Highly sensitive and specific screening of EGFR mutation using a PNA microarray-based fluorometric assay based on rolling circle amplification and graphene oxide

Screening epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, especially deletions, is essential for diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and also critical to inform treatment decisions for NSCLC patients. Here, we demonstrated a facile peptide nucleic acid (PNA) microarray-based fluorometric method for sensitive and specific detection of EGFR mutation, using rolling circle amplification (RCA), graphene oxide (GO), and a fluorescently-labeled detection probe (F-DP). First, the EGFR gene sequence was efficiently captured by the label-free PNA probe which was attached on the surface of a 96-well plate. And then, the EGFR mutation sequence was specifically amplified by RCA using the circular DNA, which was formed by the ligation of the padlock probe when hybridizing with the EGFR mutation, as a template. The single-stranded RCA product (RCAP) was then sensitively detected with the F-DP and GO system. This method has a detection limit of 0.3 pM for EGFR mutation and a high discrimination capability to target EGFR mutation against EGFR wildtype. The use of a PNA microarray and a fluorescence quenching platform make this system quite suitable for high-throughput analysis of EGFR mutations in resource-limited settings without the need of costly and cumbersome equipment. Furthermore, this detection system provides a novel way for the diagnosis of other diseases that are caused by gene deletion mutations.