PMID: 27692896
- DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2016.09.003
Molecular Beacon Nano-Sensors for Probing Living Cancer Cells
Abstract
Heterogeneities and oncogenesis essentially result from proteomic disorders orchestrated by changes in DNA and/or cytoplasmic mRNA. These genetic fluctuations, however, cannot be decoded through conventional label-free methods (e.g., patch clamps, electrochemical cellular biosensors, etc.) or morphological characterization. Molecular beacons (MBs) have recently emerged as efficient probes for interrogating biomarkers in live cancer cells. MBs hybridize with their intracellular targets (e.g., mRNAs, DNAs, or proteins), emitting a fluorescent signal that can be quantified and correlated with the expression levels of their targets. In this review we discuss MB probes with different delivery platforms for intracellular probing as well as novel MB designs for detecting a variety of targets in living cancer cells. Finally, we describe current trends in MB-based intracellular biosensors.
Keywords: cancer cells; heterogeneities; intracellular delivery; intracellular probes; mRNAs; molecular beacons.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Other Literature Sources
Miscellaneous
