Multispatially Localized DNA Walker Coupling Covalent Organic Framework for Dual-Mode Detection of Nucleocapsid Protein Using the Walking-Recycling-Conversion Strategy

DNA walkers have emerged as a powerful tool in bioanalysis; however, many existing approaches are still restricted by low reaction kinetics and inaccurate single-mode detection. Herein, a fluorescence (FL) and electrochemical (EC) dual-mode biosensor was proposed based on a multispatially localized DNA walker (m-DNA walker) coupling covalent organic framework (COF) using the walking-recycling-conversion strategy. Specifically, the functionalized COF not only served as a three-dimensional nanocarrier but also acted as an effective quencher of the walking tracks. In the presence of the target, the activated m-DNA walker moved fast along the numerous quenching tracks, leading to the cleavage of Cy3-H1 and the recovery of the FL signal. To further improve the detection sensitivity, the Cy3-H1 fragments' recycling process was implemented with the generation of a large amount of S1 and S2, which caused the assembly of DNA-Fe³⁺-polydopamine network amplifiers on the electrode. The rapid electrochemical conversion was introduced to convert DNA-Fe³⁺-polydopamine into electroactive Prussian Blue, providing a significant EC signal output. Using nucleocapsid protein (N-protein) as the model target, the designed biosensing platform produced a FL/EC dual-mode readout with the detection limits of 65.0 fg/mL for FL mode and 2.3 fg/mL for EC mode, which could eliminate the interference from different reactive pathways and improve the detection accuracy, holding potential application in early disease diagnosis and treatment.