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Hartung J, McCann N, Doe E, Hayth H, Benkato K, Johnson MB, Viard M, Afonin KA, Khisamutdinov EF. Toehold-Mediated Shape Transition of Nucleic Acid Nanoparticles. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:25300-25312. [PMID: 37204867 PMCID: PMC10331730 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c01604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
We introduce a toehold-mediated strand displacement strategy for regulated shape-switching of nucleic acid nanoparticles (NANPs) enabling their sequential transformation from triangular to hexagonal architectures at isothermal conditions. The successful shape transitions were confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays, atomic force microscopy, and dynamic light scattering. Furthermore, implementation of split fluorogenic aptamers allowed for monitoring the individual transitions in real time. Three distinct RNA aptamers─malachite green (MG), broccoli, and mango─were embedded within NANPs as reporter domains to confirm shape transitions. While MG "lights up" within the square, pentagonal, and hexagonal constructs, the broccoli is activated only upon formation of pentagon and hexagon NANPs, and mango reports only the presence of hexagons. Moreover, the designed RNA fluorogenic platform can be employed to construct a logic gate that performs an AND operation with three single-stranded RNA inputs by implementing a non-sequential polygon transformation approach. Importantly, the polygonal scaffolds displayed promising potential as drug delivery agents and biosensors. All polygons exhibited effective cellular internalization followed by specific gene silencing when decorated with fluorophores and RNAi inducers. This work offers a new perspective for the design of toehold-mediated shape-switching nanodevices to activate different light-up aptamers for the development of biosensors, logic gates, and therapeutic devices in the nucleic acid nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Hartung
- Department of Chemistry, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana 47306, United States
| | - Nathan McCann
- Department of Chemistry, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana 47306, United States
| | - Erwin Doe
- Department of Chemistry, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana 47306, United States
| | - Hannah Hayth
- Department of Chemistry, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana 47306, United States
| | - Kheiria Benkato
- Department of Chemistry, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana 47306, United States
| | - M Brittany Johnson
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Mathias Viard
- Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc. National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Kirill A Afonin
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Emil F Khisamutdinov
- Department of Chemistry, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana 47306, United States
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2
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Ryckelynck M. Development and Applications of Fluorogen/Light-Up RNA Aptamer Pairs for RNA Detection and More. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2166:73-102. [PMID: 32710404 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0712-1_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The central role of RNA in living systems made it highly desirable to have noninvasive and sensitive technologies allowing for imaging the synthesis and the location of these molecules in living cells. This need motivated the development of small pro-fluorescent molecules called "fluorogens" that become fluorescent upon binding to genetically encodable RNAs called "light-up aptamers." Yet, the development of these fluorogen/light-up RNA pairs is a long and thorough process starting with the careful design of the fluorogen and pursued by the selection of a specific and efficient synthetic aptamer. This chapter summarizes the main design and the selection strategies used up to now prior to introducing the main pairs. Then, the vast application potential of these molecules for live-cell RNA imaging and other applications is presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Ryckelynck
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, UPR 9002, Strasbourg, France.
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3
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Liu LS, Wang F, Ge Y, Lo PK. Recent Developments in Aptasensors for Diagnostic Applications. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:9329-9358. [PMID: 33155468 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c14788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Aptamers are exciting smart molecular probes for specific recognition of disease biomarkers. A number of strategies have been developed to convert target-aptamer binding into physically detectable signals. Since the aptamer sequence was first discovered, a large variety of aptamer-based biosensors have been developed, with considerable attention paid to their potential applications in clinical diagnostics. So far, a variety of techniques in combination with a wide range of functional nanomaterials have been used for the design of aptasensors to further improve the sensitivity and detection limit of target determination. In this paper, the advantages of aptamers over traditional antibodies as the molecular recognition components in biosensors for high-throughput screening target molecules are highlighted. Aptamer-target pairing configurations are predominantly single- or dual-site binding; the design of recognition modes of each aptamer-target pairing configuration is described. Furthermore, signal transduction strategies including optical, electrical, mechanical, and mass-sensitive modes are clearly explained together with examples. Finally, we summarize the recent progress in the development of aptamer-based biosensors for clinical diagnosis, including detection of cancer and disease biomarkers and in vivo molecular imaging. We then conclude with a discussion on the advanced development and challenges of aptasensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Sum Liu
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yonghe Ge
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Pik Kwan Lo
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China
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4
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Kolpashchikov DM, Spelkov AA. Binary (Split) Light‐up Aptameric Sensors. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201914919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry M. Kolpashchikov
- Chemistry Department University of Central Florida Orlando FL 32816-2366 USA
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences University of Central Florida Orlando FL 32816 USA
| | - Alexander A. Spelkov
- Laboratory of Solution Chemistry of Advanced Materials and Technologies ITMO University 9 Lomonosova Str. St. Petersburg 191002 Russian Federation
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5
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Kolpashchikov DM, Spelkov AA. Binary (Split) Light-up Aptameric Sensors. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 60:4988-4999. [PMID: 32208549 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201914919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This Minireview discusses the design and applications of binary (also known as split) light-up aptameric sensors (BLAS). BLAS consist of two RNA or DNA strands and a fluorogenic organic dye added as a buffer component. When associated, the two strands form a dye-binding site, followed by an increase in fluorescence of the aptamer-bound dye. The design is cost-efficient because it uses short oligonucleotides and does not require conjugation of organic dyes with nucleic acids. In some applications, BLAS design is preferable over monolithic sensors because of simpler assay optimization and improved selectivity. RNA-based BLAS can be expressed in cells and used for the intracellular monitoring of biological molecules. BLAS have been used as reporters of nucleic acid association events in RNA nanotechnology and nucleic-acid-based molecular computation. Other applications of BLAS include the detection of nucleic acids, proteins, and cancer cells, and potentially they can be tailored to report a broad range of biological analytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry M Kolpashchikov
- Chemistry Department, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32816-2366, USA.,Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32816, USA
| | - Alexander A Spelkov
- Laboratory of Solution Chemistry of Advanced Materials and Technologies, ITMO University, 9 Lomonosova Str., St. Petersburg, 191002, Russian Federation
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6
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Badu S, Melnik R, Singh S. Mathematical and computational models of RNA nanoclusters and their applications in data-driven environments. MOLECULAR SIMULATION 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/08927022.2020.1804564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shyam Badu
- MS2Discovery Interdisciplinary Research Institute, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Roderick Melnik
- MS2Discovery Interdisciplinary Research Institute, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- BCAM-Basque Center for Applied Mathematics, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Sundeep Singh
- MS2Discovery Interdisciplinary Research Institute, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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7
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Dobrovolskaia MA. Nucleic Acid Nanoparticles at a Crossroads of Vaccines and Immunotherapies. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24244620. [PMID: 31861154 PMCID: PMC6943637 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24244620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines and immunotherapies involve a variety of technologies and act through different mechanisms to achieve a common goal, which is to optimize the immune response against an antigen. The antigen could be a molecule expressed on a pathogen (e.g., a disease-causing bacterium, a virus or another microorganism), abnormal or damaged host cells (e.g., cancer cells), environmental agent (e.g., nicotine from a tobacco smoke), or an allergen (e.g., pollen or food protein). Immunogenic vaccines and therapies optimize the immune response to improve the eradication of the pathogen or damaged cells. In contrast, tolerogenic vaccines and therapies retrain or blunt the immune response to antigens, which are recognized by the immune system as harmful to the host. To optimize the immune response to either improve the immunogenicity or induce tolerance, researchers employ different routes of administration, antigen-delivery systems, and adjuvants. Nanocarriers and adjuvants are of particular interest to the fields of vaccines and immunotherapy as they allow for targeted delivery of the antigens and direct the immune response against these antigens in desirable direction (i.e., to either enhance immunogenicity or induce tolerance). Recently, nanoparticles gained particular attention as antigen carriers and adjuvants. This review focuses on a particular subclass of nanoparticles, which are made of nucleic acids, so-called nucleic acid nanoparticles or NANPs. Immunological properties of these novel materials and considerations for their clinical translation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina A Dobrovolskaia
- Nanotechnology Characterization Lab, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
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8
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Wang X, Chandrasekaran AR, Shen Z, Ohayon YP, Wang T, Kizer ME, Sha R, Mao C, Yan H, Zhang X, Liao S, Ding B, Chakraborty B, Jonoska N, Niu D, Gu H, Chao J, Gao X, Li Y, Ciengshin T, Seeman NC. Paranemic Crossover DNA: There and Back Again. Chem Rev 2018; 119:6273-6289. [PMID: 29911864 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Over the past 35 years, DNA has been used to produce various nanometer-scale constructs, nanomechanical devices, and walkers. Construction of complex DNA nanostructures relies on the creation of rigid DNA motifs. Paranemic crossover (PX) DNA is one such motif that has played many roles in DNA nanotechnology. Specifically, PX cohesion has been used to connect topologically closed molecules, to assemble a three-dimensional object, and to create two-dimensional DNA crystals. Additionally, a sequence-dependent nanodevice based on conformational change between PX and its topoisomer, JX2, has been used in robust nanoscale assembly lines, as a key component in a DNA transducer, and to dictate polymer assembly. Furthermore, the PX motif has recently found a new role directly in basic biology, by possibly serving as the molecular structure for double-stranded DNA homology recognition, a prominent feature of molecular biology and essential for many crucial biological processes. This review discusses the many attributes and usages of PX-DNA-its design, characteristics, applications, and potential biological relevance-and aims to accelerate the understanding of PX-DNA motif in its many roles and manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and The Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies , Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , Troy , New York 12180 , United States
| | | | - Zhiyong Shen
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science , Anhui Normal University , Wuhu , Anhui 241000 , China
| | - Yoel P Ohayon
- Department of Chemistry , New York University , New York , New York 10012 , United States
| | - Tong Wang
- Department of Chemistry , New York University , New York , New York 10012 , United States
| | - Megan E Kizer
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and The Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies , Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , Troy , New York 12180 , United States
| | - Ruojie Sha
- Department of Chemistry , New York University , New York , New York 10012 , United States
| | - Chengde Mao
- Department of Chemistry , Purdue University , West Lafayette , Indiana 47907 , United States
| | - Hao Yan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and The Biodesign Institute , Arizona State University , Tempe , Arizona 85287 , United States
| | - Xiaoping Zhang
- Department of Chemistry , New York University , New York , New York 10012 , United States
| | - Shiping Liao
- Department of Chemistry , New York University , New York , New York 10012 , United States
| | - Baoquan Ding
- Department of Chemistry , New York University , New York , New York 10012 , United States
| | - Banani Chakraborty
- Department of Chemistry , New York University , New York , New York 10012 , United States
| | - Natasha Jonoska
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics , University of South Florida , Tampa , Florida 33620 , United States
| | - Dong Niu
- Department of Chemistry , New York University , New York , New York 10012 , United States
| | - Hongzhou Gu
- Department of Chemistry , New York University , New York , New York 10012 , United States
| | - Jie Chao
- Department of Chemistry , New York University , New York , New York 10012 , United States
| | - Xiang Gao
- Department of Chemistry , New York University , New York , New York 10012 , United States
| | - Yuhang Li
- Department of Chemistry , New York University , New York , New York 10012 , United States
| | - Tanashaya Ciengshin
- Department of Chemistry , New York University , New York , New York 10012 , United States
| | - Nadrian C Seeman
- Department of Chemistry , New York University , New York , New York 10012 , United States
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9
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Haque F, Pi F, Zhao Z, Gu S, Hu H, Yu H, Guo P. RNA versatility, flexibility, and thermostability for practice in RNA nanotechnology and biomedical applications. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2018; 9:10.1002/wrna.1452. [PMID: 29105333 PMCID: PMC5739991 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, RNA has attracted widespread attention as a unique biomaterial with distinct biophysical properties for designing sophisticated architectures in the nanometer scale. RNA is much more versatile in structure and function with higher thermodynamic stability compared to its nucleic acid counterpart DNA. Larger RNA molecules can be viewed as a modular structure built from a combination of many 'Lego' building blocks connected via different linker sequences. By exploiting the diversity of RNA motifs and flexibility of structure, varieties of RNA architectures can be fabricated with precise control of shape, size, and stoichiometry. Many structural motifs have been discovered and characterized over the years and the crystal structures of many of these motifs are available for nanoparticle construction. For example, using the flexibility and versatility of RNA structure, RNA triangles, squares, pentagons, and hexagons can be constructed from phi29 pRNA three-way-junction (3WJ) building block. This review will focus on 2D RNA triangles, squares, and hexamers; 3D and 4D structures built from basic RNA building blocks; and their prospective applications in vivo as imaging or therapeutic agents via specific delivery and targeting. Methods for intracellular cloning and expression of RNA molecules and the in vivo assembly of RNA nanoparticles will also be reviewed. WIREs RNA 2018, 9:e1452. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1452 This article is categorized under: RNA Methods > RNA Nanotechnology RNA Structure and Dynamics > RNA Structure, Dynamics and Chemistry RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzin Haque
- Nanobio Delivery Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Fengmei Pi
- Nanobio Delivery Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Zhengyi Zhao
- Nanobio Delivery Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Shanqing Gu
- Nanobio Delivery Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Haibo Hu
- Nanobio Delivery Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Hang Yu
- Nanobio Delivery Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Peixuan Guo
- College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry; College of Medicine, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute; Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Center for RNA Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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10
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Bouhedda F, Autour A, Ryckelynck M. Light-Up RNA Aptamers and Their Cognate Fluorogens: From Their Development to Their Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 19:ijms19010044. [PMID: 29295531 PMCID: PMC5795994 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19010044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
An RNA-based fluorogenic module consists of a light-up RNA aptamer able to specifically interact with a fluorogen to form a fluorescent complex. Over the past decade, significant efforts have been devoted to the development of such modules, which now cover the whole visible spectrum, as well as to their engineering to serve in a wide range of applications. In this review, we summarize the different strategies used to develop each partner (the fluorogen and the light-up RNA aptamer) prior to giving an overview of their applications that range from live-cell RNA imaging to the set-up of high-throughput drug screening pipelines. We then conclude with a critical discussion on the current limitations of these modules and how combining in vitro selection with screening approaches may help develop even better molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah Bouhedda
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, UPR 9002, F-67000 Strasbourg, France.
| | - Alexis Autour
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, UPR 9002, F-67000 Strasbourg, France.
| | - Michael Ryckelynck
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, UPR 9002, F-67000 Strasbourg, France.
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11
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Chavis AE, Brady KT, Hatmaker GA, Angevine CE, Kothalawala N, Dass A, Robertson JWF, Reiner JE. Single Molecule Nanopore Spectrometry for Peptide Detection. ACS Sens 2017; 2:1319-1328. [PMID: 28812356 PMCID: PMC11274829 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.7b00362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Sensing and characterization of water-soluble peptides is of critical importance in a wide variety of bioapplications. Single molecule nanopore spectrometry (SMNS) is based on the idea that one can use biological protein nanopores to resolve different sized molecules down to limits set by the blockade duration and noise. Previous work has shown that this enables discrimination between polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecules that differ by a single monomer unit. This paper describes efforts to extend SMNS to a variety of biologically relevant, water-soluble peptides. We describe the use of Au25(SG)18 clusters, previously shown to improve PEG detection, to increase the on- and off-rate of peptides to the pore. In addition, we study the role that fluctuations play in the single molecule nanopore spectrometry (SMNS) methodology and show that modifying solution conditions to increase peptide flexibility (via pH or chaotropic salt) leads to a nearly 2-fold reduction in the current blockade fluctuations and a corresponding narrowing of the peaks in the blockade distributions. Finally, a model is presented that connects the current blockade depths to the mass of the peptides, which shows that our enhanced SMNS detection improves the mass resolution of the nanopore sensor more than 2-fold for the largest cationic peptides studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E. Chavis
- Department of Physics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23284, United States
| | - Kyle T. Brady
- Department of Physics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23284, United States
| | - Grace A. Hatmaker
- Department of Physics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23284, United States
| | - Christopher E. Angevine
- Department of Physics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23284, United States
| | - Nuwan Kothalawala
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Amala Dass
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, United States
| | - Joseph W. F. Robertson
- Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8120, United States
| | - Joseph E. Reiner
- Department of Physics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23284, United States
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12
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Binzel DW, Khisamutdinov E, Vieweger M, Ortega J, Li J, Guo P. Mechanism of three-component collision to produce ultrastable pRNA three-way junction of Phi29 DNA-packaging motor by kinetic assessment. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2016; 22:1710-1718. [PMID: 27672132 PMCID: PMC5066623 DOI: 10.1261/rna.057646.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
RNA nanotechnology is rapidly emerging. Due to advantageous pharmacokinetics and favorable in vivo biodistribution, RNA nanoparticles have shown promise in targeted delivery of therapeutics. RNA nanotechnology applies bottom-up assembly, thus elucidation of the mechanism of interaction between multiple components is of fundamental importance. The tendency of diminishing concern about RNA instability has accelerated by the finding of the novel thermostable three-way junction (3WJ) motif of the phi29 DNA-packaging motor. The kinetics of these three components, each averaging 18 nucleotides (nt), was investigated to elucidate the mechanism for producing the stable 3WJ. The three fragments coassembled into the 3WJ with extraordinary speed and affinity via a two-step reaction mechanism, 3WJb + 3WJc ↔ 3WJbc + 3WJa ↔ 3WJabc The first step of reaction between 3WJb and 3WJc is highly dynamic since these two fragments only contain 8 nt for complementation. In the second step, the 3WJa, which contains 17 nt complementary to the 3WJbc complex, locks the unstable 3WJbc complex into a highly stable 3WJ. The resulting pRNA-3WJ is more stable than any of the dimer species as shown in the much more rapid association rates and slowest dissociation rate constant. The second step occurs at a very high association rate that is difficult to quantify, resulting in a rapid formation of a stable 3WJ. Elucidation of the mechanism of three-component collision in producing the ultrastable 3WJ proves a promising platform for bottom-up assembly of RNA nanoparticles as a new class of anion polymers for material science, electronic elements, or therapeutic reagents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W Binzel
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Emil Khisamutdinov
- Nanobiotechnology Center, Markey Cancer Center, and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Mario Vieweger
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Janice Ortega
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Jingyuan Li
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, 1000049
| | - Peixuan Guo
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
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13
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Parlea L, Puri A, Kasprzak W, Bindewald E, Zakrevsky P, Satterwhite E, Joseph K, Afonin KA, Shapiro BA. Cellular Delivery of RNA Nanoparticles. ACS COMBINATORIAL SCIENCE 2016; 18:527-47. [PMID: 27509068 PMCID: PMC6345529 DOI: 10.1021/acscombsci.6b00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
RNA nanostructures can be programmed to exhibit defined sizes, shapes and stoichiometries from naturally occurring or de novo designed RNA motifs. These constructs can be used as scaffolds to attach functional moieties, such as ligand binding motifs or gene expression regulators, for nanobiology applications. This review is focused on four areas of importance to RNA nanotechnology: the types of RNAs of particular interest for nanobiology, the assembly of RNA nanoconstructs, the challenges of cellular delivery of RNAs in vivo, and the delivery carriers that aid in the matter. The available strategies for the design of nucleic acid nanostructures, as well as for formulation of their carriers, make RNA nanotechnology an important tool in both basic research and applied biomedical science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Parlea
- Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Anu Puri
- Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Wojciech Kasprzak
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Eckart Bindewald
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Paul Zakrevsky
- Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Emily Satterwhite
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Kenya Joseph
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Kirill A. Afonin
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
- Nanoscale Science Program, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte North Carolina 28223, United States
- The Center for Biomedical Engineering and Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Bruce A. Shapiro
- Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
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14
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Kikuchi N, Kolpashchikov DM. Split Spinach Aptamer for Highly Selective Recognition of DNA and RNA at Ambient Temperatures. Chembiochem 2016; 17:1589-92. [PMID: 27305425 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201600323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Split spinach aptamer (SSA) probes for fluorescent analysis of nucleic acids were designed and tested. In SSA design, two RNA or RNA/DNA strands hybridized to a specific nucleic acid analyte and formed a binding site for low-fluorescent 3,5-difluoro-4-hydroxybenzylidene imidazolinone (DFHBI) dye, which resulted in up to a 270-fold increase in fluorescence. The major advantage of the SSA over state-of-the art fluorescent probes is high selectivity: it produces only background fluorescence in the presence of a single-base-mismatched analyte, even at room temperature. SSA is therefore a promising tool for label-free analysis of nucleic acids at ambient temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanami Kikuchi
- Chemistry Department, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Boulevard, Orlando, FL, 32816-2366, USA
| | - Dmitry M Kolpashchikov
- Chemistry Department, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Boulevard, Orlando, FL, 32816-2366, USA.
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15
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Bindewald E, Afonin KA, Viard M, Zakrevsky P, Kim T, Shapiro BA. Multistrand Structure Prediction of Nucleic Acid Assemblies and Design of RNA Switches. NANO LETTERS 2016; 16:1726-35. [PMID: 26926528 PMCID: PMC6319913 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b04651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
RNA is an attractive material for the creation of molecular logic gates that release programmed functionalities only in the presence of specific molecular interaction partners. Here we present HyperFold, a multistrand RNA/DNA structure prediction approach for predicting nucleic acid complexes that can contain pseudoknots. We show that HyperFold also performs competitively compared to other published folding algorithms. We performed a large variety of RNA/DNA hybrid reassociation experiments for different concentrations, DNA toehold lengths, and G+C content and find that the observed tendencies for reassociation correspond well to computational predictions. Importantly, we apply this method to the design and experimental verification of a two-stranded RNA molecular switch that upon binding to a single-stranded RNA toehold disease-marker trigger mRNA changes its conformation releasing an shRNA-like Dicer substrate structure. To demonstrate the concept, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA and enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) mRNA were chosen as trigger and target sequences, respectively. In vitro experiments confirm the formation of an RNA switch and demonstrate that the functional unit is being released when the trigger RNA interacts with the switch toehold. The designed RNA switch is shown to be functional in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Several other switches were also designed and tested. We conclude that this approach has considerable potential because, in principle, it allows the release of an siRNA designed against a gene that differs from the gene that is utilized as a biomarker for a disease state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eckart Bindewald
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Kirill A. Afonin
- Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Mathias Viard
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Paul Zakrevsky
- Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Taejin Kim
- Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Bruce A. Shapiro
- Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
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16
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Li H, Rychahou PG, Cui Z, Pi F, Evers BM, Shu D, Guo P, Luo W. RNA Nanoparticles Derived from Three-Way Junction of Phi29 Motor pRNA Are Resistant to I-125 and Cs-131 Radiation. Nucleic Acid Ther 2015; 25:188-97. [PMID: 26017686 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2014.0525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiation reagents that specifically target tumors are in high demand for the treatment of cancer. The emerging field of RNA nanotechnology might provide new opportunities for targeted radiation therapy. This study investigates whether chemically modified RNA nanoparticles derived from the packaging RNA (pRNA) three-way junction (3WJ) of phi29 DNA-packaging motor are resistant to potent I-125 and Cs-131 radiation, which is a prerequisite for utilizing these RNA nanoparticles as carriers for targeted radiation therapy. pRNA 3WJ nanoparticles were constructed and characterized, and the stability of these nanoparticles under I-125 and Cs-131 irradiation with clinically relevant doses was examined. RNA nanoparticles derived from the pRNA 3WJ targeted tumors specifically and they were stable under irradiation of I-125 and Cs-131 with clinically relevant doses ranging from 1 to 90 Gy over a significantly long time up to 20 days, while control plasmid DNA was damaged at 20 Gy or higher.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- 1 Nanobiotechnology Center, University of Kentucky , Lexington, Kentucky.,2 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky , Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Piotr G Rychahou
- 3 Department of Surgery, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky , Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Zheng Cui
- 2 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky , Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Fengmei Pi
- 1 Nanobiotechnology Center, University of Kentucky , Lexington, Kentucky.,2 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky , Lexington, Kentucky
| | - B Mark Evers
- 4 Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky , Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Dan Shu
- 1 Nanobiotechnology Center, University of Kentucky , Lexington, Kentucky.,2 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky , Lexington, Kentucky.,4 Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky , Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Peixuan Guo
- 1 Nanobiotechnology Center, University of Kentucky , Lexington, Kentucky.,2 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky , Lexington, Kentucky.,4 Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky , Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Wei Luo
- 5 Department of Radiation Medicine, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky , Lexington, Kentucky
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17
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Abstract
We describe design parameters for the synthesis and analytical application of a label-free RNA molecular beacon, termed Spinach.ST. The RNA aptamer Spinach fluoresces upon binding the small-molecule fluorophore DFHBI ((Z)-4-(3,5-difluoro-4-hydroxybenzylidene)-1,2-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-5(4H)-one). Spinach has been reengineered by extending its 5'- and 3'-ends to create Spinach.ST, which is predicted to fold into an inactive conformation that fails to bind DHFBI. Hybridization of a trigger oligonucleotide to a designed toehold on Spinach.ST initiates toehold-mediated strand displacement and restores the DFHBI-binding, fluorescence-enhancing conformation of Spinach. The versatile Spinach.ST sensor can detect DNA or RNA trigger sequences and can readily distinguish single-nucleotide mismatches in the trigger toehold. Primer design techniques are described that augment amplicons produced by enzymatic amplification with Spinach.ST triggers. Interaction between these triggers and Spinach.ST molecular beacons leads to the real-time, sequence-specific quantitation of these amplicons. The use of Spinach.ST with isothermal amplification reactions such as nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) may enable point-of-care applications. The same design principles could also be used to adapt Spinach reporters to the assay of nonnucleic acid analytes in trans.
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18
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Afonin KA, Schultz D, Jaeger L, Gwinn E, Shapiro BA. Silver nanoclusters for RNA nanotechnology: steps towards visualization and tracking of RNA nanoparticle assemblies. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1297:59-66. [PMID: 25895995 PMCID: PMC6345514 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2562-9_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The growing interest in designing functionalized, RNA-based nanoparticles (NPs) for applications such as cancer therapeutics requires simple, efficient assembly assays. Common methods for tracking RNA assemblies such as native polyacrylamide gels and atomic force microscopy are often time-intensive and, therefore, undesirable. Here we describe a technique for rapid analysis of RNA NP assembly stages using the formation of fluorescent silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs). This method exploits the single-stranded specificity and sequence dependence of Ag NC formation to produce unique optical readouts for each stage of RNA NP assembly, obtained readily after synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirill A Afonin
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
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19
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Afonin KA, Lindsay B, Shapiro BA. Engineered RNA Nanodesigns for Applications in RNA Nanotechnology. DNA AND RNA NANOTECHNOLOGY 2015; 1:1-15. [PMID: 34322585 PMCID: PMC8315564 DOI: 10.2478/rnan-2013-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acids have emerged as an extremely promising platform for nanotechnological applications because of their unique biochemical properties and functions. RNA, in particular, is characterized by relatively high thermal stability, diverse structural flexibility, and its capacity to perform a variety of functions in nature. These properties make RNA a valuable platform for bio-nanotechnology, specifically RNA Nanotechnology, that can create de novo nanostructures with unique functionalities through the design, integration, and re-engineering of powerful mechanisms based on a variety of existing RNA structures and their fundamental biochemical properties. This review highlights the principles that underlie the rational design of RNA nanostructures, describes the main strategies used to construct self-assembling nanoparticles, and discusses the challenges and possibilities facing the application of RNA Nanotechnology in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirill A. Afonin
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Brian Lindsay
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Bruce A. Shapiro
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
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20
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Afonin K, Viard M, Koyfman AY, Martins AN, Kasprzak WK, Panigaj M, Desai R, Santhanam A, Grabow WW, Jaeger L, Heldman E, Reiser J, Chiu W, Freed EO, Shapiro BA. Multifunctional RNA nanoparticles. NANO LETTERS 2014; 14:5662-71. [PMID: 25267559 PMCID: PMC4189619 DOI: 10.1021/nl502385k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2014] [Revised: 08/27/2014] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Our recent advancements in RNA nanotechnology introduced novel nanoscaffolds (nanorings); however, the potential of their use for biomedical applications was never fully revealed. As presented here, besides functionalization with multiple different short interfering RNAs for combinatorial RNA interference (e.g., against multiple HIV-1 genes), nanorings also allow simultaneous embedment of assorted RNA aptamers, fluorescent dyes, proteins, as well as recently developed RNA-DNA hybrids aimed to conditionally activate multiple split functionalities inside cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirill
A. Afonin
- Basic
Research Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Mathias Viard
- Basic
Research Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
- Basic
Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research,
Inc., NCI Center for Cancer Research, Frederick National Laboratory
for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Alexey Y. Koyfman
- National
Center for Macromolecular Imaging, Verna and Marrs McLean Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor
College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Angelica N. Martins
- HIV
Drug Resistance Program, National Cancer
Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United
States
| | - Wojciech K. Kasprzak
- Basic
Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research,
Inc., NCI Center for Cancer Research, Frederick National Laboratory
for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Martin Panigaj
- Food
and Drug Administration, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research,
Office of Cellular, Tissue and Gene Therapies, Silver Spring, Maryland 20993, United States
| | - Ravi Desai
- Basic
Research Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Arti Santhanam
- Basic
Research Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Wade W. Grabow
- Department
of Chemistry, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Washington 98119, United States
| | - Luc Jaeger
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Biomolecular Science and Engineering
Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-9510, United States
| | - Eliahu Heldman
- Basic
Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research,
Inc., NCI Center for Cancer Research, Frederick National Laboratory
for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Jakob Reiser
- Food
and Drug Administration, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research,
Office of Cellular, Tissue and Gene Therapies, Silver Spring, Maryland 20993, United States
| | - Wah Chiu
- National
Center for Macromolecular Imaging, Verna and Marrs McLean Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor
College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Eric O. Freed
- HIV
Drug Resistance Program, National Cancer
Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United
States
| | - Bruce A. Shapiro
- Basic
Research Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
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21
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Jasinski DL, Khisamutdinov EF, Lyubchenko YL, Guo P. Physicochemically tunable polyfunctionalized RNA square architecture with fluorogenic and ribozymatic properties. ACS NANO 2014; 8:7620-9. [PMID: 24971772 PMCID: PMC4148160 DOI: 10.1021/nn502160s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2014] [Accepted: 06/27/2014] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in RNA nanotechnology allow the rational design of various nanoarchitectures. Previous methods utilized conserved angles from natural RNA motifs to form geometries with specific sizes. However, the feasibility of producing RNA architecture with variable sizes using native motifs featuring fixed sizes and angles is limited. It would be advantageous to display RNA nanoparticles of diverse shape and size derived from a given primary sequence. Here, we report an approach to construct RNA nanoparticles with tunable size and stability. Multifunctional RNA squares with a 90° angle were constructed by tuning the 60° angle of the three-way junction (3WJ) motif from the packaging RNA (pRNA) of the bacteriophage phi29 DNA packaging motor. The physicochemical properties and size of the RNA square were also easily tuned by modulating the “core” strand and adjusting the length of the sides of the square via predictable design. Squares of 5, 10, and 20 nm were constructed, each showing diverse thermodynamic and chemical stabilities. Four “arms” extending from the corners of the square were used to incorporate siRNA, ribozyme, and fluorogenic RNA motifs. Unique intramolecular contact using the pre-existing intricacy of the 3WJ avoids relatively weaker intermolecular interactions via kissing loops or sticky ends. Utilizing the 3WJ motif, we have employed a modular design technique to construct variable-size RNA squares with controllable properties and functionalities for diverse and versatile applications with engineering, pharmaceutical, and medical potential. This technique for simple design to finely tune physicochemical properties adds a new angle to RNA nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel L. Jasinski
- Nanobiotechnology Center, Markey Cancer Center, and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
| | - Emil F. Khisamutdinov
- Nanobiotechnology Center, Markey Cancer Center, and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
| | - Yuri L. Lyubchenko
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Peixuan Guo
- Nanobiotechnology Center, Markey Cancer Center, and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
- Address correspondence to
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22
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Bhadra S, Ellington AD. A Spinach molecular beacon triggered by strand displacement. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2014; 20:1183-1194. [PMID: 24942625 PMCID: PMC4105745 DOI: 10.1261/rna.045047.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We have re-engineered the fluorescent RNA aptamer Spinach to be activated in a sequence-dependent manner. The original Spinach aptamer was extended at its 5'- and 3'-ends to create Spinach.ST, which is predicted to fold into an inactive conformation and thus prevent association with the small molecule fluorophore DFHBI. Hybridization of a specific trigger oligonucleotide to a designed toehold leads to toehold-initiated strand displacement and refolds Spinach into the active, fluorophore-binding conformation. Spinach.ST not only specifically detects its target oligonucleotide but can discriminate readily against single-nucleotide mismatches. RNA amplicons produced during nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) of DNA or RNA targets could be specifically detected and reported in real-time by conformational activation of Spinach.ST generated by in vitro transcription. In order to adapt any target sequence to detection by a Spinach reporter we used a primer design technique that brings together otherwise distal toehold sequences via hairpin formation. The same techniques could potentially be used to adapt common Spinach reporters to non-nucleic acid analytes, rather than by making fusions between aptamers and Spinach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanchita Bhadra
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - Andrew D Ellington
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
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23
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Khisamutdinov EF, Jasinski DL, Guo P. RNA as a boiling-resistant anionic polymer material to build robust structures with defined shape and stoichiometry. ACS NANO 2014; 8:4771-81. [PMID: 24694194 PMCID: PMC4046798 DOI: 10.1021/nn5006254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 03/25/2014] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
RNA is a polyribonucleic acid belonging to a special class of anionic polymers, holding a unique property of self-assembly that is controllable in the construction of structures with defined size, shape, and stoichiometry. We report here the use of RNA as polymers to fabricate boiling-resistant triangular nanoscaffolds, which were used to construct hexagons and patterned hexagonal arrays. The RNA triangular scaffolds demonstrated promising potential to construct fluorogenic probes and therapeutic agents as functionalization with siRNA, ribozyme, folate, and fluorogenic RNA aptamers revealed independent functional activity of each RNA moiety. The ribozyme was able to cleave hepatitis genomic RNA fragments, the siRNA silenced the target genes, and all fluorogenic RNA aptamers retained their fluorescence emission property. The creation of boiling-temperature-resistant RNA nanoparticles opens a new dimension of RNA as a special polymer, feasible in industrial and nanotechnological applications.
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24
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Afonin KA, Kasprzak W, Bindewald E, Puppala PS, Diehl AR, Hall KT, Kim TJ, Zimmermann MT, Jernigan RL, Jaeger L, Shapiro BA. Computational and experimental characterization of RNA cubic nanoscaffolds. Methods 2014; 67:256-65. [PMID: 24189588 PMCID: PMC4007386 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2013.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2013] [Revised: 10/11/2013] [Accepted: 10/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The fast-developing field of RNA nanotechnology requires the adoption and development of novel and faster computational approaches to modeling and characterization of RNA-based nano-objects. We report the first application of Elastic Network Modeling (ENM), a structure-based dynamics model, to RNA nanotechnology. With the use of an Anisotropic Network Model (ANM), a type of ENM, we characterize the dynamic behavior of non-compact, multi-stranded RNA-based nanocubes that can be used as nano-scale scaffolds carrying different functionalities. Modeling the nanocubes with our tool NanoTiler and exploring the dynamic characteristics of the models with ANM suggested relatively minor but important structural modifications that enhanced the assembly properties and thermodynamic stabilities. In silico and in vitro, we compared nanocubes having different numbers of base pairs per side, showing with both methods that the 10 bp-long helix design leads to more efficient assembly, as predicted computationally. We also explored the impact of different numbers of single-stranded nucleotide stretches at each of the cube corners and showed that cube flexibility simulations help explain the differences in the experimental assembly yields, as well as the measured nanomolecule sizes and melting temperatures. This original work paves the way for detailed computational analysis of the dynamic behavior of artificially designed multi-stranded RNA nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirill A Afonin
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Wojciech Kasprzak
- Basic Science Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Eckart Bindewald
- Basic Science Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Praneet S Puppala
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Alex R Diehl
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Kenneth T Hall
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Tae Jin Kim
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Michael T Zimmermann
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Robert L Jernigan
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Luc Jaeger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9510, USA.
| | - Bruce A Shapiro
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
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25
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Binzel DW, Khisamutdinov EF, Guo P. Entropy-driven one-step formation of Phi29 pRNA 3WJ from three RNA fragments. Biochemistry 2014; 53:2221-31. [PMID: 24694349 PMCID: PMC4004221 DOI: 10.1021/bi4017022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
![]()
The
emerging field of RNA nanotechnology necessitates creation
of functional RNA nanoparticles but has been limited by particle instability.
It has been shown that the three-way junction of bacteriophage phi29
motor pRNA has unusual stability and can self-assemble from three
fragments with high efficiency. It is generally believed that RNA
and DNA folding is energy landscape-dependent, and the folding of
RNA is driven by enthalpy. Here we examine the thermodynamic characteristics
of the 3WJ components as 2′-fluoro RNA, DNA, and RNA. It was
seen that the three fragments existed either in 3WJ complex or as
monomers, with the intermediate of dimers almost undetectable. It
seems that the three fragments can lead to the formation of the 3WJ
complex efficiently within a rapid time. A low dissociation constant
(apparent KD) of 11.4 nM was determined
for RNA, inclusion of 2′-F pyrimidines strengthened the KD to 4.5 nM, and substitution of DNA weakened
it to 47.7 nM. The ΔG°37, were
−36, −28, and −15 kcal/mol for 3WJ2′-F, 3WJRNA, and 3WJDNA, respectively. It is found
that the formation of the three-component complex was governed by
entropy, instead of enthalpy, as usually found in RNA complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W Binzel
- Nanobiotechnology Center, Markey Cancer Center, and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky , Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
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26
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Afonin KA, Desai R, Viard M, Kireeva ML, Bindewald E, Case CL, Maciag AE, Kasprzak WK, Kim T, Sappe A, Stepler M, KewalRamani VN, Kashlev M, Blumenthal R, Shapiro BA. Co-transcriptional production of RNA-DNA hybrids for simultaneous release of multiple split functionalities. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:2085-97. [PMID: 24194608 PMCID: PMC3919563 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt1001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Revised: 09/30/2013] [Accepted: 10/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Control over the simultaneous delivery of different functionalities and their synchronized intracellular activation can greatly benefit the fields of RNA and DNA biomedical nanotechnologies and allow for the production of nanoparticles and various switching devices with controllable functions. We present a system of multiple split functionalities embedded in the cognate pairs of RNA-DNA hybrids which are programmed to recognize each other, re-associate and form a DNA duplex while also releasing the split RNA fragments which upon association regain their original functions. Simultaneous activation of three different functionalities (RNAi, Förster resonance energy transfer and RNA aptamer) confirmed by multiple in vitro and cell culture experiments prove the concept. To automate the design process, a novel computational tool that differentiates between the thermodynamic stabilities of RNA-RNA, RNA-DNA and DNA-DNA duplexes was developed. Moreover, here we demonstrate that besides being easily produced by annealing synthetic RNAs and DNAs, the individual hybrids carrying longer RNAs can be produced by RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription of single-stranded DNA templates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirill A. Afonin
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, HIV Drug Resistance Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA and Chemical Biology Laboratory, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Ravi Desai
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, HIV Drug Resistance Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA and Chemical Biology Laboratory, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Mathias Viard
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, HIV Drug Resistance Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA and Chemical Biology Laboratory, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Maria L. Kireeva
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, HIV Drug Resistance Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA and Chemical Biology Laboratory, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Eckart Bindewald
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, HIV Drug Resistance Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA and Chemical Biology Laboratory, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Christopher L. Case
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, HIV Drug Resistance Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA and Chemical Biology Laboratory, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Anna E. Maciag
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, HIV Drug Resistance Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA and Chemical Biology Laboratory, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Wojciech K. Kasprzak
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, HIV Drug Resistance Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA and Chemical Biology Laboratory, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Taejin Kim
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, HIV Drug Resistance Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA and Chemical Biology Laboratory, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Alison Sappe
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, HIV Drug Resistance Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA and Chemical Biology Laboratory, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Marissa Stepler
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, HIV Drug Resistance Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA and Chemical Biology Laboratory, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Vineet N. KewalRamani
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, HIV Drug Resistance Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA and Chemical Biology Laboratory, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Mikhail Kashlev
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, HIV Drug Resistance Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA and Chemical Biology Laboratory, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Robert Blumenthal
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, HIV Drug Resistance Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA and Chemical Biology Laboratory, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Bruce A. Shapiro
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA, HIV Drug Resistance Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA and Chemical Biology Laboratory, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
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27
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Shu D, Khisamutdinov EF, Zhang L, Guo P. Programmable folding of fusion RNA in vivo and in vitro driven by pRNA 3WJ motif of phi29 DNA packaging motor. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 42:e10. [PMID: 24084081 PMCID: PMC3902900 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Misfolding and associated loss of function are common problems in constructing fusion RNA complexes due to changes in energy landscape and the nearest-neighbor principle. Here we report the incorporation and application of the pRNA-3WJ motif of the phi29 DNA packaging motor into fusion RNA with controllable and predictable folding. The motif included three discontinuous ∼18 nucleotide (nt) fragments, displayed a distinct low folding energy (Shu D et al., Nature Nanotechnology, 2011, 6:658–667), and folded spontaneously into a leading core that enabled the correct folding of other functionalities fused to the RNA complex. Three individual fragments dispersed at any location within the sequence allowed the other RNA functional modules to fold into their original structures with authentic functions, as tested by Hepatitis B virus ribozyme, siRNA, and aptamers for malachite green (MG), spinach, and streptavidin (STV). Only nine complementary nucleotides were present for any two of the three ∼18-nt fragments, but the three 9 bp branches were so powerful that they disrupted other double strands with more than 15 bp within the fusion RNA. This system enabled the production of fusion complexes harboring multiple RNA functionalities with correct folding for potential applications in biotechnology, nanomedicine and nanotechnology. We also applied this system to investigate the principles governing the folding of RNA in vivo and in vitro. Temporal production of RNA sequences during in vivo transcription caused RNA to fold into different conformations that could not be predicted with routine principles derived from in vitro studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Shu
- Nanobiotechnology Center, Markey Cancer Center, and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
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28
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Bindewald E, Shapiro BA. Computational detection of abundant long-range nucleotide covariation in Drosophila genomes. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2013; 19:1171-82. [PMID: 23887147 PMCID: PMC3753924 DOI: 10.1261/rna.037630.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2012] [Accepted: 06/08/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Functionally important nucleotide base-pairing often manifests itself in sequence alignments in the form of compensatory base changes (covariation). We developed a novel index-based computational method (CovaRNA) to detect long-range covariation on a genomic scale, as well as another computational method (CovStat) for determining the statistical significance of observed covariation patterns in alignment pairs. Here we present an all-versus-all search for nucleotide covariation in Drosophila genomic alignments. The search is genome wide, with the restriction that only alignments that correspond to euchromatic regions, which consist of at least 10 Drosophila species, are being considered (59% of the euchromatic genome of Drosophila melanogaster). We find that long-range covariations are especially prevalent between exons of mRNAs as well as noncoding RNAs; the majority of the observed covariations appear as not reverse complementary, but as synchronized mutations, which could be due to interactions with common interaction partners or due to the involvement of genomic elements that are antisense of annotated transcripts. The involved genes are enriched for functions related to regionalization as well as neural and developmental processes. These results are computational evidence that RNA-RNA long-range interactions are a widespread phenomenon that is of fundamental importance to a variety of cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eckart Bindewald
- Basic Science Program, SAIC-Frederick, Incorporated, Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
| | - Bruce A. Shapiro
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
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29
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Shu Y, Shu D, Haque F, Guo P. Fabrication of pRNA nanoparticles to deliver therapeutic RNAs and bioactive compounds into tumor cells. Nat Protoc 2013; 8:1635-59. [PMID: 23928498 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2013.097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
RNA nanotechnology is a term that refers to the design, fabrication and use of nanoparticles that are mainly composed of RNAs via bottom-up self-assembly. The packaging RNA (pRNA) of the bacteriophage phi29 DNA packaging motor has been developed into a nanodelivery platform. This protocol describes the synthesis, assembly and functionalization of pRNA nanoparticles on the basis of three 'toolkits' derived from pRNA structural features: interlocking loops for hand-in-hand interactions, palindrome sequences for foot-to-foot interactions and an RNA three-way junction for branch extension. siRNAs, ribozymes, aptamers, chemical ligands, fluorophores and other functionalities can also be fused to the pRNA before the assembly of the nanoparticles, so as to ensure the production of homogeneous nanoparticles and the retention of appropriate folding and function of the incorporated modules. The resulting self-assembled multivalent pRNA nanoparticles are thermodynamically and chemically stable, and they remain intact at ultralow concentrations. Gene-silencing effects are progressively enhanced with increasing numbers of siRNAs in each pRNA nanoparticle. Systemic injection of the pRNA nanoparticles into xenograft-bearing mice has revealed strong binding to tumors without accumulation in vital organs or tissues. The pRNA-based nanodelivery scaffold paves a new way for nanotechnological application of pRNA-based nanoparticles for disease detection and treatment. The time required for completing one round of this protocol is 3-4 weeks when including in vitro functional assays, or 2-3 months when including in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Shu
- Nanobiotechnology Center, Markey Cancer Center, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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30
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Afonin KA, Viard M, Martins AN, Lockett SJ, Maciag AE, Freed EO, Heldman E, Jaeger L, Blumenthal R, Shapiro BA. Activation of different split functionalities on re-association of RNA-DNA hybrids. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2013; 8:296-304. [PMID: 23542902 PMCID: PMC3618561 DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2013.44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2012] [Accepted: 02/26/2013] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Split-protein systems, an approach that relies on fragmentation of proteins with their further conditional re-association to form functional complexes, are increasingly used for various biomedical applications. This approach offers tight control of protein functions and improved detection sensitivity. Here we report a similar technique based on a pair of RNA-DNA hybrids that can be used generally for triggering different split functionalities. Individually, each hybrid is inactive but when two cognate hybrids re-associate, different functionalities are triggered inside mammalian cells. As a proof of concept, this work mainly focuses on the activation of RNA interference. However, the release of other functionalities (such as resonance energy transfer and RNA aptamer) is also shown. Furthermore, in vivo studies demonstrate a significant uptake of the hybrids by tumours together with specific gene silencing. This split-functionality approach presents a new route in the development of 'smart' nucleic acid-based nanoparticles and switches for various biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirill A. Afonin
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Mathias Viard
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
- Basic Science Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Angelica N. Martins
- HIV Drug Resistance Program, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Stephen J. Lockett
- Advanced Technology Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Anna E. Maciag
- Basic Science Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Eric O. Freed
- HIV Drug Resistance Program, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Eliahu Heldman
- Basic Science Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Luc Jaeger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9510, USA
| | - Robert Blumenthal
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Bruce A. Shapiro
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
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31
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Afonin KA, Kireeva M, Grabow WW, Kashlev M, Jaeger L, Shapiro BA. Co-transcriptional assembly of chemically modified RNA nanoparticles functionalized with siRNAs. NANO LETTERS 2012; 12:5192-5. [PMID: 23016824 PMCID: PMC3498980 DOI: 10.1021/nl302302e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
We report a generalized methodology for the one-pot production of chemically modified functional RNA nanoparticles during in vitro transcription with T7 RNA polymerase. The efficiency of incorporation of 2'-fluoro-dNTP in the transcripts by the wild type T7 RNA polymerase dramatically increases in the presence of manganese ions, resulting in a high-yield production of chemically modified RNA nanoparticles functionalized with siRNAs that are resistant to nucleases from human blood serum. Moreover, the unpurified transcription mixture can be used for functional ex vivo pilot experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirill A. Afonin
- Computational RNA Structure Group, Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Maria Kireeva
- Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Wade W. Grabow
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-9510, United States
| | - Mikhail Kashlev
- Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Luc Jaeger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-9510, United States
- Bio-Molecular Science and Engineering Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-9510, United States
- Corresponding Author: (B.A.S.) Phone 301-846-5536. Fax 301-846-5598. . (L.J.) Phone 805-893-3628. Fax 805-893-4120.
| | - Bruce A. Shapiro
- Computational RNA Structure Group, Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
- Corresponding Author: (B.A.S.) Phone 301-846-5536. Fax 301-846-5598. . (L.J.) Phone 805-893-3628. Fax 805-893-4120.
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32
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Xu W, Xiang Y, Ihms H, Lu Y. Label-Free Fluorescent Sensors Based on Functional Nucleic Acids. REVIEWS IN FLUORESCENCE 2010 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-9828-6_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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33
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Bindewald E, Afonin K, Jaeger L, Shapiro BA. Multistrand RNA secondary structure prediction and nanostructure design including pseudoknots. ACS NANO 2011; 5:9542-51. [PMID: 22067111 PMCID: PMC3263976 DOI: 10.1021/nn202666w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
We are presenting NanoFolder, a method for the prediction of the base pairing of potentially pseudoknotted multistrand RNA nanostructures. We show that the method outperforms several other structure prediction methods when applied to RNA complexes with non-nested base pairs. We extended this secondary structure prediction capability to allow RNA sequence design. Using native PAGE, we experimentally confirm that four in silico designed RNA strands corresponding to a triangular RNA structure form the expected stable complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eckart Bindewald
- Basic Science Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., NCI-Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Kirill Afonin
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Luc Jaeger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
- Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
| | - Bruce A. Shapiro
- Center for Cancer Research Nanobiology Program, NCI-Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
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Afonin KA, Grabow WW, Walker FM, Bindewald E, Dobrovolskaia MA, Shapiro BA, Jaeger L. Design and self-assembly of siRNA-functionalized RNA nanoparticles for use in automated nanomedicine. Nat Protoc 2011; 6:2022-34. [PMID: 22134126 PMCID: PMC3498981 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2011.418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Individual genes can be targeted with siRNAs. The use of nucleic acid nanoparticles (NPs) is a convenient method for delivering combinations of specific siRNAs in an organized and programmable manner. We present three assembly protocols to produce two different types of RNA self-assembling functional NPs using processes that are fully automatable. These NPs are engineered based on two complementary nanoscaffold designs (nanoring and nanocube), which serve as carriers of multiple siRNAs. The NPs are functionalized by the extension of up to six scaffold strands with siRNA duplexes. The assembly protocols yield functionalized RNA NPs, and we show that they interact in vitro with human recombinant Dicer to produce siRNAs. Our design strategies allow for fast, economical and easily controlled production of endotoxin-free therapeutic RNA NPs that are suitable for preclinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirill A Afonin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, USA
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35
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Novikova IV, Hassan BH, Mirzoyan MG, Leontis NB. Engineering cooperative tecto-RNA complexes having programmable stoichiometries. Nucleic Acids Res 2010; 39:2903-17. [PMID: 21138969 PMCID: PMC3074147 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkq1231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
High affinity and specificity RNA-RNA binding interfaces can be constructed by combining pairs of GNRA loop/loop-receptor interaction motifs. These interactions can be fused using flexible four-way junction motifs to create divalent, self-assembling scaffolding units ('tecto-RNA') that have favorable properties for nanomedicine and other applications. We describe the design and directed assembly of tecto-RNA units ranging from closed, cooperatively assembling ring-shaped complexes of programmable stoichiometries (dimers, trimers and tetramers) to open multimeric structures. The novelty of this work is that tuning of the stoichiometries of self-assembled complexes is achieved by precise positioning of the interaction motifs in the monomer units rather than changing their binding specificities. Structure-probing and transmission electron microscopy studies as well as thermodynamic analysis support formation of closed cooperative complexes that are highly resistant to nuclease digestion. The present designs provide two helical arms per RNA monomer for further functionalization aims.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina V Novikova
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Photochemical Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA
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36
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Li B, Dong S, Wang E. Homogeneous analysis: label-free and substrate-free aptasensors. Chem Asian J 2010; 5:1262-72. [PMID: 20408164 DOI: 10.1002/asia.200900660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In this Focus Review, we introduce a kind of "label-free" and "substrate-free" (LFSF) aptasensor that carries out the whole sensing process in a homogeneous solution. This means that commonly used covalent label; separation, and immobilization steps in biosensors are successfully avoided, which simplifies the sensing operations to the greatest degree. After brief description about the advantages of aptamers and "LFSF" aptasensors, the main content of the review is divided into fluorescent aptasenors, calorimetric aptasensors, and hemin-aptamer-DNAzyme "LFSF" aptasensors, which are three most widely developed sensing systems in this field. It is hoped that this review can provide an overall scene about how aptamers function as ideal recognition elements in smart analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022 P. R. China
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37
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Afonin KA, Bindewald E, Yaghoubian AJ, Voss N, Jacovetty E, Shapiro BA, Jaeger L. In vitro assembly of cubic RNA-based scaffolds designed in silico. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2010; 5:676-82. [PMID: 20802494 PMCID: PMC2934861 DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2010.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 256] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2010] [Accepted: 07/09/2010] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The organization of biological materials into versatile three-dimensional assemblies could be used to build multifunctional therapeutic scaffolds for use in nanomedicine. Here, we report a strategy to design three-dimensional nanoscale scaffolds that can be self-assembled from RNA with precise control over their shape, size and composition. These cubic nanoscaffolds are only approximately 13 nm in diameter and are composed of short oligonucleotides, making them amenable to chemical synthesis, point modifications and further functionalization. Nanocube assembly is verified by gel assays, dynamic light scattering and cryogenic electron microscopy. Formation of functional RNA nanocubes is also demonstrated by incorporation of a light-up fluorescent RNA aptamer that is optimally active only upon full RNA assembly. Moreover, we show that the RNA nanoscaffolds can self-assemble in isothermal conditions (37 degrees C) during in vitro transcription, which opens a route towards the construction of sensors, programmable packaging and cargo delivery systems for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirill A Afonin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9510, USA
| | - Eckart Bindewald
- Basic Science Program, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., NCI-Frederick, Frederick, Maryland 21702
| | - Alan J. Yaghoubian
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9510, USA
| | - Neil Voss
- Automated Molecular Imaging Group, Dept. of Cell Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, MC CB129, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Erica Jacovetty
- Automated Molecular Imaging Group, Dept. of Cell Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, MC CB129, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | | | - Luc Jaeger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9510, USA
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38
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Laing C, Schlick T. Computational approaches to 3D modeling of RNA. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2010; 22:283101. [PMID: 21399271 PMCID: PMC6286080 DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/22/28/283101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Many exciting discoveries have recently revealed the versatility of RNA and its importance in a variety of functions within the cell. Since the structural features of RNA are of major importance to their biological function, there is much interest in predicting RNA structure, either in free form or in interaction with various ligands, including proteins, metabolites and other molecules. In recent years, an increasing number of researchers have developed novel RNA algorithms for predicting RNA secondary and tertiary structures. In this review, we describe current experimental and computational advances and discuss recent ideas that are transforming the traditional view of RNA folding. To evaluate the performance of the most recent RNA 3D folding algorithms, we provide a comparative study in order to test the performance of available 3D structure prediction algorithms for an RNA data set of 43 structures of various lengths and motifs. We find that the algorithms vary widely in terms of prediction quality across different RNA lengths and topologies; most predictions have very large root mean square deviations from the experimental structure. We conclude by outlining some suggestions for future RNA folding research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Laing
- Department of Chemistry and Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, 251 Mercer Street, New York, NY 10012, USA
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