1
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Li K, Zhang Q. Eliminating the HIV tissue reservoir: current strategies and challenges. Infect Dis (Lond) 2024; 56:165-182. [PMID: 38149977 DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2023.2298450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is still one of the most widespread and harmful infectious diseases in the world. The presence of reservoirs housing the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) represents a significant impediment to the development of clinically applicable treatments on a large scale. The viral load in the blood can be effectively reduced to undetectable levels through antiretroviral therapy (ART), and a higher concentration of HIV is sequestered in various tissues throughout the body, forming the tissue reservoir - the source of viremia after interruption treatment. METHODS We take the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) as a guideline for this review. In June 2023, we used the Pubmed, Embase, and Scopus databases to search the relevant literature published in the last decade. RESULTS Here we review the current strategies and treatments for eliminating the HIV tissue reservoirs: early and intensive therapy, gene therapy (including ribozyme, RNA interference, RNA aptamer, zinc finger enzyme, transcriptional activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/associated nuclease 9 (CRISPR/Cas9)), 'Shock and Kill', 'Block and lock', immunotherapy (including therapeutic vaccines, broadly neutralising antibodies (bNAbs), chimeric antigen receptor T-cell immunotherapy (CAR-T)), and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). CONCLUSION The existence of an HIV reservoir is the main obstacle to the complete cure of AIDS. Choosing the appropriate strategy to deplete the HIV reservoir and achieve a functional cure for AIDS is the focus and difficulty of current research. So far, there has been a lot of research and progress in reducing the HIV reservoir, but in general, the current research is still very preliminary. Much research is still needed to properly assess the reliability, effectiveness, and necessity of these strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangpeng Li
- National Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- National Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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2
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Kramer ST, Gruenke PR, Alam KK, Xu D, Burke DH. FASTAptameR 2.0: A web tool for combinatorial sequence selections. MOLECULAR THERAPY - NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 29:862-870. [PMID: 36159593 PMCID: PMC9464650 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Combinatorial selections are powerful strategies for identifying biopolymers with specific biological, biomedical, or chemical characteristics. Unfortunately, most available software tools for high-throughput sequencing analysis have high entrance barriers for many users because they require extensive programming expertise. FASTAptameR 2.0 is an R-based reimplementation of FASTAptamer designed to minimize this barrier while maintaining the ability to answer complex sequence-level and population-level questions. This open-source toolkit features a user-friendly web tool, interactive graphics, up to 100 times faster clustering, an expanded module set, and an extensive user guide. FASTAptameR 2.0 accepts diverse input polymer types and can be applied to any sequence-encoded selection.
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3
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Van Doren SR. MMP-7 marks severe pancreatic cancer and alters tumor cell signaling by proteolytic release of ectodomains. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:839-851. [PMID: 35343563 PMCID: PMC10443904 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer incurs the worst survival rate of the major cancers. High levels of the protease matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) in circulation correlate with poor prognosis and limited survival of patients. MMP-7 is required for a key path of pancreatic tumorigenesis in mice and is present throughout tumor progression. Enhancements to chemotherapies are needed for increasing the number of pancreatic tumors that can be removed and for preventing relapses after surgery. With these ends in mind, selective inhibition of MMP-7 may be worth investigation. An anti-MMP-7 monoclonal antibody was recently shown to increase the susceptibility of several pancreatic cancer cell lines to chemotherapeutics, increase their apoptosis, and decrease their migration. MMP-7 activities are most apparent at the surfaces of innate immune, epithelial, and tumor cells. Proteolytic shedding of multiple protein ectodomains by MMP-7 from such cell surfaces influence apoptosis, proliferation, migration, and invasion. These activities warrant targeting of MMP-7 selectively in pancreatic cancer and other tumors of mucosal epithelia. Competitive and non-competitive modes of MMP-7 inhibition are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven R. Van Doren
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211 USA
- Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211 USA
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4
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Aptamers in Virology-A Consolidated Review of the Most Recent Advancements in Diagnosis and Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13101646. [PMID: 34683938 PMCID: PMC8540715 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13101646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of short oligonucleotide or peptide molecules as target-specific aptamers has recently garnered substantial attention in the field of the detection and treatment of viral infections. Based on their high affinity and high specificity to desired targets, their use is on the rise to replace antibodies for the detection of viruses and viral antigens. Furthermore, aptamers inhibit intracellular viral transcription and translation, in addition to restricting viral entry into host cells. This has opened up a plethora of new targets for the research and development of novel vaccines against viruses. Here, we discuss the advances made in aptamer technology for viral diagnosis and therapy in the past decade.
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5
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Pandey M, Ojha D, Bansal S, Rode AB, Chawla G. From bench side to clinic: Potential and challenges of RNA vaccines and therapeutics in infectious diseases. Mol Aspects Med 2021; 81:101003. [PMID: 34332771 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2021.101003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The functional and structural versatility of Ribonucleic acids (RNAs) makes them ideal candidates for overcoming the limitations imposed by small molecule-based drugs. Hence, RNA-based biopharmaceuticals such as messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNA mimics, anti-miRNA oligonucleotides (AMOs), aptamers, riboswitches, and CRISPR-Cas9 are emerging as vital tools for the treatment and prophylaxis of many infectious diseases. Some of the major challenges to overcome in the area of RNA-based therapeutics have been the instability of single-stranded RNAs, delivery to the diseased cell, and immunogenicity. However, recent advancements in the delivery systems of in vitro transcribed mRNA and chemical modifications for protection against nucleases and reducing the toxicity of RNA have facilitated the entry of several exogenous RNAs into clinical trials. In this review, we provide an overview of RNA-based vaccines and therapeutics, their production, delivery, current advancements, and future translational potential in treating infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Pandey
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Divya Ojha
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Sakshi Bansal
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Ambadas B Rode
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, 121001, India.
| | - Geetanjali Chawla
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, 121001, India.
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6
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Scott TP, Nel LH. Rabies Prophylactic and Treatment Options: An In Vitro Study of siRNA- and Aptamer-Based Therapeutics. Viruses 2021; 13:881. [PMID: 34064911 PMCID: PMC8150346 DOI: 10.3390/v13050881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
If the goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies by 2030 is to be achieved, effective mass dog vaccination needs to be complemented by effective prophylaxis for individuals exposed to rabies. Aptamers and short-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have been successful in therapeutics, but few studies have investigated their potential as rabies therapeutics. In this study, siRNAs and aptamers-using a novel selection method-were developed and tested against rabies virus (RABV) in a post-infection (p.i.) scenario. Multiple means of delivery were tested for siRNAs, including the use of Lipofectamine and conjugation with the developed aptamers. One siRNA (N53) resulted in an 80.13% reduction in viral RNA, while aptamer UPRET 2.03 demonstrated a 61.3% reduction when used alone at 2 h p.i. At 24 h p.i., chimera UPRET 2.03-N8 (aptamer-siRNA) resulted in a 36.5% inhibition of viral replication. To our knowledge, this is the first study using siRNAs or aptamers that (1) demonstrated significant inhibition of RABV using an aptamer, (2) tested Lipofectamine RNAi-Max as a means for delivery, and (3) produced significant RABV inhibition at 24 h p.i. This study serves as a proof-of-concept to potentially use aptamers and siRNAs as rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) replacements or therapeutic options for RABV and provides strong evidence towards their further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Louis Hendrik Nel
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa;
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7
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Kim TH, Lee SW. Aptamers for Anti-Viral Therapeutics and Diagnostics. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22084168. [PMID: 33920628 PMCID: PMC8074132 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral infections cause a host of fatal diseases and seriously affect every form of life from bacteria to humans. Although most viral infections can receive appropriate treatment thereby limiting damage to life and livelihood with modern medicine and early diagnosis, new types of viral infections are continuously emerging that need to be properly and timely treated. As time is the most important factor in the progress of many deadly viral diseases, early detection becomes of paramount importance for effective treatment. Aptamers are small oligonucleotide molecules made by the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Aptamers are characterized by being able to specifically bind to a target, much like antibodies. However, unlike antibodies, aptamers are easily synthesized, modified, and are able to target a wider range of substances, including proteins and carbohydrates. With these advantages in mind, many studies on aptamer-based viral diagnosis and treatments are currently in progress. The use of aptamers for viral diagnosis requires a system that recognizes the binding of viral molecules to aptamers in samples of blood, serum, plasma, or in virus-infected cells. From a therapeutic perspective, aptamers target viral particles or host cell receptors to prevent the interaction between the virus and host cells or target intracellular viral proteins to interrupt the life cycle of the virus within infected cells. In this paper, we review recent attempts to use aptamers for the diagnosis and treatment of various viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Hyeong Kim
- Department of Molecular Biology, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Korea;
| | - Seong-Wook Lee
- Department of Life Convergence, Research Institute of Advanced Omics, Dankook University, Yongin 16890, Korea
- R&D Center, Rznomics Inc., Seongnam 13486, Korea
- Correspondence:
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8
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Nguyen PDM, Zheng J, Gremminger TJ, Qiu L, Zhang D, Tuske S, Lange MJ, Griffin PR, Arnold E, Chen SJ, Zou X, Heng X, Burke DH. Binding interface and impact on protease cleavage for an RNA aptamer to HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:2709-2722. [PMID: 31943114 PMCID: PMC7049723 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz1224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA aptamers that bind HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibit RT in enzymatic and viral replication assays. Some aptamers inhibit RT from only a few viral clades, while others show broad-spectrum inhibition. Biophysical determinants of recognition specificity are poorly understood. We investigated the interface between HIV-1 RT and a broad–spectrum UCAA-family aptamer. SAR and hydroxyl radical probing identified aptamer structural elements critical for inhibition and established the role of signature UCAA bulge motif in RT-aptamer interaction. HDX footprinting on RT ± aptamer shows strong contacts with both subunits, especially near the C-terminus of p51. Alanine scanning revealed decreased inhibition by the aptamer for mutants P420A, L422A and K424A. 2D proton nuclear magnetic resonance and SAXS data provided constraints on the solution structure of the aptamer and enable computational modeling of the docked complex with RT. Surprisingly, the aptamer enhanced proteolytic cleavage of precursor p66/p66 by HIV-1 protease, suggesting that it stabilizes the productive conformation to allow maturation. These results illuminate features at the RT-aptamer interface that govern recognition specificity by a broad-spectrum antiviral aptamer, and they open new possibilities for accelerating RT maturation and interfering with viral replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong D M Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | | | - Liming Qiu
- Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Dong Zhang
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Steve Tuske
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology & Medicine, and Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Margaret J Lange
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Patrick R Griffin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Eddy Arnold
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology & Medicine, and Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Shi-Jie Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, University Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Xiaoqin Zou
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, University Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Xiao Heng
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Donald H Burke
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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9
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Pang KM, Castanotto D, Li H, Scherer L, Rossi JJ. Incorporation of aptamers in the terminal loop of shRNAs yields an effective and novel combinatorial targeting strategy. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:e6. [PMID: 29077949 PMCID: PMC5758892 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy by engineering patient's own blood cells to confer HIV resistance can potentially lead to a functional cure for AIDS. Toward this goal, we have previously developed an anti-HIV lentivirus vector that deploys a combination of shRNA, ribozyme and RNA decoy. To further improve this therapeutic vector against viral escape, we sought an additional reagent to target HIV integrase. Here, we report the development of a new strategy for selection and expression of aptamer for gene therapy. We developed a SELEX protocol (multi-tag SELEX) for selecting RNA aptamers against proteins with low solubility or stability, such as integrase. More importantly, we expressed these aptamers in vivo by incorporating them in the terminal loop of shRNAs. This novel strategy allowed efficient expression of the shRNA–aptamer fusions that targeted RNAs and proteins simultaneously. Expressed shRNA–aptamer fusions targeting HIV integrase or reverse transcriptase inhibited HIV replication in cell cultures. Viral inhibition was further enhanced by combining an anti-integrase aptamer with an anti-HIV Tat-Rev shRNA. This construct exhibited efficacy comparable to that of integrase inhibitor Raltegravir. Our strategy for the selection and expression of RNA aptamers can potentially extend to other gene therapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Ming Pang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.,Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Daniela Castanotto
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Haitang Li
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Lisa Scherer
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - John J Rossi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.,Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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10
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Zou X, Wu J, Gu J, Shen L, Mao L. Application of Aptamers in Virus Detection and Antiviral Therapy. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1462. [PMID: 31333603 PMCID: PMC6618307 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral infections can cause serious diseases for humans and animals. Accurate and early detection of viruses is often crucial for clinical diagnosis and therapy. Aptamers are mostly single-stranded nucleotide sequences that are artificially synthesized by an in vitro technology known as the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX). Similar to antibodies, aptamers bind specifically to their targets. However, compared with antibody, aptamers are easy to synthesize and modify and can bind to a broad range of targets. Thus, aptamers are promising for detecting viruses and treating viral infections. In this review, we briefly introduce aptamer-based biosensors (aptasensors) and describe their applications in rapid detection of viruses and as antiviral agents in treating infections. We summarize available data about the use of aptamers to detect and inhibit viruses. Furthermore, for the first time, we list aptamers specific to different viruses that have been screened out but have not yet been used for detecting viruses or treating viral infections. Finally, we analyze barriers and developing perspectives in the application of aptamer-based virus detection and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinran Zou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated People's Hospital, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated People's Hospital, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Jiaqi Gu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated People's Hospital, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Li Shen
- Zhenjiang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lingxiang Mao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated People's Hospital, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
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11
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Poly-Target Selection Identifies Broad-Spectrum RNA Aptamers. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 13:605-619. [PMID: 30472639 PMCID: PMC6251793 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Aptamer selections often yield distinct subpopulations, each with unique phenotypes that can be leveraged for specialized applications. Although most selections aim to attain ever higher specificity, we sought to identify aptamers that recognize increasingly divergent primate lentiviral reverse transcriptases (RTs). We hypothesized that aptamer subpopulations in libraries pre-enriched against a single RT may exhibit broad-spectrum binding and inhibition, and we devised a multiplexed poly-target selection to elicit those phenotypes against a panel of primate lentiviral RTs. High-throughput sequencing and coenrichment/codepletion analysis of parallel and duplicate selection trajectories rapidly narrowed the list of candidate aptamers by orders of magnitude and identified dozens of priority candidates for further screening. Biochemical characterization validated a novel aptamer motif and several rare and unobserved variants of previously known motifs that inhibited recombinant RTs to varying degrees. These broad-spectrum aptamers also suppressed replication of viral constructs carrying phylogenetically diverse RTs. The poly-target selection and coenrichment/codepletion approach described herein is a generalizable strategy for identifying cross-reactivity among related targets from combinatorial libraries.
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12
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Lange MJ, Nguyen PDM, Callaway MK, Johnson MC, Burke DH. RNA-protein interactions govern antiviral specificity and encapsidation of broad spectrum anti-HIV reverse transcriptase aptamers. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:6087-6097. [PMID: 28334941 PMCID: PMC5449596 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA aptamers that bind HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibit HIV-1 replication, but little is known about potential aptamer-specific viral resistance. During replication, RT interacts with diverse nucleic acids. Thus, the genetic threshold for eliciting resistance may be high for aptamers that make numerous contacts with RT. To evaluate the impact of RT–aptamer binding specificity on replication, we engineered proviral plasmids encoding diverse RTs within the backbone of HIV-1 strain NL4-3. Viruses inhibited by pseudoknot aptamers were rendered insensitive by a naturally occurring R277K variant, providing the first demonstration of aptamer-specific resistance in cell culture. Naturally occurring, pseudoknot-insensitive viruses were rendered sensitive by the inverse K277R mutation, establishing RT as the genetic locus for aptamer-mediated HIV-1 inhibition. Non-pseudoknot RNA aptamers exhibited broad-spectrum inhibition. Inhibition was observed only when virus was produced in aptamer-expressing cells, indicating that encapsidation is required. HIV-1 suppression magnitude correlated with the number of encapsidated aptamer transcripts per virion, with saturation occurring around 1:1 stoichiometry with packaged RT. Encapsidation specificity suggests that aptamers may encounter dimerized GagPol in the cytosol during viral assembly. This study provides new insights into HIV-1's capacity to escape aptamer-mediated inhibition, the potential utility of broad-spectrum aptamers to overcome resistance, and molecular interactions that occur during viral assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret J Lange
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Phuong D M Nguyen
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Mackenzie K Callaway
- Department of Biological Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Marc C Johnson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Donald H Burke
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Department of Biological Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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13
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Sharma TK, Bruno JG, Dhiman A. ABCs of DNA aptamer and related assay development. Biotechnol Adv 2017; 35:275-301. [PMID: 28108354 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Revised: 11/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review is intended to guide the novice in aptamer research and development to understand virtually all of the aptamer development options and currently available assay modalities. Aptamer development topics range from discussions of basic and advanced versions of Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential Enrichment (SELEX) and SELEX variations involving incorporation of exotic unnatural nucleotides to expand library diversity for even greater aptamer affinity and specificity to improved next generation methods of DNA sequencing, screening and tracking aptamer development throughout the SELEX process and characterization of lead aptamer candidates. Aptamer assay development topics include descriptions of various colorimetric and fluorescent assays in microplates or on membranes including homogeneous beacon and multiplexed Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) assays. Finally, a discussion of the potential for marketing successful aptamer-based assays or test kits is included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarun Kumar Sharma
- Center for Biodesign and Diagnostics, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, Haryana 121001, India; AptaBharat Innovation Private Limited, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute Incubator, Haryana 121001, India.
| | - John G Bruno
- Operational Technologies Corporation, 4100 NW Loop 410, Suite, 230, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA..
| | - Abhijeet Dhiman
- Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India.; Faculty of Pharmacy, Uttarakhand Technical University, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India
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14
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Aptamers in hematological malignancies and their potential therapeutic implications. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2016; 106:108-17. [PMID: 27637356 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are short DNA/RNA oligonucleotides selected by the process called Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX). Due to their functional similarity to monoclonal antibodies with some superior characters, such as high specificity and affinity, flexible modification and stability, and lack of toxicity and immunogenicity, they are promising alternative and complementary targeted therapy for hematologic malignancies. The trends in aptamer technology including production, selection, modifications are briefly discussed in this review. The key aspect is to illustrate aptamers against cancer cells in hematologic malignancies especially those that have entered clinical trials. We also discuss some challenges remain in the application of aptamers.
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15
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Bjerregaard N, Andreasen PA, Dupont DM. Expected and unexpected features of protein-binding RNA aptamers. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2016; 7:744-757. [PMID: 27173731 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Revised: 04/03/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
RNA molecules with high affinity to specific proteins can be isolated from libraries of up to 1016 different RNA sequences by systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). These so-called protein-binding RNA aptamers are often interesting, e.g., as modulators of protein function for therapeutic use, for probing the conformations of proteins, for studies of basic aspects of nucleic acid-protein interactions, etc. Studies on the interactions between RNA aptamers and proteins display a number of expected and unexpected features, including the chemical nature of the interacting RNA-protein surfaces, the conformation of protein-bound aptamer versus free aptamer, the conformation of aptamer-bound protein versus free protein, and the effects of aptamers on protein function. Here, we review current insights into the details of RNA aptamer-protein interactions. WIREs RNA 2016, 7:744-757. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1360 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Bjerregaard
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Peter A Andreasen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Daniel M Dupont
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
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Alves Ferreira-Bravo I, Cozens C, Holliger P, DeStefano JJ. Selection of 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoroarabinonucleotide (FANA) aptamers that bind HIV-1 reverse transcriptase with picomolar affinity. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 43:9587-99. [PMID: 26476448 PMCID: PMC4751925 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv1057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Using a Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) protocol capable of selecting xeno-nucleic acid (XNA) aptamers, a 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoroarabinonucleotide (FANA) aptamer (referred to as FA1) to HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1 RT) was selected. FA1 bound HIV-1 RT with KD,app values in the low pM range under different ionic conditions. Comparisons to published HIV-1 RT RNA and DNA aptamers indicated that FA1 bound at least as well as these aptamers. FA1 contained a 20 nucleotide 5′ DNA sequence followed by a 57 nucleotide region of FANA nucleotides. Removal of the fourteen 5′ DNA nucleotides did not affect binding. FA1's predicted structure was composed of four stems and four loops. All stem nucleotides could be modified to G-C base pairs (14 total changes) with a small effect on binding. Eliminating or altering most loop sequences reduced or abolished tight binding. Overall, results suggested that the structure and the sequence of FA1 were important for binding. FA1 showed strong inhibition of HIV-1 RT in extension assays while no specific binding to avian myeloblastosis or Moloney murine leukemia RTs was detected. A complete DNA version of FA1 showed low binding to HIV-1 RT, emphasizing the unique properties of FANA in HIV-1 RT binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irani Alves Ferreira-Bravo
- Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Bioscience Research Building, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Christopher Cozens
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Philipp Holliger
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Jeffrey J DeStefano
- Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Bioscience Research Building, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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17
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Miller MT, Tuske S, Das K, DeStefano JJ, Arnold E. Structure of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase bound to a novel 38-mer hairpin template-primer DNA aptamer. Protein Sci 2015; 25:46-55. [PMID: 26296781 DOI: 10.1002/pro.2776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Revised: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The development of a modified DNA aptamer that binds HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) with ultra-high affinity has enabled the X-ray structure determination of an HIV-1 RT-DNA complex to 2.3 Å resolution without the need for an antibody Fab fragment or RT-DNA cross-linking. The 38-mer hairpin-DNA aptamer has a 15 base-pair duplex, a three-deoxythymidine hairpin loop, and a five-nucleotide 5'-overhang. The aptamer binds RT in a template-primer configuration with the 3'-end positioned at the polymerase active site and has 2'-O-methyl modifications at the second and fourth duplex template nucleotides that interact with the p66 fingers and palm subdomains. This structure represents the highest resolution RT-nucleic acid structure to date. The RT-aptamer complex is catalytically active and can serve as a platform for studying fundamental RT mechanisms and for development of anti-HIV inhibitors through fragment screening and other approaches. Additionally, the structure allows for a detailed look at a unique aptamer design and provides the molecular basis for its remarkably high affinity for RT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T Miller
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, 08854
| | - Steve Tuske
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, 08854
| | - Kalyan Das
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, 08854
| | - Jeffrey J DeStefano
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, Maryland, 20742
| | - Eddy Arnold
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, 08854
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18
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Kun Á, Szathmáry E. Fitness Landscapes of Functional RNAs. Life (Basel) 2015; 5:1497-517. [PMID: 26308059 PMCID: PMC4598650 DOI: 10.3390/life5031497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2015] [Revised: 07/26/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The notion of fitness landscapes, a map between genotype and fitness, was proposed more than 80 years ago. For most of this time data was only available for a few alleles, and thus we had only a restricted view of the whole fitness landscape. Recently, advances in genetics and molecular biology allow a more detailed view of them. Here we review experimental and theoretical studies of fitness landscapes of functional RNAs, especially aptamers and ribozymes. We find that RNA structures can be divided into critical structures, connecting structures, neutral structures and forbidden structures. Such characterisation, coupled with theoretical sequence-to-structure predictions, allows us to construct the whole fitness landscape. Fitness landscapes then can be used to study evolution, and in our case the development of the RNA world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ádám Kun
- Parmenides Center for the Conceptual Foundations of Science, Kirchplatz 1, 82049 Munich/Pullach, Germany.
- MTA-ELTE-MTMT Ecology Research Group, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.
- Department of Plant Systematics, Ecology and Theoretical Biology, Institute of Biology, Eötvös University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Eörs Szathmáry
- Parmenides Center for the Conceptual Foundations of Science, Kirchplatz 1, 82049 Munich/Pullach, Germany.
- Department of Plant Systematics, Ecology and Theoretical Biology, Institute of Biology, Eötvös University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.
- MTA-ELTE Theoretical Biology and Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.
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19
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Davydova A, Vorobjeva M, Pyshnyi D, Altman S, Vlassov V, Venyaminova A. Aptamers against pathogenic microorganisms. Crit Rev Microbiol 2015; 42:847-65. [PMID: 26258445 PMCID: PMC5022137 DOI: 10.3109/1040841x.2015.1070115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
An important current issue of modern molecular medicine and biotechnology is the search for new approaches to early diagnostic assays and adequate therapy of infectious diseases. One of the promising solutions to this problem might be a development of nucleic acid aptamers capable of interacting specifically with bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. Such aptamers can be used for the specific recognition of infectious agents as well as for blocking of their functions. The present review summarizes various modern SELEX techniques used in this field, and of several currently identified aptamers against viral particles and unicellular organisms, and their applications. The prospects of applying nucleic acid aptamers for the development of novel detection systems and antibacterial and antiviral drugs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Davydova
- a Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Division of Russian Academy of Sciences , Novosibirsk , Russia and
| | - Maria Vorobjeva
- a Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Division of Russian Academy of Sciences , Novosibirsk , Russia and
| | - Dmitrii Pyshnyi
- a Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Division of Russian Academy of Sciences , Novosibirsk , Russia and
| | - Sidney Altman
- b Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology , Yale University , New Haven , CT , USA
| | - Valentin Vlassov
- a Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Division of Russian Academy of Sciences , Novosibirsk , Russia and
| | - Alya Venyaminova
- a Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Division of Russian Academy of Sciences , Novosibirsk , Russia and
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20
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Li W, Lan X. Aptamer Oligonucleotides: Novel Potential Therapeutic Agents in Autoimmune Disease. Nucleic Acid Ther 2015; 25:173-9. [PMID: 25993618 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2014.0529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid or ribonucleic acid oligonucleotides generated in vitro based on affinity for certain target molecules by a process known as Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment. Aptamers can bind their target molecules with high specificity and selectivity by means of structure compatibility, stacking of aromatic rings, electrostatic and van der Waals interactions, and hydrogen bonding. With several advantages over monoclonal antibodies and other conventional small-molecule therapeutics, such as high specificity and affinity, negligible batch to batch variation, flexible modification and stability, lack of toxicity and low immunogenicity, aptamers are becoming promising novel diagnostic and therapeutic agents. This review focuses on the development of aptamers as potential therapeutics for autoimmune diseases, including diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, myasthenia gravis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weibin Li
- Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command, Second Military Medical University , Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaopeng Lan
- Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command, Second Military Medical University , Fuzhou, China
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21
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Nazar MF, Abdullah MI, Badshah A, Mahmood A, Rana UA, Khan SUD. Synthesis, structure–activity relationship and molecular docking of cyclohexenone based analogous as potent non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors. J Mol Struct 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2014.12.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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22
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Alam KK, Chang JL, Burke DH. FASTAptamer: A Bioinformatic Toolkit for High-throughput Sequence Analysis of Combinatorial Selections. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2015; 4:e230. [PMID: 25734917 PMCID: PMC4354339 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2015.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
High-throughput sequence (HTS) analysis of combinatorial selection populations accelerates lead discovery and optimization and offers dynamic insight into selection processes. An underlying principle is that selection enriches high-fitness sequences as a fraction of the population, whereas low-fitness sequences are depleted. HTS analysis readily provides the requisite numerical information by tracking the evolutionary trajectory of individual sequences in response to selection pressures. Unlike genomic data, for which a number of software solutions exist, user-friendly tools are not readily available for the combinatorial selections field, leading many users to create custom software. FASTAptamer was designed to address the sequence-level analysis needs of the field. The open source FASTAptamer toolkit counts, normalizes and ranks read counts in a FASTQ file, compares populations for sequence distribution, generates clusters of sequence families, calculates fold-enrichment of sequences throughout the course of a selection and searches for degenerate sequence motifs. While originally designed for aptamer selections, FASTAptamer can be applied to any selection strategy that can utilize next-generation DNA sequencing, such as ribozyme or deoxyribozyme selections, in vivo mutagenesis and various surface display technologies (peptide, antibody fragment, mRNA, etc.). FASTAptamer software, sample data and a user's guide are available for download at http://burkelab.missouri.edu/fastaptamer.html.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid K Alam
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Jonathan L Chang
- 1] Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA [2] Current Address: School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Donald H Burke
- 1] Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA [2] Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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23
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Takahashi M, Burnett JC, Rossi JJ. Aptamer–siRNA Chimeras for HIV. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2015; 848:211-34. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2432-5_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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24
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Sánchez-Luque FJ, Stich M, Manrubia S, Briones C, Berzal-Herranz A. Efficient HIV-1 inhibition by a 16 nt-long RNA aptamer designed by combining in vitro selection and in silico optimisation strategies. Sci Rep 2014; 4:6242. [PMID: 25175101 PMCID: PMC4150108 DOI: 10.1038/srep06242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) genome contains multiple, highly conserved structural RNA domains that play key roles in essential viral processes. Interference with the function of these RNA domains either by disrupting their structures or by blocking their interaction with viral or cellular factors may seriously compromise HIV-1 viability. RNA aptamers are amongst the most promising synthetic molecules able to interact with structural domains of viral genomes. However, aptamer shortening up to their minimal active domain is usually necessary for scaling up production, what requires very time-consuming, trial-and-error approaches. Here we report on the in vitro selection of 64 nt-long specific aptamers against the complete 5′-untranslated region of HIV-1 genome, which inhibit more than 75% of HIV-1 production in a human cell line. The analysis of the selected sequences and structures allowed for the identification of a highly conserved 16 nt-long stem-loop motif containing a common 8 nt-long apical loop. Based on this result, an in silico designed 16 nt-long RNA aptamer, termed RNApt16, was synthesized, with sequence 5′-CCCCGGCAAGGAGGGG-3′. The HIV-1 inhibition efficiency of such an aptamer was close to 85%, thus constituting the shortest RNA molecule so far described that efficiently interferes with HIV-1 replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Sánchez-Luque
- 1] Department of Molecular Biology. Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra" (IPBLN-CSIC), PTS Granada. Avda. del Conocimiento s/n, Armilla (Granada 18016, Spain) [2]
| | - Michael Stich
- 1] Department of Molecular Evolution. Centro de Astrobiología (CAB-CSIC/INTA). Carretera Torrejón a Ajalvir km 4, Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid 28850, Spain) [2]
| | - Susanna Manrubia
- Department of Molecular Evolution. Centro de Astrobiología (CAB-CSIC/INTA). Carretera Torrejón a Ajalvir km 4, Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid 28850, Spain)
| | - Carlos Briones
- 1] Department of Molecular Evolution. Centro de Astrobiología (CAB-CSIC/INTA). Carretera Torrejón a Ajalvir km 4, Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid 28850, Spain) [2] Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de enfermedades hepáticas y digestivas (CIBERehd), Spain
| | - Alfredo Berzal-Herranz
- Department of Molecular Biology. Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra" (IPBLN-CSIC), PTS Granada. Avda. del Conocimiento s/n, Armilla (Granada 18016, Spain)
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25
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Li W, Wang K, Zhao M, Yang X, Chen M, Lan X. Development of aptamer oligonucleotides as anticoagulants and antithrombotics for cardiovascular diseases: current status. Thromb Res 2014; 134:769-73. [PMID: 25113995 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2014.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2014] [Revised: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Aptamers are short DNA/RNA oligonucleotides selected by a process known as Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) based on affinity for target molecules. Since aptamers have several advantages over monoclonal antibodies, such as high specificity and affinity, flexible modification and stability, and lack of toxicity and immunogenicity, they are promising novel diagnostic and therapeutic agents. In this review, we will describe the development of aptamers against thrombin, von Willebrand factor (vWF), factor IX, and factor XII as potential anticoagulants or antithrombotics for cardiovascular diseases, especially those that have entered clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weibin Li
- Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command, No 156 North Xi-er Huan Road, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, 350025, China
| | - Kaiyu Wang
- Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command, No 156 North Xi-er Huan Road, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, 350025, China
| | - Meng Zhao
- Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command, No 156 North Xi-er Huan Road, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, 350025, China
| | - Xiangyue Yang
- Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command, No 156 North Xi-er Huan Road, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, 350025, China
| | - Min Chen
- Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command, No 156 North Xi-er Huan Road, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, 350025, China
| | - Xiaopeng Lan
- Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China; Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command, No 156 North Xi-er Huan Road, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, 350025, China.
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Abstract
Enzymatic probing is a rapid, straightforward method for determining which regions of a folded RNA are structurally constrained. It can be carried out using very small amounts of material, and is especially suitable for short RNAs. Here we report a protocol that we have found to be useful and readily adaptable to the evaluation of RNAs up to 150-200 nucleotides in length. Considerations for optimization are also included. In brief, the method includes folding end-labeled RNA into its native conformation, partial digestion with structure-sensitive nucleases, and identification of the cleavage sites by electrophoretic separation of the cleavage fragments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Biondi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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Aptamer-based therapeutics: new approaches to combat human viral diseases. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2013; 6:1507-42. [PMID: 24287493 PMCID: PMC3873675 DOI: 10.3390/ph6121507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2013] [Revised: 11/12/2013] [Accepted: 11/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses replicate inside the cells of an organism and continuously evolve to contend with an ever-changing environment. Many life-threatening diseases, such as AIDS, SARS, hepatitis and some cancers, are caused by viruses. Because viruses have small genome sizes and high mutability, there is currently a lack of and an urgent need for effective treatment for many viral pathogens. One approach that has recently received much attention is aptamer-based therapeutics. Aptamer technology has high target specificity and versatility, i.e., any viral proteins could potentially be targeted. Consequently, new aptamer-based therapeutics have the potential to lead a revolution in the development of anti-infective drugs. Additionally, aptamers can potentially bind any targets and any pathogen that is theoretically amenable to rapid targeting, making aptamers invaluable tools for treating a wide range of diseases. This review will provide a broad, comprehensive overview of viral therapies that use aptamers. The aptamer selection process will be described, followed by an explanation of the potential for treating virus infection by aptamers. Recent progress and prospective use of aptamers against a large variety of human viruses, such as HIV-1, HCV, HBV, SCoV, Rabies virus, HPV, HSV and influenza virus, with particular focus on clinical development of aptamers will also be described. Finally, we will discuss the challenges of advancing antiviral aptamer therapeutics and prospects for future success.
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