CRISPR-Cas9-based electrochemical biosensor for the detection of katG gene mutations in isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) remains a significant challenge in tuberculosis (TB) treatment, driven by simultaneous mutations in the rpoB and katG genes that confer resistance to rifampicin and isoniazid. While many molecular diagnostic tools focus on rpoB, the katG gene is often overlooked despite its critical role in confirming MDR-TB. This study aims to develop a CRISPR/Cas9-based electrochemical biosensor for the rapid and selective detection of katG mutation.

Experimental approach: A guide RNA (gRNA) specific to the mutation site on katG gene was designed using the Benchling CRISPR tool, considering on-target and off-target scores, specificity, and cleavage sites within the Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome. The selected gRNA achieved the highest on-target score of 61.2 and an off-target score of 49.0 at cut position 2928, with a PAM sequence of AGG. Its cleavage efficiency was validated experimentally using an electrochemical biosensing platform incorporating a gold-modified screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE/Au). Redox response enhancement by [Fe(CN₆)]^3-/4- confirmed the improved performance of the electrode.

Key results: The biosensor system detects the target DNA through hybridization with DNA probe-Fc, forming double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) that is recognized and cleaved by the Cas9/gRNA complex. This cleavage significantly reduces the ferrocene oxidation signal, indicating the presence of a katG mutation. Non-mutated target DNA produces a nondetectable ferrocene signal, suggesting that the Cas9 enzyme may remain bound to the electrode without cleavage. The CRISPR/Cas9 electrochemical biosensor demonstrated a low detection limit of 7.5530 aM and a detection range of 10¹ to 10⁶ aM.

Conclusion: The CRISPR/Cas9-based electrochemical biosensor exhibits high sensitivity and specificity for the detection katG mutation, offering a promising platform for rapid MDR-TB diagnostics.