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Cai D, Chen GL, Wang T, Zhang KH. Trends and frontiers in signal amplification for aptamer-based tumor detection: A bibliometric analysis. World J Clin Cases 2024; 12:4726-4741. [DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i21.4726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malignant tumors are one of the leading causes of death worldwide, imposing a substantial economic and social burden. Early detection is the key to improving cure rates and reducing mortality rates, which requires the development of sensitive early detection technologies. Signal amplification techniques play a crucial role in aptamer-based early detection of tumors and are increasingly garnering attention from researchers.
AIM To investigate the current research status, developmental trajectories, and hotspots in signal amplification for aptamer-based tumor detection through bibliometric analysis.
METHODS English publications pertaining to signal amplification in aptamer-based tumor detection were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. VOSviewer and CiteSpace software were employed to analyze various information within this field, including countries, institutions, authors, co-cited authors, journals, co-cited journals, cited references, and keywords.
RESULTS A total of 757 publications were included in this study. China accounted for 85.47% of all publications, with Nanjing University (China) emerging as the institution with the highest publication output. The most influential authors and journals were Hasanzadeh M. from Iran and "Biosensors and Bioelectronics", respectively. Exosomes and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) stood out as the most researched tumor-related molecules. Currently, the predominant signal amplification technique, nanomaterial, and signal transduction method were identified as hybridization chain reactions, gold nanoparticles, and electrochemical methods, respectively. Over the past 3 years, exosomes, CEA, electrochemical biosensors, and nanosheets have emerged as research hotspots, exhibiting a robust burst of intensity.
CONCLUSION This study is the first bibliometric analysis of literature on signal amplification in aptamer-based tumor detection and elucidates the current status, hotspots, and prospective research directions within this realm. Additionally, it provides an important reference for researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Cai
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Gui-Lin Chen
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, The 908th Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Joint Logistics Support Force, Nanchang 330000, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Kun-He Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
- Jiangxi Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
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2
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Zhu Y, Li X, Zhang Q, Yang X, Sun X, Pan Y, Yuan X, Ma Y, Xu B, Yang Z. Aptamer AS411 interacts with the KRAS promoter/hnRNP A1 complex and shows increased potency against drug-resistant lung cancer. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:1515-1526. [PMID: 38784467 PMCID: PMC11110790 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00752a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) aptamers that can competitively binding protein with oncogene promoter G4 hold promise for cancer treatment. In this study, a neutral cytidinyl lipid, DNCA, was shown to transfect and deliver G4 aptamers (AS1411, TBA) into tumour cells, including multidrug-resistant tumour cells, and their nuclear localizations were clearly detected. Both AS1411/DNCA and TBA/DNCA showed excellent antitumour efficacies in the drug-resistant non-small cell lung cancer cell line A549/TXL at a low concentration (100 nM). Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1) was identified as a new target of AS1411 and TBA. The binding affinities were measured, and the Kd values of AS1411/hnRNP A1 and TBA/hnRNP A1 were 17.5 nM and 21.1 nM, respectively. Then the expression of KRAS mRNA in A549/TXL cells was found to be higher than that in A549 cells, and KRAS mRNA was reduced by approximately 40% after administration of AS1411 or TBA in A549/TXL cells. Further, it was confirmed for the first time that AS1411 targeted not only hnRNP A1 but also the KRAS promoter/hnRNP A1 complexes. And although TBA cannot target the KRAS promoter/hnRNP A1 complexes, the biolayer interferometry (BLI) experiment showed that TBA and AS1411 have similar effects on several key proteins in tumour cells, especially hnRNP A1. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation showed that AS1411 and the KRAS promoter bound to the same domain of hnRNP A1 protein, while TBA bound to another domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuejie Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University Beijing 100191 China +86 10 82802503 +86 10 82802503
| | - Xiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University Beijing 100191 China +86 10 82802503 +86 10 82802503
| | - Qi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University Beijing 100191 China +86 10 82802503 +86 10 82802503
| | - Xiantao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University Beijing 100191 China +86 10 82802503 +86 10 82802503
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu Medical College 783 Xindu Avenue, Xindu District Chengdu 610500 China
| | - Xudong Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University Beijing 100191 China +86 10 82802503 +86 10 82802503
| | - Yi Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University Beijing 100191 China +86 10 82802503 +86 10 82802503
| | - Xia Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University Beijing 100191 China +86 10 82802503 +86 10 82802503
| | - Yuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University Beijing 100191 China +86 10 82802503 +86 10 82802503
| | - Bo Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University Beijing 100191 China +86 10 82802503 +86 10 82802503
| | - Zhenjun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University Beijing 100191 China +86 10 82802503 +86 10 82802503
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3
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Thomas BJ, Guldenpfennig C, Daniels MA, Burke DH, Porciani D. Multiplexed In Vivo Screening Using Barcoded Aptamer Technology to Identify Oligonucleotide-Based Targeting Reagents. Nucleic Acid Ther 2024; 34:109-124. [PMID: 38752363 PMCID: PMC11250842 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2024.0010] [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: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent FDA approvals of mRNA vaccines, short-interfering RNAs, and antisense oligonucleotides highlight the success of oligonucleotides as therapeutics. Aptamers are excellent affinity reagents that can selectively label protein biomarkers, but their clinical application has lagged. When formulating a given aptamer for in vivo use, molecular design details can determine biostability and biodistribution; therefore, extensive postselection manipulation is often required for each new design to identify clinically useful reagents harboring improved pharmacokinetic properties. Few methods are available to comprehensively screen such aptamers, especially in vivo, constituting a significant bottleneck in the field. In this study, we introduce barcoded aptamer technology (BApT) for multiplexed screening of predefined aptamer formulations in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrate this technology by simultaneously investigating 20 aptamer formulations, each harboring different molecular designs, for targeting Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer cells and tumors. Screening in vitro identified a 45 kDa bispecific formulation as the best cancer cell targeting reagent, whereas screening in vivo identified a 30 kDa monomeric formulation as the best tumor-specific targeting reagent. The multiplexed analysis pipeline also identified biodistribution phenotypes shared among formulations with similar molecular architectures. The BApT approach we describe here has the potential for broad application to fields where oligonucleotide-based targeting reagents are desired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J. Thomas
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Caitlyn Guldenpfennig
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Mark A. Daniels
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Donald H. Burke
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - David Porciani
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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4
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Kotammagari TK, Saleh LY, Lönnberg T. Organometallic modification confers oligonucleotides new functionalities. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:3118-3128. [PMID: 38385213 DOI: 10.1039/d4cc00305e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
To improve their properties or to introduce entirely new functionalities, the intriguing scaffolds of nucleic acids have been decorated with various modifications, most recently also organometallic ones. While challenging to introduce, organometallic modifications offer the potential of expanding the field of application of metal-dependent functionalities to metal-deficient conditions, notably those of biological media. So far, organometallic moieties have been utilized as probes, labels and catalysts. This Feature Article summarizes recent efforts and predicts likely future developments in each of these lines of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tharun K Kotammagari
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, Henrikinkatu 2, 20500 Turku, Finland.
| | - Lange Yakubu Saleh
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, Henrikinkatu 2, 20500 Turku, Finland.
| | - Tuomas Lönnberg
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, Henrikinkatu 2, 20500 Turku, Finland.
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5
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Zhang Z, Wei W, Chen S, Yang J, Song D, Chen Y, Zhao Z, Chen J, Wang F, Wang J, Li Z, Liang Y, Yu H. Chemoenzymatic Installation of Site-Specific Chemical Groups on DNA Enhances the Catalytic Activity. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:7052-7062. [PMID: 38427585 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c00484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Functional DNAs are valuable molecular tools in chemical biology and analytical chemistry but suffer from low activities due to their limited chemical functionalities. Here, we present a chemoenzymatic method for site-specific installation of diverse functional groups on DNA, and showcase the application of this method to enhance the catalytic activity of a DNA catalyst. Through chemoenzymatic introduction of distinct chemical groups, such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, and benzyl, at specific positions, we achieve significant enhancements in the catalytic activity of the RNA-cleaving deoxyribozyme 10-23. A single carboxyl modification results in a 100-fold increase, while dual modifications (carboxyl and benzyl) yield an approximately 700-fold increase in activity when an RNA cleavage reaction is catalyzed on a DNA-RNA chimeric substrate. The resulting dually modified DNA catalyst, CaBn, exhibits a kobs of 3.76 min-1 in the presence of 1 mM Mg2+ and can be employed for fluorescent imaging of intracellular magnesium ions. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal the superior capability of CaBn to recruit magnesium ions to metal-ion-binding site 2 and adopt a catalytically competent conformation. Our work provides a broadly accessible strategy for DNA functionalization with diverse chemical modifications, and CaBn offers a highly active DNA catalyst with immense potential in chemistry and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wanqing Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Siqi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jintao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Dongfan Song
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yinghan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zerun Zhao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Jiawen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Fulong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jiahuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhe Li
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yong Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Hanyang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
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6
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Berzal-Herranz A, Romero-López C. Aptamers' Potential to Fill Therapeutic and Diagnostic Gaps. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:105. [PMID: 38256938 PMCID: PMC10818422 DOI: 10.3390/ph17010105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
More than 30 years ago, in 1990, three independent research groups published several papers demonstrating that genetics could be performed in vitro in the absence of living organisms or cells [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Berzal-Herranz
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. PTS Granada, Av. del Conocimiento 17, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Cristina Romero-López
- Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. PTS Granada, Av. del Conocimiento 17, 18016 Granada, Spain
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Niogret G, Bouvier-Müller A, Figazzolo C, Joyce JM, Bonhomme F, England P, Mayboroda O, Pellarin R, Gasser G, Tucker JHR, Tanner JA, Savage GP, Hollenstein M. Interrogating Aptamer Chemical Space Through Modified Nucleotide Substitution Facilitated by Enzymatic DNA Synthesis. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202300539. [PMID: 37837257 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300539] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Chemical modification of aptamers is an important step to improve their performance and stability in biological media. This can be performed either during their identification (mod-SELEX) or after the in vitro selection process (post-SELEX). In order to reduce the complexity and workload of the post-SELEX modification of aptamers, we have evaluated the possibility of improving a previously reported, chemically modified aptamer by combining enzymatic synthesis and nucleotides bearing bioisosteres of the parent cubane side-chains or substituted cubane moieties. This method lowers the synthetic burden often associated with post-SELEX approaches and allowed to identify one additional sequence that maintains binding to the PvLDH target protein, albeit with reduced specificity. In addition, while bioisosteres often improve the potency of small molecule drugs, this does not extend to chemically modified aptamers. Overall, this versatile method can be applied for the post-SELEX modification of other aptamers and functional nucleic acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germain Niogret
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3523, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Laboratory for Bioorganic Chemistry of Nucleic Acids, 28, rue du Docteur Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
- Structural Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3528, 28, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Alix Bouvier-Müller
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3523, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Laboratory for Bioorganic Chemistry of Nucleic Acids, 28, rue du Docteur Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Chiara Figazzolo
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3523, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Laboratory for Bioorganic Chemistry of Nucleic Acids, 28, rue du Docteur Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Jack M Joyce
- CSIRO Manufacturing, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
- School of Chemistry, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Frédéric Bonhomme
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Unité de Chimie Biologique Epigénétique UMR CNRS 3523, 28, rue du Docteur Roux, CEDEX 15, 75724, Paris, France
| | - Patrick England
- Plateforme de Biophysique Moléculaire, C2RT, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3528, Paris, France
| | - Olena Mayboroda
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3523, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Laboratory for Bioorganic Chemistry of Nucleic Acids, 28, rue du Docteur Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
- Structural Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3528, 28, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Riccardo Pellarin
- Structural Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3528, 28, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Gilles Gasser
- Chimie ParisTech, PSL University, CNRS, Institute of Chemistry for Life and Health Sciences, Laboratory for Inorganic Chemical Biology, 75005, Paris, France
| | - James H R Tucker
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Julian A Tanner
- School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | | | - Marcel Hollenstein
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR3523, Department of Structural Biology and Chemistry, Laboratory for Bioorganic Chemistry of Nucleic Acids, 28, rue du Docteur Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
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Chen Q, Zhou T. Emerging functional principles of tRNA-derived small RNAs and other regulatory small RNAs. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105225. [PMID: 37673341 PMCID: PMC10562873 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advancements in small RNA sequencing have unveiled a previously hidden world of regulatory small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) that extend beyond the well-studied small interfering RNAs, microRNAs, and piwi-interacting RNAs. This exploration, starting with tRNA-derived small RNAs, has led to the discovery of a diverse universe of sncRNAs derived from various longer structured RNAs such as rRNAs, small nucleolar RNAs, small nuclear RNAs, Y RNAs, and vault RNAs, with exciting uncharted functional possibilities. In this perspective, we discuss the emerging functional principles of sncRNAs beyond the well-known RNAi-like mechanisms, focusing on those that operate independent of linear sequence complementarity but rather function in an aptamer-like fashion. Aptamers use 3D structure for specific interactions with ligands and are modulated by RNA modifications and subcellular environments. Given that aptamer-like sncRNA functions are widespread and present in species lacking RNAi, they may represent an ancient functional principle that predates RNAi. We propose a rethinking of the origin of RNAi and its relationship with these aptamer-like functions in sncRNAs and how these complementary mechanisms shape biological processes. Lastly, the aptamer-like function of sncRNAs highlights the need for caution in using small RNA mimics in research and therapeutics, as their specificity is not restricted solely to linear sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Chen
- Molecular Medicine Program, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
| | - Tong Zhou
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA.
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