The hybridization chain reaction (HCR), as one of the nucleic acid amplification technologies, is combined with fluorescence signal output with excellent sensitivity, simplicity, and stability. However, current HCR-based fluorescence sensing methods still have some defects such as the blocking effect of the HCR combination with fluorophores and the aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) phenomenon of traditional fluorophores. Herein, a triplex DNA-based aggregation-induced emission probe (AIE-P) was designed as the fluorescent signal transduction, which is able to provide a new platform for HCR-based sensing assay. The AIE-P was synthesized by attaching the AIE fluorophores to terminus of the oligonucleotide through amido bond, and captured the products of HCR to form triplex DNA. In this case, the AIE fluorophores were located in close proximity to generate fluorescence. This assay provided turn-on fluorescence efficiency with a high signal-to-noise ratio and excellent amplification capability to solve the shortcoming of HCR-based fluorescence sensing methods. It enabled sensitive detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in the range of 10–10 CFU mL, and with a low limit of detection down to 39 CFU mL. In addition, this assay expressed good specificity and practicability. The triplex DNA-based AIE probe forms a universal molecular tool for developing HCR-based fluorescence sensing methods.

中文翻译：

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基于三重 DNA 的聚集诱导发射探针：基于杂交链式反应的荧光传感检测的新平台

杂交链式反应（HCR）作为核酸扩增技术之一，与荧光信号输出相结合，具有优异的灵敏度、简单性和稳定性。然而，目前基于HCR的荧光传感方法仍然存在一些缺陷，例如HCR与荧光团结合的阻断效应以及传统荧光团的聚集引起的猝灭（ACQ）现象。在此，设计了一种基于三重DNA的聚集诱导发射探针（AIE-P）作为荧光信号转导，它能够为基于HCR的传感检测提供新的平台。通过酰胺键将AIE荧光团连接到寡核苷酸末端来合成AIE-P，并捕获HCR产物形成三链体DNA。在这种情况下，AIE 荧光团位置非常接近以产生荧光。该检测提供了开启荧光效率、高信噪比和出色的放大能力，解决了基于 HCR 的荧光传感方法的缺点。它能够灵敏地检测 10-10 CFU mL 范围内的副溶血弧菌，检测下限低至 39 CFU mL。此外，该方法具有良好的特异性和实用性。基于三链 DNA 的 AIE 探针形成了用于开发基于 HCR 的荧光传感方法的通用分子工具。