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Tavili E, Aziziyan F, Khajeh K. Inhibitors of amyloid fibril formation. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2024; 206:291-340. [PMID: 38811084 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2024.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Many diseases are caused by misfolded and denatured proteins, leading to neurodegenerative diseases. In recent decades researchers have developed a variety of compounds, including polymeric inhibitors and natural compounds, antibodies, and chaperones, to inhibit protein aggregation, decrease the toxic effects of amyloid fibrils, and facilitate refolding proteins. The causes and mechanisms of amyloid formation are still unclear, and there are no effective treatments for Amyloid diseases. This section describes research and achievements in the field of inhibiting amyloid accumulation and also discusses the importance of various strategies in facilitating the removal of aggregates species (refolding) in the treatment of neurological diseases such as chemical methods like as, small molecules, metal chelators, polymeric inhibitors, and nanomaterials, as well as the use of biomolecules (peptide and, protein, nucleic acid, and saccharide) as amyloid inhibitors, are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaheh Tavili
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Aziziyan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Khosro Khajeh
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
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2
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Khan I, Preeti K, Fernandes V, Khatri DK, Singh SB. Role of MicroRNAs, Aptamers in Neuroinflammation and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2022; 42:2075-2095. [PMID: 33934227 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-021-01093-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Exploring the microRNAs and aptamers for their therapeutic role as biological drugs has expanded the horizon of its applicability against various human diseases, explicitly targeting the genetic materials. RNA-based therapeutics are widely being explored for the treatment and diagnosis of multiple diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders (NDD). Latter includes microRNA, aptamers, ribozymes, and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which control the gene expression mainly at the transcriptional strata. One RNA transcript translates into different protein types; hence, therapies targeted at the transcriptional sphere may have prominent and more extensive effects than alternative therapeutics. Unlike conventional gene therapy, RNAs, upon delivery, can either altogether abolish or alter the synthesis of the protein of interest, therefore, regulating their activities in a controlled and diverse manner. NDDs like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, Prion disease, and others are characterized by deposition of misfolded protein such as amyloid-ß, tau, α-synuclein, huntingtin and prion proteins. Neuroinflammation, one of the perquisites for neurodegeneration, is induced during neurodegenerative pathogenesis. In this review, we discuss microRNAs and aptamers' role as two different RNA-based approaches for their unique ability to regulate protein production at the transcription level, hence offering many advantages over other biologicals. The microRNA acts either by alleviating the malfunctioning RNA expression or by working as a replacement to lost microRNA. On the contrary, aptamer act as a chemical antibody and forms an aptamer-target complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Islauddin Khan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Hyderabad, Balanagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500037, India
| | - Kumari Preeti
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Hyderabad, Balanagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500037, India
| | - Valencia Fernandes
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Hyderabad, Balanagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500037, India
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Khatri
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Hyderabad, Balanagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500037, India.
| | - Shashi Bala Singh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Hyderabad, Balanagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500037, India.
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3
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Murakami K, Izuo N, Bitan G. Aptamers targeting amyloidogenic proteins and their emerging role in neurodegenerative diseases. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101478. [PMID: 34896392 PMCID: PMC8728582 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are oligonucleotides selected from large pools of random sequences based on their affinity for bioactive molecules and are used in similar ways to antibodies. Aptamers provide several advantages over antibodies, including their small size, facile, large-scale chemical synthesis, high stability, and low immunogenicity. Amyloidogenic proteins, whose aggregation is relevant to neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and prion diseases, are among the most challenging targets for aptamer development due to their conformational instability and heterogeneity, the same characteristics that make drug development against amyloidogenic proteins difficult. Recently, chemical tethering of aptagens (equivalent to antigens) and advances in high-throughput sequencing-based analysis have been used to overcome some of these challenges. In addition, internalization technologies using fusion to cellular receptors and extracellular vesicles have facilitated central nervous system (CNS) aptamer delivery. In view of the development of these techniques and resources, here we review antiamyloid aptamers, highlighting preclinical application to CNS therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuma Murakami
- Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Naotaka Izuo
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Therapy and Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Gal Bitan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, Brain Research Institute, and Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
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Intrinsic disorder and phase transitions: Pieces in the puzzling role of the prion protein in health and disease. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2021; 183:1-43. [PMID: 34656326 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2021.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
After four decades of prion protein research, the pressing questions in the literature remain similar to the common existential dilemmas. Who am I? Some structural characteristics of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) and scrapie PrP (PrPSc) remain unknown: there are no high-resolution atomic structures for either full-length endogenous human PrPC or isolated infectious PrPSc particles. Why am I here? It is not known why PrPC and PrPSc are found in specific cellular compartments such as the nucleus; while the physiological functions of PrPC are still being uncovered, the misfolding site remains obscure. Where am I going? The subcellular distribution of PrPC and PrPSc is wide (reported in 10 different locations in the cell). This complexity is further exacerbated by the eight different PrP fragments yielded from conserved proteolytic cleavages and by reversible post-translational modifications, such as glycosylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Moreover, about 55 pathological mutations and 16 polymorphisms on the PrP gene (PRNP) have been described. Prion diseases also share unique, challenging features: strain phenomenon (associated with the heterogeneity of PrPSc conformations) and the possible transmissibility between species, factors which contribute to PrP undruggability. However, two recent concepts in biochemistry-intrinsically disordered proteins and phase transitions-may shed light on the molecular basis of PrP's role in physiology and disease.
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Louka A, Zacco E, Temussi PA, Tartaglia GG, Pastore A. RNA as the stone guest of protein aggregation. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:11880-11889. [PMID: 33068411 PMCID: PMC7708036 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of prions as infectious aggregates dates several decades. From its original formulation, the definition of a prion has progressively changed to the point that many aggregation-prone proteins are now considered bona fide prions. RNA molecules, not included in the original 'protein-only hypothesis', are also being recognized as important factors contributing to the 'prion behaviour', that implies the transmissibility of an aberrant fold. In particular, an association has recently emerged between aggregation and the assembly of prion-like proteins in RNA-rich complexes, associated with both physiological and pathological events. Here, we discuss the historical rising of the concept of prion-like domains, their relation to RNA and their role in protein aggregation. As a paradigmatic example, we present the case study of TDP-43, an RNA-binding prion-like protein associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Through this example, we demonstrate how the current definition of prions has incorporated quite different concepts making the meaning of the term richer and more stimulating. An important message that emerges from our analysis is the dual role of RNA in protein aggregation, making RNA, that has been considered for many years a 'silent presence' or the 'stone guest' of protein aggregation, an important component of the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Louka
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the Maurice Wohl Institute of King's College London, London SE5 9RT, UK
| | - Elsa Zacco
- Center for Human Technologies, Central RNA laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova 16152, Italy
| | - Piero Andrea Temussi
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the Maurice Wohl Institute of King's College London, London SE5 9RT, UK
- University “Federico II’’ Napoli, via Cynthia, Napoli 80100, Italy
| | - Gian Gaetano Tartaglia
- Center for Human Technologies, Central RNA laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova 16152, Italy
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona 08003, Spain and ICREA, 23 Passeig Lluıs Companys, Barcelona 08010, Spain
- Charles Darwin department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Annalisa Pastore
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the Maurice Wohl Institute of King's College London, London SE5 9RT, UK
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Murugesan C, Manivannan P, Gangatharan M. Pros and cons in prion diseases abatement: Insights from nanomedicine and transmissibility patterns. Int J Biol Macromol 2020; 145:21-27. [PMID: 31866542 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.12.150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Ample research progress with nanotechnology applications in health and medicine implies precision and accuracy in the scenario of neurodegenerative disorders, for which impending research in ultimate and complete cure has been the vision worldwide. The complexity of prion disease has been unravelled by scientists and demarcated for efficient abatement protocols, but which are still under research and clinical trials. Drug delivery strategies combating prion diseases across the blood brain barrier, the efficacy of drugs and biocompatibility remain a serious question to be thoroughly studied for effective diagnosis and treatment. The present review compiles comprehensively the current treatment modalities against prion diseases and future prospects of nanotechnology addressing diagnosis and treatment of prion diseases with a special emphasis on transmissibility. Further, approaches for anti-prion technology, immunotherapy, and hindrances in vaccine development are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandrasekaran Murugesan
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, 209 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea.
| | - Paramasivan Manivannan
- Department of Microbiology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 24, Tamilnadu, India
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7
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Pradhan P, Srivastava A, Singh J, Biswas B, Saini A, Siddique I, Kumari P, Khan MA, Mishra A, Yadav PK, Kumar S, Bhavesh NS, Venkatraman P, Vivekanandan P, Kundu B. Prion protein transcription is auto-regulated through dynamic interactions with G-quadruplex motifs in its own promoter. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2020; 1863:194479. [PMID: 31931179 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2019.194479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Cellular prion protein (PrP) misfolds into an aberrant and infectious scrapie form (PrPSc) that lead to fatal transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Association of prions with G-quadruplex (GQ) forming nucleic acid motifs has been reported, but implications of these interactions remain elusive. Herein, we show that the promoter region of the human prion gene (PRNP) contains two putative GQ motifs (Q1 and Q2) that assume stable, hybrid, intra-molecular quadruplex structures and bind with high affinity to PrP. Here, we investigate the ability of PrP to bind to the quadruplexes in its own promoter. We used a battery of techniques including SPR, NMR, CD, MD simulations and cell culture-based reporter assays. Our results show that PrP auto-regulates its expression by binding and resolving the GQs present in its own promoter. Furthermore, we map this resolvase-like activity to the N-terminal region (residues 23-89) of PrP. Our findings highlight a positive transcriptional-translational feedback regulation of the PRNP gene by PrP through dynamic unwinding of GQs in its promoter. Taken together, our results shed light on a yet unknown mechanism of regulation of the PRNP gene. This work provides the necessary framework for a plethora of studies on understanding the regulation of PrP levels and its implications in prion pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Pradhan
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, IIT Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Ankit Srivastava
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, IIT Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Jasdeep Singh
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, IIT Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Banhi Biswas
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, IIT Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Akanksha Saini
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, IIT Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Ibrar Siddique
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Pooja Kumari
- Transcription Regulation group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Mohd Asim Khan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi, South Campus, New Delhi 110021, India
| | - Akhilesh Mishra
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, IIT Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Pramod Kumar Yadav
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, IIT Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Shivani Kumar
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, IIT Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Neel Sarovar Bhavesh
- Transcription Regulation group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Prasanna Venkatraman
- Tata Memorial Centre, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, 2nd floor, BARC Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400094, India
| | - Perumal Vivekanandan
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, IIT Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India.
| | - Bishwajit Kundu
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, IIT Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India.
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8
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Matos CO, Passos YM, do Amaral MJ, Macedo B, Tempone MH, Bezerra OCL, Moraes MO, Almeida MS, Weber G, Missailidis S, Silva JL, Uversky VN, Pinheiro AS, Cordeiro Y. Liquid-liquid phase separation and fibrillation of the prion protein modulated by a high-affinity DNA aptamer. FASEB J 2019; 34:365-385. [PMID: 31914616 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201901897r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Structural conversion of cellular prion protein (PrPC) into scrapie PrP (PrPSc) and subsequent aggregation are key events associated with the onset of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Experimental evidence supports the role of nucleic acids (NAs) in assisting this conversion. Here, we asked whether PrP undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and if this process is modulated by NAs. To this end, two 25-mer DNA aptamers, A1 and A2, were selected against the globular domain of recombinant murine PrP (rPrP90-231) using SELEX methodology. Multiparametric structural analysis of these aptamers revealed that A1 adopts a hairpin conformation. Aptamer binding caused partial unfolding of rPrP90-231 and modulated its ability to undergo LLPS and fibrillate. In fact, although free rPrP90-231 phase separated into large droplets, aptamer binding increased the number of droplets but noticeably reduced their size. Strikingly, a modified A1 aptamer that does not adopt a hairpin structure induced formation of amyloid fibrils on the surface of the droplets. We show here that PrP undergoes LLPS, and that the PrP interaction with NAs modulates phase separation and promotes PrP fibrillation in a NA structure and concentration-dependent manner. These results shed new light on the roles of NAs in PrP misfolding and TSEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina O Matos
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Yulli M Passos
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mariana J do Amaral
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, National Center for Structural Biology and Bioimaging (CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bruno Macedo
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Matheus H Tempone
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ohanna C L Bezerra
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Milton O Moraes
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcius S Almeida
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, National Center for Structural Biology and Bioimaging (CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gerald Weber
- Department of Physics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Sotiris Missailidis
- Institute of Technology in Immunobiologics (Bio-Manguinhos), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jerson L Silva
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, National Center for Structural Biology and Bioimaging (CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine, USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.,Laboratory of New Methods in Biology, Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia
| | - Anderson S Pinheiro
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Yraima Cordeiro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Ren X, Zhao Y, Xue F, Zheng Y, Huang H, Wang W, Chang Y, Yang H, Zhang J. Exosomal DNA Aptamer Targeting α-Synuclein Aggregates Reduced Neuropathological Deficits in a Mouse Parkinson's Disease Model. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2019; 17:726-740. [PMID: 31437653 PMCID: PMC6709346 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2019.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The α-synuclein aggregates are the main component of Lewy bodies in Parkinson's disease (PD) brain, and they showed immunotherapy could be employed to alleviate α-synuclein aggregate pathology in PD. Recently we have generated DNA aptamers that specifically recognize α-synuclein. In this study, we further investigated the in vivo effect of these aptamers on the neuropathological deficits associated with PD. For efficient delivery of the aptamers into the mouse brain, we employed modified exosomes with the neuron-specific rabies viral glycoprotein (RVG) peptide on the membrane surface. We demonstrated that the aptamers were efficiently packaged into the RVG-exosomes and delivered into neurons in vitro and in vivo. Functionally, the aptamer-loaded RVG-exosomes significantly reduced the α-synuclein preformed fibril (PFF)-induced pathological aggregates, and rescued synaptic protein loss and neuronal death. Moreover, intraperitoneal administration of these exosomes into the mice with intra-striatally injected α-synuclein PFF reduced the pathological α-synuclein aggregates and improved motor impairments. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the aptamers targeting α-synuclein aggregates could be effectively delivered into the mouse brain by the RVG-exosomes and reduce the neuropathological and behavioral deficits in the mouse PD model. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of the RVG-exosome delivery of aptamer to alleviate the brain α-synuclein pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxi Ren
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Yun Zhao
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Fenqin Xue
- Core Facilities Center, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Yan Zheng
- Department of Physiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Haixia Huang
- Department of Physiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Physiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Yongchang Chang
- Division of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Jianliang Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
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Yu Q, Liu M, Wei S, Wu S, Xiao H, Qin X, Su H, Li P. Characterization of ssDNA aptamers specifically directed against Trachinotus ovatus NNV (GTONNV)-infected cells with antiviral activities. J Gen Virol 2019; 100:380-391. [PMID: 30698517 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Nervous necrosis virus (NNV), is one of the most fatal viruses in marine fish aquaculture, and is capable of infecting over 50 different fish species. Trachinotus ovatus NNV (GTONNV) was isolated from diseased golden pompano. This T. ovatus strain was isolated from Guangxi, China. Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) aptamers with high specificity for GTONNV-infected T. ovatus cerebellum cells (TOCC) were produced by Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX). The characterization of these aptamers was performed using flow cytometry and laser scanning confocal microscopy. The selected aptamers showed significant specificity for GTONNV-infected cells. Based on MFOLD prediction, aptamers formed distinct stem-loop structures that could form the basis for the aptamers' specific binding to their cellular targets. Protease treatment results revealed that the target molecules for aptamers TNA1, TNA4 and TNA19 within GTONNV-infected cells may be membrane proteins that were trypsin-sensitive. Specific endocytosis of aptamer TNA1, TNA4 and TNA19 into GTONNV-infected cells was also shown. The selected aptamers demonstrated antiviral effects against GTONNV both in vitro and in vivo. This is the first time that aptamers targeting GTONNV-infected T. ovatus cells have been selected and characterized. These aptamers hold promise as rapid diagnostic reagents or targeted therapeutic drugs against GTONNV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Yu
- 1Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Natural Products and Combinatorial Biosynethesis Chemistry, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, PR China
| | - Mingzhu Liu
- 1Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Natural Products and Combinatorial Biosynethesis Chemistry, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, PR China
| | - Shina Wei
- 2College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Siting Wu
- 1Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Natural Products and Combinatorial Biosynethesis Chemistry, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, PR China.,3Guangxi Key Lab for Marine Biotechnology, Guangxi Institute of Oceanography, Beihai, PR China
| | - Hehe Xiao
- 4College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, PR China
| | - Xianling Qin
- 5Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, PR China
| | - Hongfei Su
- 6Guangxi Laboratory on the Study of Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, College of Marine Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning, PR China
| | - Pengfei Li
- 1Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Natural Products and Combinatorial Biosynethesis Chemistry, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, PR China
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11
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Cai S, Yan J, Xiong H, Liu Y, Peng D, Liu Z. Investigations on the interface of nucleic acid aptamers and binding targets. Analyst 2019; 143:5317-5338. [PMID: 30357118 DOI: 10.1039/c8an01467a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA of 20-100 nucleotides in length that have attracted substantial scientific interest due to their ability to specifically bind to target molecules via the formation of three-dimensional structures. Compared to traditional protein antibodies, aptamers have several advantages, such as their small size, high binding affinity, specificity, flexible structure, being chemical synthesizable and modifiable, good biocompatibility, high stability and low immunogenicity, which all contribute to their widely applications in the biomedical field. To date, much progress has been made in the study and applications of aptamers, however, detailed information on how aptamers bind to their targets is still scarce. Over the past few decades, many methods have been introduced to investigate the aptamer-target binding process, such as measuring the main kinetic or thermodynamic parameters, detecting the structural changes of the binding complexes, etc. Apart from traditional physicochemical methods, various types of molecular docking programs have been applied to simulate the aptamer-target interactions, while these simulations also have limitations. To facilitate the further research on the interactions, herein, we provide a brief review to illustrate the recent advances in the study of aptamer-target interactions. We summarize the binding targets of aptamers, such as small molecules, macromolecules, and even cells. Their binding constants (KD) are also summarized. Methods to probe the aptamer-target binding process, such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR), circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), footprinting assay, truncation and mutation assay, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), X-ray crystallography and molecular docking simulation are indicated. The binding forces mediating the aptamer-target interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interaction, the hydrophobic effect, π-π stacking and van der Waals forces are summarized. The challenges and future perspectives are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shundong Cai
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, PR China.
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Dong L, Zhou H, Zhao M, Gao X, Liu Y, Liu D, Guo W, Hu H, Xie Q, Fan J, Lin J, Wu W. Phosphorothioate-Modified AP613-1 Specifically Targets GPC3 when Used for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Imaging. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 13:376-386. [PMID: 30347351 PMCID: PMC6198100 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Glypican-3 (GPC3), the cellular membrane proteoglycan, has been established as a tumor biomarker for early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). GPC3 is highly expressed in more than 70% HCC tissues detected by antibody-based histopathological systems. Recently, aptamers, a short single-strand DNA or RNA generated from systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX), were reported as potential alternatives in tumor-targeted imaging and diagnosis. In this study, a total of 19 GPC3-bound aptamers were successfully screened by capillary electrophoresis (CE)-SELEX technology. After truncated, AP613-1 was confirmed to specifically target GPC3 with a dissociation constant (KD) of 59.85 nM. When modified with a phosphorothioate linkage, APS613-1 targeted GPC3 with a KD of 15.48 nM and could be used as a specific probe in living Huh7 and PLC/PRF/5 imaging, GPC3-positive cell lines, but not in L02 or A549, two GPC3-negative cell lines. More importantly, Alexa Fluor 750-conjugated APS613-1 could be used as a fluorescent probe to subcutaneous HCC imaging in xenograft nude mice. Our results indicated that modified AP613-1, especially APS613-1, was a potential agent in GPC3-positive tumor imaging for HCC early diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Dong
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hongxin Zhou
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Menglong Zhao
- Department of Radiology and Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xinghui Gao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Dongli Liu
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hongwei Hu
- Shanghai Aijin Biochemical Science & Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Qian Xie
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Jia Fan
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, China; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jiang Lin
- Department of Radiology and Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Institute of Functional and Molecular Medical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
| | - Weizhong Wu
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, China.
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13
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Li P, Yu Q, Zhou L, Dong D, Wei S, Ya H, Chen B, Qin Q. Probing and characterizing the high specific sequences of ssDNA aptamer against SGIV-infected cells. Virus Res 2018; 246:46-54. [PMID: 29341876 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2018.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
As the major viral pathogen of grouper aquaculture, Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV) has caused great economic losses in China and Southeast Asia. In the previous study, we have generated highly specific ssDNA aptamers against SGIV-infected grouper spleen cells (GS) by Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment technology (SELEX), in which Q2 had the highest binding affinity of 16.43 nM. In this study, we would try to identify the specific sequences in the aptamer Q2 that exhibited the high binding affinity to SGIV-infected cells by truncating the original Q2 into some different specific segments. We first evaluated the specificity and binding affinity of these truncated aptamers to SGIV-infected cells by flow cytometry, fluorescent imaging of cells and aptamer-based enzyme-linked apta-sorbent assay (ELASA). We then performed cytotoxicity analysis, assessment of the inhibitory effects upon SGIV infection and the celluar internalization kinetics of each truncated aptamer. Compared to the initial Q2, one of the truncated aptamer Q2-C5 showed a 3-fold increase in the binding affinity for SGIV-infected cells, and held more effective inhibitory effects, higher internalization kinetics and stability. Hence, the aptamer's truncated methods could be applied in the research of identifying aptamer's key sequences. The shorter, structure optimizing aptamer showed more excellent performance over the originally selected aptamer, which could potentially be applied in developing commercial detection probes for the early and rapid diagnosis of SGIV infection, and highly specific therapeutic drugs against SGIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning 530007, China
| | - Qing Yu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning 530007, China
| | - Lingli Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Dexin Dong
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning 530007, China
| | - Shina Wei
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Hanzheng Ya
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning 530007, China
| | - Bo Chen
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning 530007, China
| | - Qiwei Qin
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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14
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Bouvier-Müller A, Ducongé F. Nucleic acid aptamers for neurodegenerative diseases. Biochimie 2017; 145:73-83. [PMID: 29104136 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2017.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The increased incidence of neurodegenerative diseases represents a huge challenge for societies. These diseases are characterized by neuronal death and include several different pathologies, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease and transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Most of these pathologies are often associated with the aggregation of misfolded proteins, such as amyloid-ß, tau, α-synuclein, huntingtin and prion proteins. However, the precise mechanisms that lead to neuronal dysfunction and death in these diseases remain poorly understood. Nucleic acid aptamers represent a new class of ligands that could be useful to better understand these diseases and develop better diagnosis and therapy. In this review, several of these aptamers are presented as well as their applications for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alix Bouvier-Müller
- CEA, Fundamental Research Division (DRF), Institute of Biology François Jacob (Jacob), Molecular Imaging Research Center, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, CNRS CEA UMR 9199, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; Paris-Saclay University, Paris-Sud University, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Frédéric Ducongé
- CEA, Fundamental Research Division (DRF), Institute of Biology François Jacob (Jacob), Molecular Imaging Research Center, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, CNRS CEA UMR 9199, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; Paris-Saclay University, Paris-Sud University, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
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15
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Lou Z, Wan J, Zhang X, Zhang H, Zhou X, Cheng S, Gu N. Quick and sensitive SPR detection of prion disease-associated isoform (PrP Sc) based on its self-assembling behavior on bare gold film and specific interactions with aptamer-graphene oxide (AGO). Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2017; 157:31-39. [PMID: 28570989 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2017.05.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we constructed a novel sandwich surface plasmon resonance (SPR) detection assay for sensitive prion disease-associated isoform (PrPSc) detection, utilizing bare gold film and apatamer-graphene oxide (AGO). Due to the self-assembling behavior of PrPSc on gold surface, the non-modified gold surface can be directly used as sensing surface for the quick detection, for the purpose to avoid the interference from the traditional, complex and changeable probe-modified sensing surface. And due to the highly specific affinity of AGO towards PrPSc, the sandwich type SPR sensor exhibits excellent analytical performance towards the discrimination and quantitation of PrPSc. A good linear relationship was obtained between SPR responses and the logarithm of PrPSc concentrations over a range of 0.001-1ng/mL. The detection sensitivity for PrPSc was improved by ∼156 orders of AGO compared with SPR direct detection format. Besides, morphological changes of the sensing film surfaces were investigated by high resolution AFM imaging, confirming the capture of PrPSc molecules and their further specific recognition by AGO. The specificity of the present biosensor was also investigated by PrPC and other regents as controls. By compared with other reported methods, the AGO enhanced sandwich SPR assay was confirmed to be efficient, sensitive, and with wide working range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhichao Lou
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China.
| | - Jinfeng Wan
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Xiaohong Zhang
- College of Materials Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China
| | - Haiqian Zhang
- College of Materials Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhou
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Su Cheng
- Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ning Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
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16
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Unraveling Prion Protein Interactions with Aptamers and Other PrP-Binding Nucleic Acids. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18051023. [PMID: 28513534 PMCID: PMC5454936 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18051023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Revised: 04/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are a group of neurodegenerative disorders that affect humans and other mammals. The etiologic agents common to these diseases are misfolded conformations of the prion protein (PrP). The molecular mechanisms that trigger the structural conversion of the normal cellular PrP (PrPC) into the pathogenic conformer (PrPSc) are still poorly understood. It is proposed that a molecular cofactor would act as a catalyst, lowering the activation energy of the conversion process, therefore favoring the transition of PrPC to PrPSc. Several in vitro studies have described physical interactions between PrP and different classes of molecules, which might play a role in either PrP physiology or pathology. Among these molecules, nucleic acids (NAs) are highlighted as potential PrP molecular partners. In this context, the SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment) methodology has proven extremely valuable to investigate PrP–NA interactions, due to its ability to select small nucleic acids, also termed aptamers, that bind PrP with high affinity and specificity. Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides that can be folded into a wide range of structures (from harpins to G-quadruplexes). They are selected from a nucleic acid pool containing a large number (1014–1016) of random sequences of the same size (~20–100 bases). Aptamers stand out because of their potential ability to bind with different affinities to distinct conformations of the same protein target. Therefore, the identification of high-affinity and selective PrP ligands may aid the development of new therapies and diagnostic tools for TSEs. This review will focus on the selection of aptamers targeted against either full-length or truncated forms of PrP, discussing the implications that result from interactions of PrP with NAs, and their potential advances in the studies of prions. We will also provide a critical evaluation, assuming the advantages and drawbacks of the SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment) technique in the general field of amyloidogenic proteins.
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17
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Qu J, Yu S, Zheng Y, Zheng Y, Yang H, Zhang J. Aptamer and its applications in neurodegenerative diseases. Cell Mol Life Sci 2017; 74:683-695. [PMID: 27563707 PMCID: PMC11107737 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2345-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Revised: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Aptamers are small single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotide fragments or small peptides, which can bind to targets by high affinity and specificity. Because aptamers are specific, non-immunogenic and non-toxic, they are ideal materials for clinical applications. Neurodegenerative disorders are ravaging the lives of patients. Even though the mechanism of these diseases is still elusive, they are mainly characterized by the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the central nervous system. So it is essential to develop potential measures to slow down or prevent the onset of these diseases. With the advancements of the technologies, aptamers have opened up new areas in this research field. Aptamers could bind with these related target proteins to interrupt their accumulation, subsequently blocking or preventing the process of neurodegenerative diseases. This review presents recent advances in the aptamer generation and its merits and limitations, with emphasis on its applications in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, Huntington's disease and multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Qu
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Major Disorders-State Key Lab Incubation Base, Beijing Neuroscience Disciplines, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Shuqing Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, State Key Disciplinary of Neurosurgery Department, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yuan Zheng
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Major Disorders-State Key Lab Incubation Base, Beijing Neuroscience Disciplines, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yan Zheng
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Major Disorders-State Key Lab Incubation Base, Beijing Neuroscience Disciplines, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Major Disorders-State Key Lab Incubation Base, Beijing Neuroscience Disciplines, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Jianliang Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Major Disorders-State Key Lab Incubation Base, Beijing Neuroscience Disciplines, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
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18
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Lyu Y, Chen G, Shangguan D, Zhang L, Wan S, Wu Y, Zhang H, Duan L, Liu C, You M, Wang J, Tan W. Generating Cell Targeting Aptamers for Nanotheranostics Using Cell-SELEX. Am J Cancer Res 2016; 6:1440-52. [PMID: 27375791 PMCID: PMC4924511 DOI: 10.7150/thno.15666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Detecting and understanding changes in cell conditions on the molecular level is of great importance for the accurate diagnosis and timely therapy of diseases. Cell-based SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment), a foundational technology used to generate highly-specific, cell-targeting aptamers, has been increasingly employed in studies of molecular medicine, including biomarker discovery and early diagnosis/targeting therapy of cancer. In this review, we begin with a mechanical description of the cell-SELEX process, covering aptamer selection, identification and identification, and aptamer characterization; following this introduction is a comprehensive discussion of the potential for aptamers as targeting moieties in the construction of various nanotheranostics. Challenges and prospects for cell-SELEX and aptamer-based nanotheranostic are also discussed.
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19
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Hianik T. Affinity Biosensors for Detection Immunoglobulin E and Cellular Prions. Antibodies vs. DNA Aptamers. ELECTROANAL 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/elan.201600153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tibor Hianik
- Department of Nuclear Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics; Comenius University; Mlynska dolina F1 842 48 Bratislava Slovakia
- OpenLab “DNA-Sensors” of Kazan Federal University; 18 Kremlevskaya Street Kazan 420008 Russian Federation
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20
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Nucleic Acid Aptamers: An Emerging Tool for Biotechnology and Biomedical Sensing. SENSORS 2015; 15:16281-313. [PMID: 26153774 PMCID: PMC4541879 DOI: 10.3390/s150716281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2015] [Revised: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Detection of small molecules or proteins of living cells provides an exceptional opportunity to study genetic variations and functions, cellular behaviors, and various diseases including cancer and microbial infections. Our aim in this review is to give an overview of selected research activities related to nucleic acid-based aptamer techniques that have been reported in the past two decades. Limitations of aptamers and possible approaches to overcome these limitations are also discussed.
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21
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McConnell EM, Holahan MR, DeRosa MC. Aptamers as promising molecular recognition elements for diagnostics and therapeutics in the central nervous system. Nucleic Acid Ther 2015; 24:388-404. [PMID: 25296265 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2014.0492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Oligonucleotide aptamers are short, synthetic, single-stranded DNA or RNA able to recognize and bind to a multitude of targets ranging from small molecules to cells. Aptamers have emerged as valuable tools for fundamental research, clinical diagnosis, and therapy. Due to their small size, strong target affinity, lack of immunogenicity, and ease of chemical modification, aptamers are an attractive alternative to other molecular recognition elements, such as antibodies. Although it is a challenging environment, the central nervous system and related molecular targets present an exciting potential area for aptamer research. Aptamers hold promise for targeted drug delivery, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Here we review recent advances in aptamer research for neurotransmitter and neurotoxin targets, demyelinating disease and spinal cord injury, cerebrovascular disorders, pathologies related to protein aggregation (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and prions), brain cancer (glioblastomas and gliomas), and regulation of receptor function. Challenges and limitations posed by the blood brain barrier are described. Future perspectives for the application of aptamers to the central nervous system are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M McConnell
- 1 Department of Chemistry, Carleton University , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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22
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Cross-protection of influenza A virus infection by a DNA aptamer targeting the PA endonuclease domain. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015; 59:4082-93. [PMID: 25918143 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00306-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amino acid residues in the N-terminal of the PA subunit (PAN) of the influenza A virus polymerase play critical roles in endonuclease activity, protein stability, and viral RNA (vRNA) promoter binding. In addition, PAN is highly conserved among different subtypes of influenza virus, which suggests PAN to be a desired target in the development of anti-influenza agents. We selected DNA aptamers targeting the intact PA protein or the PAN domain of an H5N1 virus strain using systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). The binding affinities of selected aptamers were measured, followed by an evaluation of in vitro endonuclease inhibitory activity. Next, the antiviral effects of enriched aptamers against influenza A virus infections were examined. A total of three aptamers targeting PA and six aptamers targeting PAN were selected. Our data demonstrated that all three PA-selected aptamers neither inhibited endonuclease activity nor exhibited antiviral efficacy, whereas four of the six PAN-selected aptamers inhibited both endonuclease activity and H5N1 virus infection. Among the four effective aptamers, one exhibited cross-protection against infections of H1N1, H5N1, H7N7, and H7N9 influenza viruses, with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of around 10 nM. Notably, this aptamer was identified at the 5th round but disappeared after the 10th round of selection, suggesting that the identification and evaluation of aptamers at early rounds of selection may be highly helpful for screening effective aptamers. Overall, our study provides novel insights for screening and developing effective aptamers for use as anti-influenza drugs.
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23
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Tahiri-Alaoui A, Zhao Y, Sadigh Y, Popplestone J, Kgosana L, Smith LP, Nair V. Poly(A) binding protein 1 enhances cap-independent translation initiation of neurovirulence factor from avian herpesvirus. PLoS One 2014; 9:e114466. [PMID: 25503397 PMCID: PMC4263670 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Poly(A) binding protein 1 (PABP1) plays a central role in mRNA translation and stability and is a target by many viruses in diverse manners. We report a novel viral translational control strategy involving the recruitment of PABP1 to the 5' leader internal ribosome entry site (5L IRES) of an immediate-early (IE) bicistronic mRNA that encodes the neurovirulence protein (pp14) from the avian herpesvirus Marek's disease virus serotype 1 (MDV1). We provide evidence for the interaction between an internal poly(A) sequence within the 5L IRES and PABP1 which may occur concomitantly with the recruitment of PABP1 to the poly(A) tail. RNA interference and reverse genetic mutagenesis results show that a subset of virally encoded-microRNAs (miRNAs) targets the inhibitor of PABP1, known as paip2, and therefore plays an indirect role in PABP1 recruitment strategy by increasing the available pool of active PABP1. We propose a model that may offer a mechanistic explanation for the cap-independent enhancement of the activity of the 5L IRES by recruitment of a bona fide initiation protein to the 5' end of the message and that is, from the affinity binding data, still compatible with the formation of 'closed loop' structure of mRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdessamad Tahiri-Alaoui
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (ATA); (VN)
| | - Yuguang Zhao
- The Division of Structural Biology, The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Yashar Sadigh
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - James Popplestone
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Lydia Kgosana
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Lorraine P. Smith
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Venugopal Nair
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (ATA); (VN)
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24
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Pathological implications of nucleic acid interactions with proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Biophys Rev 2014; 6:97-110. [PMID: 28509960 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-013-0132-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2013] [Accepted: 12/03/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein misfolding disorders (PMDs) refer to a group of diseases related to the misfolding of particular proteins that aggregate and deposit in the cells and tissues of humans and other mammals. The mechanisms that trigger protein misfolding and aggregation are still not fully understood. Increasing experimental evidence indicates that abnormal interactions between PMD-related proteins and nucleic acids (NAs) can induce conformational changes. Here, we discuss these protein-NA interactions and address the role of deoxyribonucleic (DNA) and ribonucleic (RNA) acid molecules in the conformational conversion of different proteins that aggregate in PMDs, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and prion diseases. Studies on the affinity, stability, and specificity of proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases and NAs are specifically addressed. A landscape of reciprocal effects resulting from the binding of prion proteins, amyloid-β peptides, tau proteins, huntingtin, and α-synuclein are presented here to clarify the possible role of NAs, not only as encoders of genetic information but also in triggering PMDs.
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25
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Probing high-affinity 11-mer DNA aptamer against Lup an 1 (β-conglutin). Anal Bioanal Chem 2013; 405:9343-9. [PMID: 24126837 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-013-7385-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2013] [Revised: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 09/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Aptamers are synthetic nucleic acids with great potential as analytical tools. However, the length of selected aptamers (typically 60-100 bases) can affect affinity, due to the presence of bases not required for interaction with the target, and therefore, the truncation of these selected sequences and identification of binding domains is a critical step to produce potent aptamers with higher affinities and specificities and lowered production costs. In this paper we report the truncation of an aptamer that specifically binds to β-conglutin (Lup an 1), an anaphylactic allergen. Through comparing the predicted secondary structures of the aptamers, a hairpin structure with a G-rich loop was determined to be the binding motif. The highest affinity was observed with a truncation resulting in an 11-mer sequence that had an apparent equilibrium dissociation constant (K D) of 1.7 × 10(-9) M. This 11-mer sequence was demonstrated to have high specificity for β-conglutin and showed no cross-reactivity to other lupin conglutins (α-, δ-, γ-conglutins) and closely related proteins such as gliadin. Finally, the structure of the truncated 11-mer aptamer was preliminarily elucidated, and the GQRS Mapper strongly predicted the presence of a G-quadruplex, which was subsequently corroborated using one-dimensional NMR, thus highlighting the stability of the truncated structure.
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26
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Wills PR. Frameshifted prion proteins as pathological agents: quantitative considerations. J Theor Biol 2013; 325:52-61. [PMID: 23454079 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2013.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2012] [Revised: 02/14/2013] [Accepted: 02/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A quantitatively consistent explanation for the titres of infectivity found in a variety of prion-containing preparations is provided on the basis that the ætiological agents of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy comprise a very small population fraction of prion protein (PrP) variants, which contain frameshifted elements in their N-terminal octapeptide-repeat regions. A mechanism for the replication of frameshifted prions is described and calculations are performed to obtain estimates of the concentration of these PrP variants in normal and infected brain, as well as their enrichment in products of protein misfolding cyclic amplification. These calculations resolve the lack of proper quantitative correlation between measures of infectivity and the presence of conformationally-altered, protease-resistant variants of PrP. Experiments, which could confirm or eventually exclude the role of frameshifted variants in the ætiology of prion disease, are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter R Wills
- Integrative Transcriptomics, Center for Bioinformatics Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Sand 14, Tübingen 72076, Germany.
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Electrochemical biosensors using aptamers for theranostics. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2013; 140:183-202. [PMID: 23873093 DOI: 10.1007/10_2013_226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Theranostics, a new term consisting of the words "therapy" and "diagnostics," represents the concept of selecting specific patients for appropriate drug administration using diagnostics. For the development of a molecular targeting drug, the theranostics approach is effective. Therefore, the market for molecular diagnostics is likely to grow at an extraordinary rate over the next 10 years. In this review, we focus on aptamer-based electrochemical biosensors for theranostics. Aptamers are molecular recognition elements that can bind to various target molecules from small compounds to proteins with affinities and specificities comparable to those of antibodies. Inasmuch as various molecules would be targeted for analysis using theranostics, aptamer-based biosensors would be an attractive format because they can be developed for various molecules using the same sensing format. Although a diverse sensing system can be constructed, we focus on electrochemical biosensors in this review because they can measure biomarkers rapidly in a miniaturized sensing system with low cost, such as blood glucose sensors. We summarize the sensing systems of aptamer-based electrochemical biosensors and discuss their advantages for theranostics.
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Mille C, Debarnot D, Zorzi W, Moualij BE, Quadrio I, Perret-Liaudet A, Coudreuse A, Legeay G, Poncin-Epaillard F. A New Approach for Detection Improvement of the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disorder through a Specific Surface Chemistry Applied onto Titration Well. BIOSENSORS 2012; 2:433-47. [PMID: 25586034 PMCID: PMC4263562 DOI: 10.3390/bios2040433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2012] [Revised: 10/10/2012] [Accepted: 10/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This work illustrates the enhancement of the sensitivity of the ELISA titration for recombinant human and native prion proteins, while reducing other non-specific adsorptions that could increase the background signal and lead to a low sensitivity and false positives. It is achieved thanks to the association of plasma chemistry and coating with different amphiphilic molecules bearing either ionic charges and/or long hydrocarbon chains. The treated support by 3-butenylamine hydrochloride improves the signal detection of recombinant protein, while surface modification with the 3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-diamine (geranylamine) enhances the sensitivity of the native protein. Beside the surface chemistry effect, these different results are associated with protein conformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Mille
- LUNAM Université, UMR Université du Maine, CNRS n°6283, Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans, Département Polymères, Colloïdes et Interfaces, av. O. Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France; E-Mails: (C.M.); (D.D.)
| | - Dominique Debarnot
- LUNAM Université, UMR Université du Maine, CNRS n°6283, Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans, Département Polymères, Colloïdes et Interfaces, av. O. Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France; E-Mails: (C.M.); (D.D.)
| | - Willy Zorzi
- Centre de Recherche sur les Protéines Prion, Institut de Pharmacie, B36, n°1 avenue de l’Hôpital, 4000 Liège, Belgium; E-Mails: (W.Z.); (B.E.M.)
| | - Benaissa El Moualij
- Centre de Recherche sur les Protéines Prion, Institut de Pharmacie, B36, n°1 avenue de l’Hôpital, 4000 Liège, Belgium; E-Mails: (W.Z.); (B.E.M.)
| | - Isabelle Quadrio
- Centre Mémoire de Ressources et Recherche, Laboratoire des Maladies à Prions, Groupement Hospitalier Est; Hôpitaux de Lyon 59 bd Pinel, 69677 Bron cedex, FranceCTTM, 20 rue Thalès de Milet 72000 Le Mans, France; E-Mails: (I.Q.); (A.P.-L.)
| | - Armand Perret-Liaudet
- Centre Mémoire de Ressources et Recherche, Laboratoire des Maladies à Prions, Groupement Hospitalier Est; Hôpitaux de Lyon 59 bd Pinel, 69677 Bron cedex, FranceCTTM, 20 rue Thalès de Milet 72000 Le Mans, France; E-Mails: (I.Q.); (A.P.-L.)
| | - Arnaud Coudreuse
- CTTM, 20 rue Thalès de Milet 72000 Le Mans, France; E-Mails: (A.C.); (G.L.)
| | - Gilbert Legeay
- CTTM, 20 rue Thalès de Milet 72000 Le Mans, France; E-Mails: (A.C.); (G.L.)
| | - Fabienne Poncin-Epaillard
- LUNAM Université, UMR Université du Maine, CNRS n°6283, Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans, Département Polymères, Colloïdes et Interfaces, av. O. Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans, France; E-Mails: (C.M.); (D.D.)
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Kaur H, Yung LYL. Probing high affinity sequences of DNA aptamer against VEGF165. PLoS One 2012; 7:e31196. [PMID: 22359573 PMCID: PMC3281051 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2011] [Accepted: 01/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF165) is a potent angiogenic mitogen commonly overexpressed in cancerous cells. It contains two main binding domains, the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and the heparin-binding domain (HBD). This study attempted to identify the specific sequences of the VEa5 DNA aptamer that exhibit high binding affinity towards the VEGF165 protein by truncating the original VEa5 aptamer into different segments. Using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy for binding affinity analysis, one of the truncated aptamers showed a >200-fold increase in the binding affinity for HBD. This truncated aptamer also exhibited high specificity to HBD with negligible binding affinity for VEGF121, an isoform of VEGF lacking HBD. Exposing colorectal cancer cells to the truncated aptamer sequence further confirmed the binding affinity and specificity of the aptamer to the target VEGF165 protein. Hence, our approach of aptamer truncation can potentially be useful in identifying high affinity aptamer sequences for the biological molecules and targeting them as antagonist for cancer cell detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harleen Kaur
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lin-Yue Lanry Yung
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- * E-mail:
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Gomes MPB, Vieira TCRG, Cordeiro Y, Silva JL. The role of RNA in mammalian prion protein conversion. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2011; 3:415-28. [PMID: 22095764 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Prion diseases remain a challenge to modern science in the 21st century because of their capacity for transmission without an encoding nucleic acid. PrP(Sc), the infectious and alternatively folded form of the PrP prion protein, is capable of self-replication, using PrP(C), the properly folded form of PrP, as a template. This process is associated with neuronal death and the clinical manifestation of prion-based diseases. Unfortunately, little is known about the mechanisms that drive this process. Over the last decade, the theory that a nucleic acid, such as an RNA molecule, might be involved in the process of prion structural conversion has become more widely accepted; such a nucleic acid would act as a catalyst rather than encoding genetic information. Significant amounts of data regarding the interactions of PrP with nucleic acids have created a new foundation for understanding prion conversion and the transmission of prion diseases. Our knowledge has been enhanced by the characterization of a large group of RNA molecules known as non-coding RNAs, which execute a series of important cellular functions, from transcriptional regulation to the modulation of neuroplasticity. The RNA-binding properties of PrP along with the competition with other polyanions, such as glycosaminoglycans and nucleic acid aptamers, open new avenues for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana P B Gomes
- Centro Nacional de Ressonância Magnética Nuclear Jiri Jonas, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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31
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Wang P, Hatcher KL, Bartz JC, Chen SG, Skinner P, Richt J, Liu H, Sreevatsan S. Selection and characterization of DNA aptamers against PrP(Sc). Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2011; 236:466-76. [PMID: 21444369 DOI: 10.1258/ebm.2011.010323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are a group of zoonotic and fatal neurodegenerative disorders that affect humans and animals. The pathogenesis of TSEs involves a conformational conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrP) into abnormal isoforms. Currently, cellular and pathological forms of PrP are differentiated using specific antibody-based analyses that are resource intensive and not applicable to all species and strains. Thus, there is an urgent need for sensitive and efficient assays that can detect pathological forms of PrP. Using systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment, we developed DNA aptamers that can differentiate normal and abnormal PrP isoforms. These aptamers represent the first reagents that can identify pathological isoforms of PrP across multiple host species. Second, they are able to distinguish different strains of prions. Third, they can be used to detect prions in peripheral blood cells, which are otherwise undetectable using conventional antibody-based detection methods. Thus, DNA aptamers offer promise for the development of presymptomatic screens of tissue, blood and other body fluids for prion contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wang
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
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32
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Silva JL, Vieira TCRG, Gomes MPB, Rangel LP, Scapin SMN, Cordeiro Y. Experimental approaches to the interaction of the prion protein with nucleic acids and glycosaminoglycans: Modulators of the pathogenic conversion. Methods 2010; 53:306-17. [PMID: 21145399 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2010.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2010] [Accepted: 12/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept that transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are caused only by proteins has changed the traditional paradigm that disease transmission is due solely to an agent that carries genetic information. The central hypothesis for prion diseases proposes that the conversion of a cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) into a misfolded, β-sheet-rich isoform (PrP(Sc)) accounts for the development of (TSE). There is substantial evidence that the infectious material consists chiefly of a protein, PrP(Sc), with no genomic coding material, unlike a virus particle, which has both. However, prions seem to have other partners that chaperone their activities in converting the PrP(C) into the disease-causing isoform. Nucleic acids (NAs) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are the most probable accomplices of prion conversion. Here, we review the recent experimental approaches that have been employed to characterize the interaction of prion proteins with nucleic acids and glycosaminoglycans. A PrP recognizes many nucleic acids and GAGs with high affinities, and this seems to be related to a pathophysiological role for this interaction. A PrP binds nucleic acids and GAGs with structural selectivity, and some PrP:NA complexes can become proteinase K-resistant, undergoing amyloid oligomerization and conversion to a β-sheet-rich structure. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that endogenous polyanions (such as NAs and GAGs) may accelerate the rate of prion disease progression by acting as scaffolds or lattices that mediate the interaction between PrP(C) and PrP(Sc) molecules. In addition to a still-possible hypothesis that nucleic acids and GAGs, especially those from the host, may modulate the conversion, the recent structural characterization of the complexes has raised the possibility of developing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerson L Silva
- Centro Nacional de Ressonância Magnética Nuclear Jiri Jonas, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Brazil.
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Zhou J, Battig MR, Wang Y. Aptamer-based molecular recognition for biosensor development. Anal Bioanal Chem 2010; 398:2471-80. [PMID: 20644915 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-010-3987-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2010] [Revised: 06/21/2010] [Accepted: 06/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid aptamers are an emerging class of synthetic ligands and have recently attracted significant attention in numerous fields. One is in biosensor development. In principle, nucleic acid aptamers can be discovered to recognize any molecule of interest with high affinity and specificity. In addition, unlike most ligands evolved in nature, synthetic nucleic acid aptamers are usually tolerant of harsh chemical, physical, and biological conditions. These distinguished characteristics make aptamers attractive molecular recognition ligands for biosensing applications. This review first concisely introduces methods for aptamer discovery including upstream selection and downstream truncation, then discusses aptamer-based biosensor development from the viewpoint of signal production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhou
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, 191 Auditorium Road, Storrs, CT 06269-3222, USA
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Bing T, Yang X, Mei H, Cao Z, Shangguan D. Conservative secondary structure motif of streptavidin-binding aptamers generated by different laboratories. Bioorg Med Chem 2010; 18:1798-805. [PMID: 20153201 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2010.01.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2009] [Revised: 01/20/2010] [Accepted: 01/21/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Aptamers that are selected in vitro from random pools of DNA or RNA molecules by SELEX (Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) technique have been extensively explored for analytical and biomedical applications. Although many aptamers with high affinity and specificity against specific ligands have been reported, there is still a lack of well characterized DNA aptamers. Here we report the selection of a group of aptamer candidates (85 mer) against streptavidin. Through comparing the predicted secondary structures of all the candidates, a conservative bulge-hairpin structure section (about 29 mer) was found, and then it was determined to be the binding motif to streptavidin. This binding motif was further discovered to also exist in streptavidin-binding aptamers (SBAs) selected by three other laboratories using different methods. The primary sequences of this secondary structure motif are very different, only several nucleotides in the loop and bulge area are critical for binding and other nucleotides are variable. The streptavidin binding of all the SBAs could be competed by biotin implying that they bind to the same site on streptavidin. These results suggest that the evolution of SBA is predominated by specific groups on streptavidin. The highly variable sequence composition of streptavidin-binding aptamer would make the design of aptameric sensor or device based on streptavidin more flexible and easy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Bing
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
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35
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Thiel KW, Giangrande PH. Therapeutic applications of DNA and RNA aptamers. Oligonucleotides 2009; 19:209-22. [PMID: 19653880 DOI: 10.1089/oli.2009.0199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Structured single-stranded nucleic acids, or aptamers, bind target molecules with high affinity and specificity, which translates into unique therapeutic possibilities. Currently, aptamers can be identified to most proteins, including blood-clotting factors, cell-surface receptors, and transcription factors. Chemical modifications to the oligonucleotides enhance their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, thus extending their therapeutic potential. Several aptamers have entered the clinical pipeline for applications and diseases such as macular degeneration, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and various types of cancer. Furthermore, the functional repertoire of aptamers has expanded with the descriptions of multivalent agonistic aptamers and aptamers-siRNA chimeras. This review highlights those aptamers and aptamer-based approaches with particular likelihood of achieving therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina W Thiel
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
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36
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Gilch S, Schätzl HM. Aptamers against prion proteins and prions. Cell Mol Life Sci 2009; 66:2445-55. [PMID: 19396399 PMCID: PMC11115877 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-009-0031-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2008] [Revised: 04/01/2009] [Accepted: 04/03/2009] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative and infectious disorders of humans and animals, characterized by structural transition of the host-encoded cellular prion protein (PrP(c)) into the aberrantly folded pathologic isoform PrP(Sc). RNA, DNA or peptide aptamers are classes of molecules which can be selected from complex combinatorial libraries for high affinity and specific binding to prion proteins and which might therefore be useful in diagnosis and therapy of prion diseases. Nucleic acid aptamers, which can be chemically synthesized, stabilized and immobilized, appear more suitable for diagnostic purposes, allowing use of PrP(Sc) as selection target. Peptide aptamers facilitate appropriate intracellular expression, targeting and re-routing without losing their binding properties to PrP, a requirement for potential therapeutic gene transfer experiments in vivo. Elucidation of structural properties of peptide aptamers might be used as basis for rational drug design, providing another attractive application of peptide aptamers in the search for effective anti-prion strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Gilch
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Hermann M. Schätzl
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 Munich, Germany
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37
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Lathe R, Harris A. Differential display detects host nucleic acid motifs altered in scrapie-infected brain. J Mol Biol 2009; 392:813-22. [PMID: 19631225 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2009.07.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2009] [Revised: 07/08/2009] [Accepted: 07/16/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) including scrapie have been attributed to an infectious protein or prion. Infectivity is allied to conversion of the endogenous nucleic-acid-binding protein PrP to an infectious modified form known as PrP(sc). The protein-only theory does not easily explain the enigmatic properties of the agent including strain variation. It was previously suggested that a short nucleic acid, perhaps host-encoded, might contribute to the pathoetiology of the TSEs. No candidate host molecules that might explain transmission of strain differences have yet been put forward. Differential display is a robust technique for detecting nucleic acid differences between two populations. We applied this technique to total nucleic acid preparations from scrapie-infected and control brain. Independent RNA preparations from eight normal and eight scrapie-infected (strain 263K) hamster brains were randomly amplified and visualized in parallel. Though the nucleic acid patterns were generally identical in scrapie-infected versus control brain, some rare bands were differentially displayed. Molecular species consistently overrepresented (or underrepresented) in all eight infected brain samples versus all eight controls were excised from the display, sequenced, and assembled into contigs. Only seven ros contigs (RNAs over- or underrepresented in scrapie) emerged, representing <4 kb from the transcriptome. All contained highly stable regions of secondary structure. The most abundant scrapie-only ros sequence was homologous to a repetitive transposable element (LINE; long interspersed nuclear element). Other ros sequences identified cellular RNA 7SL, clathrin heavy chain, visinin-like protein-1, and three highly specific subregions of ribosomal RNA (ros1-3). The ribosomal ros sequences accurately corresponded to LINE; retrotransposon insertion sites in ribosomal DNA (p<0.01). These differential motifs implicate specific host RNAs in the pathoetiology of the TSEs.
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38
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Enhanced prion protein stability coupled to DNA recognition and milieu acidification. Biophys Chem 2009; 141:135-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2008.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2008] [Revised: 12/23/2008] [Accepted: 12/23/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Rechavi O, Kloog Y. Prion and anti-codon usage: does infectious PrP alter tRNA abundance to induce misfolding of PrP? Med Hypotheses 2008; 72:193-5. [PMID: 18809261 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2008.07.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2008] [Revised: 07/07/2008] [Accepted: 07/08/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The "protein-only" hypothesis of prion diseases views the infectious agent as devoid of nucleic acids and consisting of misfolded prion proteins (PrP(Sc)) which, upon infiltration into host cells, act as a template that induces transformation of wild-type protein (PrP(C)) to the pathological form by unknown mechanisms. The two isoforms are identical in amino-acid composition. By analogy to reported "silent" mutations in which utilization of relatively rare tRNAs alter protein folding pattern, we postulate that misfolded PrP(Sc) alters tRNAs abundance in prion-infected cells and results in different rates of co-translational folding of PrP, leading to the formation of additional misfolded PrP(Sc). We analyze experiments that might link tRNAs to prions. This concept of "PrP-seed and tRNA-soil" envisages a vicious cycle in which PrP(Sc) levels govern specific tRNA usage, whose alteration subsequently transforms resident PrP(C) to PrP(Sc), causing the cycle to repeat itself ad infinitum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oded Rechavi
- Department of Neurobiology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Tel-Aviv, Israel.
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40
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Cowperthwaite MC, Ellington AD. Bioinformatic analysis of the contribution of primer sequences to aptamer structures. J Mol Evol 2008; 67:95-102. [PMID: 18594898 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-008-9130-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2008] [Revised: 05/12/2008] [Accepted: 05/15/2008] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Aptamers are nucleic acid molecules selected in vitro to bind a particular ligand. While numerous experimental studies have examined the sequences, structures, and functions of individual aptamers, considerably fewer studies have applied bioinformatics approaches to try to infer more general principles from these individual studies. We have used a large Aptamer Database to parse the contributions of both random and constant regions to the secondary structures of more than 2000 aptamers. We find that the constant, primer-binding regions do not, in general, contribute significantly to aptamer structures. These results suggest that (a) binding function is not contributed to nor constrained by constant regions; (b) in consequence, the landscape of functional binding sequences is sparse but robust, favoring scenarios for short, functional nucleic acid sequences near origins; and (c) many pool designs for the selection of aptamers are likely to prove robust.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Cowperthwaite
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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41
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Levy-Nissenbaum E, Radovic-Moreno AF, Wang AZ, Langer R, Farokhzad OC. Nanotechnology and aptamers: applications in drug delivery. Trends Biotechnol 2008; 26:442-9. [PMID: 18571753 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2008.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2007] [Revised: 04/03/2008] [Accepted: 04/18/2008] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid ligands, also known as aptamers, are a class of macromolecules that are being used in several novel nanobiomedical applications. Aptamers are characterized by high affinity and specificity for their target, a versatile selection process, ease of chemical synthesis and a small physical size, which collectively make them attractive molecules for targeting diseases or as therapeutics. These properties will enable aptamers to facilitate innovative new nanotechnologies with applications in medicine. In this review, we will highlight recent developments in using aptamers in nanotechnology solutions for treating and diagnosing disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etgar Levy-Nissenbaum
- Laboratory of Nanomedicine and Biomaterials, Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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42
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Gomes MPB, Millen TA, Ferreira PS, e Silva NLC, Vieira TCRG, Almeida MS, Silva JL, Cordeiro Y. Prion protein complexed to N2a cellular RNAs through its N-terminal domain forms aggregates and is toxic to murine neuroblastoma cells. J Biol Chem 2008; 283:19616-25. [PMID: 18456654 PMCID: PMC2443653 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m802102200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into its altered conformation, PrPSc, is believed to be the major cause of prion diseases. Although PrP is the only identified agent for these diseases, there is increasing evidence that other molecules can modulate the conversion. We have found that interaction of PrP with double-stranded DNA leads to a protein with higher β-sheet content and characteristics similar to those of PrPSc. RNA molecules can also interact with PrP and potentially modulate PrPC to PrPSc conversion or even bind differentially to both PrP isoforms. Here, we investigated the interaction of recombinant murine PrP with synthetic RNA sequences and with total RNA extracted from cultured neuroblastoma cells (N2aRNA). We found that PrP interacts with N2aRNA with nanomolar affinity, aggregates upon this interaction, and forms species partially resistant to proteolysis. RNA does not bind to N-terminal deletion mutants of PrP, indicating that the N-terminal region is important for this process. Cell viability assays showed that only the N2aRNA extract induces PrP-RNA aggregates that can alter the homeostasis of cultured cells. Small RNAs bound to PrP give rise to nontoxic small oligomers. Nuclear magnetic resonance measurements of the PrP-RNA complex revealed structural changes in PrP, but most of its native fold is maintained. These results indicate that there is selectivity in the species generated by interaction with different molecules of RNA. The catalytic effect of RNA on the PrPC→PrPSc conversion depends on the RNA sequence, and small RNA molecules may exert a protective effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana P B Gomes
- Programa de Biologia Estrutural, Centro Nacional de Ressonância Magnética Nuclear Jiri Jonas, Instituto de Bioquímica Médica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21491-590 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Murakami K, Nishikawa F, Noda K, Yokoyama T, Nishikawa S. Anti-bovine prion protein RNA aptamer containing tandem GGA repeat interacts both with recombinant bovine prion protein and its beta isoform with high affinity. Prion 2008; 2:73-80. [PMID: 19098441 DOI: 10.4161/pri.2.2.7024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to obtain RNA aptamers against bovine prion protein (bPrP), we carried out in vitro selection from RNA pools containing a 55-nucleotide randomized region to target recombinant bPrP. Most of obtained aptamers contained conserved GGA tandem repeats (GGA)(4) and aptamer #1 (apt #1) showed a high affinity for both bPrP and its beta isoform (bPrP-beta). The sequence of apt #1 suggested that it would have a G-quadruplex structure, which was confirmed using CD spectra in titration with KCl. A mutagenic study of this conserved region, and competitive assays, showed that the conserved (GGA)(4) sequence is important for specific binding to bPrP and bPrP-beta. Following 5'-biotinylation, aptamer #1 specifically detected PrP(c) in bovine brain homogenate in a Northwestern blotting assay. Protein deletion mutant analysis showed that the bPrP aptamer binds within 25-131 of the bPrP sequence. Interestingly, the minimized aptamer #1 (17 nt) showed greater binding to bPrP and bPrP-beta as compared to apt #1. This minimized form of aptamer #1 may therefore be useful in the detection of bPrP, diagnosis of prion disease, enrichment of bPr and ultimately in gaining a better understanding of prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuyoshi Murakami
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Science, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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Intriguing nucleic-acid-binding features of mammalian prion protein. Trends Biochem Sci 2008; 33:132-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2007.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2007] [Revised: 11/14/2007] [Accepted: 11/26/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Induced prion protein controls immune-activated retroviruses in the mouse spleen. PLoS One 2007; 2:e1158. [PMID: 17987132 PMCID: PMC2063463 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0001158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2007] [Accepted: 10/16/2007] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The prion protein (PrP) is crucially involved in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE), but neither its exact role in disease nor its physiological function are known. Here we show for mice, using histological, immunochemical and PCR-based methods, that stimulation of innate resistance was followed by appearance of numerous endogenous retroviruses and ensuing PrP up-regulation in germinal centers of the spleen. Subsequently, the activated retroviruses disappeared in a PrP-dependent manner. Our results reveal the regular involvement of endogenous retroviruses in murine immune responses and provide evidence for an essential function of PrP in the control of the retroviral activity. The interaction between PrP and ubiquitous endogenous retroviruses may allow new interpretations of TSE pathophysiology and explain the evolutionary conservation of PrP.
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Bunka DH, Mantle BJ, Morten IJ, Tennent GA, Radford SE, Stockley PG. Production and characterization of RNA aptamers specific for amyloid fibril epitopes. J Biol Chem 2007; 282:34500-9. [PMID: 17878167 PMCID: PMC8782670 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m703679200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most fascinating features of amyloid fibrils is their generic cross-beta architecture that can be formed from many different and completely unrelated proteins. Nonetheless, amyloid fibrils with diverse structural and phenotypic properties can form, both in vivo and in vitro, from the same protein sequence. Here, we have exploited the power of RNA selection techniques to isolate small, structured, single-stranded RNA molecules known as aptamers that were targeted specifically to amyloid-like fibrils formed in vitro from beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)m), the amyloid fibril protein associated with dialysis-related amyloidosis. The aptamers bind with high affinity (apparent K(D) approximately nm) to beta(2)m fibrils with diverse morphologies generated under different conditions in vitro, as well as to amyloid fibrils isolated from tissues of dialysis-related amyloidosis patients, demonstrating that they can detect conserved epitopes between different fibrillar species of beta(2)m. Interestingly, the aptamers also recognize some other, but not all, amyloid fibrils generated in vitro or isolated from ex vivo sources. Based on these observations, we have shown that although amyloid fibrils share many common structural properties, they also have features that are unique to individual fibril types.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H.J. Bunka
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT
| | - Benjamin J. Mantle
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT
| | - Isobel J. Morten
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT
| | - Glenys A. Tennent
- Centre for Amyloidosis and Acute Phase Proteins, Hampstead Campus, University College London, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Sheena E. Radford
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT
- To whom correspondence may be addressed. Tel.: 0113-343-3170; Fax: 0113-343-7486
| | - Peter G. Stockley
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT
- To whom correspondence may be addressed. Tel.: 0113-343-3092; Fax: 0113-343-7897
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Wochner A, Menger M, Rimmele M. Characterisation of aptamers for therapeutic studies. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2007; 2:1205-24. [DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2.9.1205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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Famulok M, Hartig JS, Mayer G. Functional aptamers and aptazymes in biotechnology, diagnostics, and therapy. Chem Rev 2007; 107:3715-43. [PMID: 17715981 DOI: 10.1021/cr0306743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 673] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Famulok
- LIMES Institute, Program Unit Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, c/o Kekulé-Institut für Organische Chemie und Biochemie, Gerhard Domagk-Strasse 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany.
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Karpuj MV, Giles K, Gelibter-Niv S, Scott MR, Lingappa VR, Szoka FC, Peretz D, Denetclaw W, Prusiner SB. Phosphorothioate oligonucleotides reduce PrP levels and prion infectivity in cultured cells. Mol Med 2007. [PMID: 17592554 DOI: 10.2119/2006-00073.karpuj] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Prions are composed solely of the disease-causing prion protein (PrPSc) that is formed from the cellular isoform PrPC by a posttranslational process. Here we report that short phosphorothioate DNA (PS-DNA) oligonucleotides diminished the levels of both PrPC and PrPSc in prion-infected neuroblastoma (ScN2a) cells. The effect of PS-DNA on PrP levels was independent of the nucleotide sequence. The effective concentration (EC50) of PS-DNA required to achieve half-maximal diminution of PrPSc was approximately 70 nM, whereas the EC50 of PS-DNA for PrPC was more than 50-fold greater. This finding indicated that diminished levels of PrPSc after exposure to PS-DNA are unlikely to be due to decreased PrPC levels. Bioassays in transgenic mice demonstrated a substantial diminution in the prion infectivity after ScN2a cells were exposed to PS-DNAs. Whether PS-DNA will be useful in the treatment of prion disease in people or livestock remains to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela V Karpuj
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0518, USA
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A novel real-time ultrasonic method for prion protein detection using plasminogen as a capture molecule. BMC Biotechnol 2007; 7:43. [PMID: 17659071 PMCID: PMC1940248 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6750-7-43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2006] [Accepted: 07/20/2007] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background High resolution ultrasonography (HR-US) can monitor the molecular changes and biochemical interactions between proteins in real-time. The aim of this study was to use HR-US to characterize the real-time interactions between plasminogen coated beads and PrPSc and to determine if this approach could be applied to the identification of animals affected by prion diseases. Plasminogen, immobilized to beads, was used as a capturing tool for PrPSc in brain homogenates from scrapie affected sheep and the binding reaction was monitored in real-time in an ultrasonic cell. Results Changes in the ultrasonic parameters suggested that three processes occurred during the incubation: binding, protein-protein network formation and precipitation and that these processes occurred in a concentration dependent manner. Conversely, when homogenates from normal sheep were similarly examined, no evidence for the occurrence of these processes was found indicating the specificity of the interaction between the plasminogen coated beads and PrPSc. Conclusion These results indicate firstly, that the plasminogen coated beads binded selectively to PrPSc and secondly, that a HR-US system can discriminate between scrapie affected and non-affected samples and thus has potential as a tool for the rapid diagnosis for prion diseases. This approach has the significant advantage of not requiring a proteinase K pre-digestion step, which is routinely used in current PrPSc detection assays.
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