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Tabuchi T, Yokobayashi Y. Cell-free riboswitches. RSC Chem Biol 2021; 2:1430-1440. [PMID: 34704047 PMCID: PMC8496063 DOI: 10.1039/d1cb00138h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The emerging community of cell-free synthetic biology aspires to build complex biochemical and genetic systems with functions that mimic or even exceed those in living cells. To achieve such functions, cell-free systems must be able to sense and respond to the complex chemical signals within and outside the system. Cell-free riboswitches can detect chemical signals via RNA-ligand interaction and respond by regulating protein synthesis in cell-free protein synthesis systems. In this article, we review synthetic cell-free riboswitches that function in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell-free systems reported to date to provide a current perspective on the state of cell-free riboswitch technologies and their limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Tabuchi
- Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Engineering Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University Onna Okinawa 904-0495 Japan
| | - Yohei Yokobayashi
- Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Engineering Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University Onna Okinawa 904-0495 Japan
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2
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Abstract
A nonsense suppressor tRNA (sup-tRNA) allows a natural or non-natural amino acid to be assigned to a nonsense codon in mRNA. Sup-tRNAs were utilized initially for studying tRNA functions but lately are used more for protein engineering and gene regulation. In the latter application, a sup-tRNA that is aminoacylated with a natural amino acid by the corresponding aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase is used to express a full-length natural protein from its mutated gene with a nonsense codon in the middle. This type of sup-tRNA has recently been artificially evolved to develop biosensors. In these biosensors, an analyte induces the processing of an engineered premature sup-tRNA into a mature sup-tRNA, which suppresses the corresponding nonsense codon incorporated into a gene, encoding an easily detectable reporter protein. This review introduces sup-tRNA-based biosensors that the author's group has developed by utilizing bacterial and eukaryotic cell-free translation systems.
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Ender A, Etzel M, Hammer S, Findeiß S, Stadler P, Mörl M. Ligand-dependent tRNA processing by a rationally designed RNase P riboswitch. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:1784-1800. [PMID: 33469651 PMCID: PMC7897497 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa1282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a synthetic riboswitch element that implements a regulatory principle which directly addresses an essential tRNA maturation step. Constructed using a rational in silico design approach, this riboswitch regulates RNase P-catalyzed tRNA 5′-processing by either sequestering or exposing the single-stranded 5′-leader region of the tRNA precursor in response to a ligand. A single base pair in the 5′-leader defines the regulatory potential of the riboswitch both in vitro and in vivo. Our data provide proof for prior postulates on the importance of the structure of the leader region for tRNA maturation. We demonstrate that computational predictions of ligand-dependent structural rearrangements can address individual maturation steps of stable non-coding RNAs, thus making them amenable as promising target for regulatory devices that can be used as functional building blocks in synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ender
- Institute for Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Brüderstr. 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maja Etzel
- Institute for Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Brüderstr. 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stefan Hammer
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science and Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04107 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sven Findeiß
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science and Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04107 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Peter Stadler
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science and Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04107 Leipzig, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Science, Inselstr. 22, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.,Institute for Theoretical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währingerstr. 17, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.,Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
| | - Mario Mörl
- Institute for Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Brüderstr. 34, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Wrist A, Sun W, Summers RM. The Theophylline Aptamer: 25 Years as an Important Tool in Cellular Engineering Research. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:682-697. [PMID: 32142605 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The theophylline aptamer was isolated from an oligonucleotide library in 1994. Since that time, the aptamer has found wide utility, particularly in synthetic biology, cellular engineering, and diagnostic applications. The primary application of the theophylline aptamer is in the construction and characterization of synthetic riboswitches for regulation of gene expression. These riboswitches have been used to control cellular motility, regulate carbon metabolism, construct logic gates, screen for mutant enzymes, and control apoptosis. Other applications of the theophylline aptamer in cellular engineering include regulation of RNA interference and genome editing through CRISPR systems. Here we describe the uses of the theophylline aptamer for cellular engineering over the past 25 years. In so doing, we also highlight important synthetic biology applications to control gene expression in a ligand-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Wrist
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, United States
| | - Wanqi Sun
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, United States
| | - Ryan M. Summers
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487, United States
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5
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Felletti M, Hartig JS. Ligand-dependent ribozymes. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2016; 8. [PMID: 27687155 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of catalytic RNA (ribozymes) more than 30 years ago significantly widened the horizon of RNA-based functions in natural systems. Similarly to the activity of protein enzymes that are often modulated by the presence of an interaction partner, some examples of naturally occurring ribozymes are influenced by ligands that can either act as cofactors or allosteric modulators. Recent discoveries of new and widespread ribozyme motifs in many different genetic contexts point toward the existence of further ligand-dependent RNA catalysts. In addition to the presence of ligand-dependent ribozymes in nature, researchers have engineered ligand dependency into natural and artificial ribozymes. Because RNA functions can often be assembled in a truly modular way, many different systems have been obtained utilizing different ligand-sensing domains and ribozyme activities in diverse applications. We summarize the occurrence of ligand-dependent ribozymes in nature and the many examples realized by researchers that engineered ligand-dependent catalytic RNA motifs. We will also highlight methods for obtaining ligand dependency as well as discuss the many interesting applications of ligand-controlled catalytic RNAs. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1395. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1395 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Felletti
- Department of Chemistry and Konstanz Research School of Chemical Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Jörg S Hartig
- Department of Chemistry and Konstanz Research School of Chemical Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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6
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Ogawa A, Tabuchi J, Doi Y, Takamatsu M. Biofunction-assisted DNA detection through RNase H-enhanced 3' processing of a premature tRNA probe in a wheat germ extract. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2016; 26:3658-61. [PMID: 27289318 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.05.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
We have developed a novel type of biofunction-assisted, signal-turn-on sensor for simply and homogenously detecting DNA. This sensor system is composed of two types of in vitro-transcribed label-free RNAs (a 3' premature amber suppressor tRNA probe and an amber-mutated mRNA encoding a reporter protein), RNase H, and a wheat germ extract (WGE). A target DNA induces the 3' end maturation of the tRNA probe, which is enhanced by RNase H and leads to the expression of a full-length reporter protein through amber suppression in WGE, while there is almost no expression without the target due to the inactivity of the premature probe. Therefore, the target can be readily detected with the activity of the translated reporter. The catalytic reuse of the target with the help of RNase H in addition to various bioprocesses in WGE enables this sensor system to exhibit relatively high selectivity and sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Ogawa
- Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan.
| | - Junichiro Tabuchi
- Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Yasunori Doi
- Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
| | - Masashi Takamatsu
- Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan
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7
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Ogawa A, Tabuchi J. Biofunction-assisted aptasensors based on ligand-dependent 3' processing of a suppressor tRNA in a wheat germ extract. Org Biomol Chem 2016; 13:6681-5. [PMID: 25962756 DOI: 10.1039/c5ob00794a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We have developed a novel type of biofunction-assisted aptasensor that harnesses ligand-dependent 3' processing of a premature amber suppressor tRNA and the subsequent amber suppression of a reporter gene in a wheat germ extract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Ogawa
- Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan.
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8
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Ogawa A, Doi Y. Investigation of end processing and degradation of premature tRNAs and their application to stabilization of in vitro transcripts in wheat germ extract. Org Biomol Chem 2015; 13:1008-12. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ob02221a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the end processing and degradation of premature tRNAs in wheat germ extract (left), which led to the findings of end protectors for efficiently stabilizing an in vitro transcript (purple, right).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yasunori Doi
- Proteo-Science Center
- Ehime University
- Matsuyama
- Japan
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9
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Li X, Song J, Wang Y, Cheng T. Cyclically amplified fluorescent detection of theophylline and thiamine pyrophosphate by coupling self-cleaving RNA ribozyme with endonuclease. Anal Chim Acta 2013; 797:95-101. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2013.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2013] [Revised: 08/09/2013] [Accepted: 08/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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10
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Ogawa A. Rational construction of eukaryotic OFF-riboswitches that downregulate internal ribosome entry site-mediated translation in response to their ligands. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2012; 22:1639-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2011.12.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2011] [Revised: 12/26/2011] [Accepted: 12/26/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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11
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Gredell JA, Frei CS, Cirino PC. Protein and RNA engineering to customize microbial molecular reporting. Biotechnol J 2011; 7:477-99. [PMID: 22031507 DOI: 10.1002/biot.201100266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2011] [Revised: 07/20/2011] [Accepted: 08/23/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Nature takes advantage of the malleability of protein and RNA sequence and structure to employ these macromolecules as molecular reporters whose conformation and functional roles depend on the presence of a specific ligand (an "effector" molecule). By following nature's example, ligand-responsive proteins and RNA molecules are now routinely engineered and incorporated into customized molecular reporting systems (biosensors). Microbial small-molecule biosensors and endogenous molecular reporters based on these sensing components find a variety of applications that include high-throughput screening of biosynthesis libraries, environmental monitoring, and novel gene regulation in synthetic biology. Here, we review recent advances in engineering small-molecule recognition by proteins and RNA and in coupling in vivo ligand binding to reporter-gene expression or to allosteric activation of a protein conferring a detectable phenotype. Emphasis is placed on microbial screening systems that serve as molecular reporters and facilitate engineering the ligand-binding component to recognize new molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Gredell
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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12
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Abstract
Aptamers are useful for allosteric regulation because they are nucleic acid-based structures in which ligand binding induces conformational changes that may alter the function of a connected oligonucleotide at a distant site. Through this approach, a specific input is efficiently converted into an altered output. This property makes these biomolecules ideally suited to function as sensors or switches in biochemical assays or inside living cells. The ability to select oligonucleotide-based recognition elements in vitro in combination with the availability of nucleic acids with enzymatic activity has led to the development of a wide range of engineered allosteric aptasensors and aptazymes. Here, we discuss recent progress in the screening, design and diversity of these conformational switching oligonucleotides. We cover their application in vitro and for regulating gene expression in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan L Vinkenborg
- Life & Medical Sciences Institute, Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry Unit, Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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13
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Ogawa A. Multiple-Catalytic Sensing of Nucleic Acid Sequences by Utilising a DNA-RNA-DNA Chimeric Antisense Probe and RNase H with a Eukaryotic Cell-Free Translation System. Chembiochem 2011; 12:881-5. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201000744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2010] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Ogawa A. Rational design of artificial riboswitches based on ligand-dependent modulation of internal ribosome entry in wheat germ extract and their applications as label-free biosensors. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2011; 17:478-88. [PMID: 21224378 PMCID: PMC3039147 DOI: 10.1261/rna.2433111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Riboswitches are RNA elements in mRNA that control gene expression in cis in response to their specific ligands. Because artificial riboswitches make it possible to regulate any gene with an arbitrary molecule, they are expected to function as biosensors, in which the output is easily detectable protein expression. I report herein a fully rational design strategy for artificially constructing novel riboswitches that work in a eukaryotic cell-free translation system (wheat germ extract). In these riboswitches, translation mediated by an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) is promoted only in the presence of a specific ligand (ON), while it is inhibited in the absence of the ligand (OFF). The first rationally designed riboswitch, which is regulated by theophylline, showed a high switching efficiency and dependency on theophylline. In addition, based on the design of the theophylline-dependent riboswitch, other three kinds of riboswitches controlled by FMN, tetracycline, and sulforhodamine B, were constructed only by calculating the ΔG value of one stem-loop structure. The rational design strategy described herein is therefore useful for easily producing various ligand-dependent riboswitches, which are available as biosensors for detecting their ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Ogawa
- Senior Research Fellow Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan.
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15
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Ogawa A, Doi Y, Matsushita N. Improvement of in vitro-transcribed amber suppressor tRNAs toward higher suppression efficiency in wheat germ extract. Org Biomol Chem 2011; 9:8495-503. [DOI: 10.1039/c1ob06351k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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16
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Ogawa A. RNA aptazyme-tethered large gold nanoparticles for on-the-spot sensing of the aptazyme ligand. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2010; 21:155-9. [PMID: 21134750 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2010.11.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2010] [Accepted: 11/09/2010] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A single-step sensing system was developed to visually detect ligands of a cleavase-like RNA aptazyme at room temperature using aptazyme-tethered gold nanoparticles, the electrosteric stability of which was adjusted by increasing their diameter. In this system, the ligand induces self-cleavage of the aptazyme on gold nanoparticles to decrease the electrosteric stability of the gold nanoparticles, which causes them to visibly aggregate. In comparison to a previous multi-step system using aptazymes and gold nanoparticles separately, the present system requires only single handling and no special equipment, making it more suitable for on-the-spot sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Ogawa
- Ehime University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan.
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17
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Ogawa A. Biofunction-assisted sensors based on a new method for converting aptazyme activity into reporter protein expression with high efficiency in wheat germ extract. Chembiochem 2010; 10:2465-8. [PMID: 19750532 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.200900497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Ogawa
- Senior Research Fellow Center, Ehime University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan.
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18
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Berschneider B, Wieland M, Rubini M, Hartig JS. Small-molecule-dependent regulation of transfer RNA in bacteria. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2009; 48:7564-7. [PMID: 19739151 DOI: 10.1002/anie.200900851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Berschneider
- Department of Chemistry and Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology (KoRS-CB), University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
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Berschneider B, Wieland M, Rubini M, Hartig J. Ligandenabhängige Regulierung einer Transfer-RNA in Bakterien. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2009. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.200900851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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20
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Ogawa A, Maeda M. Detector-free and Multiple Sensing of Various Molecules Using Gold Nanoparticles and Aptazymes. CHEM LETT 2009. [DOI: 10.1246/cl.2009.848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Ogawa A, Maeda M. Easy design of logic gates based on aptazymes and noncrosslinking gold nanoparticle aggregation. Chem Commun (Camb) 2009:4666-8. [PMID: 19641803 DOI: 10.1039/b910288d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
We have developed an easy method for constructing aptazyme-based logic gates using noncrosslinking gold nanoparticle aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Ogawa
- Ehime University, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan.
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22
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Ogawa A, Maeda M. Simple and rapid colorimetric detection of cofactors of aptazymes using noncrosslinking gold nanoparticle aggregation. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2008; 18:6517-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2008.10.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2008] [Revised: 09/16/2008] [Accepted: 10/10/2008] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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