trans-Cleavage of the CRISPR-Cas12a-aptamer system for one-step antigen detection

Abstract

Rapid detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is pivotal for the early screening of prostate cancer (PCa). Here, we devise a one-step, amplification-free fluorescent detection strategy for PSA, employing the trans-cleavage principle of a CRISPR-Cas12a-aptamer system. This method offers a linear range of 0.31–5 ng mL⁻¹ and a detection limit of 0.16 ng mL⁻¹. The high-confidence quantification of PSA is demonstrated through the analysis of real samples, effectively distinguishing between PCa patients and healthy individuals.