Resonance energy transfer-based electrochemiluminescence aptasensor for serotonin detection.

Serotonin is an essential neurotransmitter that regulates many physiological processes and is related to a variety of diseases. Herein, a novel electrochemiluminescence-resonance energy transfer (ECL-RET) aptasensor for serotonin detection was developed, with zinc-based metal-organic frameworks (Zn-MOFs) as an ECL donor and Pt@CuO cubic nanocrystals (CNs) as an acceptor. In the presence of target, numerous Pt@CuO CNs were brought to electrode surface through the catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA)-driven DNA walker, resulting in a significant inhibition of ECL signal. The efficient ECL-RET device exhibited a wide linear range for monitoring serotonin (10 to 10 M) and a low detection limit of 0.5 pM. Furthermore, satisfactory recoveries were obtained by using the aptasensor to monitor serotonin levels in serum and urine samples. The broadband absorption feature of Pt@CuO CNs, along with the extraordinary amplification effect of catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA)-driven DNA walking machine, provided a new route for the construction of efficient ECL-RET systems.