Nucleic Acid Substrate-Independent DNA Polymerization on the Exosome Membrane: A Mechanism Study and Application in Exosome Analysis

As generally acknowledged, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) can only elongate DNA substrates from their 3'-OH ends. Herein, for the first time, we report that TdT-catalyzed DNA polymerization can directly proceed on the exosome membrane without the mediation of any nucleic acids. We prove that both the glycosyl and phenolic hydroxyl groups on the membrane proteins can initiate the DNA polymerization. Accordingly, we have developed powerful strategies for high-sensitive exosome profiling based on a conventional flow cytometer and an emerging CRISPR/Cas system. By using our strategy, the featured membrane protein distributions of different cancer cell-derived exosomes can be figured out, which can clearly distinguish plasma samples of breast cancer patients from those of healthy people. This work paves new ways for exosome profiling and liquid biopsy and expands the understanding of TdT, holding great significance in developing TdT-based sensing systems as well as establishing protein/nucleic acid hybrid biomaterials.

Automated summary

In this study, we report that TdT can catalyze DNA polymerization on the exosome membrane without the mediation of nucleic acids. The glycosyl and phenolic hydroxyl groups on the membrane proteins initiate this reaction. We develop a high-sensitive exosome profiling strategy that can distinguish exosomes from different cancer cell origins and healthy individuals' plasma samples. This work opens up new avenues for liquid biopsy and exosome profiling.