Extraordinarily Stable Hairpin-Based Biosensors for Rapid Detection of DNA Ligases

DNA ligases are essential enzymes involved in DNA replication and repair processes in all organisms. These enzymes seal DNA breaks by catalyzing the formation of phosphodiester bonds between juxtaposed 5′ phosphate and 3′ hydroxyl termini in double-stranded DNA. In addition to their critical roles in maintaining genomic integrity, DNA ligases have been recently identified as diagnostic biomarkers for several types of cancers and recognized as potential drug targets for the treatment of various diseases. Although DNA ligases are significant in basic research and medical applications, developing strategies for efficiently detecting and precisely quantifying these crucial enzymes is still challenging. Here, we report our design and fabrication of a highly sensitive and specific biosensor in which a stable DNA hairpin is utilized to stimulate the generation of fluorescence signals. This probe is verified to be stable under a wide range of experimental conditions and exhibits promising performance in detecting DNA ligases. We anticipate that this hairpin-based biosensor will significantly benefit the development of new targeting strategies and diagnostic tools for certain diseases.