1
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Li J, Huang G. Insulin receptor alternative splicing in breast and prostate cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:62. [PMID: 38331804 PMCID: PMC10851471 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03252-1] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer etiology represents an intricate, multifactorial orchestration where metabolically associated insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and insulin foster cellular proliferation and growth throughout tumorigenesis. The insulin receptor (IR) exhibits two splice variants arising from alternative mRNA processing, namely IR-A, and IR-B, with remarkable distribution and biological effects disparities. This insightful review elucidates the structural intricacies, widespread distribution, and functional significance of IR-A and IR-B. Additionally, it explores the regulatory mechanisms governing alternative splicing processes, intricate signal transduction pathways, and the intricate association linking IR-A and IR-B splicing variants to breast and prostate cancer tumorigenesis. Breast cancer and prostate cancer are the most common malignant tumors with the highest incidence rates among women and men, respectively. These findings provide a promising theoretical framework for advancing preventive strategies, diagnostic modalities, and therapeutic interventions targeting breast and prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyu Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 467 Zhongshan Road, Shahekou District, Dalian, 116023, Liaoning, China
| | - Gena Huang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 467 Zhongshan Road, Shahekou District, Dalian, 116023, Liaoning, China.
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2
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Hu Z, Jiang Z, Yang Z, Liu L, Zhu Z, Jin Y, Yin Y. Development of a modularized aptamer targeting the nuclear T-cell suppressor PAC1. Analyst 2023; 148:2616-2625. [PMID: 37191022 DOI: 10.1039/d3an00011g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Aptamers associated with cancer targeting therapy are commonly focused on cell membrane proteins; however, the study of intracellular, particularly, nuclear proteins is limited. The nuclear phosphatase PAC1 has been reported to be a potential T cell-related immunotherapeutic target. Here, we identified an aptamer, designated as PA5, with high affinity and specificity for PAC1 through the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) procedure. We then developed a dual-module aptamer PAC1-AS consisting of a cell-internalizing module and a targeting module, which can recognize PAC1 in the nucleus under physiological conditions. This modularized aptamer raises the possibility of manipulating endosomes and provides insights into the exploration and development of an efficient cancer immunotherapy approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixi Hu
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Zhongyu Jiang
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Zeliang Yang
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Liang Liu
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Zhenyu Zhu
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Yan Jin
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Yuxin Yin
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tumor Systems Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
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3
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Kara N, Ayoub N, Ilgu H, Fotiadis D, Ilgu M. Aptamers Targeting Membrane Proteins for Sensor and Diagnostic Applications. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28093728. [PMID: 37175137 PMCID: PMC10180177 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28093728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Many biological processes (physiological or pathological) are relevant to membrane proteins (MPs), which account for almost 30% of the total of human proteins. As such, MPs can serve as predictive molecular biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognosis. Indeed, cell surface MPs are an important class of attractive targets of the currently prescribed therapeutic drugs and diagnostic molecules used in disease detection. The oligonucleotides known as aptamers can be selected against a particular target with high affinity and selectivity by iterative rounds of in vitro library evolution, known as Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential Enrichment (SELEX). As an alternative to antibodies, aptamers offer unique features like thermal stability, low-cost, reuse, ease of chemical modification, and compatibility with various detection techniques. Particularly, immobilized-aptamer sensing platforms have been under investigation for diagnostics and have demonstrated significant value compared to other analytical techniques. These "aptasensors" can be classified into several types based on their working principle, which are commonly electrochemical, optical, or mass-sensitive. In this review, we review the studies on aptamer-based MP-sensing technologies for diagnostic applications and have included new methodological variations undertaken in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilufer Kara
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara 06800, Turkey
| | - Nooraldeen Ayoub
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara 06800, Turkey
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Huseyin Ilgu
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dimitrios Fotiadis
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Muslum Ilgu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara 06800, Turkey
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Aptalogic Inc., Ames, IA 50014, USA
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4
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Hoshiyama J, Okada Y, Cho S, Ueki R, Sando S. Apt-clean: aptamer-mediated cleavage of extracellular antigens for the inhibition of membrane protein functions. Biomater Sci 2023; 11:445-449. [PMID: 36594498 DOI: 10.1039/d2bm01695h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Recently, targeted protein degradation (TPD) has attracted much attention as a powerful strategy for effective inhibition of disease-related proteins. However, development of ligands with high affinity and specificity for a target protein is still a demanding task and poses a particular challenge for designing TPD therapeutics. In this work, we report a novel TPD strategy called aptamer-mediated cleavage of extracellular antigen (Apt-clean), where oligonucleotide-based affinity agents are used for selective recruitment of proteases to target membrane proteins. Our data demonstrate that Apt-clean induces selective degradation of the target protein both in vitro and in cellulo. In addition, the potential of Apt-clean was demonstrated through the inhibition of tumor-related growth factor signaling. This novel TPD modality may serve as an efficient and flexible strategy for targeting membrane proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junya Hoshiyama
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Yuga Okada
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Seojung Cho
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Ryosuke Ueki
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Shinsuke Sando
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan. .,Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
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5
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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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6
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Zhang X, Zhu X, Bi X, Huang J, Zhou L. The Insulin Receptor: An Important Target for the Development of Novel Medicines and Pesticides. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:7793. [PMID: 35887136 PMCID: PMC9325136 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The insulin receptor (IR) is a transmembrane protein that is activated by ligands in insulin signaling pathways. The IR has been considered as a novel therapeutic target for clinical intervention, considering the overexpression of its protein and A-isoform in multiple cancers, Alzheimer's disease, and Type 2 diabetes mellitus in humans. Meanwhile, it may also serve as a potential target in pest management due to its multiple physiological influences in insects. In this review, we provide an overview of the structural and molecular biology of the IR, functions of IRs in humans and insects, physiological and nonpeptide small molecule modulators of the IR, and the regulating mechanisms of the IR. Xenobiotic compounds and the corresponding insecticidal chemicals functioning on the IR are also discussed. This review is expected to provide useful information for a better understanding of human IR-related diseases, as well as to facilitate the development of novel small-molecule activators and inhibitors of the IR for use as medicines or pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jiguang Huang
- Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticides & Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (X.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.B.)
| | - Lijuan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticides & Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (X.Z.); (X.Z.); (X.B.)
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7
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Yuhan J, Zhu L, Zhu L, Huang K, He X, Xu W. Cell-specific aptamers as potential drugs in therapeutic applications: A review of current progress. J Control Release 2022; 346:405-420. [PMID: 35489545 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.04.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cell-specific aptamers are a promising emerging player in the field of disease therapy. This paper reviews the multidimensional research progress made in terms of their classification, modification, and application. Based on the target location of cell-specific aptamers, it is defined and classified cell-specific aptamers into three groups including aptamers for cell surface markers, aptamers for intracellular components, and aptamers for extracellular components. Moreover, the modification methods of aptamers to achieve improved stability and affinity are concluded. In addition, recent advances in the application of cell-specific aptamers are discussed, mainly focusing on the increasing research attraction of cell state improving helpers and cell recruitment mediators in the improvement of cellular microenvironments to achieve successful disease therapy. This review also highlights 11 types of clinical aptamer drugs. Finally, the challenges and future directions of potential clinical applications are presented. In summary, we believe that cell-specific aptamers are promising drugs in disease therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieyu Yuhan
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China; College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Liye Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China; College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Longjiao Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Kunlun Huang
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Xiaoyun He
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Wentao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Food Quality, Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China.
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8
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Selection of a Nuclease-Resistant RNA Aptamer Targeting CD19. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205220. [PMID: 34680368 PMCID: PMC8533794 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205220] [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: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Haematological malignancies show a constantly growing incidence, accounting for 6.5% of new cancer cases worldwide. Among them, B-cell neoplasms often show resistance to conventional chemotherapy that is also associated with numerous adverse effects. Therefore, in order for the treatment outcome to be improved, the development of new safe and effective targeted therapeutic approaches represents a main challenge. In this regard, nucleic acid aptamers are very attractive molecules. Indeed, they show high affinity and specificity for their target, increased tumour penetration, and low toxicity. Recently, CD19 has emerged as a key surface marker of malignant B cells, suitable for the development of new compounds for malignant B-cell targeting. Here, we isolated an RNA aptamer targeting the human CD19 antigen on malignant B cells that was able to rapidly internalise into target cells. Therefore, it represents a useful carrier for secondary reagents and a promising tool for the development of new safe and effective targeted therapies for B-cell malignancy treatment. Abstract The transmembrane glycoprotein cluster of differentiation 19 (CD19) is a B cell–specific surface marker, expressed on the majority of neoplastic B cells, and has recently emerged as a very attractive biomarker and therapeutic target for B-cell malignancies. The development of safe and effective ligands for CD19 has become an important need for the development of targeted conventional and immunotherapies. In this regard, aptamers represent a very interesting class of molecules. Additionally referred to as ‘chemical antibodies’, they show many advantages as therapeutics, including low toxicity and immunogenicity. Here, we isolated a nuclease-resistant RNA aptamer binding to the human CD19 glycoprotein. In order to develop an aptamer also useful as a carrier for secondary reagents, we adopted a cell-based SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential Enrichment) protocol adapted to isolate aptamers able to internalise upon binding to their cell surface target. We describe a 2′-fluoro pyrimidine modified aptamer, named B85.T2, which specifically binds to CD19 and shows an exquisite stability in human serum. The aptamer showed an estimated dissociation constant (KD) of 49.9 ± 13 nM on purified human recombinant CD19 (rhCD19) glycoprotein, a good binding activity on human B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells expressing CD19, and also an effective and rapid cell internalisation, thus representing a promising molecule for CD19 targeting, as well as for the development of new B-cell malignancy-targeted therapies.
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9
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Hybrid-Type SELEX for the Selection of Artificial Nucleic Acid Aptamers Exhibiting Cell Internalization Activity. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13060888. [PMID: 34204006 PMCID: PMC8232673 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13060888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid aptamers have attracted considerable attention as next-generation pharmaceutical agents and delivery vehicles for small molecule drugs and therapeutic oligonucleotides. Chemical modification is an effective approach for improving the functionality of aptamers. However, the process of selecting appropriately modified aptamers is laborious because of many possible modification patterns. Here, we describe a hybrid-type systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) approach for the generation of the artificial nucleic acid aptamers effective against human TROP2, a cell surface protein identified by drug discovery as a promising target for cancer therapy. Capillary electrophoresis SELEX was used for the pre-screening of multiple modified nucleic acid libraries and enrichment of TROP2 binding aptamers in the first step, followed by functional screening using cell-SELEX in the second step for the generation of cell-internalizing aptamers. One representative aptamer, Tac-B1, had a nanomolar-level affinity to human TROP2 and exhibited elevated capacity for internalization by cells. Because of the growing interest in the application of aptamers for drug delivery, our hybrid selection approach has great potential for the generation of functional artificial nucleic acid aptamers with ideal modification patterns in vitro.
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10
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Zhang Y, Wu Y, Zheng H, Xi H, Ye T, Chan CY, Kwok CK. Proteomic and Transcriptome Profiling of G-Quadruplex Aptamers Developed for Cell Internalization. Anal Chem 2021; 93:5744-5753. [PMID: 33783197 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c04862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acid medicine is expected to be among the most promising next-generation therapies. Applications of nucleic acid in vivo are still challenging as a result of the difficulties in direct cell penetration without external assistance. To facilitate the cellular delivery of therapeutic nucleic acid, we developed cell-penetrating aptamers using cell-internalization Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX). Moreover, C20-4 min, a G-quadruplex-forming DNA aptamer, was discovered, showing a higher cell-penetrating capacity compared with other candidates, including AS1411. To verify the formation and understand the G-quadruplex folding topologies of enriched aptamer motifs, characteristic circular dichroism (CD) spectral features are analyzed. The CD spectra of C20-4 min strongly support the formation of parallel G-quadruplexes. Systematic analyses of the G-quadruplex regulation pathway have been performed by combining aptamer pull-down with mass spectrometry. We profiled G-quadruplex aptamers interacting with cellular proteins during internalization and identified helicases and GTPase proteins as cellular interacting partners. In addition, whole transcriptome analysis was performed to study the effects of G-quadruplex aptamers, revealing differentially expressed genes involved in the regulation of GTPase functions. Integrative analyses of transcriptome and proteomic have aided in understanding the functional hierarchy of molecular players in G-quadruplex nucleic acid mechanisms of internalization, which might facilitate developing a novel delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- College of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Yang Wu
- Laboratory of Cytophysiology, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Hongjin Zheng
- College of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui Xi
- College of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Taoyu Ye
- College of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Chun-Yin Chan
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chun Kit Kwok
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, Guangdong, China
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11
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Ashraf A, Palakkott A, Ayoub MA. Anti-Insulin Receptor Antibodies in the Pathology and Therapy of Diabetes Mellitus. Curr Diabetes Rev 2021; 17:198-206. [PMID: 32496987 DOI: 10.2174/1573399816666200604122345] [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: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is recognized as the most common and the world's fastest-growing chronic disease with severe complications leading to increased mortality. Many strategies exist for the management of DM and its control, including treatment with insulin and insulin analogs, oral hypoglycemic therapy such as insulin secretion stimulators and insulin sensitizers, and diet and physical training. Over the years, many types of drugs and molecules with an interesting pharmacological diversity have been developed and proposed for their anti-diabetic potential. Such molecules target diverse key receptors, enzymes, and regulatory/signaling proteins known to be directly or indirectly involved in the pathophysiology of DM. Among them, insulin receptor (IR) is undoubtedly the target of choice for its central role in insulin-mediated glucose homeostasis and its utilization by the major insulin-sensitive tissues such as skeletal muscles, adipose tissue, and the liver. In this review, we focus on the implication of antibodies targeting IR in the pathology of DM as well as the recent advances in the development of IR antibodies as promising anti-diabetic drugs. The challenge still entails development of more powerful, highly selective, and safer anti-diabetic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arshida Ashraf
- Department of Biology, College of Science, The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), PO Box 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abdulrasheed Palakkott
- Department of Biology, College of Science, The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), PO Box 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammed Akli Ayoub
- Department of Biology, College of Science, The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), PO Box 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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12
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Marshall ML, Wagstaff KM. Internalized Functional DNA Aptamers as Alternative Cancer Therapies. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:1115. [PMID: 32848740 PMCID: PMC7396948 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite major advances, cancer remains one of the largest burdens of disease worldwide. One reason behind this is that killing tumor cells without affecting healthy surrounding tissue remains a largely elusive prospect, despite the widespread availability of cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents. To meet these modern healthcare requirements, it is essential to develop precision therapeutics that minimise off-target side-effects for various cancer types. To this end, highly specific molecular targeting agents against cancer are of great interest. These agents may work by targeting intracellular signalling pathways following receptor binding, or via internalization and targeting to specific subcellular compartments. DNA aptamers represent a promising molecular tool in this arena that can be used for both specific cell surface targeting and subsequent internalization and can also elicit a functional effect upon internalization. This review examines various cancer targeting cell-internalizing aptamers, with a particular focus towards functional aptamers that do not require additional conjugation to nanoparticles or small molecules to elicit a biological response. With a deeper understanding and precise exploitation of cancer specific molecular pathways, functional intracellular DNA aptamers may be a powerful step towards more widespread development of precision therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan L Marshall
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Kylie M Wagstaff
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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13
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Targeting Glioblastoma: Advances in Drug Delivery and Novel Therapeutic Approaches. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202000124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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14
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Non-Invasive Delivery of Therapeutics into the Brain: The Potential of Aptamers for Targeted Delivery. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8050120. [PMID: 32422973 PMCID: PMC7277349 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8050120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a highly specialised network of blood vessels that effectively separates the brain environment from the circulatory system. While there are benefits, in terms of keeping pathogens from entering the brain, the BBB also complicates treatments of brain pathologies by preventing efficient delivery of macromolecular drugs to diseased brain tissue. Although current non-invasive strategies of therapeutics delivery into the brain, such as focused ultrasound and nanoparticle-mediated delivery have shown various levels of successes, they still come with risks and limitations. This review discusses the current approaches of therapeutic delivery into the brain, with a specific focus on non-invasive methods. It also discusses the potential for aptamers as alternative delivery systems and several reported aptamers with promising preliminary results.
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15
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Affinito A, Quintavalle C, Esposito CL, Roscigno G, Giordano C, Nuzzo S, Ricci-Vitiani L, Scognamiglio I, Minic Z, Pallini R, Berezovski MV, de Francisis V, Condorelli G. Targeting Ephrin Receptor Tyrosine Kinase A2 with a Selective Aptamer for Glioblastoma Stem Cells. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 20:176-185. [PMID: 32169805 PMCID: PMC7068199 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Despite the benefits associated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy for glioblastoma (GBM) treatment, most patients experience a relapse following initial therapy. Recurrent or progressive GBM usually does not respond anymore to standard therapy, and this is associated with poor patient outcome. GBM stem cells (GSCs) are a subset of cells resistant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy and play a role in tumor recurrence. The targeting of GSCs and the identification of novel markers are crucial issues in the development of innovative strategies for GBM eradication. By differential cell SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment), we have recently described two RNA aptamers, that is, the 40L sequence and its truncated form A40s, able to bind the cell surface of human GSCs. Both aptamers were selective for stem-like growing GBM cells and are rapidly internalized into target cells. In this study, we demonstrate that their binding to cells is mediated by direct recognition of the ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EphA2). Functionally, the two aptamers were able to inhibit cell growth, stemness, and migration of GSCs. Furthermore, A40s was able to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and was stable in serum in in vitro experiments. These results suggest that 40L and A40s represent innovative potential therapeutic tools for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Affinito
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, "Federico II" University of Naples, Via Tommaso de Amicis 95, 80131 Naples, Italy; Percuros B.V., Enschede, the Netherlands
| | - Cristina Quintavalle
- Percuros B.V., Enschede, the Netherlands; IEOS, CNR, Via Tommaso de Amicis 95, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | | | - Giuseppina Roscigno
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, "Federico II" University of Naples, Via Tommaso de Amicis 95, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Catello Giordano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, "Federico II" University of Naples, Via Tommaso de Amicis 95, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Lucia Ricci-Vitiani
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Iolanda Scognamiglio
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, "Federico II" University of Naples, Via Tommaso de Amicis 95, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Zoran Minic
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; John L. Holmes Mass Spectrometry Facility, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Roberto Pallini
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Maxim V Berezovski
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; John L. Holmes Mass Spectrometry Facility, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | | | - Gerolama Condorelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, "Federico II" University of Naples, Via Tommaso de Amicis 95, 80131 Naples, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed-Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Pozzilli, Pozzilli, Italy.
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16
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Zumrut HE, Mallikaratchy PR. Ligand Guided Selection (LIGS) of Artificial Nucleic Acid Ligands against Cell Surface Targets. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2019; 3:2545-2552. [PMID: 34013167 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.9b00938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
With the success of RNA-based therapeutic drugs, the demand has increased for sophisticated nucleic-acid-based targeting agents. Nucleic acid aptamers (NAAs), in this regard, represent a suitable class of molecules with synthetic versatility. Aptamers are composed of single-stranded RNA/DNA/XNA molecules, which can be identified using a method called systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) against any molecule. This Spotlight summarizes the recent introduction of ligand guided selection (LIGS), which will permit the identification of a wide range of functional aptamers against complex targets such as cell surface receptors while maintaining their native functional state. Aptamers identified from LIGS will allow researchers to develop aptamers in biomedicine as low-cost, stable therapeutic agents and diagnostic molecules or biochemical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan E Zumrut
- Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
| | - Prabodhika R Mallikaratchy
- Department of Chemistry, Lehman College, The City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, New York, New York 10468, United States.,Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States.,Ph.D. Program in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10016, United States
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17
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Affinito A, Quintavalle C, Esposito CL, Roscigno G, Vilardo C, Nuzzo S, Ricci-Vitiani L, De Luca G, Pallini R, Kichkailo AS, Lapin IN, de Franciscis V, Condorelli G. The Discovery of RNA Aptamers that Selectively Bind Glioblastoma Stem Cells. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2019; 18:99-109. [PMID: 31541799 PMCID: PMC6796606 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2019.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive primary brain tumor in adults. Despite progress in surgical and medical neuro-oncology, prognosis for GBM patients remains dismal, with a median survival of only 14–15 months. The modest benefit of conventional therapies is due to the presence of GBM stem cells (GSCs) that cause tumor relapse and chemoresistance and, therefore, that play a key role in GBM aggressiveness and recurrence. So far, strategies to identify and target GSCs have been unsuccessful. Thus, the development of an approach for GSC detection and targeting would be fundamental for improving the survival of GBM patients. Here, using the cell-systematic evolution of ligand by exponential (SELEX) methodology on human primary GSCs, we generated and characterized RNA aptamers that selectively bind GSCs versus undifferentiated GBM cells. We found that the shortened version of the aptamer 40L, which we have called A40s, costained with CD133-labeled cells in human GBM tissue, suggestive of an ability to specifically recognize GSCs in fixed human tissues. Of note, both 40L and A40s were rapidly internalized by cells, allowing for the delivery of the microRNA miR-34c and the anti-microRNA anti-miR-10b, demonstrating that these aptamers can serve as selective vehicles for therapeutics. In conclusion, the aptamers 40L and A40s can selectively target GSCs. Given the crucial role of GSCs in GBM recurrence and therapy resistance, these aptamers represent innovative drug delivery candidates with a great potential in the treatment of GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Affinito
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, "Federico II" University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; Percuros B.V., Enschede, the Netherlands
| | - Cristina Quintavalle
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, "Federico II" University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; Percuros B.V., Enschede, the Netherlands.
| | | | - Giuseppina Roscigno
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, "Federico II" University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Vilardo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, "Federico II" University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Lucia Ricci-Vitiani
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele De Luca
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Pallini
- Institute of Neurosurgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna S Kichkailo
- Federal Research Center, Krasnoyarsk Research Center Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Science, Krasnoyarsk, Russia; Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - Ivan N Lapin
- Siberian Physical-Technical Institute of Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
| | | | - Gerolama Condorelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, "Federico II" University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed - Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Pozzilli, Pozzilli, Italy.
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Vella V, Malaguarnera R, Nicolosi ML, Morrione A, Belfiore A. Insulin/IGF signaling and discoidin domain receptors: An emerging functional connection. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2019; 1866:118522. [PMID: 31394114 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2019.118522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The insulin/insulin-like growth factor system (IIGFs) plays a fundamental role in the regulation of prenatal and postnatal growth, metabolism and homeostasis. As a consequence, dysregulation of this axis is associated with growth disturbance, type 2 diabetes, chronic inflammation and tumor progression. A functional crosstalk between IIGFs and discoidin domain receptors (DDRs) has been recently discovered. DDRs are non-integrin collagen receptors that canonically undergo slow and long-lasting autophosphorylation after binding to fibrillar collagen. While both DDR1 and DDR2 functionally interact with IIGFs, the crosstalk with DDR1 is so far better characterized. Notably, the IIGFs-DDR1 crosstalk presents a feed-forward mechanism, which does not require collagen binding, thus identifying novel non-canonical action of DDR1. Further studies are needed to fully explore the role of this IIGFs-DDRs functional loop as potential target in the treatment of inflammatory and neoplastic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Vella
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Maria Luisa Nicolosi
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, Catania, Italy
| | - Andrea Morrione
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Antonino Belfiore
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, Catania, Italy.
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Nuzzo S, Catuogno S, Capuozzo M, Fiorelli A, Swiderski P, Boccella S, de Nigris F, Esposito CL. Axl-Targeted Delivery of the Oncosuppressor miR-137 in Non-small-Cell Lung Cancer. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2019; 17:256-263. [PMID: 31276956 PMCID: PMC6609832 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2019.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 85%–90% of all cases of lung cancer that is the most deadly type of cancer. Despite advances in chemotherapy and radiotherapy, severe side effects and frequent drug resistance limit the success of the treatments, and the identification of new therapeutic options still represents a crucial challenge. Here, we provide the evidence for the therapeutic potential of an aptamer-microRNA (miR) complex (AmiC) composed by an aptamer (GL21.T), able to bind and antagonize the oncogenic receptor Axl, and the miR-137, downregulated in lung cancer and involved in cell survival and proliferation. We found that, when applied to Axl-expressing NSCLC cancer cells, the complex is effectively internalized, increasing miR cellular levels and downregulating miR targets. Most importantly, the complex combines the inhibitory function of the GL21.T aptamer and miR-137, leading to a negative impact on NSCLC migration and growth. The described AmiC thus represents a promising tool for the development of new therapeutic approaches for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Silvia Catuogno
- Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Capuozzo
- Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Alfonso Fiorelli
- Thoracic Surgery Unit, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
| | - Piotr Swiderski
- DNA/RNA Synthesis Laboratory, Beckman Research Institute of City the of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Serena Boccella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
| | - Filomena de Nigris
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy; Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Carla Lucia Esposito
- Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Naples, Italy.
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Zhang Y, Lai BS, Juhas M. Recent Advances in Aptamer Discovery and Applications. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24050941. [PMID: 30866536 PMCID: PMC6429292 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24050941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 339] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are short, single-stranded DNA, RNA, or synthetic XNA molecules that can be developed with high affinity and specificity to interact with any desired targets. They have been widely used in facilitating discoveries in basic research, ensuring food safety and monitoring the environment. Furthermore, aptamers play promising roles as clinical diagnostics and therapeutic agents. This review provides update on the recent advances in this rapidly progressing field of research with particular emphasis on generation of aptamers and their applications in biosensing, biotechnology and medicine. The limitations and future directions of aptamers in target specific delivery and real-time detection are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- College of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Bo Shiun Lai
- School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Mario Juhas
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zurich, Gloriastrasse 28/30, CH-8006 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Wan LY, Yuan WF, Ai WB, Ai YW, Wang JJ, Chu LY, Zhang YQ, Wu JF. An exploration of aptamer internalization mechanisms and their applications in drug delivery. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2019; 16:207-218. [PMID: 30691313 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2019.1575808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As 'chemical antibodies', aptamers have some advantages, such as lack of immunogenicity, rapid tissue penetration, cell internalization and so on. Consequently, more and more aptamers have been screened out by the systematic evolution of ligands through exponential enrichment for the desired cells or membrane receptors. On the basis of the result, researchers use aptamers to guide drug targeting to the desired cells and internalization in vivo. AREAS COVERED In this review, we explore the mechanisms of cargo- or aptamer-mediated internalization, and then briefly summarize five strategies for exploring the mechanism of aptamer internalization. Finally, we focus on four types of applications involving aptamer internalization: aptamers as drugs, aptamers as chemical drug-delivery systems, aptamer-based chimeras and aptamer-conjugated nanoparticles or block copolymer micelles. EXPERT OPINION Two aptamer-internalization mechanisms are known, namely receptor-mediated endocytosis and macropinocytosis. The latter mechanism, which is has only been verified in the internalization of nucleolin aptamer shuttles between the nucleus and cytoplasm, may be important for nuclear internalization and cargo molecule escape from the endosomal compartment. Thus, it is feasible to use some strategies to further explore the macropinocytosis internalization mechanism and then to screen for aptamers similar to the nucleolin aptamer for use with the desired cell types as a targeted delivery tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Yan Wan
- a The People's Hospital , China Three Gorges University , Yichang , China
- b Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery , China Three Gorges University , Yichang , China
| | - Wen-Fang Yuan
- b Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery , China Three Gorges University , Yichang , China
- c Medical College , China Three Gorges University , Yichang , China
| | - Wen-Bing Ai
- d The Yiling Hospital of Yichang , Yichang , Hubei , China
| | - Yao-Wei Ai
- a The People's Hospital , China Three Gorges University , Yichang , China
- b Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery , China Three Gorges University , Yichang , China
| | - Jiao-Jiao Wang
- c Medical College , China Three Gorges University , Yichang , China
| | - Liang-Yin Chu
- e School of Chemical Engineering , Sichuan University , Chengdu , China
| | - Yan-Qiong Zhang
- b Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery , China Three Gorges University , Yichang , China
- c Medical College , China Three Gorges University , Yichang , China
| | - Jiang-Feng Wu
- a The People's Hospital , China Three Gorges University , Yichang , China
- b Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery , China Three Gorges University , Yichang , China
- c Medical College , China Three Gorges University , Yichang , China
- d The Yiling Hospital of Yichang , Yichang , Hubei , China
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Mendes M, Sousa JJ, Pais A, Vitorino C. Targeted Theranostic Nanoparticles for Brain Tumor Treatment. Pharmaceutics 2018; 10:E181. [PMID: 30304861 PMCID: PMC6321593 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics10040181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The poor prognosis and rapid recurrence of glioblastoma (GB) are associated to its fast-growing process and invasive nature, which make difficult the complete removal of the cancer infiltrated tissues. Additionally, GB heterogeneity within and between patients demands a patient-focused method of treatment. Thus, the implementation of nanotechnology is an attractive approach considering all anatomic issues of GB, since it will potentially improve brain drug distribution, due to the interaction between the blood⁻brain barrier and nanoparticles (NPs). In recent years, theranostic techniques have also been proposed and regarded as promising. NPs are advantageous for this application, due to their respective size, easy surface modification and versatility to integrate multiple functional components in one system. The design of nanoparticles focused on therapeutic and diagnostic applications has increased exponentially for the treatment of cancer. This dual approach helps to understand the location of the tumor tissue, the biodistribution of nanoparticles, the progress and efficacy of the treatment, and is highly useful for personalized medicine-based therapeutic interventions. To improve theranostic approaches, different active strategies can be used to modulate the surface of the nanotheranostic particle, including surface markers, proteins, drugs or genes, and take advantage of the characteristics of the microenvironment using stimuli responsive triggers. This review focuses on the different strategies to improve the GB treatment, describing some cell surface markers and their ligands, and reports some strategies, and their efficacy, used in the current research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mendes
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
- Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - João José Sousa
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Alberto Pais
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Carla Vitorino
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
- Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal.
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
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Kaur H. Recent developments in cell-SELEX technology for aptamer selection. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2018; 1862:2323-2329. [PMID: 30059712 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND SELEX technique is employed to select aptamers against wide range of targets. The in vitro method of aptamer selection using live cells as the target is referred as cell-SELEX. SCOPE OF THE REVIEW The review provides a comprehensive description on the development of aptamers through various cell-SELEX methods and list of aptamers identified through this method. In addition, it pinpoints the advantages and limitations of the cell-SELEX process and its variants. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS The use of aptamers as therapeutic and diagnostic agents is rapidly evolving, selection techniques such as Cell-SELEX could be beneficial in identifying aptamers when the target is in its native conformation and without prior information of the cognate target, thereby bringing the aptamer development one step closer to the clinic. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The information in this review can serve as a database for the design and development of futuristic oligonucleotide based diagnostics and therapeutics work.
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Belfiore A, Malaguarnera R, Vella V, Lawrence MC, Sciacca L, Frasca F, Morrione A, Vigneri R. Insulin Receptor Isoforms in Physiology and Disease: An Updated View. Endocr Rev 2017; 38:379-431. [PMID: 28973479 PMCID: PMC5629070 DOI: 10.1210/er.2017-00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The insulin receptor (IR) gene undergoes differential splicing that generates two IR isoforms, IR-A and IR-B. The physiological roles of IR isoforms are incompletely understood and appear to be determined by their different binding affinities for insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), particularly for IGF-2. Predominant roles of IR-A in prenatal growth and development and of IR-B in metabolic regulation are well established. However, emerging evidence indicates that the differential expression of IR isoforms may also help explain the diversification of insulin and IGF signaling and actions in various organs and tissues by involving not only different ligand-binding affinities but also different membrane partitioning and trafficking and possibly different abilities to interact with a variety of molecular partners. Of note, dysregulation of the IR-A/IR-B ratio is associated with insulin resistance, aging, and increased proliferative activity of normal and neoplastic tissues and appears to sustain detrimental effects. This review discusses novel information that has generated remarkable progress in our understanding of the physiology of IR isoforms and their role in disease. We also focus on novel IR ligands and modulators that should now be considered as an important strategy for better and safer treatment of diabetes and cancer and possibly other IR-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Belfiore
- Endocrinology, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Roberta Malaguarnera
- Endocrinology, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Veronica Vella
- School of Human and Social Sciences, University Kore of Enna, via della Cooperazione, 94100 Enna, Italy
| | - Michael C. Lawrence
- Structural Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Laura Sciacca
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, 95122 Catania, Italy
| | - Francesco Frasca
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, 95122 Catania, Italy
| | - Andrea Morrione
- Department of Urology and Biology of Prostate Cancer Program, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
| | - Riccardo Vigneri
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, 95122 Catania, Italy
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Tawiah KD, Porciani D, Burke DH. Toward the Selection of Cell Targeting Aptamers with Extended Biological Functionalities to Facilitate Endosomal Escape of Cargoes. Biomedicines 2017; 5:biomedicines5030051. [PMID: 28837119 PMCID: PMC5618309 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines5030051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2017] [Revised: 08/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades there have been exciting and rapid developments of highly specific molecules to bind cancer antigens that are overexpressed on the surfaces of malignant cells. Nanomedicine aims to exploit these ligands to generate nanoscale platforms for targeted cancer therapy, and to do so with negligible off-target effects. Aptamers are structured nucleic acids that bind to defined molecular targets ranging from small molecules and proteins to whole cells or viruses. They are selected through an iterative process of amplification and enrichment called SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment), in which a combinatorial oligonucleotide library is exposed to the target of interest for several repetitive rounds. Nucleic acid ligands able to bind and internalize into malignant cells have been extensively used as tools for targeted delivery of therapeutic payloads both in vitro and in vivo. However, current cell targeting aptamer platforms suffer from limitations that have slowed their translation to the clinic. This is especially true for applications in which the cargo must reach the cytosol to exert its biological activity, as only a small percentage of the endocytosed cargo is typically able to translocate into the cytosol. Innovative technologies and selection strategies are required to enhance cytoplasmic delivery. In this review, we describe current selection methods used to generate aptamers that target cancer cells, and we highlight some of the factors that affect productive endosomal escape of cargoes. We also give an overview of the most promising strategies utilized to improve and monitor endosomal escape of therapeutic cargoes. The methods we highlight exploit tools and technologies that can potentially be incorporated in the SELEX process. Innovative selection protocols may identify aptamers with extended biological functionalities that allow effective cytosolic translocation of therapeutics. This in turn may facilitate successful translation of these platforms into clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwaku D Tawiah
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
| | - David Porciani
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA.
| | - Donald H Burke
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
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Catuogno S, Esposito CL. Aptamer Cell-Based Selection: Overview and Advances. Biomedicines 2017; 5:biomedicines5030049. [PMID: 28805744 PMCID: PMC5618307 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines5030049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are high affinity single-stranded DNA/RNA molecules, produced by a combinatorial procedure named SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential enrichment), that are emerging as promising diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Among selection strategies, procedures using living cells as complex targets (referred as "cell-SELEX") have been developed as an effective mean to generate aptamers for heavily modified cell surface proteins, assuring the binding of the target in its native conformation. Here we give an up-to-date overview on cell-SELEX technology, discussing the most recent advances with a particular focus on cancer cell targeting. Examples of the different protocol applications and post-SELEX strategies will be briefly outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Catuogno
- Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale "G. Salvatore", CNR, Naples 80100, Italy.
| | - Carla Lucia Esposito
- Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale "G. Salvatore", CNR, Naples 80100, Italy.
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Aptamer-siRNA Chimeras: Discovery, Progress, and Future Prospects. Biomedicines 2017; 5:biomedicines5030045. [PMID: 28792479 PMCID: PMC5618303 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines5030045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic nucleic acid ligands (aptamers) have emerged as effective delivery tools for many therapeutic oligonucleotide-based drugs, including small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). In this review, we summarize recent progress in the aptamer selection technology that has made possible the identification of cell-specific, cell-internalizing aptamers for the cell-targeted delivery of therapeutic oligonucleotides. In addition, we review the original, proof-of-concept aptamer-siRNA delivery studies and discuss recent advances in aptamer-siRNA conjugate designs for applications ranging from cancer therapy to the development of targeted antivirals. Challenges and prospects of aptamer-targeted siRNA drugs for clinical development are further highlighted.
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Selection and characterization of DNA aptamer against glucagon receptor by cell-SELEX. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7179. [PMID: 28775305 PMCID: PMC5543139 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05840-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive secretion of glucagon, a functional insulin antagonist, significantly contributes to hyperglycemia. Glucagon exerts its physiological functions through activation of the glucagon receptor (GCGR). Inhibition of GCGR activity represents a potential therapeutic approach for reducing excess glucose production in diabetes mellitus. Aptamers are short DNA or RNA oligonucleotides evolved from systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Here, we have successfully selected a DNA aptamer against GCGR by cell-SELEX, which can specifically bind membrane protein of CHO-GCGR cells with a Kd of 52.7 ± 5.1 nM. Aptamer-mediated pull-down and gcgr knockdown assay verified that GCGR was the target of aptamer GR-3. Binding analysis revealed that GR-3 could recognize other cells with different affinity according to the level of GCGR protein expressed in these cells. Hepatic tissue imaging suggested that GR-3 could bind the cell membrane of hepatic tissues. With the advantages of small size, high binding affinity, good stability, lack of immunogenicity, and easy synthesis, aptamer GR-3 against GCGR can be a promising tool with the potential to attenuate hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus.
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Abstract
Aptamers are nucleic acids referred to as chemical antibodies as they bind to their specific targets with high affinity and selectivity. They are selected via an iterative process known as ‘selective evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment’ (SELEX). Aptamers have been developed against numerous cancer targets and among them, many tumor cell-membrane protein biomarkers. The identification of aptamers targeting cell-surface proteins has mainly been performed by two different strategies: protein- and cell-based SELEX, when the targets used for selection were proteins and cells, respectively. This review aims to update the literature on aptamers targeting tumor cell surface protein biomarkers, highlighting potentials, pitfalls of protein- and cell-based selection processes and applications of such selected molecules. Aptamers as promising agents for diagnosis and therapeutic approaches in oncology are documented, as well as aptamers in clinical development.
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Platella C, Riccardi C, Montesarchio D, Roviello GN, Musumeci D. G-quadruplex-based aptamers against protein targets in therapy and diagnostics. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017; 1861:1429-1447. [PMID: 27865995 PMCID: PMC7117017 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.11.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules identified to recognize with high affinity specific targets including proteins, small molecules, ions, whole cells and even entire organisms, such as viruses or bacteria. They can be identified from combinatorial libraries of DNA or RNA oligonucleotides by SELEX technology, an in vitro iterative selection procedure consisting of binding (capture), partitioning and amplification steps. Remarkably, many of the aptamers selected against biologically relevant protein targets are G-rich sequences that can fold into stable G-quadruplex (G4) structures. Aiming at disseminating novel inspiring ideas within the scientific community in the field of G4-structures, the emphasis of this review is placed on: 1) recent advancements in SELEX technology for the efficient and rapid identification of new candidate aptamers (introduction of microfluidic systems and next generation sequencing); 2) recurrence of G4 structures in aptamers selected by SELEX against biologically relevant protein targets; 3) discovery of several G4-forming motifs in important regulatory regions of the human or viral genome bound by endogenous proteins, which per se can result into potential aptamers; 4) an updated overview of G4-based aptamers with therapeutic potential and 5) a discussion on the most attractive G4-based aptamers for diagnostic applications. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "G-quadruplex" Guest Editor: Dr. Concetta Giancola and Dr. Daniela Montesarchio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Platella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, CNR, Napoli, Italy.
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Evolution of Complex Target SELEX to Identify Aptamers against Mammalian Cell-Surface Antigens. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22020215. [PMID: 28146093 PMCID: PMC5572134 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22020215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The demand has increased for sophisticated molecular tools with improved detection limits. Such molecules should be simple in structure, yet stable enough for clinical applications. Nucleic acid aptamers (NAAs) represent a class of molecules able to meet this demand. In particular, aptamers, a class of small nucleic acid ligands that are composed of single-stranded modified/unmodified RNA/DNA molecules, can be evolved from a complex library using Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX) against almost any molecule. Since its introduction in 1990, in stages, SELEX technology has itself undergone several modifications, improving selection and broadening the repertoire of targets. This review summarizes these milestones that have pushed the field forward, allowing researchers to generate aptamers that can potentially be applied as therapeutic and diagnostic agents.
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