Real-time Monitoring and Detection of Primer Generation-Rolling Circle Amplification of DNA Using an Ethidium Ion-selective Electrode

Abstract

An electrochemical detection system for an isothermal DNA amplification method using an ion-selective electrode (ISE) was developed as a low-cost, simple and real-time monitoring system. The system is based on potentiometry using an ethidium ion (Et⁺) selective electrode that relies on monitoring DNA amplification by measuring potential changes in the reaction solution containing ethidium bromide (EtBr) as an intercalator to DNA. With progressing primer generation-rolling circle amplification (PG-RCA) under isothermal condition at 37°C, EtBr is bound to the newly formed DNA, resulting in a lowered free EtBr concentration in the sample solution. In this case, the Et⁺ ISE potential allows real-time monitoring of the PG-RCA reaction in the range of 10 nM – 1 μM initial target DNA.