Molecular Docking Insight into the Label-Free Fluorescence Aptasensor for Ochratoxin A Detection

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is the most common mycotoxin and can be found in wheat, corn and other grain products. As OTA pollution in these grain products is gaining prominence as a global issue, the demand to develop OTA detection technology has attracted increasing attention. Recently, a variety of label-free fluorescence biosensors based on aptamer have been established. However, the binding mechanisms of some aptasensors are still unclear. Herein, a label-free fluorescent aptasensor employing Thioflavin T (ThT) as donor for OTA detection was constructed based on the G-quadruplex aptamer of the OTA aptamer itself. The key binding region of aptamer was revealed by using molecular docking technology. In the absence of the OTA target, ThT fluorescent dye binds with the OTA aptamer to form an aptamer/ThT complex, and results in the fluorescence intensity being obviously enhanced. In the presence of OTA, the OTA aptamer binds to OTA because of its high affinity and specificity to form an aptamer/OTA complex, and the ThT fluorescent dye is released from the OTA aptamer into the solution. Therefore, the fluorescence intensity is significantly decreased. Molecular docking results revealed that OTA is binding to the pocket-like structure and surrounded by the A29-T3 base pair and C4, T30, G6 and G7 of the aptamer. Meanwhile, this aptasensor shows good selectivity, sensitivity and an excellent recovery rate of the wheat flour spiked experiment.