Double functional aptamer switch probes based on gold nanorods for intracellular ATP detection and targeted drugs transportation

Double functional aptamer switch probes based on gold nanorods (GNR) was developed for targeted cancer treatment. In order to specifically recognizing the target cell, functional Romas-aptamer was assembled on GNRs. The conformation-dependent fluorescence turn-on properties of the functional Romas-aptamer provided an opportunity to utilize the conformational conversion of the sequence as a valuable motif for stimuli-responsive cell-sensors. Meanwhile, multiple GC-pair sequences into ATP-aptamer dsDNA were to enhance loading capacity of the drug doxorubicin (DOX). Combining the capabilities of two functional aptamers, intracellular ATP was detected and molecular drug was transported into target cell for therapeutic efficacy. This strategy was studied both in vitro and in vivo. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.