Rapid, simple, and low-cost diagnostic technologies are crucial tools for combating infectious disease. We describe a class of aptamer-based RNA switches, or aptaswitches, that recognize target nucleic acid molecules and initiate the folding of a reporter aptamer. Aptaswitches can detect virtually any sequence and provide an intense fluorescent readout without intervening enzymes, generating signals in as little as 5 min and enabling detection by eye with minimal equipment. Aptaswitches can be used to regulate the folding of seven fluorogenic aptamers, providing a general means of controlling aptamers and an array of multiplexable reporter colors. By coupling isothermal amplification reactions with aptaswitches, we reach sensitivities down to 1 RNA copy/μL in one-pot reactions. Application of multiplexed all-in-one reactions against RNA from clinical saliva samples yields an overall accuracy of 96.67% for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in 30 min. Aptaswitches are thus versatile tools for nucleic acid detection that are readily integrated into rapid diagnostic assays.

快速、简单且低成本的诊断技术是对抗传染病的重要工具。我们描述了一类基于适体的RNA开关，或适体开关，它们识别靶核酸分子并启动报告适体的折叠。 Aptaswitches 几乎可以检测任何序列，并提供强烈的荧光读数，无需干预酶，在短短 5 分钟内生成信号，并能够使用最少的设备进行肉眼检测。适体开关可用于调节七种荧光适体的折叠，提供控制适体和一系列可复用报告颜色的通用方法。通过将等温扩增反应与适体开关耦合，我们在一锅反应中将灵敏度降低至 1 RNA 拷贝/μL。应用针对临床唾液样本中的 RNA 的多重一体式反应，在 30 分钟内检测 SARS-CoV-2 的总体准确度达到 96.67%。因此，适体开关是用于核酸检测的多功能工具，可轻松集成到快速诊断测定中。