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ISSN
1672-9145
Acta Biochim Biophys Sin
2004, 36(10): 681–686
CN 31-1940/Q
Detection of Tumor Marker CA125 in Ovarian Carcinoma Using Quantum
Dots
Hui-Zhi WANG, Hai-Yan WANG, Ru-Qiang LIANG, and Kang-Cheng RUAN*
Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute
of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences,
Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031,
China
Abstract Semiconductor quantum
dots (QDs) offer several advantages over organic dyes in fluorescence-imaging
applications, such as higher quantum yield, exceptional photostability, and a
narrow, tunable, and symmetric emission spectrum. To explore whether QDs could
specifically and effectively label tumor markers and be used in
immunohistochemistry as a novel type of fluorescent probe, we used quantum dots
with maximum emission wavelength 605 nm (QD605) to detect the ovarian carcinoma
marker CA125 in specimens of different types (fixed cells, tissue sections, and
xenograft piece). Additionally, we compared the photostability of QD signals
with that of a conventional organic dye, FITC. All labeling signals of QDs were
found to be more specific and brighter than those of FITC. Moreover, the QDs
exhibited exceptional photostability during continuous illumination for 1 h by
a high-intensity laser (Ar laser power 100 mW) at 488 nm, while the FITC
signals faded very quickly and became undetectable after 24 min of illumination.
These results indicate that QD-based probes can offer substantial advantages
over existing fluorophores in many applications, and can be used effectively in
immunohistochemistry as a novel class of fluorescent probes.
Key words quantum dots;
detection of tumor marker CA125; ovarian carcinoma
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Received: July 14, 2004 Accepted: August 15,
2004
This work was supported by the grants from the National Key Basic
Research and Development Program of China (No. 2002CB713802), the National Natural Science Foundation
of China (No. 30370303), and the National High Technology Research and
Development Program of China (No. 030431002)
*Corresponding author: Tel, 86-21-54921168; Fax, 86-21-54921011;
E-mail, [email protected]