1
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Sun H, Zhao D, He Y, Meng H, Li Z. Aptamer-Based DNA Allosteric Switch for Regulation of Protein Activity. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2402531. [PMID: 38864341 PMCID: PMC11321679 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202402531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Allostery is a fundamental way to regulate the function of biomolecules playing crucial roles in cell metabolism and proliferation and is deemed the second secret of life. Given the limited understanding of the structure of natural allosteric molecules, the development of artificial allosteric molecules brings a huge opportunity to transform the allosteric mechanism into practical applications. In this study, the concept of bionics is introduced into the design of artificial allosteric molecules and an allosteric DNA switch with an activity site and an allosteric site based on two aptamers for selective inhibition of thrombin activity. Compared with the single aptamer, the allosteric switch possesses a significantly enhanced inhibition ability, which can be precisely regulated by converting the switch states. Moreover, the dynamic allosteric switch is further subjected to the control of the DNA threshold circuit for realizing automatic concentration determination and activity inhibition of thrombin. These compelling results confirm that this allosteric switch equipped with self-sensing and information-processing modules puts a new slant on the research of allosteric mechanisms and further application of allosteric tactics in chemical and biomedical fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhi Sun
- College of ChemistryInstitute of Analytical Chemistry for Life ScienceZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450001China
| | - Di Zhao
- College of ChemistryInstitute of Analytical Chemistry for Life ScienceZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450001China
| | - Yating He
- College of ChemistryInstitute of Analytical Chemistry for Life ScienceZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450001China
| | - Hong‐Min Meng
- College of ChemistryInstitute of Analytical Chemistry for Life ScienceZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450001China
| | - Zhaohui Li
- College of ChemistryInstitute of Analytical Chemistry for Life ScienceZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450001China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou450052China
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2
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Takeuchi S, Yamazaki T, Yamaguchi K, Komura F, Tabata T, Nishi H, Azumai S, Miura K, Hirokawa M, Ikemoto K, Kawakami K. Toward the Establishment of a Harmonized Physicochemical Profiling Platform for Therapeutic Oligonucleotides: A Case Study for Aptamers Where the Higher-Order Structure Influences Physical Properties. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:3471-3484. [PMID: 38872243 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.4c00177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Oligonucleotides are short nucleic acids that serve as one of the most promising classes of drug modality. However, attempts to establish a physicochemical evaluation platform of oligonucleotides for acquiring a comprehensive view of their properties have been limited. As the chemical stability and the efficacy as well as the solution properties at a high concentration should be related to their higher-order structure and intra-/intermolecular interactions, their detailed understanding enables effective formulation development. Here, the higher-order structure and the thermodynamic stability of the thrombin-binding aptamer (TBA) and four modified TBAs, which have similar sequences but were expected to have different higher-order structures, were evaluated using ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV), circular dichroism (CD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Then, the relationship between the higher-order structure and the solution properties including solubility, viscosity, and stability was investigated. The impact of the higher-order structure on the antithrombin activity was also confirmed. The higher-order structure and intra-/intermolecular interactions of the oligonucleotides were affected by types of buffers because of different potassium concentrations, which are crucial for the formation of the G-quadruplex structure. Consequently, solution properties, such as solubility and viscosity, chemical stability, and antithrombin activity, were also influenced. Each instrumental analysis had a complemental role in investigating the higher-order structure of TBA and modified TBAs. The utility of each physicochemical characterization method during the preclinical developmental stages is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoko Takeuchi
- Analytical Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 26-1 Muraoka Higashi 2-Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 2518555, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Yamazaki
- Medical Soft Matter Group, Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 3050044, Japan
| | - Katsutoshi Yamaguchi
- Pharmaceutical Developability, CMC Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 3058585, Japan
| | - Fusae Komura
- Analytical Research, Pharmaceutical Science & Technology Unit, Pharmaceutical Profiling & Development Function, Deep Human Biology Learning, Eisai Co., Ltd., 5-1-3 Tokodai, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 3002635, Japan
| | - Takahiro Tabata
- Pharmacokinetics Group, Biological Research Development, Sawai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 5-2-30 Miyahara, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka 5320003, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Nishi
- Formulation Technology Research Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Technology Division, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., 1-2-58 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 1408710, Japan
| | - Satomi Azumai
- Formulation Technology Research Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Technology Division, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., 1-2-58 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 1408710, Japan
| | - Kanako Miura
- Formulation Technology Research Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Technology Division, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., 1-2-58 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 1408710, Japan
| | - Mai Hirokawa
- Modality Pharmaceutical Research Group, CMC Modality Technology Laboratories, Production Technology & Supply Chain Management Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 7473-2, Onoda, Sanyo-Onoda, Yamaguchi 7560054, Japan
| | - Keisuke Ikemoto
- Modality Pharmaceutical Research Group, CMC Modality Technology Laboratories, Production Technology & Supply Chain Management Division, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, 7473-2, Onoda, Sanyo-Onoda, Yamaguchi 7560054, Japan
| | - Kohsaku Kawakami
- Medical Soft Matter Group, Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 3050044, Japan
- Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 3058577, Japan
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3
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Ardoino N, Lunelli L, Pucker G, Vanzetti L, Favaretto R, Pasquardini L, Pederzolli C, Guardiani C, Potrich C. Optimization of Surface Functionalizations for Ring Resonator-Based Biosensors. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:3107. [PMID: 38793970 PMCID: PMC11124806 DOI: 10.3390/s24103107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Liquid biopsy is expected to become widespread in the coming years thanks to point of care devices, which can include label-free biosensors. The surface functionalization of biosensors is a crucial aspect that influences their overall performance, resulting in the accurate, sensitive, and specific detection of target molecules. Here, the surface of a microring resonator (MRR)-based biosensor was functionalized for the detection of protein biomarkers. Among the several existing functionalization methods, a strategy based on aptamers and mercaptosilanes was selected as the most highly performing approach. All steps of the functionalization protocol were carefully characterized and optimized to obtain a suitable protocol to be transferred to the final biosensor. The functionalization protocol comprised a preliminary plasma treatment aimed at cleaning and activating the surface for the subsequent silanization step. Different plasma treatments as well as different silanes were tested in order to covalently bind aptamers specific to different biomarker targets, i.e., C-reactive protein, SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, and thrombin. Argon plasma and 1% v/v mercaptosilane were found as the most suitable for obtaining a homogeneous layer apt to aptamer conjugation. The aptamer concentration and time for immobilization were optimized, resulting in 1 µM and 3 h, respectively. A final passivation step based on mercaptohexanol was also implemented. The functionalization protocol was then evaluated for the detection of thrombin with a photonic biosensor based on microring resonators. The preliminary results identified the successful recognition of the correct target as well as some limitations of the developed protocol in real measurement conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niccolò Ardoino
- FTH S.r.l., Via Sommarive 18, I-38123 Trento, Italy; (N.A.); (R.F.); (C.G.)
| | - Lorenzo Lunelli
- Center for Sensors & Devices, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Via Sommarive 18, I-38123 Trento, Italy; (L.L.); (G.P.); (L.V.); (C.P.)
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via alla Cascata 56/C, I-38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Georg Pucker
- Center for Sensors & Devices, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Via Sommarive 18, I-38123 Trento, Italy; (L.L.); (G.P.); (L.V.); (C.P.)
| | - Lia Vanzetti
- Center for Sensors & Devices, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Via Sommarive 18, I-38123 Trento, Italy; (L.L.); (G.P.); (L.V.); (C.P.)
| | - Rachele Favaretto
- FTH S.r.l., Via Sommarive 18, I-38123 Trento, Italy; (N.A.); (R.F.); (C.G.)
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 14, Povo, I-38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Laura Pasquardini
- Indivenire S.r.l., Via Sommarive 18, I-38123 Trento, Italy;
- Department of Engineering, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Roma 29, I-81031 Aversa, Italy
| | - Cecilia Pederzolli
- Center for Sensors & Devices, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Via Sommarive 18, I-38123 Trento, Italy; (L.L.); (G.P.); (L.V.); (C.P.)
| | - Carlo Guardiani
- FTH S.r.l., Via Sommarive 18, I-38123 Trento, Italy; (N.A.); (R.F.); (C.G.)
| | - Cristina Potrich
- Center for Sensors & Devices, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Via Sommarive 18, I-38123 Trento, Italy; (L.L.); (G.P.); (L.V.); (C.P.)
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via alla Cascata 56/C, I-38123 Trento, Italy
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4
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Xu X, Lu Y, Liu D, Zhang L, Zheng L, Nie G. Highly efficient photoelectrochemical aptasensor based on CdS/CdTe QDs co-sensitized TiO 2 nanoparticles designed for thrombin detection. Mikrochim Acta 2024; 191:216. [PMID: 38517549 DOI: 10.1007/s00604-024-06279-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
A photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor for the sensitive detection of thrombin (TB) was established. Co-sensitized combination of TiO2 nanoparticles combined with modified cadmium sulfide and cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdS/CdTe QDs) was utilized as a photoactive material. Successful growth of CdS/CdTe quantum dots on mesoporous TiO2 films occured by successive ion-layer adsorption and reaction. This interesting formation of co-sensitive structure is conducive to enhancing the photocurrent response by improving the use rate of light energy. Additionally, the step-level structure of CdS/CdTe QDs and TiO2 NPs shows a wide range of visible light absorption, facilitating the dissociation of excitons into free electrons and holes. Consequently, the photoelectric response of the PEC analysis platform is significantly enhanced. This constructed PEC aptasensor shows good detection of thrombin with a low detection limit (0.033 pM) and a wide linear range (0.0001-100 nM) in diluted actual human serum samples. In addition, this PEC aptasensor also has the characteristics of good stability and good reproducibility, which provides a novel insight for the quantitative measurement of other similar analytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejiao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Optic-Electric Sensing and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE, State Key Laboratory Base of Eco-Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266042, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Optic-Electric Sensing and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE, State Key Laboratory Base of Eco-Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266042, People's Republic of China
| | - Dandan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Optic-Electric Sensing and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE, State Key Laboratory Base of Eco-Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266042, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Optic-Electric Sensing and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE, State Key Laboratory Base of Eco-Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266042, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Optic-Electric Sensing and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE, State Key Laboratory Base of Eco-Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266042, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangming Nie
- Key Laboratory of Optic-Electric Sensing and Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, MOE, State Key Laboratory Base of Eco-Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266042, People's Republic of China.
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5
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Riccardi C, Pérez de Carvasal K, Platella C, Meyer A, Smietana M, Morvan F, Montesarchio D. Probing naphthalene diimide and 3-hydroxypropylphosphate as end-conjugating moieties for improved thrombin binding aptamers: Structural and biological effects. Bioorg Chem 2023; 141:106917. [PMID: 37865055 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
The limitations associated with the in vivo use of the thrombin binding aptamer (TBA or TBA15) have dramatically stimulated the search of suitable chemically modified analogues in order to discover effective and reversible inhibitors of thrombin activity. In this context, we previously proposed cyclic and pseudo-cyclic TBA analogues with improved stability that proved to be more active than the parent aptamer. Herein, we have investigated a novel library of TBA derivatives carrying naphthalene diimide (NDI) moieties at the 3'- or 5'-end. In a subset of the investigated oligonucleotides, additional 3-hydroxypropylphosphate (HPP) groups were introduced at one or both ends of the TBA sequence. Evaluation of the G-quadruplex thermal stability, serum nuclease resistance and in vitro anticoagulant activity of the new TBA analogues allowed rationalizing the effect of these appendages on the activity of the aptamer on the basis of their relative position. Notably, most of the different TBA analogues tested were more potent thrombin inhibitors than unmodified TBA. Particularly, the analogue carrying an NDI group at the 5'-end and an HPP group at the 3'-end, named N-TBA-p, exhibited enhanced G-quadruplex thermal stability (ΔTm + 14° C) and ca. 10-fold improved nuclease resistance in serum compared to the native aptamer. N-TBA-p also induced prolonged and dose-dependent clotting times, showing a ca. 11-fold higher anticoagulant activity compared to unmodified TBA, as determined by spectroscopic methods. Overall, N-TBA-p proved to be in vitro a more efficient thrombin inhibitor than all the best ones previously investigated in our group. Its interesting features, associated with its easy preparation, make it a very promising candidate for future in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Kévan Pérez de Carvasal
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Chiara Platella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Albert Meyer
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Michael Smietana
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - François Morvan
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France.
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy.
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6
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Troisi R, Balasco N, Autiero I, Vitagliano L, Sica F. Structural Insights into Protein-Aptamer Recognitions Emerged from Experimental and Computational Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16318. [PMID: 38003510 PMCID: PMC10671752 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are synthetic nucleic acids that are developed to target with high affinity and specificity chemical entities ranging from single ions to macromolecules and present a wide range of chemical and physical properties. Their ability to selectively bind proteins has made these compounds very attractive and versatile tools, in both basic and applied sciences, to such an extent that they are considered an appealing alternative to antibodies. Here, by exhaustively surveying the content of the Protein Data Bank (PDB), we review the structural aspects of the protein-aptamer recognition process. As a result of three decades of structural studies, we identified 144 PDB entries containing atomic-level information on protein-aptamer complexes. Interestingly, we found a remarkable increase in the number of determined structures in the last two years as a consequence of the effective application of the cryo-electron microscopy technique to these systems. In the present paper, particular attention is devoted to the articulated architectures that protein-aptamer complexes may exhibit. Moreover, the molecular mechanism of the binding process was analyzed by collecting all available information on the structural transitions that aptamers undergo, from their protein-unbound to the protein-bound state. The contribution of computational approaches in this area is also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romualdo Troisi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy;
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Nicole Balasco
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, CNR c/o Department of Chemistry, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Ida Autiero
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Luigi Vitagliano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Filomena Sica
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy;
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7
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Mao X, Zhang X, Chao Z, Qiu D, Wei S, Luo R, Chen D, Zhang Y, Chen Y, Yang Y, Monchaud D, Ju H, Mergny JL, Lei J, Zhou J. A Versatile G-Quadruplex (G4)-Coated Upconverted Metal-Organic Framework for Hypoxic Tumor Therapy. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2300561. [PMID: 37402245 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202300561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Given the complexity of the tumor microenvironment, multiple strategies are being explored to tackle hypoxic tumors. The most efficient strategies combine several therapeutic modalities and typically requires the development of multifunctional nanocomposites through sophisticated synthetic procedures. Herein, the G-quadruplex (G4)-forming sequence AS1411-A (d[(G2 T)4 TG(TG2 )4 A]) is used for both its anti-tumor and biocatalytic properties when combined with hemin, increasing the production of O2 ca. two-fold as compared to the parent AS1411 sequence. The AS1411-A/hemin complex (GH) is grafted on the surface and pores of a core-shell upconverted metal-organic framework (UMOF) to generate a UMGH nanoplatform. Compared with UMOF, UMGH exhibits enhanced colloidal stability, increased tumor cell targeting and improved O2 production (8.5-fold) in situ. When irradiated by near-infrared (NIR) light, the UMGH antitumor properties are bolstered by photodynamic therapy (PDT), thanks to its ability to convert O2 into singlet oxygen (1 O2 ). Combined with the antiproliferative activity of AS1411-A, this novel approach lays the foundation for a new type of G4-based nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanxiang Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Xiaobo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Zhicong Chao
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Dehui Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Shijiong Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Rengan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Desheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Yue Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Yun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Yuanjiao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - David Monchaud
- Institut de Chimie Moléculaire (ICMUB), CNRS UMR6302, uB, Dijon, 21078, France
| | - Huangxian Ju
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Jean-Louis Mergny
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
- Laboratoire d'Optique et Biosciences (LOB), Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, INSERM, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, 91120, France
| | - Jianping Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Jun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
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8
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Virgilio A, Benigno D, Aliberti C, Vellecco V, Bucci M, Esposito V, Galeone A. Improving the Biological Properties of Thrombin-Binding Aptamer by Incorporation of 8-Bromo-2'-Deoxyguanosine and 2'-Substituted RNA Analogues. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15529. [PMID: 37958511 PMCID: PMC10647374 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Thrombin-binding aptamer (TBA) is one of the best-known G-quadruplex (G4)-forming aptamers. By adopting its peculiar chair-like G4 structure, TBA can efficiently bind to thrombin, thus producing an anticoagulant effect. The major limit to its therapeutic application is represented by its poor thermal and biological resistance. Therefore, numerous research studies have been focused on the design of TBA analogues with chemical modifications to improve its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. To maintain the functional recognition to protein surface on which TBA anticoagulant activity depends, it is essential to preserve the canonical antiparallel topology of the TBA quadruplex core. In this paper, we have designed three TBA variants with modified G-tetrads to evaluate the effects of nucleobase and sugar moiety chemical modifications on biological properties of TBA, preserving its chair-like G-quadruplex structure. All derivatives contain 8-bromo-2'-deoxyguanosine (GBr) in syn positions, while in the anti-positions, locked nucleic acid guanosine (GLNA) in the analogue TBABL, 2'-O-methylguanosine (GOMe) in TBABM, and 2'-F-riboguanosine (GF) in TBABF is present. CD (Circular Dichroism), CD melting, 1H-NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), and non-denaturing PAGE (Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis), nuclease stability, prothrombin time (PT) and fibrinogen-clotting assays have been performed to investigate the structural and biological properties of these TBA analogues. The most interesting results have been obtained with TBABF, which revealed extraordinary thermal stability (Tm approximately 40 °C higher than that of TBA), anticoagulant activity almost doubled compared to the original aptamer, and, above all, a never-observed resistance to nucleases, as 50% of its G4 species was still present in 50% FBS at 24 h. These data indicate TBABF as one of the best TBA analogue ever designed and investigated, to the best of our knowledge, overcoming the main limitations to therapeutic applications of this aptamer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Veronica Esposito
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (A.V.); (D.B.); (V.V.); (M.B.); (A.G.)
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9
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Nagano M, Kubota K, Sakata A, Nakamura R, Yoshitomi T, Wakui K, Yoshimoto K. A neutralizable dimeric anti-thrombin aptamer with potent anticoagulant activity in mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 33:762-772. [PMID: 37621412 PMCID: PMC10445101 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a complication caused by administration of the anticoagulant heparin. Although the number of patients with HIT has drastically increased because of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the currently used thrombin inhibitors for HIT therapy do not have antidotes to arrest the severe bleeding that occurs as a side effect; therefore, establishment of safer treatments for HIT patients is imperative. Here, we devised a potent thrombin inhibitor based on bivalent aptamers with a higher safety profile via combination with the antidote. Using an anti-thrombin DNA aptamer M08s-1 as a promising anticoagulant, its homodimer and heterodimer with TBA29 linked by a conformationally flexible linker or a rigid duplex linker were designed. The dimerized M08s-1-based aptamers had about 100-fold increased binding affinity to human and mouse thrombin compared with the monomer counterparts. Administration of these bivalent aptamers into mice revealed that the anticoagulant activity of the dimers significantly surpassed that of an approved drug for HIT treatment, argatroban. Moreover, adding protamine sulfate as an antidote against the most potent bivalent aptamer completely suppressed the anticoagulant activity of the dimer. Emerging potent and neutralizable anticoagulant aptamers will be promising candidates for HIT treatment with a higher safety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanobu Nagano
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Kazuki Kubota
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Asuka Sakata
- Medicinal Biology of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8521, Japan
| | - Rei Nakamura
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Toru Yoshitomi
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Koji Wakui
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Keitaro Yoshimoto
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
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10
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Sasaki S, Ma Y, Hirokawa T, Ikebukuro K, Tera M, Nagasawa K. Regulation of thrombin activity by ligand-induced topological alteration in a thrombin-binding aptamer. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023. [PMID: 37377065 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc02308g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Thrombin-binding aptamer (TBA), which forms a G-quadruplex (G4) structure with anti-parallel topology, interacts with thrombin to inhibit its enzymatic activity. Here we show that the G4-topology-altering ligand L2H2-2M2EA-6LCO (6LCO) changes the anti-parallel topology of TBA G4 to the parallel topology, thereby abrogating the thrombin-inhibitory activity of TBA. This finding suggests that G4 ligands that alter topology may be promising drug candidates for diseases involving G4-binding proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shogo Sasaki
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan.
| | - Yue Ma
- Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 2-3-10 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
- Research Core Center, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Takatsugu Hirokawa
- Transborder Medical Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
- Division of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Kazunori Ikebukuro
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan.
| | - Masayuki Tera
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan.
| | - Kazuo Nagasawa
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan.
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11
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Long Z, Bing T, Zhang X, Sheng J, Zu S, Li W, Liu X, Zhang N, Shangguan D. Structural Optimization and Interaction Study of a DNA Aptamer to L1 Cell Adhesion Molecule. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108612. [PMID: 37239955 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) plays important roles in the development and plasticity of the nervous system as well as in tumor formation, progression, and metastasis. New ligands are necessary tools for biomedical research and the detection of L1CAM. Here, DNA aptamer yly12 against L1CAM was optimized to have much stronger binding affinity (10-24 fold) at room temperature and 37 °C via sequence mutation and extension. This interaction study revealed that the optimized aptamers (yly20 and yly21) adopted a hairpin structure containing two loops and two stems. The key nucleotides for aptamer binding mainly located in loop I and its adjacent area. Stem I mainly played the role of stabilizing the binding structure. The yly-series aptamers were demonstrated to bind the Ig6 domain of L1CAM. This study reveals a detailed molecular mechanism for the interaction between yly-series aptamers and L1CAM and provides guidance for drug development and detection probe design against L1CAM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhao Long
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research and Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tao Bing
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research and Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310022, China
| | - Xiangru Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research and Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jing Sheng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research and Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shuang Zu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research and Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Molecular Medicine, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310013, China
| | - Weiwei Li
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, The Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province for Aptamers and Theranostics, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310022, China
- School of Molecular Medicine, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310013, China
| | - Xiangjun Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research and Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research and Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Dihua Shangguan
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research and Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- School of Molecular Medicine, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310013, China
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12
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Kolganova NA, Tsvetkov VB, Stomakhin AA, Surzhikov SA, Timofeev EN, Varizhuk IV. Alpha-Deoxyguanosine to Reshape the Alpha-Thrombin Binding Aptamer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098406. [PMID: 37176113 PMCID: PMC10179326 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Modification of DNA aptamers is aimed at increasing their thermodynamic stability, and improving affinity and resistance to biodegradation. G-quadruplex DNA aptamers are a family of affinity ligands that form non-canonical DNA assemblies based on a G-tetrads stack. Modification of the quadruplex core is challenging since it can cause complete loss of affinity of the aptamer. On the other hand, increased thermodynamic stability could be a worthy reward. In the current paper, we developed new three- and four-layer modified analogues of the thrombin binding aptamer with high thermal stability, which retain anticoagulant activity against alpha-thrombin. In the modified aptamers, one or two G-tetrads contained non-natural anti-preferred alpha-deoxyguanosines at specific positions. The use of this nucleotide analogue made it possible to control the topology of the modified structures. Due to the presence of non-natural tetrads, we observed some decrease in the anticoagulant activity of the modified aptamers compared to the natural prototype. This negative effect was completely compensated by conjugation of the aptamers with optimized tripeptide sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia A Kolganova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir B Tsvetkov
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, 119435 Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Biodesign and Complex System Modeling, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119146 Moscow, Russia
- A.V. Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey A Stomakhin
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergei A Surzhikov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Edward N Timofeev
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina V Varizhuk
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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13
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Design and Prediction of Aptamers Assisted by In Silico Methods. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020356. [PMID: 36830893 PMCID: PMC9953197 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
An aptamer is a single-stranded DNA or RNA that binds to a specific target with high binding affinity. Aptamers are developed through the process of systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX), which is repeated to increase the binding power and specificity. However, the SELEX process is time-consuming, and the characterization of aptamer candidates selected through it requires additional effort. Here, we describe in silico methods in order to suggest the most efficient way to develop aptamers and minimize the laborious effort required to screen and optimise aptamers. We investigated several methods for the estimation of aptamer-target molecule binding through conformational structure prediction, molecular docking, and molecular dynamic simulation. In addition, examples of machine learning and deep learning technologies used to predict the binding of targets and ligands in the development of new drugs are introduced. This review will be helpful in the development and application of in silico aptamer screening and characterization.
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14
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Smeller L. Pressure Tuning Studies of Four-Stranded Nucleic Acid Structures. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021803. [PMID: 36675317 PMCID: PMC9866529 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Four-stranded folded structures, such as G-quadruplexes and i-motifs in the genome, have attracted a growing interest nowadays since they have been discovered in the telomere and in several oncogene promoter regions. Their biological relevance is undeniable since their existence in living cells has been observed. In vivo they take part in the regulation of gene expression, in vitro they are used in the analytical biochemistry. They are attractive and promising targets for cancer therapy. Pressure studies can reveal specific aspects of the molecular processes. Pressure tuning experiments allow the determination of the volumetric parameters of the folded structures and of the folding-unfolding processes. Here, we review the thermodynamic parameters with a special focus on the volumetric ones, which were determined using pressure tuning spectroscopic experiments on the G-quadruplex and i-motif nucleic acid forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Smeller
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó u. 37-47, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
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15
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Liu ML, He XJ, Li Y, Zhao ML, Zhuo Y. A convenient and economical strategy for multiple-target electrochemiluminescence detection using peroxydisulfate solution. Talanta 2023; 251:123788. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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16
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Wu T, Li XY. An instrument-free visual quantitative detection method based on clock reaction: the detection of thrombin as an example. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2022; 15:48-55. [PMID: 36448577 DOI: 10.1039/d2ay01786e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Instrument-free visual quantitative detection in chemical and biochemical analysis is of great significance in practical applications especially in point-of-care testing and in places where resources are limited. In this paper, we report the development of a time-based instrument-free visual quantitative detection method by employing a clock reaction, a type of chemical reaction displaying characteristic clocking behavior. The feasibility of the method was illustrated by the quantitative detection of thrombin in buffer solution using the lapse of time as the readout signal. The linear range of detection was from 1.3 to 43 nM (r2 = 0.990, n = 3) with a LOD of 0.9 nM, which is lower than the physiological concentrations of thrombin in the resting and activated blood, which range from low nanomolar to low micromolar, respectively. This method was also validated by detecting thrombin in the serum and a good recovery of nearly 100 ± 8.0% was obtained. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first report that uses the characteristic time of a clock reaction as the readout signal in instrument-free colorimetry for quantitative bioanalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianxiang Wu
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, ClearWater Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong S.A.R., People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiao-Yuan Li
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, ClearWater Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong S.A.R., People's Republic of China.
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17
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Properties and Potential Antiproliferative Activity of Thrombin-Binding Aptamer (TBA) Derivatives with One or Two Additional G-Tetrads. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314921. [PMID: 36499249 PMCID: PMC9736779 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we study the biological properties of two TBA analogs containing one and two extra G-tetrads, namely TBAG3 and TBAG4, respectively, and two further derivatives in which one of the small loops at the bottom (TBAG41S) or the large loop at the top (TBAG4GS) of the TBAG4 structure has been completely modified by replacing all loop residues with abasic site mimics. The therapeutical development of the TBA was hindered by its low thermodynamic and nuclease stability, while its potential as an anticancer/antiproliferative molecule is also affected by the anticoagulant activity, being a side effect in this case. In order to obtain suitable TBA analogs and to explore the involvement of specific aptamer regions in biological activity, the antiproliferative capability against DU 145 and MDAMB 231 cancer cell lines (MTT), the anticoagulant properties (PT), the biological degradability (nuclease stability assay) and nucleolin (NCL) binding ability (SPR) of the above described TBA derivatives have been tested. Interestingly, none of the TBA analogs exhibits an anticoagulant activity, while all of them show antiproliferative properties to the same extent. Furthermore, TBAG4 displays extraordinary nuclease stability and promising antiproliferative properties against breast cancer cells binding NCL efficiently. These results expand the range of G4-structures targeting NCL and the possibility of developing novel anticancer and antiviral drugs.
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18
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Zhu M, Xu F, Miao S, Xie C, Li H, Li S, Xia F. Incorporation of a Multi-Valent Aptamer into Electrochemical Biosensors to Achieve an Improved Performance for Thrombin Analysis in Blood Serum. Chempluschem 2022; 87:e202200325. [PMID: 36410784 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202200325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The electrochemical aptamer-based (E-AB) biosensor usually has a long reaction time when detecting thrombin. This work reports the design of an E-AB biosensor with dual recognition sites to quickly detect thrombin. Specifically, two specific recognition sites of thrombin were used to design three aptamer sequences (TBA-15, TBA-29 and TBA-U), followed by fabrication of corresponding sensors. First, we tested these three types of biosensors in tris buffer solution, and found that the response time of the TBA-U sensor to the same concentration of thrombin was about 2 hours, which is shorter than TBA-15 and TBA-29 sensors. Then, we also did the same test in 50 % diluted serum with 500 nM thrombin. The response time of the TBA-U sensor was about 2 hours, which is still faster than the 3 hours of TBA-15 sensor and the 5.5 hours for TBA-29 sensor. In addition, in terms of dynamic range and specificity, TBA-U has good performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Fan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Siyuan Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Chongyu Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Hui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Shaoguang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Fan Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
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19
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Riccardi C, D’Aria F, Fasano D, Digilio FA, Carillo MR, Amato J, De Rosa L, Paladino S, Melone MAB, Montesarchio D, Giancola C. Truncated Analogues of a G-Quadruplex-Forming Aptamer Targeting Mutant Huntingtin: Shorter Is Better! Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012412. [PMID: 36293267 PMCID: PMC9604342 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Two analogues of the MS3 aptamer, which was previously shown to have an exquisite capability to selectively bind and modulate the activity of mutant huntingtin (mHTT), have been here designed and evaluated in their physicochemical and biological properties. Featured by a distinctive propensity to form complex G-quadruplex structures, including large multimeric aggregates, the original 36-mer MS3 has been truncated to give a 33-mer (here named MS3-33) and a 17-mer (here named MS3-17). A combined use of different techniques (UV, CD, DSC, gel electrophoresis) allowed a detailed physicochemical characterization of these novel G-quadruplex-forming aptamers, tested in vitro on SH-SY5Y cells and in vivo on a Drosophila Huntington’s disease model, in which these shorter MS3-derived oligonucleotides proved to have improved bioactivity in comparison with the parent aptamer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Federica D’Aria
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Dominga Fasano
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Filomena Anna Digilio
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET), UOS Naples-CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Carillo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Laura De Rosa
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Paladino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mariarosa Anna Beatrice Melone
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122-6078, USA
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Concetta Giancola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.M.); (C.G.)
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20
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Wang Y, Wang D, Lin J, Lyu Z, Chen P, Sun T, Xue C, Mojtabavi M, Vedadghavami A, Zhang Z, Wang R, Zhang L, Park C, Heo GS, Liu Y, Dong SS, Zhang K. A Long-Circulating Vector for Aptamers Based upon Polyphosphodiester-Backboned Molecular Brushes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202204576. [PMID: 35979844 PMCID: PMC9529849 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202204576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Aptamers face challenges for use outside the ideal conditions in which they are developed. These difficulties are most palpable in vivo due to nuclease activities, rapid clearance, and off-target binding. Herein, we demonstrate that a polyphosphodiester-backboned molecular brush can suppress enzymatic digestion, reduce non-specific cell uptake, enable long blood circulation, and rescue the bioactivity of a conjugated aptamer in vivo. The backbone along with the aptamer is assembled via solid-phase synthesis, followed by installation of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) side chains using a two-step process with near-quantitative efficiency. The synthesis allows for precise control over polymer size and architecture. Consisting entirely of building blocks that are generally recognized as safe for therapeutics, this novel molecular brush is expected to provide a highly translatable route for aptamer-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyan Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Dali Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jiachen Lin
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zidi Lyu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Peiru Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Tingyu Sun
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Chenyang Xue
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mehrnaz Mojtabavi
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Armin Vedadghavami
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zheyu Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ruimeng Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Christopher Park
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Gyu Seong Heo
- Department of Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Yongjian Liu
- Department of Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Sijia S Dong
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ke Zhang
- Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Chemical Engineering, and Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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21
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Bansal A, Kaushik S, Kukreti S. Non-canonical DNA structures: Diversity and disease association. Front Genet 2022; 13:959258. [PMID: 36134025 PMCID: PMC9483843 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.959258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A complete understanding of DNA double-helical structure discovered by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953, unveil the importance and significance of DNA. For the last seven decades, this has been a leading light in the course of the development of modern biology and biomedical science. Apart from the predominant B-form, experimental shreds of evidence have revealed the existence of a sequence-dependent structural diversity, unusual non-canonical structures like hairpin, cruciform, Z-DNA, multistranded structures such as DNA triplex, G-quadruplex, i-motif forms, etc. The diversity in the DNA structure depends on various factors such as base sequence, ions, superhelical stress, and ligands. In response to these various factors, the polymorphism of DNA regulates various genes via different processes like replication, transcription, translation, and recombination. However, altered levels of gene expression are associated with many human genetic diseases including neurological disorders and cancer. These non-B-DNA structures are expected to play a key role in determining genetic stability, DNA damage and repair etc. The present review is a modest attempt to summarize the available literature, illustrating the occurrence of non-canonical structures at the molecular level in response to the environment and interaction with ligands and proteins. This would provide an insight to understand the biological functions of these unusual DNA structures and their recognition as potential therapeutic targets for diverse genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Bansal
- Nucleic Acid Research Lab, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- Department of Chemistry, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Shikha Kaushik
- Nucleic Acid Research Lab, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- Department of Chemistry, Rajdhani College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Shrikant Kukreti
- Nucleic Acid Research Lab, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- *Correspondence: Shrikant Kukreti,
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22
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Emerging biotechnology applications in natural product and synthetic pharmaceutical analyses. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:4075-4097. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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23
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Wang Y, Wang D, Lin J, Lyu Z, Chen P, Sun T, Xue C, Mojtabavi M, Vedadghavami A, Zhang Z, Wang R, Zhang L, Park C, Heo GS, Liu Y, Dong SS, Zhang K. A Long‐Circulating Vector for Aptamers Based upon Polyphosphodiester‐Backboned Molecular Brushes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202204576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuyan Wang
- Northeastern University Chemistry and chemical biology UNITED STATES
| | - Dali Wang
- Northeastern University Chemistry and chemical biology UNITED STATES
| | - Jiachen Lin
- Northeastern University Chemistry and chemical biology UNITED STATES
| | - Zidi Lyu
- Northeastern University Chemistry and chemical biology UNITED STATES
| | - Peiru Chen
- Northeastern University Chemistry and chemical biology UNITED STATES
| | - Tingyu Sun
- Northeastern University Chemistry and chemical biology UNITED STATES
| | - Chenyang Xue
- Northeastern University Chemistry and chemical biology UNITED STATES
| | | | | | - Zheyu Zhang
- Northeastern University Chemistry and chemical biology UNITED STATES
| | - Ruimeng Wang
- Northeastern University Chemistry and chemical biology UNITED STATES
| | - Lei Zhang
- Northeastern University Chemistry and chemical biology UNITED STATES
| | - Christopher Park
- Northeastern University Chemistry and chemical biology UNITED STATES
| | - Gyu Seong Heo
- Washington University in St Louis Department of radiology UNITED STATES
| | - Yongjian Liu
- Washington University in St Louis Department of radiology UNITED STATES
| | - Sijia S. Dong
- Northeastern University Chemistry and chemical biology UNITED STATES
| | - Ke Zhang
- Northeastern University Chemistry and Chemical Biology 360 Huntington AveHT 102 02115 Boston UNITED STATES
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24
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Hu L, Liu K, Ren G, Liang J, Wu Y. Progress in DNA Aptamers as Recognition Components for Protein Functional Regulation. Chem Res Chin Univ 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40242-022-2124-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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25
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Yu Y, Liu M, Choi VNT, Cheung YW, Tanner JA. Selection and characterization of DNA aptamers inhibiting a druggable target of osteoarthritis, ADAMTS-5. Biochimie 2022; 201:168-176. [PMID: 35700850 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2022.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
There is a critical need for the development of more potent inhibitors for osteoarthritis (OA) therapy given the poor life quality of arthritis patients. Aggrecanase ADAMTS-5 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5) is an established drug target identified for osteoarthritis. In this study, we evolved and characterized two new DNA aptamer inhibitors of ADAMTS-5, namely apt21 and apt25. The aptamers exhibited nanomolar binding affinity and high specificity against ADAMTS-5. KD values of apt21 and apt25 were determined by the Enzyme-linked Oligonucleotide Assay (ELONA) at 1.54 ± 0.16 nM and 1.79 ± 0.08 nM, respectively. Circular Dichroism (CD) analysis demonstrated that both aptamers formed monovalent cation dependent G-quadruplex structures. Calcium ions did not affect the binding of the aptamers to ADAMTS-5. The inhibitory effects of apt21 and apt25 on ADAMTS-5 were evaluated by the Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) assay, in which IC50 values of apt21 and apt25 were estimated at 52.76 ± 6.70 μM and 61.14 ± 9.67 μM, respectively. These two aptamers are the first DNA G-quadruplex aptamers demonstrated to inhibit ADAMTS-5 and could have value for OA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Yu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, PR China; School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Mengping Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Vanessa N T Choi
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Yee-Wai Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Julian A Tanner
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, PR China; Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, PR China.
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26
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Riccardi C, D’Aria F, Digilio FA, Carillo MR, Amato J, Fasano D, De Rosa L, Paladino S, Melone MAB, Montesarchio D, Giancola C. Fighting the Huntington's Disease with a G-Quadruplex-Forming Aptamer Specifically Binding to Mutant Huntingtin Protein: Biophysical Characterization, In Vitro and In Vivo Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:4804. [PMID: 35563194 PMCID: PMC9101412 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A set of guanine-rich aptamers able to preferentially recognize full-length huntingtin with an expanded polyglutamine tract has been recently identified, showing high efficacy in modulating the functions of the mutated protein in a variety of cell experiments. We here report a detailed biophysical characterization of the best aptamer in the series, named MS3, proved to adopt a stable, parallel G-quadruplex structure and show high nuclease resistance in serum. Confocal microscopy experiments on HeLa and SH-SY5Y cells, as models of non-neuronal and neuronal cells, respectively, showed a rapid, dose-dependent uptake of fluorescein-labelled MS3, demonstrating its effective internalization, even in the absence of transfecting agents, with no general cytotoxicity. Then, using a well-established Drosophila melanogaster model for Huntington's disease, which expresses the mutated form of human huntingtin, a significant improvement in the motor neuronal function in flies fed with MS3 was observed, proving the in vivo efficacy of this aptamer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Federica D’Aria
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (F.D.); (J.A.)
| | - Filomena Anna Digilio
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET), UOS Naples-CNR, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (F.A.D.); (M.R.C.)
| | - Maria Rosaria Carillo
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET), UOS Naples-CNR, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (F.A.D.); (M.R.C.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (F.D.); (J.A.)
| | - Dominga Fasano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (D.F.); (L.D.R.); (S.P.)
- Center for Rare Diseases and Inter University Center for Research in Neurosciences, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Laura De Rosa
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (D.F.); (L.D.R.); (S.P.)
| | - Simona Paladino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (D.F.); (L.D.R.); (S.P.)
| | - Mariarosa Anna Beatrice Melone
- Center for Rare Diseases and Inter University Center for Research in Neurosciences, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
- Center for Biotechnology, Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Concetta Giancola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (F.D.); (J.A.)
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Yousef H, Liu Y, Zheng L. Nanomaterial-Based Label-Free Electrochemical Aptasensors for the Detection of Thrombin. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12040253. [PMID: 35448312 PMCID: PMC9025199 DOI: 10.3390/bios12040253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Thrombin plays a central role in hemostasis and its imbalances in coagulation can lead to various pathologies. It is of clinical significance to develop a fast and accurate method for the quantitative detection of thrombin. Electrochemical aptasensors have the capability of combining the specific selectivity from aptamers with the extraordinary sensitivity from electrochemical techniques and thus have attracted considerable attention for the trace-level detection of thrombin. Nanomaterials and nanostructures can further enhance the performance of thrombin aptasensors to achieve high sensitivity, selectivity, and antifouling functions. In highlighting these material merits and their impacts on sensor performance, this paper reviews the most recent advances in label-free electrochemical aptasensors for thrombin detection, with an emphasis on nanomaterials and nanostructures utilized in sensor design and fabrication. The performance, advantages, and limitations of those aptasensors are summarized and compared according to their material structures and compositions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hibba Yousef
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Yang Liu
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia;
| | - Lianxi Zheng
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi 127788, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence:
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Aljohani MM, Cialla-May D, Popp J, Chinnappan R, Al-Kattan K, Zourob M. Aptamers: Potential Diagnostic and Therapeutic Agents for Blood Diseases. Molecules 2022; 27:383. [PMID: 35056696 PMCID: PMC8778139 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27020383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are RNA/DNA oligonucleotide molecules that specifically bind to a targeted complementary molecule. As potential recognition elements with promising diagnostic and therapeutic applications, aptamers, such as monoclonal antibodies, could provide many treatment and diagnostic options for blood diseases. Aptamers present several superior features over antibodies, including a simple in vitro selection and production, ease of modification and conjugation, high stability, and low immunogenicity. Emerging as promising alternatives to antibodies, aptamers could overcome the present limitations of monoclonal antibody therapy to provide novel diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive treatments for blood diseases. Researchers in several biomedical areas, such as biomarker detection, diagnosis, imaging, and targeted therapy, have widely investigated aptamers, and several aptamers have been developed over the past two decades. One of these is the pegaptanib sodium injection, an aptamer-based therapeutic that functions as an anti-angiogenic medicine, and it is the first aptamer approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for therapeutic use. Several other aptamers are now in clinical trials. In this review, we highlight the current state of aptamers in the clinical trial program and introduce some promising aptamers currently in pre-clinical development for blood diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maher M. Aljohani
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University, Helmholtzweg 4, 07743 Jena, Germany; (D.C.-M.); (J.P.)
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Taibah University, Madinah 42353, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dana Cialla-May
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University, Helmholtzweg 4, 07743 Jena, Germany; (D.C.-M.); (J.P.)
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Jürgen Popp
- Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University, Helmholtzweg 4, 07743 Jena, Germany; (D.C.-M.); (J.P.)
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Center for Applied Research, InfectoGnostics Research Campus Jena, University of Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Raja Chinnappan
- Department of Chemistry, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Khaled Al-Kattan
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Al Zahrawi Street, Al Maather, Al Takhassusi Rd, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mohammed Zourob
- Department of Chemistry, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia;
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29
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Busschaert N, Maity D, Samanta PK, English NJ, Hamilton AD. Improving structural stability and anticoagulant activity of a thrombin binding aptamer by aromatic modifications. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202100670. [PMID: 34985829 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) is a 15-mer DNA oligonucleotide (5'-GGTTGGTGTGGTTGG-3'), that can form a stable intramolecular antiparallel chair-like G-quadruplex structure. This aptamer shows anticoagulant properties by interacting with one of the two anion binding sites of thrombin, namely the fibrinogen-recognition exosite. Here, we demonstrate that terminal modification of TBA with aromatic fragments such as coumarin, pyrene and perylene diimide (PDI), improves the G-quadruplex stability. The large aromatic surface of these dyes can π-π stack to the G-quadruplex or to each other, thereby stabilizing the aptamer. With respect to the original TBA, monoPDI-functionalized TBA exhibited the most remarkable improvement in melting temperature (ΔT m ≈ +18 °C) and displayed enhanced anticoagulant activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Busschaert
- Tulane University, Department of Chemistry, 6400 Freret St, 70118, New Orleans, UNITED STATES
| | | | - Pralok K Samanta
- University College Dublin, School of Chemical and Bioprocess engineering, IRELAND
| | - Niall J English
- University College Dublin, School of chemical and Bioprocess engineering, IRELAND
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30
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Zhu BC, He J, Xia XY, Jiang J, Liu W, Liu LY, Liang BB, Yao HG, Ke Z, Xia W, Mao ZW. Solution structure of thrombin binding aptamer complex with a non-planar platinum(II) compound. Chem Sci 2022; 13:8371-8379. [PMID: 35919711 PMCID: PMC9297526 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc01196d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Thrombin Binding Aptamer (TBA) is a monomolecular well-defined two G-tetrads antiparallel G-quadruplex DNA that inhibits the activity of human α-thrombin. In this report, we synthesized a quasi-cross-shaped platinum(II) compound (L'2LPt)...
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Chen Zhu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University Guangzhou 510275 China
| | - Juan He
- School of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Engineering, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University Zhongshan 528458 China
| | - Xiao-Yu Xia
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University Guangzhou 510275 China
| | - Jingxing Jiang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, PCFM Lab, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University Guangzhou 510275 China
| | - Wenting Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University Guangzhou 510275 China
| | - Liu-Yi Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University Guangzhou 510275 China
| | - Bing-Bing Liang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University Guangzhou 510275 China
| | - Hua-Gang Yao
- School of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Engineering, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University Zhongshan 528458 China
| | - Zhuofeng Ke
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, PCFM Lab, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University Guangzhou 510275 China
| | - Wei Xia
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University Guangzhou 510275 China
| | - Zong-Wan Mao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University Guangzhou 510275 China
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31
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Oligonucleotide conjugation by tyrosine‐click reaction. European J Org Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.202101361] [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]
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Riccardi C, Napolitano F, Montesarchio D, Sampaolo S, Melone MAB. Nanoparticle-Guided Brain Drug Delivery: Expanding the Therapeutic Approach to Neurodegenerative Diseases. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1897. [PMID: 34834311 PMCID: PMC8623286 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) represent a heterogeneous group of aging-related disorders featured by progressive impairment of motor and/or cognitive functions, often accompanied by psychiatric disorders. NDs are denoted as 'protein misfolding' diseases or proteinopathies, and are classified according to their known genetic mechanisms and/or the main protein involved in disease onset and progression. Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington's disease (HD) are included under this nosographic umbrella, sharing histopathologically salient features, including deposition of insoluble proteins, activation of glial cells, loss of neuronal cells and synaptic connectivity. To date, there are no effective cures or disease-modifying therapies for these NDs. Several compounds have not shown efficacy in clinical trials, since they generally fail to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a tightly packed layer of endothelial cells that greatly limits the brain internalization of endogenous substances. By engineering materials of a size usually within 1-100 nm, nanotechnology offers an alternative approach for promising and innovative therapeutic solutions in NDs. Nanoparticles can cross the BBB and release active molecules at target sites in the brain, minimizing side effects. This review focuses on the state-of-the-art of nanoengineered delivery systems for brain targeting in the treatment of AD, PD and HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.R.); (D.M.)
| | - Filomena Napolitano
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Sergio Pansini, 5, I-80131 Naples, Italy; (F.N.); (S.S.)
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.R.); (D.M.)
| | - Simone Sampaolo
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Sergio Pansini, 5, I-80131 Naples, Italy; (F.N.); (S.S.)
| | - Mariarosa Anna Beatrice Melone
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Sergio Pansini, 5, I-80131 Naples, Italy; (F.N.); (S.S.)
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122-6078, USA
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Yu H, Zhao Z, Xiao B, Deng M, Wang Z, Li Z, Zhang H, Zhang L, Qian J, Li J. Aptamer-Based Solution-Gated Graphene Transistors for Highly Sensitive and Real-Time Detection of Thrombin Molecules. Anal Chem 2021; 93:13673-13679. [PMID: 34597019 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c03129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Thrombin is an important biomarker for various diseases and biochemical reactions. Rapid and real-time detection of thrombin that quickly neutralizes in early coagulation in the body has gained significant attention for its practical applications. Solution-gated graphene transistors (SGGTs) have been widely studied due to their higher sensitivity and low-cost fabrication for chemical and biological sensing applications. In this paper, the ssDNA aptamer with 29 bases was immobilized on the surface of the gate electrode to specifically recognize thrombin. The SGGT sensor achieved high sensitivity with a limit of detection (LOD) up to fM. The LOD was attributed to the amplification function of SGGTs and the suitable aptamer choice. The ssDNA configuration folding induced by thrombin molecules and the electropositivity of thrombin molecules could arouse the same electrical response of SGGTs, helping the device obtain a high sensitivity. The channel current variation of sensors had a good linear relationship with the logarithm of thrombin concentration in the range of 1 fM to 10 nM. The fabricated device also demonstrated a short response time to thrombin molecules, and the response time to the 1 fM thrombin molecules was about 150 s. In summary, the sensing strategy of aptamer-based SGGTs with high sensitivity and high selectivity has a good prospect in medical diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials Co-constructed by the Province and Ministry, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Zheng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Bichen Xiao
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials Co-constructed by the Province and Ministry, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Minghua Deng
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials Co-constructed by the Province and Ministry, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Zhaoliang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ziqin Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials Co-constructed by the Province and Ministry, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Huibin Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials Co-constructed by the Province and Ministry, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials Co-constructed by the Province and Ministry, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Jingwen Qian
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials Co-constructed by the Province and Ministry, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Jinhua Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials Co-constructed by the Province and Ministry, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
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Svetlova J, Sardushkin M, Kolganova N, Timofeev E. Recognition Interface of the Thrombin Binding Aptamer Requires Antiparallel Topology of the Quadruplex Core. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11091332. [PMID: 34572544 PMCID: PMC8471065 DOI: 10.3390/biom11091332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in G-quadruplex (GQ) studies have provided evidence for their important role in key biological processes (replication, transcription, genome stability, and epigenetics). These findings imply highly specific interactions between GQ structures and cellular proteins. The details of the interaction between GQs and cellular proteins remain unknown. It is now accepted that GQ loop elements play a major role in protein recognition. It remains unclear whether and to what extent the GQ core contributes to maintaining the recognition interface. In the current paper, we used the thrombin binding aptamer as a model to study the effect of modification in the quadruplex core on the ability of aptamer to interact with thrombin. We used alpha-2′-deoxyguanosine and 8-bromo-2′-deoxyguanosine to reconfigure the core or to affect syn–anti preferences of selected dG-residues. Our data suggest that core guanines not only support a particular type of GQ architecture, but also set structural parameters that make GQ protein recognition sensitive to quadruplex topology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Svetlova
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine, 119435 Moscow, Russia;
- Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), G-Quadruplexes as INnovative ThERApeutiC Targets (G4-INTERACT), University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Makar Sardushkin
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Technologies and Biomedical Products, Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia, 125047 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Natalia Kolganova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Edward Timofeev
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
- Correspondence:
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Pérez de Carvasal K, Riccardi C, Russo Krauss I, Cavasso D, Vasseur JJ, Smietana M, Morvan F, Montesarchio D. Charge-Transfer Interactions Stabilize G-Quadruplex-Forming Thrombin Binding Aptamers and Can Improve Their Anticoagulant Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9510. [PMID: 34502432 PMCID: PMC8430690 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the search for optimized thrombin binding aptamers (TBAs), we herein describe the synthesis of a library of TBA analogues obtained by end-functionalization with the electron-rich 1,5-dialkoxy naphthalene (DAN) and the electron-deficient 1,8,4,5-naphthalenetetra-carboxylic diimide (NDI) moieties. Indeed, when these G-rich oligonucleotides were folded into the peculiar TBA G-quadruplex (G4) structure, effective donor-acceptor charge transfer interactions between the DAN and NDI residues attached to the extremities of the sequence were induced, providing pseudo-cyclic structures. Alternatively, insertion of NDI groups at both extremities produced TBA analogues stabilized by π-π stacking interactions. All the doubly-modified TBAs were characterized by different biophysical techniques and compared with the analogues carrying only the DAN or NDI residue and unmodified TBA. These modified TBAs exhibited higher nuclease resistance, and their G4 structures were markedly stabilized, as evidenced by increased Tm values compared to TBA. These favorable properties were also associated with improved anticoagulant activity for one DAN/NDI-modified TBA, and for one NDI/NDI-modified TBA. Our results indicated that TBA pseudo-cyclic structuring by ad hoc designed end-functionalization represents an efficient approach to improve the aptamer features, while pre-organizing and stabilizing the G4 structure but allowing sufficient flexibility to the aptamer folding, which is necessary for optimal thrombin recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kévan Pérez de Carvasal
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, University Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France; (K.P.d.C.); (J.-J.V.); (M.S.)
| | - Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.R.); (I.R.K.); (D.C.)
| | - Irene Russo Krauss
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.R.); (I.R.K.); (D.C.)
- CSGI—Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase, Via della Lastruccia 3, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Domenico Cavasso
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.R.); (I.R.K.); (D.C.)
- CSGI—Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase, Via della Lastruccia 3, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Jean-Jacques Vasseur
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, University Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France; (K.P.d.C.); (J.-J.V.); (M.S.)
| | - Michael Smietana
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, University Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France; (K.P.d.C.); (J.-J.V.); (M.S.)
| | - François Morvan
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, University Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France; (K.P.d.C.); (J.-J.V.); (M.S.)
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.R.); (I.R.K.); (D.C.)
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Cadoni E, De Paepe L, Manicardi A, Madder A. Beyond small molecules: targeting G-quadruplex structures with oligonucleotides and their analogues. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:6638-6659. [PMID: 33978760 PMCID: PMC8266634 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
G-Quadruplexes (G4s) are widely studied secondary DNA/RNA structures, naturally occurring when G-rich sequences are present. The strategic localization of G4s in genome areas of crucial importance, such as proto-oncogenes and telomeres, entails fundamental implications in terms of gene expression regulation and other important biological processes. Although thousands of small molecules capable to induce G4 stabilization have been reported over the past 20 years, approaches based on the hybridization of a synthetic probe, allowing sequence-specific G4-recognition and targeting are still rather limited. In this review, after introducing important general notions about G4s, we aim to list, explain and critically analyse in more detail the principal approaches available to target G4s by using oligonucleotides and synthetic analogues such as Locked Nucleic Acids (LNAs) and Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs), reporting on the most relevant examples described in literature to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Cadoni
- Organic and Biomimetic Chemistry Research Group, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lessandro De Paepe
- Organic and Biomimetic Chemistry Research Group, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Alex Manicardi
- Organic and Biomimetic Chemistry Research Group, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annemieke Madder
- Organic and Biomimetic Chemistry Research Group, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Lopes-Nunes J, Oliveira PA, Cruz C. G-Quadruplex-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:671. [PMID: 34358097 PMCID: PMC8308530 DOI: 10.3390/ph14070671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are a class of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) with single-stranded G-rich sequences. Owing to the selectivity of some G4s, they are emerging as targeting agents to overtake side effects of several potential anticancer drugs, and delivery systems of small molecules to malignant cells, through their high affinity or complementarity to specific targets. Moreover, different systems are being used to improve their potential, such as gold nano-particles or liposomes. Thus, the present review provides relevant data about the different studies with G4s as drug delivery systems and the challenges that must be overcome in the future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Lopes-Nunes
- CICS-UBI-Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal;
| | - Paula A. Oliveira
- Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Inov4Agro, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
| | - Carla Cruz
- CICS-UBI-Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal;
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Virgilio A, Benigno D, Pecoraro A, Russo A, Russo G, Esposito V, Galeone A. Exploring New Potential Anticancer Activities of the G-Quadruplexes Formed by [(GTG 2T(G 3T) 3] and Its Derivatives with an Abasic Site Replacing Single Thymidine. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22137040. [PMID: 34208896 PMCID: PMC8268168 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we report our investigations on five T30175 analogues, prepared by replacing sequence thymidines with abasic sites (S) one at a time, in comparison to their natural counterpart in order to evaluate their antiproliferative potential and the involvement of the residues not belonging to the central core of stacked guanosines in biological activity. The collected NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), CD (Circular Dichroism), and PAGE (Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis) data strongly suggest that all of them adopt G-quadruplex (G4) structures strictly similar to that of the parent aptamer with the ability to fold into a dimeric structure composed of two identical G-quadruplexes, each characterized by parallel strands, three all-anti-G-tetrads and four one-thymidine loops (one bulge and three propeller loops). Furthermore, their antiproliferative (MTT assay) and anti-motility (wound healing assay) properties against lung and colorectal cancer cells were tested. Although all of the oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) investigated here exhibited anti-proliferative activity, the unmodified T30175 aptamer showed the greatest effect on cell growth, suggesting that both its characteristic folding in dimeric form and its presence in the sequence of all thymidines are crucial elements for antiproliferative activity. This straightforward approach is suitable for understanding the critical requirements of the G-quadruplex structures that affect antiproliferative potential and suggests its application as a starting point to facilitate the reasonable development of G-quadruplexes with improved anticancer properties.
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Recent Advances in Conventional Methods and Electrochemical Aptasensors for Mycotoxin Detection. Foods 2021; 10:foods10071437. [PMID: 34206168 PMCID: PMC8307942 DOI: 10.3390/foods10071437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence of mycotoxins in foodstuffs and feedstuffs is a serious concern for human health. The detection of mycotoxins is therefore necessary as a preventive action to avoid the harmful contamination of foodstuffs and animal feed. In comparison with the considerable expense of treating contaminated foodstuffs, early detection is a cost-effective way to ensure food safety. The high affinity of bio-recognition molecules to mycotoxins has led to the development of affinity columns for sample pre-treatment and the development of biosensors for the quantitative analysis of mycotoxins. Aptamers are a very attractive class of biological receptors that are currently in great demand for the development of new biosensors. In this review, the improvement in the materials and methodology, and the working principles and performance of both conventional and recently developed methods are discussed. The key features and applications of the fundamental recognition elements, such as antibodies and aptamers are addressed. Recent advances in aptasensors that are based on different electrochemical (EC) transducers are reviewed in detail, especially from the perspective of the diagnostic mechanism; in addition, a brief introduction of some commercially available mycotoxin detection kits is provided.
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Scognamiglio PL, Platella C, Napolitano E, Musumeci D, Roviello GN. From Prebiotic Chemistry to Supramolecular Biomedical Materials: Exploring the Properties of Self-Assembling Nucleobase-Containing Peptides. Molecules 2021; 26:3558. [PMID: 34200901 PMCID: PMC8230524 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26123558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptides and their synthetic analogs are a class of molecules with enormous relevance as therapeutics for their ability to interact with biomacromolecules like nucleic acids and proteins, potentially interfering with biological pathways often involved in the onset and progression of pathologies of high social impact. Nucleobase-bearing peptides (nucleopeptides) and pseudopeptides (PNAs) offer further interesting possibilities related to their nucleobase-decorated nature for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, thanks to their reported ability to target complementary DNA and RNA strands. In addition, these chimeric compounds are endowed with intriguing self-assembling properties, which are at the heart of their investigation as self-replicating materials in prebiotic chemistry, as well as their application as constituents of innovative drug delivery systems and, more generally, as novel nanomaterials to be employed in biomedicine. Herein we describe the properties of nucleopeptides, PNAs and related supramolecular systems, and summarize some of the most relevant applications of these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chiara Platella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.P.); (E.N.); (D.M.)
| | - Ettore Napolitano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.P.); (E.N.); (D.M.)
| | - Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.P.); (E.N.); (D.M.)
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini IBB-CNR, via Tommaso De Amicis 95, I-80145 Naples, Italy
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Wang X, Yan D. Microplate-based antithrombin activity bioassay for Shuxuetong Injection through aptamer-thrombin capturing coupled with chromogenic substrate hydrolysis. Microchem J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2021.106099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Structural and functional analysis of the simultaneous binding of two duplex/quadruplex aptamers to human α-thrombin. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 181:858-867. [PMID: 33864869 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.04.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The long-range communication between the two exosites of human α-thrombin (thrombin) tightly modulates the protein-effector interactions. Duplex/quadruplex aptamers represent an emerging class of very effective binders of thrombin. Among them, NU172 and HD22 aptamers are at the forefront of exosite I and II recognition, respectively. The present study investigates the simultaneous binding of these two aptamers by combining a structural and dynamics approach. The crystal structure of the ternary complex formed by the thrombin with NU172 and HD22_27mer provides a detailed view of the simultaneous binding of these aptamers to the protein, inspiring the design of novel bivalent thrombin inhibitors. The crystal structure represents the starting model for molecular dynamics studies, which point out the cooperation between the binding at the two exosites. In particular, the binding of an aptamer to its exosite reduces the intrinsic flexibility of the other exosite, that preferentially assumes conformations similar to those observed in the bound state, suggesting a predisposition to interact with the other aptamer. This behaviour is reflected in a significant increase of the anticoagulant activity of NU172 when the inactive HD22_27mer is bound to exosite II, providing a clear evidence of the synergic action of the two aptamers.
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Overview of the Therapeutic Potential of Aptamers Targeting Coagulation Factors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22083897. [PMID: 33918821 PMCID: PMC8069679 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA sequences that bind target molecules with high specificity and affinity. Aptamers exhibit several notable advantages over protein-based therapeutics. Aptamers are non-immunogenic, easier to synthesize and modify, and can bind targets with greater affinity. Due to these benefits, aptamers are considered a promising therapeutic candidate to treat various conditions, including hematological disorders and cancer. An active area of research involves developing aptamers to target blood coagulation factors. These aptamers have the potential to treat cardiovascular diseases, blood disorders, and cancers. Although no aptamers targeting blood coagulation factors have been approved for clinical use, several aptamers have been evaluated in clinical trials and many more have demonstrated encouraging preclinical results. This review summarized our knowledge of the aptamers targeting proteins involved in coagulation, anticoagulation, fibrinolysis, their extensive applications as therapeutics and diagnostics tools, and the challenges they face for advancing to clinical use.
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Chen Z, Hu L, Zhang BT, Lu A, Wang Y, Yu Y, Zhang G. Artificial Intelligence in Aptamer-Target Binding Prediction. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3605. [PMID: 33808496 PMCID: PMC8038094 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are short single-stranded DNA, RNA, or synthetic Xeno nucleic acids (XNA) molecules that can interact with corresponding targets with high affinity. Owing to their unique features, including low cost of production, easy chemical modification, high thermal stability, reproducibility, as well as low levels of immunogenicity and toxicity, aptamers can be used as an alternative to antibodies in diagnostics and therapeutics. Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX), an experimental approach for aptamer screening, allows the selection and identification of in vitro aptamers with high affinity and specificity. However, the SELEX process is time consuming and characterization of the representative aptamer candidates from SELEX is rather laborious. Artificial intelligence (AI) could help to rapidly identify the potential aptamer candidates from a vast number of sequences. This review discusses the advancements of AI pipelines/methods, including structure-based and machine/deep learning-based methods, for predicting the binding ability of aptamers to targets. Structure-based methods are the most used in computer-aided drug design. For this part, we review the secondary and tertiary structure prediction methods for aptamers, molecular docking, as well as molecular dynamic simulation methods for aptamer-target binding. We also performed analysis to compare the accuracy of different secondary and tertiary structure prediction methods for aptamers. On the other hand, advanced machine-/deep-learning models have witnessed successes in predicting the binding abilities between targets and ligands in drug discovery and thus potentially offer a robust and accurate approach to predict the binding between aptamers and targets. The research utilizing machine-/deep-learning techniques for prediction of aptamer-target binding is limited currently. Therefore, perspectives for models, algorithms, and implementation strategies of machine/deep learning-based methods are discussed. This review could facilitate the development and application of high-throughput and less laborious in silico methods in aptamer selection and characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (Z.C.); (B.-T.Z.)
| | - Long Hu
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone & Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Bao-Ting Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (Z.C.); (B.-T.Z.)
| | - Aiping Lu
- Institute of Integrated Bioinformedicine and Translational Science, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China;
- Guangdong-Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area International Research Platform for Aptamer-Based Translational Medicine and Drug Discovery, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yaofeng Wang
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuanyuan Yu
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone & Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China;
- Guangdong-Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area International Research Platform for Aptamer-Based Translational Medicine and Drug Discovery, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ge Zhang
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone & Joint Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China;
- Guangdong-Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area International Research Platform for Aptamer-Based Translational Medicine and Drug Discovery, Hong Kong, China
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Covalent Bi-Modular Parallel and Antiparallel G-Quadruplex DNA Nanocostructs Reduce Viability of Patient Glioma Primary Cell Cultures. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073372. [PMID: 33806042 PMCID: PMC8036578 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex oligonucleotides (GQs) exhibit specific anti-proliferative activity in human cancer cell lines, and they can selectively inhibit the viability/proliferation of cancer cell lines vs. non-cancer ones. This ability could be translated into a cancer treatment, in particular for glioblastoma multiform (GBM), which currently has a poor prognosis and low-efficiency therapeutic treatments. A novel bi-modular GQ, bi-(AID-1-T), a twin of the previously described three-quartet AID-1-T, was designed and studied in terms of both its structure and function. A covalent conjugation of two AID-1-Ts via three thymidine link, TTT, did not interfere with its initial GQ structure. A comparison of bi-(AID-1-T) with its mono-modular AID-1-T, mono-modular two-quartet HD1, and bi-modular bi-HD1, as well as conventional two-quartet AS1411, was made. Among the five GQs studied, bi-(AID-1-T) had the highest anti-proliferative activity for the neural cancer cell line U87, while not affecting the control cell line, human embryonic fibroblasts. GQs, for the first time, were tested on several primary glioma cultures from patient surgical samples. It turned out that the sensitivity of the patient primary glioma cultures toward GQs varied, with an apparent IC50 of less than 1 μM for bi-(AID-1-T) toward the most sensitive G11 cell culture (glioma, Grade III).
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Bifunctional Aptamer Drug Carrier Enabling Selective and Efficient Incorporation of an Approved Anticancer Drug Irinotecan to Fibrin Gels. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app10238755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
We have previously developed a bifunctional aptamer (bApt) binding to both human thrombin and camptothecin derivative (CPT1), and showed that bApt acts as a drug carrier under the phenomenon named selective oligonucleotide entrapment in fibrin polymers (SOEF), which enables efficient enrichment of CPT1 into fibrin gels, resulting in significant inhibition of tumor cell growth. However, although the derivative CPT1 exhibits anticancer activity, it is not an approved drug. In this study, we evaluated the binding properties of bApt to irinotecan, a camptothecin analog commonly used for anticancer drug therapy, in addition to unmodified camptothecin (CPT). Furthermore, we have revealed that irinotecan binds to bApt like CPT1 and is selectively concentrated on fibrin gels formed around the tumor cells under the SOEF phenomenon to suppress cell proliferation.
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Riccardi C, Napolitano E, Musumeci D, Montesarchio D. Dimeric and Multimeric DNA Aptamers for Highly Effective Protein Recognition. Molecules 2020; 25:E5227. [PMID: 33182593 PMCID: PMC7698228 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25225227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Multivalent interactions frequently occur in biological systems and typically provide higher binding affinity and selectivity in target recognition than when only monovalent interactions are operative. Thus, taking inspiration by nature, bivalent or multivalent nucleic acid aptamers recognizing a specific biological target have been extensively studied in the last decades. Indeed, oligonucleotide-based aptamers are suitable building blocks for the development of highly efficient multivalent systems since they can be easily modified and assembled exploiting proper connecting linkers of different nature. Thus, substantial research efforts have been put in the construction of dimeric/multimeric versions of effective aptamers with various degrees of success in target binding affinity or therapeutic activity enhancement. The present review summarizes recent advances in the design and development of dimeric and multimeric DNA-based aptamers, including those forming G-quadruplex (G4) structures, recognizing different key proteins in relevant pathological processes. Most of the designed constructs have shown improved performance in terms of binding affinity or therapeutic activity as anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticoagulant, and anticancer agents and their number is certainly bound to grow in the next future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (E.N.); (D.M.); (D.M.)
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, via Sergio Pansini, 5, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Ettore Napolitano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (E.N.); (D.M.); (D.M.)
| | - Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (E.N.); (D.M.); (D.M.)
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, CNR, via Mezzocannone 16, I-80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (E.N.); (D.M.); (D.M.)
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Development of Specific Inhibitors for Oncogenic Phosphatase PPM1D by Using Ion-Responsive DNA Aptamer Library. Catalysts 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/catal10101153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Ser/Thr protein phosphatase PPM1D is an oncogenic protein. In normal cells, however, PPM1D plays essential roles in spermatogenesis and immune response. Hence, it is necessary to develop novel PPM1D inhibitors without side effects on normal cells. Stimuli-responsive molecules are suitable for the spatiotemporal regulation of inhibitory activity. (2) Methods: In this study, we designed an ion-responsive DNA aptamer library based on G-quadruplex DNA that can change its conformation and function in response to monovalent cations. (3) Results: Using this library, we identified the PPM1D specific inhibitor M1D-Q5F aptamer. The M1D-Q5F aptamer showed anti-cancer activity against breast cancer MCF7 cells. Interestingly, the induction of the structural change resulting in the formation of G-quadruplex upon stimulation by monovalent cations led to the enhancement of the inhibitory activity and binding affinity of M1D-Q5F. (4) Conclusions: These data suggest that the M1D-Q5F aptamer may act as a novel stimuli-responsive anti-cancer agent.
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