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Akmal Shukri AM, Wang SM, Feng C, Chia SL, Mohd Nawi SFA, Citartan M. In silico selection of aptamers against SARS-CoV-2. Analyst 2024. [PMID: 39221970 DOI: 10.1039/d4an00812j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Aptamers are molecular recognition elements that have been extensively deployed in a wide array of applications ranging from diagnostics to therapeutics. Due to their unique properties as compared to antibodies, aptamers were also largely isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic for multiple purposes. Typically generated by conventional SELEX, the inherent drawbacks of the process including the time-consuming, cumbersome and resource-intensive nature catalysed the move to adopt in silico approaches to isolate aptamers. Impressive performances of these in silico-derived aptamers in their respective assays have been documented thus far, bearing testimony to the huge potential of the in silico approaches, akin to the traditional SELEX in isolating aptamers. In this study, we provide an overview of the in silico selection of aptamers against SARS-CoV-2 by providing insights into the basic steps involved, which comprise the selection of the initial single-stranded nucleic acids, determination of the secondary and tertiary structures and in silico approaches that include both rigid docking and molecular dynamics simulations. The different approaches involving aptamers against SARS-CoV-2 were illuminated and the need to verify these aptamers by experimental validation was also emphasized. Cognizant of the need to continuously improve aptamers, the strategies embraced thus far for post-in silico selection modifications were enumerated. Shedding light on the steps involved in the in silico selection can set the stage for further improvisation to augment the functionalities of the aptamers in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Muhaimin Akmal Shukri
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia.
- Institute of Medical Molecular Biotechnology (IMMB), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Seok Mui Wang
- Institute of Medical Molecular Biotechnology (IMMB), Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Selangor, Malaysia.
- Institute of Pathology, Laboratory and Forensic Medicine (I-PPerForM), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
- Non-Destructive Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Center, Smart Manufacturing Research Institute (SMRI), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chaoli Feng
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia.
| | - Suet Lin Chia
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- UPM-MAKNA Cancer Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Malaysia Genome and Vaccine Institute, National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia, Jalan Bangi, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Siti Farah Alwani Mohd Nawi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Marimuthu Citartan
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia.
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2
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Troisi R, Sica F. Structural overview of DNA and RNA G-quadruplexes in their interaction with proteins. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2024; 87:102846. [PMID: 38848656 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2024.102846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Since the discovery of G-quadruplex (G4) participation in vital cellular processes, the regulation of the interaction of naturally occurring G4s with the relative target proteins has emerged as a promising approach for therapeutic development. Additionally, a synthetic strategy has produced several oligonucleotide aptamers, embodying a G4 module, which exhibit relevant biological activity by binding selectively to a target protein. In this context, the G4-protein structures available in the Protein Data Bank represent a valuable molecular view of the different G4 topologies involved in protein interaction. Interestingly, recent results have shown the co-existence of G4s with other structural domains such as duplexes. Overall, these findings allow a better understanding of the mechanisms that regulate intricate biological functions and suggest new design for innovative medical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romualdo Troisi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant'Angelo, via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy. https://twitter.com/TroRom
| | - Filomena Sica
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant'Angelo, via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy.
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3
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Kraemer S, Schneider DJ, Paterson C, Perry D, Westacott MJ, Hagar Y, Katilius E, Lynch S, Russell TM, Johnson T, Astling DP, DeLisle RK, Cleveland J, Gold L, Drolet DW, Janjic N. Crossing the Halfway Point: Aptamer-Based, Highly Multiplexed Assay for the Assessment of the Proteome. J Proteome Res 2024. [PMID: 39038188 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.4c00411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Measuring responses in the proteome to various perturbations improves our understanding of biological systems. The value of information gained from such studies is directly proportional to the number of proteins measured. To overcome technical challenges associated with highly multiplexed measurements, we developed an affinity reagent-based method that uses aptamers with protein-like side chains along with an assay that takes advantage of their unique properties. As hybrid affinity reagents, modified aptamers are fully comparable to antibodies in terms of binding characteristics toward proteins, including epitope size, shape complementarity, affinity and specificity. Our assay combines these intrinsic binding properties with serial kinetic proofreading steps to allow highly effective partitioning of stable specific complexes from unstable nonspecific complexes. The use of these orthogonal methods to enhance specificity effectively overcomes the severe limitation to multiplexing inherent to the use of sandwich-based methods. Our assay currently measures half of the unique proteins encoded in the human genome with femtomolar sensitivity, broad dynamic range and exceptionally high reproducibility. Using machine learning to identify patterns of change, we have developed tests based on measurement of multiple proteins predictive of current health states and future disease risk to guide a holistic approach to precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Kraemer
- SomaLogic, 2495 Wilderness Place, Boulder, Colorado 80301, United States of America
| | - Daniel J Schneider
- SomaLogic, 2495 Wilderness Place, Boulder, Colorado 80301, United States of America
| | - Clare Paterson
- SomaLogic, 2495 Wilderness Place, Boulder, Colorado 80301, United States of America
| | - Darryl Perry
- SomaLogic, 2495 Wilderness Place, Boulder, Colorado 80301, United States of America
| | - Matthew J Westacott
- SomaLogic, 2495 Wilderness Place, Boulder, Colorado 80301, United States of America
| | - Yolanda Hagar
- SomaLogic, 2495 Wilderness Place, Boulder, Colorado 80301, United States of America
| | - Evaldas Katilius
- SomaLogic, 2495 Wilderness Place, Boulder, Colorado 80301, United States of America
| | - Sean Lynch
- SomaLogic, 2495 Wilderness Place, Boulder, Colorado 80301, United States of America
| | - Theresa M Russell
- SomaLogic, 2495 Wilderness Place, Boulder, Colorado 80301, United States of America
| | - Ted Johnson
- SomaLogic, 2495 Wilderness Place, Boulder, Colorado 80301, United States of America
| | - David P Astling
- SomaLogic, 2495 Wilderness Place, Boulder, Colorado 80301, United States of America
| | - Robert Kirk DeLisle
- SomaLogic, 2495 Wilderness Place, Boulder, Colorado 80301, United States of America
| | - Jason Cleveland
- SomaLogic, 2495 Wilderness Place, Boulder, Colorado 80301, United States of America
| | - Larry Gold
- SomaLogic, 2495 Wilderness Place, Boulder, Colorado 80301, United States of America
| | - Daniel W Drolet
- SomaLogic, 2495 Wilderness Place, Boulder, Colorado 80301, United States of America
| | - Nebojsa Janjic
- SomaLogic, 2495 Wilderness Place, Boulder, Colorado 80301, United States of America
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4
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Chatterjee D, Bhattacharya S, Kumari L, Datta A. Aptamers: ushering in new hopes in targeted glioblastoma therapy. J Drug Target 2024:1-24. [PMID: 38923419 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2024.2373306] [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: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma, a formidable brain cancer, has remained a therapeutic challenge due to its aggressive nature and resistance to conventional treatments. Recent data indicate that aptamers, short synthetic DNA or RNA molecules can be used in anti-cancer therapy due to their better tumour penetration, specific binding affinity, longer retention in tumour sites and their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. With the ability to modify these oligonucleotides through the selection process, and using rational design to modify them, post-SELEX aptamers offer several advantages in glioblastoma treatment, including precise targeting of cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. This review discusses the pivotal role of aptamers in glioblastoma therapy and diagnosis, emphasising their potential to enhance treatment efficacy and also highlights recent advancements in aptamer-based therapies which can transform the landscape of glioblastoma treatment, offering renewed hope to patients and clinicians alike.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debarpan Chatterjee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, NSHM Knowledge Campus, Kolkata-Group of Institutions, Kolkata, India
| | - Srijan Bhattacharya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, NSHM Knowledge Campus, Kolkata-Group of Institutions, Kolkata, India
| | - Leena Kumari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, NSHM Knowledge Campus, Kolkata-Group of Institutions, Kolkata, India
| | - Aparna Datta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, NSHM Knowledge Campus, Kolkata-Group of Institutions, Kolkata, India
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5
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Li S, Wang H, Xiong S, Liu J, Sun S. Targeted Delivery Strategies for Multiple Myeloma and Their Adverse Drug Reactions. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:832. [PMID: 39065683 PMCID: PMC11279695 DOI: 10.3390/ph17070832] [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: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Currently, multiple myeloma (MM) is a prevalent hematopoietic system malignancy, known for its insidious onset and unfavorable prognosis. Recently developed chemotherapy drugs for MM have exhibited promising therapeutic outcomes. Nevertheless, to overcome the shortcomings of traditional clinical drug treatment, such as off-target effects, multiple drug resistance, and systemic toxicity, targeted drug delivery systems are optimizing the conventional pharmaceuticals for precise delivery to designated sites at controlled rates, striving for maximal efficacy and safety, presenting a promising approach for MM treatment. This review will delve into the outstanding performance of antibody-drug conjugates, peptide-drug conjugates, aptamer-drug conjugates, and nanocarrier drug delivery systems in preclinical studies or clinical trials for MM and monitor their adverse reactions during treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuting Li
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China; (S.L.); (H.W.); (S.X.); (J.L.)
| | - Hongjie Wang
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China; (S.L.); (H.W.); (S.X.); (J.L.)
| | - Shijun Xiong
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China; (S.L.); (H.W.); (S.X.); (J.L.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Hematology, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China; (S.L.); (H.W.); (S.X.); (J.L.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Hematology, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Shuming Sun
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China; (S.L.); (H.W.); (S.X.); (J.L.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Hematology, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
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6
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Santarpia G, Carnes E. Therapeutic Applications of Aptamers. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6742. [PMID: 38928448 PMCID: PMC11204156 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126742] [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: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Affinity reagents, or target-binding molecules, are quite versatile and are major workhorses in molecular biology and medicine. Antibodies are the most famous and frequently used type and they have been used for a wide range of applications, including laboratory techniques, diagnostics, and therapeutics. However, antibodies are not the only available affinity reagents and they do have significant drawbacks, including laborious and costly production. Aptamers are one potential alternative that have a variety of unique advantages. They are single stranded DNA or RNA molecules that can be selected for binding to many targets including proteins, carbohydrates, and small molecules-for which antibodies typically have low affinity. There are also a variety of cost-effective methods for producing and modifying nucleic acids in vitro without cells, whereas antibodies typically require cells or even whole animals. While there are also significant drawbacks to using aptamers in therapeutic applications, including low in vivo stability, aptamers have had success in clinical trials for treating a variety of diseases and two aptamer-based drugs have gained FDA approval. Aptamer development is still ongoing, which could lead to additional applications of aptamer therapeutics, including antitoxins, and combinatorial approaches with nanoparticles and other nucleic acid therapeutics that could improve efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Santarpia
- College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Eric Carnes
- College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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7
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Requena MD, Yan A, Llanga T, Sullenger BA. Reversible Aptamer Staining, Sorting, and Cleaning of Cells (Clean FACS) with Antidote Oligonucleotide or Nuclease Yields Fully Responsive Cells. Nucleic Acid Ther 2024; 34:12-17. [PMID: 38285522 PMCID: PMC11302193 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2023.0050] [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: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The ability to reverse the binding of aptamers to their target proteins has received considerable attention for developing controllable therapeutic agents. Recently, use of aptamers as reversible cell-sorting ligands has also sparked interest. Antibodies are currently utilized for isolating cells expressing a particular cell surface receptor. The inability to remove antibodies from isolated cells following sorting greatly limits their utility for many applications. Previously, we described how a particular aptamer-antidote oligonucleotide pair can isolate cells and clean them. Here, we demonstrate that this approach is generalizable; aptamers can simultaneously recognize more than one cell type during fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS). Moreover, we describe a novel approach to reverse aptamer binding following cell sorting using a nuclease. This alternative strategy represents a cleaning approach that does not require the generation of antidote oligonucleotides for each aptamer and will greatly reduce the cost and expand the utility of Clean FACS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin D. Requena
- Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- University Program in Genetics and Genomics, and Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Amy Yan
- Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Telmo Llanga
- Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Bruce A. Sullenger
- Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- University Program in Genetics and Genomics, and Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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8
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Martin DR, Mutombwera AT, Madiehe AM, Onani MO, Meyer M, Cloete R. Molecular modeling and simulation studies of SELEX-derived high-affinity DNA aptamers to the Ebola virus nucleoprotein. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024:1-18. [PMID: 38217874 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2024.2302922] [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: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Ebola viral disease (EVD) is a highly infectious and potentially fatal illness with a case fatality rate ranging from 25% to 90%. To effectively control its spread, there is a need for rapid, reliable and lowcost point-of-care (P OC) diagnostic tests. While various EVD diagnostic tests exist, few are P OC tests, and many are not cost-effective. The use of antibodies in these tests has limitations, prompting the exploration of aptamers as potential alternatives. Various proteins from the Ebola virus (EBOV) proteome, including EBOV nucleoprotein (NP), are considered viable targets for diagnostic assays. A previous study identified three aptamers (Apt1. Apt2 and Apt3) with high affinity for EBOV NP using systemic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). This study aimed to employ in silico methods, such as Phyre2, RNAfold, RNAComposer, HADDOCK and GROMACS, to model the structures of EBOV NP and the aptamers, and to investigate their binding. The in silico analysis revealed successful binding of all the three aptamers to EBOV NP, with a suggested ranking of Apt1 > Apt2 > Apt3 based on binding affinity. Microscale thermophoresis (MST) analysis confirmed the binding, providing dissociation constants of 25 ± 2.84, 56 ± 2.76 and 140 ±3.69 nM for Apt1, Apt2 and Apt3, respectively. The study shows that the findings of the in silico analysis was in agreement with the MST analysis. Inclusion of these in silico approaches in diagnostic assay development can expedite the selection of candidate aptamers, potentially overcoming challenges associated with aptamer application in diagnostics.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- D R Martin
- Department of Science and Innovation/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Biolabels Node, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council Bioinformatics Unit, South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI), University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa Cape Town, South Africa
| | - A T Mutombwera
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - A M Madiehe
- Department of Science and Innovation/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Biolabels Node, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
- Nanobiotechnology Research Group, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - M O Onani
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - M Meyer
- Department of Science and Innovation/Mintek Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Biolabels Node, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - R Cloete
- South African Medical Research Council Bioinformatics Unit, South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI), University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa Cape Town, South Africa
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9
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Majumdar B, Sarma D, Yu Y, Lozoya-Colinas A, Chaput JC. Increasing the functional density of threose nucleic acid. RSC Chem Biol 2024; 5:41-48. [PMID: 38179195 PMCID: PMC10763562 DOI: 10.1039/d3cb00159h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemical strategies that augment genetic polymers with amino acid residues that are overrepresented on the paratope surface of an antibody offer a promising route for enhancing the binding properties of nucleic acid aptamers. Here, we describe the chemical synthesis of α-l-threofuranosyl cytidine nucleoside triphosphate (tCTP) carrying either a benzyl or phenylpropyl side chain at the pyrimidine C-5 position. Polymerase recognition studies indicate that both substrates are readily incorporated into a full-length α-l-threofuranosyl nucleic acid (TNA) product by extension of a DNA primer-template duplex with an engineered TNA polymerase. Similar primer extension reactions performed using nucleoside triphosphate mixtures containing both C-5 modified tCTP and C-5 modified tUTP substrates enable the production of doubly modified TNA strands for a panel of 20 chemotype combinations. Kinetic measurements reveal faster on-rates (kon) and tighter binding affinity constants (Kd) for engineered versions of TNA aptamers carrying chemotypes at both pyrimidine positions as compared to their singly modified counterparts. These findings expand the chemical space of evolvable non-natural genetic polymers by offering a path for improving the quality of biologically stable TNA aptamers for future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biju Majumdar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine CA 92697-3958 USA +1 949-824-8149
| | - Daisy Sarma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine CA 92697-3958 USA +1 949-824-8149
| | - Yutong Yu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine CA 92697-3958 USA +1 949-824-8149
| | - Adriana Lozoya-Colinas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine CA 92697-3958 USA +1 949-824-8149
| | - John C Chaput
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine CA 92697-3958 USA +1 949-824-8149
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine CA 92697-3958 USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine CA 92697-3958 USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Irvine CA 92697-3958 USA
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10
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Autiero I, Vitagliano L. Enhanced molecular dynamic simulation studies unravel long-range effects caused by sequence variations and partner binding in RNA aptamers. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 34:102039. [PMID: 37869259 PMCID: PMC10585333 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.102039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Intrinsic flexibility and structural modularity are two common features of RNA molecules. Although functionally crucial, RNA plasticity often represents a major complication in high-resolution structural studies. To overcome this problem, RNAs may be rigidified through the complexation with high-affinity partners such as Fab molecules. This approach has been previously used to characterize the DIR2-aptamer. However, possible perturbations induced by the insertion of the Fab binding site on the DIR2-aptamer conformational properties were not investigated. Here, using enhanced molecular dynamics simulations, we compared the dynamics of the DIR2 aptamer holding the Fab binding site with that of the parental sequence. Our results suggest that the L2-loop modification for the Fab recognition leads to a significant increase in local flexibility that also affects the mobility of distant regions. The trajectories provide clear indications of the groups and the interactions mediating the dynamics transfer in DIR2. The effectiveness of our approach in addressing RNA flexibility was further corroborated by showing its ability to reproduce the most important events affecting the NF-κB RNA aptamer upon dissociation from the partner. Therefore, REMD analyses, a rarely adopted technique to unravel the structural/dynamical properties of aptamers, could efficiently complement experimental data guiding the rational design of nucleic acid therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Autiero
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Vitagliano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
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11
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Lozoya-Colinas A, Yu Y, Chaput JC. Functionally Enhanced XNA Aptamers Discovered by Parallelized Library Screening. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:25789-25796. [PMID: 37962593 PMCID: PMC10690791 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c09497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
In vitro evolution strategies have been used for >30 years to generate nucleic acid aptamers against therapeutic targets of interest, including disease-associated proteins. However, this process requires many iterative cycles of selection and amplification, which severely restricts the number of target and library design combinations that can be explored in parallel. Here, we describe a single-round screening approach to aptamer discovery that relies on function-enhancing chemotypes to increase the distribution of high-affinity sequences in a random-sequence library. We demonstrate the success of de novo discovery by affinity selection of threomers against the receptor binding domain of the S1 protein from SARS-CoV-2. Detailed biochemical characterization of the enriched population identified threomers with binding affinity values that are comparable to aptamers produced by conventional SELEX. This work establishes a highly parallelizable path for querying diverse chemical repertoires and may offer a viable route for accelerating the discovery of therapeutic aptamers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Lozoya-Colinas
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-3958, United States
| | - Yutong Yu
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-3958, United States
| | - John C. Chaput
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-3958, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California,
Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-3958, United States
- Department
of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University
of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-3958, United States
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-3958, United States
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12
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Ji C, Wei J, Zhang L, Hou X, Tan J, Yuan Q, Tan W. Aptamer-Protein Interactions: From Regulation to Biomolecular Detection. Chem Rev 2023; 123:12471-12506. [PMID: 37931070 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Serving as the basis of cell life, interactions between nucleic acids and proteins play essential roles in fundamental cellular processes. Aptamers are unique single-stranded oligonucleotides generated by in vitro evolution methods, possessing the ability to interact with proteins specifically. Altering the structure of aptamers will largely modulate their interactions with proteins and further affect related cellular behaviors. Recently, with the in-depth research of aptamer-protein interactions, the analytical assays based on their interactions have been widely developed and become a powerful tool for biomolecular detection. There are some insightful reviews on aptamers applied in protein detection, while few systematic discussions are from the perspective of regulating aptamer-protein interactions. Herein, we comprehensively introduce the methods for regulating aptamer-protein interactions and elaborate on the detection techniques for analyzing aptamer-protein interactions. Additionally, this review provides a broad summary of analytical assays based on the regulation of aptamer-protein interactions for detecting biomolecules. Finally, we present our perspectives regarding the opportunities and challenges of analytical assays for biological analysis, aiming to provide guidance for disease mechanism research and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cailing Ji
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Junyuan Wei
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Xinru Hou
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Jie Tan
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Quan Yuan
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Weihong Tan
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
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13
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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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14
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Lin Y, Chen CY, Ku YC, Wang LC, Hung CC, Lin ZQ, Chen BH, Hung JT, Sun YC, Hung KF. A modified SELEX approach to identify DNA aptamers with binding specificity to the major histocompatibility complex presenting ovalbumin model antigen. RSC Adv 2023; 13:32681-32693. [PMID: 37936644 PMCID: PMC10626974 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra04686a] [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: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers have sparked significant interest in cell recognition because of their superior binding specificity and biocompatibility. Cell recognition can be mediated by targeting the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) that presents short peptides derived from intracellular antigens. Although numerous antibodies have demonstrated a specific affinity for the peptide-MHC complex, the number of aptamers that exhibit comparable characteristics is limited. Aptamers are usually selected from large libraries via the Systemic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX), an iterative process of selection and PCR amplification to enrich a pool of aptamers with high affinity. However, the success rate of aptamer identification is low, possibly due to the presence of complementary sequences or sequences rich in guanine and cytosine that are less accessible for primers. Here, we modified SELEX by employing systemic consecutive selections with minimal PCR amplification. We also modified the analysis by selecting aptamers that were identified in multiple selection rounds rather than those that are highly enriched. Using this approach, we were able to identify two aptamers with binding specificity to cells expressing the ovalbumin alloantigen as a proof of concept. These two aptamers were also discovered among the top 150 abundant candidates, despite not being highly enriched, by performing conventional SELEX. Additionally, we found that highly enriched aptamers tend to contain fractions of the primer sequence and have minimal target affinity. Candidate aptamers are easily missed in the conventional SELEX process. Therefore, our modification for SELEX may facilitate the identification of aptamers for more application in diverse biomedical fields. Significance: we modify the conventional method to improve the efficiency in the identification of the aptamer, a single strand of nucleic acid with binding specificity to the target molecule, showing as a proof of concept that this approach is particularly useful to select aptamers that can selectively bind to cells presenting a particular peptide by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on the cell surface. Given that cancer cells may express mutant peptide-MHC complexes that are distinct from those expressed by normal cells, this study sheds light on the potential application of aptamers to cancer cell targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Lin
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital 201, Section 2, Shi-Pai Road Taipei 112 Taiwan +886-2-28712121-7382
| | - Cho-Yi Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Taipei Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chia Ku
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Taipei Taiwan
| | - Li-Chin Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Taipei Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chien Hung
- School of Computer Science, Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta GA USA
| | - Zhi-Qian Lin
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital 201, Section 2, Shi-Pai Road Taipei 112 Taiwan +886-2-28712121-7382
| | - Bing-Hong Chen
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital 201, Section 2, Shi-Pai Road Taipei 112 Taiwan +886-2-28712121-7382
| | | | - Yi-Chen Sun
- School of Medicine, Tzu-Chi University Hualien Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, The Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation New Taipei City Taiwan
| | - Kai-Feng Hung
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital 201, Section 2, Shi-Pai Road Taipei 112 Taiwan +886-2-28712121-7382
- Department of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Taipei Taiwan
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15
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Park JY, Cho YL, Chae JR, Lee JH, Kang WJ. Enhancement of in vivo targeting properties of ErbB2 aptamer by chemical modification. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291624. [PMID: 37729138 PMCID: PMC10511116 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers have great potential for diagnostics and therapeutics due to high specificity to target molecules. However, studies have shown that aptamers are rapidly distributed and excreted from blood circulation due to nuclease degradation. To overcome this issue and to improve in vivo pharmacokinetic properties, inverted deoxythymidine (idT) incorporation at the end of aptamer has been developed. The goal of this study was to evaluate the biological characterization of 3'-idT modified ErbB2 aptamer and compare with that of unmodified aptamer via nuclear imaging. ErbB2-idT aptamer was labeled with radioisotope F-18 by base-pair hybridization using complementary oligonucleotide platform. The hyErbB2-idT aptamer demonstrated specific binding to targets in a ErbB2 expressing SK-BR-3 and KPL4 cells in vitro. Ex vivo biodistribution and in vivo imaging was studied in KPL4 xenograft bearing Balb/c nu/nu mice. 18F-hyErbB2-idT aptamer had significantly higher retention in the tumor (1.36 ± 0.17%ID/g) than unmodified 18F-hyErbB2 (0.98 ± 0.19%ID/g) or scrambled aptamer (0.79 ± 0.26% ID/g) at 1 h post-injection. 18F-hyErbB2-idT aptamer exhibited relatively slow blood clearance and delayed excretion by the renal and hepatobiliary system than 18F-hyErbB2 aptamer. In vivo PET imaging study showed that 18F-hyErbB2-idT aptamer had more stronger PET signals on KPL4 tumor than 18F-hyErbB2 aptamer. The results of this study demonstrate that attachment of idT at 3'-end of aptamer have a substantial influence on biological stability and extended blood circulation led to enhanced tumor uptake of aptamer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Young Park
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye Lim Cho
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Ri Chae
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Hwan Lee
- INTEROligo Corporation, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Jun Kang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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16
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Gelinas AD, Tan TK, Liu S, Jaramillo JG, Chadwick J, Harding AC, Zhang C, Ream BE, Chase CN, Otis MR, Lee T, Schneider DJ, James WS, Janjic N. Broadly neutralizing aptamers to SARS-CoV-2: A diverse panel of modified DNA antiviral agents. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 31:370-382. [PMID: 36714461 PMCID: PMC9859636 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Since its discovery, COVID-19 has rapidly spread across the globe and has had a massive toll on human health, with infection mortality rates as high as 10%, and a crippling impact on the world economy. Despite numerous advances, there remains an urgent need for accurate and rapid point-of-care diagnostic tests and better therapeutic treatment options. To contribute chemically distinct, non-protein-based affinity reagents, we report here the identification of modified DNA-based aptamers that selectively bind to the S1, S2, or receptor-binding domain of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein. Several aptamers inhibit the binding of the spike protein to its cell-surface receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and neutralize authentic SARS-CoV-2 virus in vitro, including all variants of concern. With a high degree of nuclease resistance imparted by the base modifications, these reagents represent a new class of molecules with potential for further development as diagnostics or therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy D. Gelinas
- SomaLogic, Inc., 2945 Wilderness Place, Boulder, CO 80301, USA
| | - Tiong Kit Tan
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Sai Liu
- James & Lillian Martin Centre, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Javier G. Jaramillo
- James & Lillian Martin Centre, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - James Chadwick
- James & Lillian Martin Centre, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Adam C. Harding
- James & Lillian Martin Centre, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Chi Zhang
- SomaLogic, Inc., 2945 Wilderness Place, Boulder, CO 80301, USA
| | - Brian E. Ream
- SomaLogic, Inc., 2945 Wilderness Place, Boulder, CO 80301, USA
| | | | - Matthew R. Otis
- SomaLogic, Inc., 2945 Wilderness Place, Boulder, CO 80301, USA
| | - Thomas Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, JSCBB, C1B90, 3415 Colorado Avenue, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | | | - William S. James
- James & Lillian Martin Centre, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
- Corresponding author William S. James, James & Lillian Martin Centre, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK.
| | - Nebojsa Janjic
- SomaLogic, Inc., 2945 Wilderness Place, Boulder, CO 80301, USA
- Corresponding author Nebojsa Janjic, SomaLogic, Inc., 2945 Wilderness Place, Boulder, CO 80301, USA.
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17
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Shien Yeoh T, Yusof Hazrina H, Bukari BA, Tang TH, Citartan M. Generation of an RNA aptamer against LipL32 of Leptospira isolated by Tripartite-hybrid SELEX coupled with in-house Python-aided unbiased data sorting. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 81:117186. [PMID: 36812779 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117186] [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: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a potentially life-threatening zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira. The major hurdle of the diagnosis of Leptospirosis lies in the issues associated with current methods of detection, which are time-consuming, tedious and the need for sophisticated, special equipments. Restrategizing the diagnostics of Leptospirosis may involve considerations of the direct detection of the outer membrane protein, which can be faster, cost-saving and require fewer equipments. One such promising marker is LipL32, which is an antigen with high amino acid sequence conservation among all the pathogenic strains. In this study, we endeavored to isolate an aptamer against LipL32 protein via a modified SELEX strategy known as tripartite-hybrid SELEX, based on 3 different partitioning strategies. In this study, we also demonstrated the deconvolution of the candidate aptamers by using in-house Python-aided unbiased data sorting in examining multiple parameters to isolate potent aptamers. We have successfully generated an RNA aptamer against LipL32 of Leptospira, LepRapt-11, which is applicable in a simple direct ELASA for the detection of LipL32. LepRapt-11 can be a promising molecular recognition element for the diagnosis of leptospirosis by targeting LipL32.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzi Shien Yeoh
- Department of Biomedical Science, Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Hamdani Yusof Hazrina
- Department of Biomedical Science, Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Bakhtiar A Bukari
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, 3216 Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thean-Hock Tang
- Department of Biomedical Science, Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Marimuthu Citartan
- Department of Biomedical Science, Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia.
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18
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Modulating T Cell Responses by Targeting CD3. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041189. [PMID: 36831533 PMCID: PMC9953819 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Harnessing the immune system to fight cancer has become a reality with the clinical success of immune-checkpoint blockade (ICB) antibodies against PD(L)-1 and CTLA-4. However, not all cancer patients respond to ICB. Thus, there is a need to modulate the immune system through alternative strategies for improving clinical responses to ICB. The CD3-T cell receptor (TCR) is the canonical receptor complex on T cells. It provides the "first signal" that initiates T cell activation and determines the specificity of the immune response. The TCR confers the binding specificity whilst the CD3 subunits facilitate signal transduction necessary for T cell activation. While the mechanisms through which antigen sensing and signal transduction occur in the CD3-TCR complex are still under debate, recent revelations regarding the intricate 3D structure of the CD3-TCR complex might open the possibility of modulating its activity by designing targeted drugs and tools, including aptamers. In this review, we summarize the basis of CD3-TCR complex assembly and survey the clinical and preclinical therapeutic tools available to modulate CD3-TCR function for potentiating cancer immunotherapy.
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19
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Wu D, Feagin T, Mage P, Rangel A, Wan L, Kong D, Li A, Coller J, Eisenstein M, Soh H. Flow-Cell-Based Technology for Massively Parallel Characterization of Base-Modified DNA Aptamers. Anal Chem 2023; 95:2645-2652. [PMID: 36693249 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c04777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Aptamers incorporating chemically modified bases can achieve superior affinity and specificity compared to natural aptamers, but their characterization remains a labor-intensive, low-throughput task. Here, we describe the "non-natural aptamer array" (N2A2) system, in which a minimally modified Illumina MiSeq instrument is used for the high-throughput generation and characterization of large libraries of base-modified DNA aptamer candidates based on both target binding and specificity. We first demonstrate the capability to screen multiple different base modifications to identify the optimal chemistry for high-affinity target binding. We next use N2A2 to generate aptamers that can maintain excellent specificity even in complex samples, with equally strong target affinity in both buffer and diluted human serum. For both aptamers, affinity was formally calculated with gold-standard binding assays. Given that N2A2 requires only minor mechanical modifications to the MiSeq, we believe that N2A2 offers a broadly accessible tool for generating high-quality affinity reagents for diverse applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Wu
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Trevor Feagin
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Peter Mage
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Alexandra Rangel
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Leighton Wan
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Dehui Kong
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Anping Li
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - John Coller
- Stanford Functional Genomics Facility, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Michael Eisenstein
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States.,Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Hyongsok Soh
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States.,Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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20
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A review: Construction of aptamer screening methods based on improving the screening rate of key steps. Talanta 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.124003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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21
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Huang X, Wang M, Wu X, Zou Y, Xu J, Cao C, Ma Q, Yu B, Liu Y, Gui Y. Screening DNA aptamers that control the DNA cleavage, homology-directed repair, and transcriptional regulation of the CRISPR-(d)Cas9 system. Mol Ther 2023; 31:260-268. [PMID: 36245127 PMCID: PMC9840146 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.10.009] [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: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Accurate genome editing based on various molecular tools has always been the focus of gene-editing research and the primary goal for therapeutic application. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 system is a well-established gene-editing method that is preferred due to its simplicity and high efficiency. In this study, a group of single-stranded DNA aptamers with high affinity and high specificity for the Cas9 protein were obtained by the systematic evolution of ligands through the exponential enrichment method. Their binding affinity and possible binding domains to the Cas9 protein were analyzed. In addition, we demonstrated the effectiveness of aptamers in regulating dCas9-modulated gene transcription, in terms of both transcriptional activation and repression. Additionally, the aptamers successfully reduced the off-target effect and improved the efficiency of gene homologous recombination repair mediated by CRISPR-Cas9. The findings suggest a potential method to better control precise gene editing and enrich the diversity of modulating tools for the CRISPR-Cas9 system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinbo Huang
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518000, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518039, China; Department of Dermatology, Institute of Dermatology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen 518036, China
| | - Mingxia Wang
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Xia Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Institute of Dermatology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen 518036, China
| | - Yanfen Zou
- Department of Dermatology, Institute of Dermatology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen 518036, China
| | - Jinming Xu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518039, China
| | - Congcong Cao
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518000, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518039, China
| | - Qian Ma
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Bo Yu
- Department of Dermatology, Institute of Dermatology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen 518036, China.
| | - Yuchen Liu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Systems Biology and Synthetic Biology for Urogenital Tumors, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518039, China.
| | - Yaoting Gui
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518000, China.
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22
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The Research Advances of Aptamers in Hematologic Malignancies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15010300. [PMID: 36612296 PMCID: PMC9818631 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, research for hematological malignancies is very intensive, with many breakthroughs. Among them, aptamer-based targeted therapies could be counted. Aptamer is a targeting tool with many unique advantages (easy synthesis, low toxicity, easy modification, low immunogenicity, nano size, long stability, etc.), therefore many experts screened corresponding aptamers in various hematological malignancies for diagnosis and treatment. In this review, we try to summarize and provide the recent progress of aptamer research in the diagnosis and treatment of hematologic malignancies. Until now, 29 aptamer studies were reported in hematologic malignancies, of which 12 aptamers were tested in vivo and the remaining 17 aptamers were only tested in vitro. In this case, 11 aptamers were combined with chemotherapeutic drugs for the treatment of hematologic malignancies, 4 aptamers were used in combination with nanomaterials for the diagnosis and treatment of hematologic malignancies, and some studies used aptamers for the targeted transportation of siRNA and miRNA for targeted therapeutic effects. Their research provides multiple approaches to achieve more targeted goals. These findings show promising and encouraging future for both hematological malignancies basic and clinical trials research.
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23
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Liu X, Chen X, Dong Y, Zhang C, Qu X, Lei Y, Jiang Z, Wei X. Multiple virus sorting based on aptamer-modified microspheres in a TSAW device. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2023; 9:64. [PMID: 37213822 PMCID: PMC10192341 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-023-00523-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Due to the overlapping epidemiology and clinical manifestations of flaviviruses, differential diagnosis of these viral diseases is complicated, and the results are unreliable. There is perpetual demand for a simplified, sensitive, rapid and inexpensive assay with less cross-reactivity. The ability to sort distinct virus particles from a mixture of biological samples is crucial for improving the sensitivity of diagnoses. Therefore, we developed a sorting system for the subsequent differential diagnosis of dengue and tick-borne encephalitis in the early stage. We employed aptamer-modified polystyrene (PS) microspheres with different diameters to specifically capture dengue virus (DENV) and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), and utilized a traveling surface acoustic wave (TSAW) device to accomplish microsphere sorting according to particle size. The captured viruses were then characterized by laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT‒PCR). The characterization results indicated that the acoustic sorting process was effective and damage-free for subsequent analysis. Furthermore, the strategy can be utilized for sample pretreatment in the differential diagnosis of viral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianglian Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 China
| | - Xuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 China
| | - Yangchao Dong
- Department of Microbiology, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, 710032 China
| | - Chuanyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 China
| | - Xiaoli Qu
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 China
| | - Yingfeng Lei
- Department of Microbiology, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, 710032 China
| | - Zhuangde Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 China
| | - Xueyong Wei
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 China
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Shraim AS, Abdel Majeed BA, Al-Binni M, Hunaiti A. Therapeutic Potential of Aptamer-Protein Interactions. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2022; 5:1211-1227. [PMID: 36524009 PMCID: PMC9745894 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.2c00156] [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: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides (RNA or DNA) with a typical length between 25 and 100 nucleotides which fold into three-dimensional structures capable of binding to target molecules. Specific aptamers can be isolated against a large variety of targets through efficient and relatively cheap methods, and they demonstrate target-binding affinities that sometimes surpass those of antibodies. Consequently, interest in aptamers has surged over the past three decades, and their application has shown promise in advancing knowledge in target analysis, designing therapeutic interventions, and bioengineering. With emphasis on their therapeutic applications, aptamers are emerging as a new innovative class of therapeutic agents with promising biochemical and biological properties. Aptamers have the potential of providing a feasible alternative to antibody- and small-molecule-based therapeutics given their binding specificity, stability, low toxicity, and apparent non-immunogenicity. This Review examines the general properties of aptamers and aptamer-protein interactions that help to understand their binding characteristics and make them important therapeutic candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ala’a S. Shraim
- Department
of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, 19328 Amman, Jordan
- Pharmacological
and Diagnostic Research Center (PDRC), Al-Ahliyya
Amman University, 19328 Amman, Jordan
| | - Bayan A. Abdel Majeed
- Department
of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, 19328 Amman, Jordan
- Pharmacological
and Diagnostic Research Center (PDRC), Al-Ahliyya
Amman University, 19328 Amman, Jordan
| | - Maysaa’
Adnan Al-Binni
- Department
of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, School of Science, The University of Jordan, 11942 Amman, Jordan
| | - Abdelrahim Hunaiti
- Department
of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, School of Science, The University of Jordan, 11942 Amman, Jordan
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25
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Cheng EL, Kacherovsky N, Pun SH. Aptamer-Based Traceless Multiplexed Cell Isolation Systems. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:44136-44146. [PMID: 36149728 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c11783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In both biomedical research and clinical cell therapy manufacturing, there is a need for cell isolation systems that recover purified cells in the absence of any selection agent. Reported traceless cell isolation methods using engineered antigen-binding fragments or aptamers have been limited to processing a single cell type at a time. There remains an unmet need for cell isolation processes that rapidly sort multiple target cell types. Here, we utilized two aptamers along with their designated complementary strands (reversal agents) to tracelessly isolate two cell types from a mixed cell population with one aptamer-labeling step and two sequential cell elution steps with reversal agents. We engineered a CD71-binding aptamer (rvCD71apt) and a reversal agent pair to be used simultaneously with our previously reported traceless purification approach using the CD8 aptamer (rvCD8apt) and its reversal agent. We verified the compatibility of the two aptamer displacement mechanisms by flow cytometry and the feasibility of incorporating rvCD71apt with a magnetic solid state. We then combined rvCD71apt with rvCD8apt to isolate activated CD4+ T cells and resting CD8+ cells by eluting these target cells into separate fractions with orthogonal strand displacements. This is the first demonstration of isolating different cell types using two aptamers and reversal agents at the same time. Potentially, different or more aptamers can be included in this traceless multiplexed isolation system for diverse applications with a shortened operation time and a lower production cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmeline L Cheng
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-5061, United States
| | - Nataly Kacherovsky
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-5061, United States
| | - Suzie H Pun
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-5061, United States
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26
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Kohlberger M, Gadermaier G. SELEX: Critical factors and optimization strategies for successful aptamer selection. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2022; 69:1771-1792. [PMID: 34427974 PMCID: PMC9788027 DOI: 10.1002/bab.2244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Within the last decade, the application range of aptamers in biochemistry and medicine has expanded rapidly. More than just a replacement for antibodies, these intrinsically structured RNA- or DNA-oligonucleotides show great potential for utilization in diagnostics, specific drug delivery, and treatment of certain medical conditions. However, what is analyzed less frequently is the process of aptamer identification known as systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) and the functional mechanisms that lie at its core. SELEX involves numerous singular processes, each of which contributes to the success or failure of aptamer generation. In this review, critical steps during aptamer selection are discussed in-depth, and specific problems are presented along with potential solutions. The discussed aspects include the size and molecule type of the selected target, the nature and stringency of the selection process, the amplification step with its possible PCR bias, the efficient regeneration of RNA or single-stranded DNA, and the different sequencing procedures and screening assays currently available. Finally, useful quality control steps and their role within SELEX are presented. By understanding the mechanisms through which aptamer selection is influenced, the design of more efficient SELEX procedures leading to a higher success rate in aptamer identification is enabled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kohlberger
- Department of BiosciencesParis Lodron University SalzburgSalzburgAustria,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Biosimilar CharacterizationParis Lodron University SalzburgSalzburgAustria
| | - Gabriele Gadermaier
- Department of BiosciencesParis Lodron University SalzburgSalzburgAustria,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Biosimilar CharacterizationParis Lodron University SalzburgSalzburgAustria
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27
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Recent advance of RNA aptamers and DNAzymes for MicroRNA detection. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 212:114423. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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28
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Cheng EL, Cardle II, Kacherovsky N, Bansia H, Wang T, Zhou Y, Raman J, Yen A, Gutierrez D, Salipante SJ, des Georges A, Jensen MC, Pun SH. Discovery of a Transferrin Receptor 1-Binding Aptamer and Its Application in Cancer Cell Depletion for Adoptive T-Cell Therapy Manufacturing. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:13851-13864. [PMID: 35875870 PMCID: PMC10024945 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c05349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The clinical manufacturing of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells includes cell selection, activation, gene transduction, and expansion. While the method of T-cell selection varies across companies, current methods do not actively eliminate the cancer cells in the patient's apheresis product from the healthy immune cells. Alarmingly, it has been found that transduction of a single leukemic B cell with the CAR gene can confer resistance to CAR T-cell therapy and lead to treatment failure. In this study, we report the identification of a novel high-affinity DNA aptamer, termed tJBA8.1, that binds transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), a receptor broadly upregulated by cancer cells. Using competition assays, high resolution cryo-EM, and de novo model building of the aptamer into the resulting electron density, we reveal that tJBA8.1 shares a binding site on TfR1 with holo-transferrin, the natural ligand of TfR1. We use tJBA8.1 to effectively deplete B lymphoma cells spiked into peripheral blood mononuclear cells with minimal impact on the healthy immune cell composition. Lastly, we present opportunities for affinity improvement of tJBA8.1. As TfR1 expression is broadly upregulated in many cancers, including difficult-to-treat T-cell leukemias and lymphomas, our work provides a facile, universal, and inexpensive approach for comprehensively removing cancerous cells from patient apheresis products for safe manufacturing of adoptive T-cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmeline L Cheng
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-5061, United States
| | - Ian I Cardle
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-5061, United States.,Seattle Children's Therapeutics, Seattle, Washington 98101, United States
| | - Nataly Kacherovsky
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-5061, United States
| | - Harsh Bansia
- Structural Biology Initiative, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, City University of New York, New York, New York 10031, United States
| | - Tong Wang
- Nanoscience Initiative, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, City University of New York, New York, New York 10031, United States
| | - Yunshi Zhou
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-5061, United States
| | - Jai Raman
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-5061, United States
| | - Albert Yen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-5061, United States
| | - Dominique Gutierrez
- Structural Biology Initiative, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, City University of New York, New York, New York 10031, United States.,Ph.D. Program in Biochemistry, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY), New York, New York 10016, United States
| | - Stephen J Salipante
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-7110, United States
| | - Amédée des Georges
- Structural Biology Initiative, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, City University of New York, New York, New York 10031, United States.,Ph.D. Programs in Biochemistry and Chemistry, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, New York 10016, United States.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, City College of New York, New York, New York 10031, United States
| | - Michael C Jensen
- Seattle Children's Therapeutics, Seattle, Washington 98101, United States.,Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | - Suzie H Pun
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-5061, United States
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Nucleic Acid Aptamers Emerging as Modulators of G-Protein-Coupled Receptors: Challenge to Difficult Cell Surface Proteins. Cells 2022; 11:cells11111825. [PMID: 35681520 PMCID: PMC9180700 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), among various cell surface proteins, are essential targets in the fields of basic science and drug discovery. The discovery and development of modulators for the receptors have provided deep insights into the mechanism of action of receptors and have led to a new therapeutic option for human diseases. Although various modulators against GPCRs have been developed to date, the identification of new modulators for GPCRs remains a challenge due to several technical problems and limitations. To overcome this situation, a variety of strategies have been developed by several modalities, including nucleic acid aptamers, which are emerging as unique molecules isolated by a repetitive selection process against various types of targets from an enormous combinatorial library. This review summarized the achievements in the development of aptamers targeting GPCRs, and discussed their isolation methods and the diverse functional features of aptamers against GPCRs.
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30
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Sun D, Xie J, Chen CJ, Liu JT. Analyzation of the binding mechanism and the isoelectric point of glycated albumin with self-assembled, aptamer-conjugated films by using surface plasmon resonance. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2022; 214:112445. [PMID: 35290823 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Glycated albumin(GA), a biomarker which has great potential to replace glycated hemoglobin in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, is being extensively studied by scientists, especially in preventive medicine. Aptamers, as novel probes, have attracted much attention due to their high specificity, wide storage conditions, and simple preparation. However, the interaction mechanism between GA and its aptamer is still unclear, hindering the progress of diabetic aptamer sensors into clinical testing. In this study, the interaction mechanism between GA and its aptamer was evaluated for the first time using surface plasmon resonance by changing the pH value, salt concentration and temperature. The successful preparation of the sensor chip is proved by the water contact angle, Atomic Force Microscope, and the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. This study shows that the pH can greatly affect the formation of a complex from the interaction between the aptamer and GA. The interaction mechanism between GA aptamer and GA was caused by electrostatic force. Otherwise, this is the first time to detect protein isoelectric point (pI) using SPR. This study provides an important reference for researchers of aptamer sensors from the perspective of detection environment, and promotes the use of aptamer sensors to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dapeng Sun
- Institute of Microelectronics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19 A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China; Research Center for Materials Science and Opti-Electronic Technology, College of Materials Science and Opti-Electronic Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19 A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jing Xie
- Institute of Microelectronics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19 A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ching-Jung Chen
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19 A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China; School of Opto-Electronic Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.
| | - Jen-Tsai Liu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19 A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China; Research Center for Materials Science and Opti-Electronic Technology, College of Materials Science and Opti-Electronic Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19 A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China.
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31
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Sargazi S, Er S, Mobashar A, Gelen SS, Rahdar A, Ebrahimi N, Hosseinikhah SM, Bilal M, Kyzas GZ. Aptamer-conjugated carbon-based nanomaterials for cancer and bacteria theranostics: A review. Chem Biol Interact 2022; 361:109964. [PMID: 35513013 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2022.109964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides that link to various substrates with great affinity and selectivity, including small molecules, peptides, proteins, cells, and tissues. For this reason, they can be used as imaging agents for cancer imaging techniques. Multifunctional nanomaterials combined with imaging probes and drugs are promising cancer diagnosis and treatment candidates. On the other hand, carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs), including such as fullerene, carbon nanotubes, carbon-based quantum dots, carbon nanohorns, graphene oxide and its derivatives carbon nanodots, and nanodiamonds, are sort of smart materials that can be used in a variety of theranostic applications, including photo-triggered therapies. The remarkable physical characteristics, functionalizable chemistry, biocompatibility, and optical properties of these nanoparticles have enabled their utilization in less-invasive therapies. The theranostic agents that emerged by combining aptamers with CNMs have opened a novel alternative for personified medicine of cancer, target-specific imaging, and label-free diagnosis of a broad range of cancers, as well as pathogens. Aptamer-functionalized CNMs have been used as nanovesicles for targeted delivery of anti-cancer agents (i.e., doxorubicin and 5-fluorouracil) to tumor sites. Furthermore, these CNMs conjugated with aptamers have shown great advantages over standard CNMs to sensitively detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Escherichia coli, staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Citrobacter freundii. Regrettably, CNMs can form compounds defined as NOAA (nano-objects, and their aggregates and agglomerates larger than 100 nm), that accumulate in the body and cause toxic effects. Surface modification and pretreatment with albumin avoid agglomeration and increase the dispersibility of CNMs, so it is needed to guarantee the desirable interactions between functionalized CNMs and blood plasma proteins. This preliminary review aimed to comprehensively discuss the features and uses of aptamer-conjugated CNMs to manage cancer and bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saman Sargazi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute of Cellular and Molecular Sciences in Infectious Diseases, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, 98167-43463, Iran
| | - Simge Er
- Ege University Faculty of Science Biochemistry Department, 35100, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Aisha Mobashar
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sultan Sacide Gelen
- Ege University Faculty of Science Biochemistry Department, 35100, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Abbas Rahdar
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Zabol, 538-98615, Zabol, Iran.
| | - Narges Ebrahimi
- School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Maryam Hosseinikhah
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Muhammad Bilal
- School of Life Science and Food Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003, China
| | - George Z Kyzas
- Department of Chemistry, International Hellenic University, Kavala, 65404, Greece.
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Abstract
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 triggering the COVID-19 pandemic ranks as arguably the greatest medical emergency of the last century. COVID-19 has highlighted health disparities both within and between countries and will leave a lasting impact on global society. Nonetheless, substantial investment in life sciences over recent decades has facilitated a rapid scientific response with innovations in viral characterization, testing, and sequencing. Perhaps most remarkably, this permitted the development of highly effective vaccines, which are being distributed globally at unprecedented speed. In contrast, drug treatments for the established disease have delivered limited benefits so far. Innovative and rapid approaches in the design and execution of large-scale clinical trials and repurposing of existing drugs have saved many lives; however, many more remain at risk. In this review we describe challenges and unmet needs, discuss existing therapeutics, and address future opportunities. Consideration is given to factors that have hindered drug development in order to support planning for the next pandemic challenge and to allow rapid and cost-effective development of new therapeutics with equitable delivery.
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Yunn NO, Lee J, Lee HS, Oh EJ, Park M, Park S, Jin SY, Shin E, Lee JWY, Kim Y, Bae SS, Ryu SH. An aptamer agonist of the insulin receptor acts as a positive or negative allosteric modulator, depending on its concentration. Exp Mol Med 2022; 54:531-541. [PMID: 35478209 PMCID: PMC9076861 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-022-00760-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are widely used as binders that interact with targets with high affinity or as inhibitors of the function of target molecules. However, they have also been used to modulate target protein function, which they achieve by activating the target or stabilizing its conformation. Here, we report a unique aptamer modulator of the insulin receptor (IR), IR-A62. Alone, IR-A62 acts as a biased agonist that preferentially induces Y1150 monophosphorylation of IR. However, when administered alongside insulin, IR-A62 shows variable binding cooperativity depending on the ligand concentration. At low concentrations, IR-A62 acts as a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) agonist that enhances insulin binding, but at high concentrations, it acts as a negative allosteric modulator (NAM) agonist that competes with insulin for IR. Moreover, the concentration of insulin affects the binding of IR-A62 to IR. Finally, the subcutaneous administration of IR-A62 to diabetic mice reduces blood glucose levels with a longer-lasting effect than insulin administration. These findings imply that aptamers can elicit various responses from receptors beyond those of a simple agonist or inhibitor. We expect further studies of IR-A62 to help reveal the mechanism of IR activation and greatly expand the range of therapeutic applications of aptamers. Studying how an aptamer, a short section of RNA or DNA, affects the interaction of insulin with its membrane receptor protein offers further insights into aptamers in general. Aptamers can bind with high specificity and affinity to many target molecules, and affect the activity of many proteins. Researchers in South Korea led by Sun Sik Bae at Pusan National University and Sung Ho Ryu at Pohang University of Science and Technology explored the interaction of the aptamer IR-A62 with the membrane protein that binds to and responds to insulin. Whether IR-A62 activated or inhibited insulin’s interaction and effects depended on both the aptamer and insulin concentrations. While increasing understanding of the insulin receptor protein, investigating this subtly variable effect could more generally refine and expand the use of aptamers in medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na-Oh Yunn
- Postech Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Jimin Lee
- The Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Sun Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Ju Oh
- Postech Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Mangeun Park
- Postech Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongeun Park
- Postech Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Seo Yeon Jin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Euisu Shin
- Aptamer Sciences, Inc., Seongnam, 13605, Republic of Korea
| | - Jo Woon Yi Lee
- Aptamer Sciences, Inc., Seongnam, 13605, Republic of Korea
| | - Youndong Kim
- Aptamer Sciences, Inc., Seongnam, 13605, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Sik Bae
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sung Ho Ryu
- The Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea.
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Adegoke O, Daeid NN. Alloyed AuFeZnSe quantum dots@gold nanorod nanocomposite as an ultrasensitive and selective plasmon-amplified fluorescence OFF-ON aptasensor for arsenic (III). J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2021.113755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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35
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Reed CR, Bonadonna D, Otto JC, McDaniel CG, Chabata CV, Kuchibhatla M, Frederiksen J, Layzer JM, Arepally GM, Sullenger BA, Tracy ET. Aptamer-based factor IXa inhibition preserves hemostasis and prevents thrombosis in a piglet model of ECMO. MOLECULAR THERAPY - NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 27:524-534. [PMID: 35036063 PMCID: PMC8728519 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) requires anticoagulation to prevent clotting when the patient’s blood contacts the circuit. Unfractionated heparin (UFH) usually prevents clotting but can cause life-threatening bleeding. An anticoagulant that selectively inhibits the contact activation (intrinsic) pathway while sparing the tissue factor (extrinsic) pathway of coagulation might prevent clotting triggered by the circuit while permitting physiologic coagulation at surgical sites. DTRI-178 is an RNA anticoagulant aptamer conjugated to polyethylene glycol that increases its half-life in circulation. This aptamer is based on a previously described molecule (9.3t) that inhibits intrinsic tenase activity by binding to factor IXa on an exosite. Using a piglet model of pediatric venoarterial (VA) ECMO, we compared thromboprevention and blood loss using a single dose of DTRI-178 versus UFH. In each of five experiments, we subjected two litter-matched piglets, one anticoagulated with DTRI-178 and the other with UFH, to simultaneous 12-h periods of VA ECMO. Both anticoagulants achieved satisfactory and comparable thromboprotection. However, UFH piglets had increased surgical site bleeding and required significantly greater blood transfusion volumes than piglets anticoagulated with DTRI-178. Our results indicate that DTRI-178, an aptamer against factor IXa, may be feasible, safer, and result in fewer transfusions and clinical bleeding events in ECMO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R. Reed
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center and Health System, 2301 Erwin Road, Box 3443, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Corresponding author Christopher R. Reed, MD, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center and Health System, 2301 Erwin Road, Box 3443, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Desiree Bonadonna
- Extracorporeal Life Support, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - James C. Otto
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center and Health System, 2301 Erwin Road, Box 3443, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | | | - Charlene Vongai Chabata
- Departments of Surgery; and Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Maragatha Kuchibhatla
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - James Frederiksen
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center and Health System, 2301 Erwin Road, Box 3443, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Juliana M. Layzer
- Duke University Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Gowthami M. Arepally
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Bruce A. Sullenger
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center and Health System, 2301 Erwin Road, Box 3443, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Elisabeth T. Tracy
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center and Health System, 2301 Erwin Road, Box 3443, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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36
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Qian S, Chang D, He S, Li Y. Aptamers from random sequence space: Accomplishments, gaps and future considerations. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1196:339511. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.339511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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37
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Soule EE, Yu H, Olson L, Naqvi I, Kumar S, Krishnaswamy S, Sullenger BA. Generation of an anticoagulant aptamer that targets factor V/Va and disrupts the FVa-membrane interaction in normal and COVID-19 patient samples. Cell Chem Biol 2022; 29:215-225.e5. [PMID: 35114109 PMCID: PMC8808741 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2022.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Coagulation cofactors profoundly regulate hemostasis and are appealing targets for anticoagulants. However, targeting such proteins has been challenging because they lack an active site. To address this, we isolate an RNA aptamer termed T18.3 that binds to both factor V (FV) and FVa with nanomolar affinity and demonstrates clinically relevant anticoagulant activity in both plasma and whole blood. The aptamer also shows synergy with low molecular weight heparin and delivers potent anticoagulation in plasma collected from patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Moreover, the aptamer's anticoagulant activity can be rapidly and efficiently reversed using protamine sulfate, which potentially allows fine-tuning of aptamer's activity post-administration. We further show that the aptamer achieves its anticoagulant activity by abrogating FV/FVa interactions with phospholipid membranes. Our success in generating an anticoagulant aptamer targeting FV/Va demonstrates the feasibility of using cofactor-binding aptamers as therapeutic protein inhibitors and reveals an unconventional working mechanism of an aptamer by interrupting protein-membrane interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E. Soule
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA,Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Haixiang Yu
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Lyra Olson
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA,Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Ibtehaj Naqvi
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Shekhar Kumar
- The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Division of Hematology, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sriram Krishnaswamy
- The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Division of Hematology, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Bruce A. Sullenger
- Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA,Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA,Corresponding author
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Shigdar S, Agnello L, Fedele M, Camorani S, Cerchia L. Profiling Cancer Cells by Cell-SELEX: Use of Aptamers for Discovery of Actionable Biomarkers and Therapeutic Applications Thereof. Pharmaceutics 2021; 14:28. [PMID: 35056924 PMCID: PMC8781458 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of tumor cell-specific surface markers is a key step towards personalized cancer medicine, allowing early assessment and accurate diagnosis, and development of efficacious targeted therapies. Despite significant efforts, currently the spectrum of cell membrane targets associated with approved treatments is still limited, causing an inability to treat a large number of cancers. What mainly limits the number of ideal clinical biomarkers is the high complexity and heterogeneity of several human cancers and still-limited methods for molecular profiling of specific cancer types. Thanks to the simplicity, versatility and effectiveness of its application, cell-SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment) technology is a valid complement to the present strategies for biomarkers' discovery. We and other researchers worldwide are attempting to apply cell-SELEX to the generation of oligonucleotide aptamers as tools for both identifying new cancer biomarkers and targeting them by innovative therapeutic strategies. In this review, we discuss the potential of cell-SELEX for increasing the currently limited repertoire of actionable cancer cell-surface biomarkers and focus on the use of the selected aptamers as components of innovative conjugates and nano-formulations for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Shigdar
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia;
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia
| | - Lisa Agnello
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology “Gaetano Salvatore”, CNR, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.A.); (M.F.); (S.C.)
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, S. Andrea Delle Dame-Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Fedele
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology “Gaetano Salvatore”, CNR, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.A.); (M.F.); (S.C.)
| | - Simona Camorani
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology “Gaetano Salvatore”, CNR, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.A.); (M.F.); (S.C.)
| | - Laura Cerchia
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology “Gaetano Salvatore”, CNR, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (L.A.); (M.F.); (S.C.)
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A Comprehensive Analysis of the Thrombin Binding Aptamer Containing Functionalized Pyrrolo-2'-deoxycytidines. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14121326. [PMID: 34959726 PMCID: PMC8709445 DOI: 10.3390/ph14121326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers constitute an answer for the growing need for targeted therapy development. One of the most well-known representatives of this group of compounds is thrombin binding aptamers (TBA) targeted towards thrombin. The TBA inhibitory activity is determined by its spatial arrangement, which consists of two G-tetrads linked by two shorter TT loops and one longer TGT loop and folds into a unimolecular, antiparallel G-quadruplex structure. Interesting properties of the aptamer can be further improved via the introduction of a number of chemical modifications. Herein, a comprehensive analysis of the influence of pyrrolo-2’-deoxycytidine (Py-dC) and its derivatives on TBA physicochemical and biological properties has been presented. The studies have shown that the presence of modified residues at the T7 position of the TGT loop has only minor effects on TBA thermodynamic stability without affecting its folding topology. All analyzed oligomers exhibit anticoagulant properties, but only aptamer modified with a decyl derivative of Py-dC was able to inhibit thrombin activity more efficiently than unmodified, parental compounds. Importantly, the same compound also possessed the potential to effectively restrain HeLa cell line growth.
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Sen RK, Prabhakar P, Bisht N, Patel M, Mishra S, Yadav AK, Venu DV, Gupta GK, Solanki PR, Ramakrishnan S, Mondal D, Srivastava AK, Dwivedi N, Dhand C. 2D Materials-Based Aptamer Biosensors: Present Status and Way Forward. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:5815-5849. [PMID: 34961455 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666211213115723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Current advances in constructing functional nanomaterials and elegantly designed nanostructures have opened up new possibilities for the fabrication of viable field biosensors. Two-dimensional materials (2DMs) have fascinated much attention due to their chemical, optical, physicochemical, and electronic properties. They are ultrathin nanomaterials with unique properties such as high surface-to-volume ratio, surface charge, shape, high anisotropy, and adjustable chemical functionality. 2DMs such as graphene-based 2D materials, Silicate clays, layered double hydroxides (LDHs), MXenes, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), and transition metal oxides (TMOs) offer intensified physicochemical and biological functionality and have proven to be very promising candidates for biological applications and technologies. 2DMs have a multivalent structure that can easily bind to single-stranded DNA/RNA (aptamers) through covalent, non-covalent, hydrogen bond, and π-stacking interactions, whereas aptamers have a small size, excellent chemical stability, and low immunogenicity with high affinity and specificity. This review discussed the potential of various 2D material-based aptasensor for diagnostic applications, e.g., protein detection, environmental monitoring, pathogens detection, etc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj Kumar Sen
- CSIR-Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute, Hoshangabad Road, Bhopal. India
| | - Priyanka Prabhakar
- CSIR-Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute, Hoshangabad Road, Bhopal. India
| | - Neha Bisht
- CSIR-Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute, Hoshangabad Road, Bhopal. India
| | - Monika Patel
- CSIR-Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute, Hoshangabad Road, Bhopal. India
| | - Shruti Mishra
- CSIR-Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute, Hoshangabad Road, Bhopal. India
| | - Amit Kumar Yadav
- Special Centre for Nanoscience, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067. India
| | - Divya Vadakkumana Venu
- CSIR-Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute, Hoshangabad Road, Bhopal. India
| | - Gaurav Kumar Gupta
- CSIR-Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute, Hoshangabad Road, Bhopal. India
| | - Pratima R Solanki
- Special Centre for Nanoscience, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067. India
| | - Seeram Ramakrishnan
- Center for Nanofibers and Nanotechnology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, 2 Engineering Drive 3, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117576. Singapore
| | - Dehipada Mondal
- CSIR-Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute, Hoshangabad Road, Bhopal. India
| | | | - Neeraj Dwivedi
- CSIR-Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute, Hoshangabad Road, Bhopal. India
| | - Chetna Dhand
- CSIR-Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute, Hoshangabad Road, Bhopal. India
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McCloskey CM, Li Q, Yik EJ, Chim N, Ngor AK, Medina E, Grubisic I, Co Ting Keh L, Poplin R, Chaput JC. Evolution of Functionally Enhanced α-l-Threofuranosyl Nucleic Acid Aptamers. ACS Synth Biol 2021; 10:3190-3199. [PMID: 34739228 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic genetic polymers (xeno-nucleic acids, XNAs) have the potential to transition aptamers from laboratory tools to therapeutic agents, but additional functionality is needed to compete with antibodies. Here, we describe the evolution of a biologically stable artificial genetic system composed of α-l-threofuranosyl nucleic acid (TNA) that facilitates the production of backbone- and base-modified aptamers termed "threomers" that function as high quality protein capture reagents. Threomers were discovered against two prototypical protein targets implicated in human diseases through a combination of in vitro selection and next-generation sequencing using uracil nucleotides that are uniformly equipped with aromatic side chains commonly found in the paratope of antibody-antigen crystal structures. Kinetic measurements reveal that the side chain modifications are critical for generating threomers with slow off-rate binding kinetics. These findings expand the chemical space of evolvable non-natural genetic systems to include functional groups that enhance protein target binding by mimicking the structural properties of traditional antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ivan Grubisic
- X, The Moonshot Factory, Mountain View, California 94043, United States
| | - Lance Co Ting Keh
- X, The Moonshot Factory, Mountain View, California 94043, United States
| | - Ryan Poplin
- X, The Moonshot Factory, Mountain View, California 94043, United States
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Ren M, Wang Y, Luo Y, Yao X, Yang Z, Zhang P, Zhao W, Jiang D. Functionalized Nanoparticles in Prevention and Targeted Therapy of Viral Diseases With Neurotropism Properties, Special Insight on COVID-19. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:767104. [PMID: 34867899 PMCID: PMC8634613 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.767104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotropic viruses have neural-invasive and neurovirulent properties to damage the central nervous system (CNS), leading to humans' fatal symptoms. Neurotropic viruses comprise a lot of viruses, such as Zika virus (ZIKV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), rabies virus (RABV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Effective therapy is needed to prevent infection by these viruses in vivo and in vitro. However, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) usually prevents macromolecules from entering the CNS, which challenges the usage of the traditional probes, antiviral drugs, or neutralizing antibodies in the CNS. Functionalized nanoparticles (NPs) have been increasingly reported in the targeted therapy of neurotropic viruses due to their sensitivity and targeting characteristics. Therefore, the present review outlines efficient functionalized NPs to further understand the recent trends, challenges, and prospects of these materials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yin Wang
- Animal Quarantine Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
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Xiao X, Li H, Zhao L, Zhang Y, Liu Z. Oligonucleotide aptamers: Recent advances in their screening, molecular conformation and therapeutic applications. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 143:112232. [PMID: 34649356 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are single stranded oligonucleotides with specific recognition and binding ability to target molecules, which can be obtained by Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX). Aptamers have the advantages of low molecular weight, low immunogenicity, easy modification and high stability. They play promising role in promoting food safety, monitoring the environment and basic research, especially in clinical diagnosis and therapeutic drugs. To date, great achievements regarding the selection, modifications and application of aptamers have been made. However, since it is still a challenge to obtain aptamers with high affinity in a more effective way, few aptamer-based products have already successfully entered into clinical use. This review aims to provide a thorough overview of the latest advances in this rapidly developing field, focusing on aptamer screening methods for different targets, the structure of the interaction between aptamers and target substances, and the challenges and potential of current therapeutic aptamers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueran Xiao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Urology, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Lijian Zhao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Yanfen Zhang
- Technology Transfer Center, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China.
| | - Zhongcheng Liu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China.
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44
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Ren X, Gelinas AD, Linehan M, Iwasaki A, Wang W, Janjic N, Pyle AM. Evolving A RIG-I Antagonist: A Modified DNA Aptamer Mimics Viral RNA. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:167227. [PMID: 34487794 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Vertebrate organisms express a diversity of protein receptors that recognize and respond to the presence of pathogenic molecules, functioning as an early warning system for infection. As a result of mutation or dysregulated metabolism, these same innate immune receptors can be inappropriately activated, leading to inflammation and disease. One of the most important receptors for detection and response to RNA viruses is called RIG-I, and dysregulation of this protein is linked with a variety of disease states. Despite its central role in inflammatory responses, antagonists for RIG-I are underdeveloped. In this study, we use invitro selection from a pool of modified DNA aptamers to create a high affinity RIG-I antagonist. A high resolution crystal structure of the complex reveals molecular mimicry between the aptamer and the 5'-triphosphate terminus of viral ligands, which bind to the same amino acids within the CTD recognition platform of the RIG-I receptor. Our study suggests a powerful, generalizable strategy for generating immunomodulatory drugs and mechanistic tool compounds.
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MESH Headings
- Antigens, Viral/chemistry
- Antigens, Viral/metabolism
- Aptamers, Nucleotide/chemistry
- Aptamers, Nucleotide/metabolism
- Binding Sites
- Cloning, Molecular
- Crystallography, X-Ray
- DEAD Box Protein 58/chemistry
- DEAD Box Protein 58/genetics
- DEAD Box Protein 58/metabolism
- Escherichia coli/genetics
- Escherichia coli/metabolism
- Gene Expression
- Genetic Vectors/chemistry
- Genetic Vectors/metabolism
- Humans
- Immunologic Factors/chemistry
- Immunologic Factors/metabolism
- Kinetics
- Models, Molecular
- Molecular Mimicry
- Mutation
- Nucleic Acid Conformation
- Protein Binding
- Protein Conformation, alpha-Helical
- Protein Conformation, beta-Strand
- Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
- RNA, Viral/chemistry
- RNA, Viral/metabolism
- Receptors, Immunologic/chemistry
- Receptors, Immunologic/genetics
- Receptors, Immunologic/metabolism
- Recombinant Proteins/chemistry
- Recombinant Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Proteins/metabolism
- SELEX Aptamer Technique
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Ren
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Amy D Gelinas
- SomaLogic, Inc., 2945 Wilderness Place, Boulder, CO 80301, USA
| | - Melissa Linehan
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Akiko Iwasaki
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Immunobiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Wenshuai Wang
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Nebojsa Janjic
- SomaLogic, Inc., 2945 Wilderness Place, Boulder, CO 80301, USA.
| | - Anna Marie Pyle
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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Alamoudi AO. Radiomics, aptamers and nanobodies: New insights in cancer diagnostics and imaging. Hum Antibodies 2021; 29:1-15. [PMID: 33554897 DOI: 10.3233/hab-200436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
At present, cancer is a major health issue and the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. Researchers have been working hard on investigating not only improved therapeutics but also on early detection methods, both critical to increasing treatment efficacy and developing methods for disease prevention. Diagnosis of cancers at an early stage can promote timely medical intervention and effective treatment and will result in inhibiting tumor growth and development. Several advances have been made in the diagnostics and imagining technologies for early tumor detection and deciding an effective therapy these include radiomics, nanobodies, and aptamers. Here in this review, we summarize the main applications of radiomics, aptamers, and the use of nanobody-based probes for molecular imaging applications in diagnosis, treatment planning, and evaluations in the field of oncology to develop quantitative and personalized medicine. The preclinical data reported to date are quite promising, and it is predicted that nanobody-based molecular imaging agents will play an important role in the diagnosis and management of different cancer types in near future.
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46
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Rapid and selective aptamer-based fluorescence detection of salivary lysozyme using plasmonic metal-enhanced fluorescence of ZnSSe alloyed quantum dots-gold nanoparticle nanohybrid. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2021.113384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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47
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Daems E, Moro G, Campos R, De Wael K. Mapping the gaps in chemical analysis for the characterisation of aptamer-target interactions. Trends Analyt Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2021.116311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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48
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Streckerová T, Kurfürst J, Curtis EA. Single-round deoxyribozyme discovery. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:6971-6981. [PMID: 34133739 PMCID: PMC8266665 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial evolution experiments typically use libraries of ∼1015 sequences and require multiple rounds of selection to identify rare variants with a desired activity. Based on the simple structures of some aptamers and nucleic acid enzymes, we hypothesized that functional motifs could be isolated from significantly smaller libraries in a single round of selection followed by high-throughput sequencing. To test this idea, we investigated the catalytic potential of DNA architectures in which twelve or fifteen randomized positions were embedded in a scaffold present in all library members. After incubating in either the presence or absence of lead (which promotes the nonenzymatic cleavage of RNA), library members that cleaved themselves at an RNA linkage were purified by PAGE and characterized by high-throughput sequencing. These selections yielded deoxyribozymes with activities 8- to 30-fold lower than those previously isolated under similar conditions from libraries containing 1014 different sequences, indicating that the disadvantage of using a less diverse pool can be surprisingly small. It was also possible to elucidate the sequence requirements and secondary structures of deoxyribozymes without performing additional experiments. Due to its relative simplicity, we anticipate that this approach will accelerate the discovery of new catalytic DNA and RNA motifs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Streckerová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 160 00, Czech Republic
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague 160 00, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Kurfürst
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 160 00, Czech Republic
- Department of Informatics and Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - Edward A Curtis
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 160 00, Czech Republic
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49
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Navien TN, Yeoh TS, Anna A, Tang TH, Citartan M. Aptamers isolated against mosquito-borne pathogens. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 37:131. [PMID: 34240263 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-021-03097-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Mosquito-borne diseases are a major threat to public health. The shortcomings of diagnostic tools, especially those that are antibody-based, have been blamed in part for the rising annual morbidity and mortality caused by these diseases. Antibodies harbor a number of disadvantages that can be clearly addressed by aptamers as the more promising molecular recognition elements. Aptamers are defined as single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides generated by SELEX that exhibit high binding affinity and specificity against a wide variety of target molecules based on their unique structural conformations. A number of aptamers were developed against mosquito-borne pathogens such as Dengue virus, Zika virus, Chikungunya virus, Plasmodium parasite, Francisella tularensis, Japanese encephalitis virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, Rift Valley fever virus and Yellow fever virus. Intrigued by these achievements, we carry out a comprehensive overview of the aptamers developed against these mosquito-borne infectious agents. Characteristics of the aptamers and their roles in diagnostic, therapeutic as well as other applications are emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tholasi Nadhan Navien
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Tzi Shien Yeoh
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Andrew Anna
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Thean-Hock Tang
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia.
| | - Marimuthu Citartan
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia.
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50
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Li Z, Fu X, Huang J, Zeng P, Huang Y, Chen X, Liang C. Advances in Screening and Development of Therapeutic Aptamers Against Cancer Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:662791. [PMID: 34095130 PMCID: PMC8170048 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.662791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer has become the leading cause of death in recent years. As great advances in medical treatment, emerging therapies of various cancers have been developed. Current treatments include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Aptamers are synthetic ssDNA or RNA. They can bind tightly to target molecules due to their unique tertiary structure. It is easy for aptamers to be screened, synthesized, programmed, and chemically modified. Aptamers are emerging targeted drugs that hold great potentials, called therapeutic aptamers. There are few types of therapeutic aptamers that have already been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for disease treatment. Now more and more therapeutic aptamers are in the stage of preclinical research or clinical trials. This review summarized the screening and development of therapeutic aptamers against different types of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Li
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xuekun Fu
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jie Huang
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peiyuan Zeng
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Yuhong Huang
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xinxin Chen
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chao Liang
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
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