Protein detection using oligonucleotide probes.

We developed a new nucleic acid-based fluorescence probe for protein detection. The method is based on the scission of an aptamer into two probes, which are then attached with a chemically reactive fluorogenic compound. The protein-dependent association of the two probes accelerates a chemical reaction and indicates the presence of the target protein, which is detected using a fluorescence readout. The arginine-rich motif peptide was targeted by this type of probe. In presence of the peptide, the fluorescence signal at 450 nm increased, and no significant increase in fluorescence was observed in the absence of the peptide. An oligonucleotide-based fluorescence probe was successfully applied to the detection of the ARM peptide in solution.