Highly sensitive fluorescence-based mercury(II) DNA sensor enhanced by silver(I) activation

Mercury exposure constitutes an acute risk to human health and the environment. Driven by requirement monitor trace-level mercury, we report a highly sensitive mercury(II) DNA sensor enhanced silver(I) activation, followed mercury(II)-specific oligonucleotides (MSO) molecular configuration switch mercury(II)-modulated FRET. Activating MSO strands with silver(I), mismatched cytosine–silver(I)–cytosine bridges induce individual fold readily in response resulting fluorescence signal. The structural switches were studied 2D 1H–1H NOESY TOCSY NMR spectroscopy, 260 nm absorbance. signal decreases increasing concentration from 100 pM 0.1 mM. approach affords outstanding selectivity over other environmentally associated metals. Furthermore, methodology was deployed for detection of spiked pond waters 97.9–100.6% recovery. simple feasible format has great potential developing cost effective useful tool environmental monitoring.