1
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Nuntawong P, Senoo A, Tayama Y, Caaveiro JMM, Morimoto S, Sakamoto S. An aptamer-based fluorometric method for the rapid berberine detection in Kampo medicines. Anal Chim Acta 2024; 1318:342930. [PMID: 39067935 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.342930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Berberine (BBR), a key component in Kampo medicine, is a cationic benzylisoquinoline alkaloid whose detection plays a critical role in the quality control of these traditional remedies. Traditional methods for detecting BBR often involve complex procedures, which can be time-consuming and costly. To address this challenge, our study focuses on developing a simpler, faster, and more efficient detection method for BBR in Kampo medicine formulations. RESULTS We successfully developed a rapid fluorometric detection method for BBR using colloidal gold nanoparticle-based systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (GOLD-SELEX). Initially, specific single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) sequences were selected for their ability to enhance BBR's fluorescence intensity. The optimal ssDNA sequence, identified as BBR38, was further truncated to produce BBR38S, a stem-loop ssDNA that improved fluorescence upon interaction with BBR. To further enhance the fluorescence, the BBR38S aptamer underwent additional modifications, including stem truncation and nucleotide mutations, resulting in the higher fluorescence variant BBR38S-3 A10C. The final product, TetBBR38S, a tetramer version of BBR38S-3 A10C, exhibited a linear detection range of 0.780-50.0 μg mL-1 and a limit of detection of 0.369 μg mL-1. The assay demonstrated sufficient selectivity and was successfully applied to analyze 128 different Kampo medicine formulations, accurately detecting BBR content with high precision. SIGNIFICANCE This study represents an advancement in Kampo medicine research, marking the first successful application of an aptamer-based approach for BBR detection in complex matrices. The developed method is not only simple and rapid (with a detection time of 5 min) but also cost-effective, which is crucial for widespread application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poomraphie Nuntawong
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Akinobu Senoo
- Department of Protein Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yorie Tayama
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Jose M M Caaveiro
- Department of Protein Drug Discovery, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Satoshi Morimoto
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Seiichi Sakamoto
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
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2
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Zhang T, Yin K, Niu X, Bai X, Wang Z, Ji M, Yuan B. Development of Bivalent Aptamer-DNA Carrier-Doxorubicin Conjugates for Targeted Killing of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7959. [PMID: 39063201 PMCID: PMC11276760 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer ranks the seventh in cancer incidence and the sixth in cancer death. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) accounts for approximately 90% of the total cases of esophageal cancer. Chemotherapy is the most effective drug-based method for treatment of esophageal cancer. However, severe side effects of traditional chemotherapy limit its treatment efficacy. Targeted chemotherapy can deliver chemotherapeutic drugs to cancer cells and specifically kill these cells with reduced side effects. In the work, the bivalent aptamer-DNA carrier (BAD) was designed by using an ESCC cell-specific aptamer as the recognition molecule and a GC base-rich DNA sequence as the drug carrier. With doxorubicin (Dox) as chemotherapeutic drugs, the bivalent aptamer-DNA-Dox conjugate (BADD) was constructed for targeted killing of ESCC cells. Firstly, the truncated A2(35) aptamer with a retained binding ability was obtained through optimization of an intact A2(80) aptamer and was used to fuse with DNA carrier sequences for constructing the BAD through simple DNA hybridization. The results of gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry analysis showed that the BAD was successfully constructed and had a stronger binding affinity than monovalent A2(35). Then, the BAD was loaded with Dox drugs to construct the BADD through noncovalent intercalation. The results of fluorescence spectra and flow cytometry assays showed that the BADD was successfully constructed and can bind to target cells strongly. Confocal imaging further displayed that the BADD can be specifically internalized into target cells and release Dox. The results of CCK-8 assays, Calcein AM/PI staining, and wound healing assays demonstrated that the BADD can specifically kill target cells, but not control cells. Our results demonstrate that the developed BADD can specifically deliver doxorubicin to target ESCC cells and selectively kill these cells, offering a potentially effective strategy for targeted chemotherapy of ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianlu Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (T.Z.); (K.Y.); (X.N.); (X.B.); (Z.W.); (M.J.)
| | - Kai Yin
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (T.Z.); (K.Y.); (X.N.); (X.B.); (Z.W.); (M.J.)
| | - Xidong Niu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (T.Z.); (K.Y.); (X.N.); (X.B.); (Z.W.); (M.J.)
| | - Xue Bai
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (T.Z.); (K.Y.); (X.N.); (X.B.); (Z.W.); (M.J.)
| | - Zhaoting Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (T.Z.); (K.Y.); (X.N.); (X.B.); (Z.W.); (M.J.)
| | - Mengmeng Ji
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (T.Z.); (K.Y.); (X.N.); (X.B.); (Z.W.); (M.J.)
| | - Baoyin Yuan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (T.Z.); (K.Y.); (X.N.); (X.B.); (Z.W.); (M.J.)
- Henan Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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3
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Riccardi C, Pérez de Carvasal K, Platella C, Meyer A, Smietana M, Morvan F, Montesarchio D. Probing naphthalene diimide and 3-hydroxypropylphosphate as end-conjugating moieties for improved thrombin binding aptamers: Structural and biological effects. Bioorg Chem 2023; 141:106917. [PMID: 37865055 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
The limitations associated with the in vivo use of the thrombin binding aptamer (TBA or TBA15) have dramatically stimulated the search of suitable chemically modified analogues in order to discover effective and reversible inhibitors of thrombin activity. In this context, we previously proposed cyclic and pseudo-cyclic TBA analogues with improved stability that proved to be more active than the parent aptamer. Herein, we have investigated a novel library of TBA derivatives carrying naphthalene diimide (NDI) moieties at the 3'- or 5'-end. In a subset of the investigated oligonucleotides, additional 3-hydroxypropylphosphate (HPP) groups were introduced at one or both ends of the TBA sequence. Evaluation of the G-quadruplex thermal stability, serum nuclease resistance and in vitro anticoagulant activity of the new TBA analogues allowed rationalizing the effect of these appendages on the activity of the aptamer on the basis of their relative position. Notably, most of the different TBA analogues tested were more potent thrombin inhibitors than unmodified TBA. Particularly, the analogue carrying an NDI group at the 5'-end and an HPP group at the 3'-end, named N-TBA-p, exhibited enhanced G-quadruplex thermal stability (ΔTm + 14° C) and ca. 10-fold improved nuclease resistance in serum compared to the native aptamer. N-TBA-p also induced prolonged and dose-dependent clotting times, showing a ca. 11-fold higher anticoagulant activity compared to unmodified TBA, as determined by spectroscopic methods. Overall, N-TBA-p proved to be in vitro a more efficient thrombin inhibitor than all the best ones previously investigated in our group. Its interesting features, associated with its easy preparation, make it a very promising candidate for future in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Kévan Pérez de Carvasal
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Chiara Platella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Albert Meyer
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Michael Smietana
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - François Morvan
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France.
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy.
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4
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Ji C, Wei J, Zhang L, Hou X, Tan J, Yuan Q, Tan W. Aptamer-Protein Interactions: From Regulation to Biomolecular Detection. Chem Rev 2023; 123:12471-12506. [PMID: 37931070 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Serving as the basis of cell life, interactions between nucleic acids and proteins play essential roles in fundamental cellular processes. Aptamers are unique single-stranded oligonucleotides generated by in vitro evolution methods, possessing the ability to interact with proteins specifically. Altering the structure of aptamers will largely modulate their interactions with proteins and further affect related cellular behaviors. Recently, with the in-depth research of aptamer-protein interactions, the analytical assays based on their interactions have been widely developed and become a powerful tool for biomolecular detection. There are some insightful reviews on aptamers applied in protein detection, while few systematic discussions are from the perspective of regulating aptamer-protein interactions. Herein, we comprehensively introduce the methods for regulating aptamer-protein interactions and elaborate on the detection techniques for analyzing aptamer-protein interactions. Additionally, this review provides a broad summary of analytical assays based on the regulation of aptamer-protein interactions for detecting biomolecules. Finally, we present our perspectives regarding the opportunities and challenges of analytical assays for biological analysis, aiming to provide guidance for disease mechanism research and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cailing Ji
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Junyuan Wei
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Xinru Hou
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Jie Tan
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Quan Yuan
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Weihong Tan
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
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5
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Nagano M, Kubota K, Sakata A, Nakamura R, Yoshitomi T, Wakui K, Yoshimoto K. A neutralizable dimeric anti-thrombin aptamer with potent anticoagulant activity in mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 33:762-772. [PMID: 37621412 PMCID: PMC10445101 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a complication caused by administration of the anticoagulant heparin. Although the number of patients with HIT has drastically increased because of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the currently used thrombin inhibitors for HIT therapy do not have antidotes to arrest the severe bleeding that occurs as a side effect; therefore, establishment of safer treatments for HIT patients is imperative. Here, we devised a potent thrombin inhibitor based on bivalent aptamers with a higher safety profile via combination with the antidote. Using an anti-thrombin DNA aptamer M08s-1 as a promising anticoagulant, its homodimer and heterodimer with TBA29 linked by a conformationally flexible linker or a rigid duplex linker were designed. The dimerized M08s-1-based aptamers had about 100-fold increased binding affinity to human and mouse thrombin compared with the monomer counterparts. Administration of these bivalent aptamers into mice revealed that the anticoagulant activity of the dimers significantly surpassed that of an approved drug for HIT treatment, argatroban. Moreover, adding protamine sulfate as an antidote against the most potent bivalent aptamer completely suppressed the anticoagulant activity of the dimer. Emerging potent and neutralizable anticoagulant aptamers will be promising candidates for HIT treatment with a higher safety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanobu Nagano
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Kazuki Kubota
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Asuka Sakata
- Medicinal Biology of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8521, Japan
| | - Rei Nakamura
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Toru Yoshitomi
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Koji Wakui
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Keitaro Yoshimoto
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
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6
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Lauzon D, Vallée-Bélisle A. Programing Chemical Communication: Allostery vs Multivalent Mechanism. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:18846-18854. [PMID: 37581934 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c04045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of life has relied on chemical communication and the ability to integrate multiple chemical inputs into a specific output. Two mechanisms are typically employed by nature to do so: allostery and multivalent activation. Although a better understanding of allostery has recently provided a variety of strategies to optimize the binding affinity, sensitivity, and specificity of molecular switches, mechanisms relying on multivalent activation remain poorly understood. As a proof of concept to compare the thermodynamic basis and design principles of both mechanisms, we have engineered a highly programmable DNA-based switch that can be triggered by either a multivalent or an allosteric DNA activator. By precisely designing the binding interface of the multivalent activator, we show that the affinity, dynamic range, and activated half-life of the molecular switch can be programed with even more versatility than when using an allosteric activator. The simplicity by which the activation properties of molecular switches can be rationally tuned using multivalent assembly suggests that it may find many applications in biosensing, drug delivery, synthetic biology, and molecular computation fields, where precise control over the transduction of binding events into a specific output is key.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Lauzon
- Département de Chimie, Laboratoire de Biosenseurs et Nanomachines, Université de Montréal, Montréal QC H2V 0B3, Canada
| | - Alexis Vallée-Bélisle
- Département de Chimie, Laboratoire de Biosenseurs et Nanomachines, Université de Montréal, Montréal QC H2V 0B3, Canada
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7
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Rahman MS, Han MJ, Kim SW, Kang SM, Kim BR, Kim H, Lee CJ, Noh JE, Kim H, Lee JO, Jang SK. Structure-Guided Development of Bivalent Aptamers Blocking SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Molecules 2023; 28:4645. [PMID: 37375202 PMCID: PMC10303109 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused devastation to human society through its high virulence, infectivity, and genomic mutations, which reduced the efficacy of vaccines. Here, we report the development of aptamers that effectively interfere with SARS-CoV-2 infection by targeting its spike protein, which plays a pivotal role in host cell entry of the virus through interaction with the viral receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). To develop highly effective aptamers and to understand their mechanism in inhibiting viral infection, we determined the three-dimensional (3D) structures of aptamer/receptor-binding domain (RBD) complexes using cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Moreover, we developed bivalent aptamers targeting two distinct regions of the RBD in the spike protein that directly interact with ACE2. One aptamer interferes with the binding of ACE2 by blocking the ACE2-binding site in RBD, and the other aptamer allosterically inhibits ACE2 by binding to a distinct face of RBD. Using the 3D structures of aptamer-RBD complexes, we minimized and optimized these aptamers. By combining the optimized aptamers, we developed a bivalent aptamer that showed a stronger inhibitory effect on virus infection than the component aptamers. This study confirms that the structure-based aptamer-design approach has a high potential in developing antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Shafiqur Rahman
- Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea; (M.S.R.); (M.J.H.); (S.W.K.)
| | - Min Jung Han
- Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea; (M.S.R.); (M.J.H.); (S.W.K.)
| | - Sang Won Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea; (M.S.R.); (M.J.H.); (S.W.K.)
| | - Seong Mu Kang
- Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea; (M.S.R.); (M.J.H.); (S.W.K.)
| | - Bo Ri Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea; (M.S.R.); (M.J.H.); (S.W.K.)
| | - Heesun Kim
- Division of Integrative Bioscience & Biotechnology, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Jun Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea; (M.S.R.); (M.J.H.); (S.W.K.)
| | - Jung Eun Noh
- Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea; (M.S.R.); (M.J.H.); (S.W.K.)
| | - Hanseong Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea; (M.S.R.); (M.J.H.); (S.W.K.)
| | - Jie-Oh Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea; (M.S.R.); (M.J.H.); (S.W.K.)
| | - Sung Key Jang
- Department of Life Sciences, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea; (M.S.R.); (M.J.H.); (S.W.K.)
- Division of Integrative Bioscience & Biotechnology, POSTECH Biotech Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Nam-gu, Pohang-si 37673, Republic of Korea
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8
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A review: Construction of aptamer screening methods based on improving the screening rate of key steps. Talanta 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.124003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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9
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Li J, Zhang Z, Gu J, Amini R, Mansfield AG, Xia J, White D, Stacey HD, Ang JC, Panesar G, Capretta A, Filipe CDM, Mossman K, Salena BJ, Gubbay JB, Balion C, Soleymani L, Miller MS, Yamamura D, Brennan JD, Li Y. Three on Three: Universal and High-Affinity Molecular Recognition of the Symmetric Homotrimeric Spike Protein of SARS-CoV-2 with a Symmetric Homotrimeric Aptamer. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:23465-23473. [PMID: 36520671 PMCID: PMC9762500 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c09870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Our previously discovered monomeric aptamer for SARS-CoV-2 (MSA52) possesses a universal affinity for COVID-19 spike protein variants but is ultimately limited by its ability to bind only one subunit of the spike protein. The symmetrical shape of the homotrimeric SARS-CoV-2 spike protein presents the opportunity to create a matching homotrimeric molecular recognition element that is perfectly complementary to its structural scaffold, causing enhanced binding affinity. Here, we describe a branched homotrimeric aptamer with three-fold rotational symmetry, named TMSA52, that not only possesses excellent binding affinity but is also capable of binding several SARS-CoV-2 spike protein variants with picomolar affinity, as well as pseudotyped lentiviruses expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein variants with femtomolar affinity. Using Pd-Ir nanocubes as nanozymes in an enzyme-linked aptamer binding assay (ELABA), TMSA52 was capable of sensitively detecting diverse pseudotyped lentiviruses in pooled human saliva with a limit of detection as low as 6.3 × 103 copies/mL. The ELABA was also used to test 50 SARS-CoV-2-positive and 60 SARS-CoV-2-negative patient saliva samples, providing sensitivity and specificity values of 84.0 and 98.3%, respectively, thus highlighting the potential of TMSA52 for the development of future rapid tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiuxing Li
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University,1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Zijie Zhang
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University,1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Jimmy Gu
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University,1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Ryan Amini
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University,1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Alexandria G. Mansfield
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University,1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Jianrun Xia
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University,1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Dawn White
- Biointerfaces
Institute, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4O3, Canada
| | - Hannah D. Stacey
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University,1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
- Michael
G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
- McMaster
Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Jann C. Ang
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University,1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
- Michael
G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
- McMaster
Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Gurpreet Panesar
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University,1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Alfredo Capretta
- Biointerfaces
Institute, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4O3, Canada
- Michael
G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Carlos D. M. Filipe
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Karen Mossman
- McMaster
Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
- Department
of Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Bruno J. Salena
- Department
of Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | | | - Cynthia Balion
- Department
of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster
University, 1280 Main
Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Leyla Soleymani
- Michael
G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
- Department
of Engineering Physics, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
- School
of Biomedical Engineering, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Matthew S. Miller
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University,1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
- Michael
G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
- McMaster
Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Deborah Yamamura
- Michael
G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
- Department
of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster
University, 1280 Main
Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - John D. Brennan
- Biointerfaces
Institute, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4O3, Canada
| | - Yingfu Li
- Department
of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University,1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
- Biointerfaces
Institute, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4O3, Canada
- Michael
G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
- School
of Biomedical Engineering, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
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10
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Zhu M, Xu F, Miao S, Xie C, Li H, Li S, Xia F. Incorporation of a Multi-Valent Aptamer into Electrochemical Biosensors to Achieve an Improved Performance for Thrombin Analysis in Blood Serum. Chempluschem 2022; 87:e202200325. [PMID: 36410784 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202200325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The electrochemical aptamer-based (E-AB) biosensor usually has a long reaction time when detecting thrombin. This work reports the design of an E-AB biosensor with dual recognition sites to quickly detect thrombin. Specifically, two specific recognition sites of thrombin were used to design three aptamer sequences (TBA-15, TBA-29 and TBA-U), followed by fabrication of corresponding sensors. First, we tested these three types of biosensors in tris buffer solution, and found that the response time of the TBA-U sensor to the same concentration of thrombin was about 2 hours, which is shorter than TBA-15 and TBA-29 sensors. Then, we also did the same test in 50 % diluted serum with 500 nM thrombin. The response time of the TBA-U sensor was about 2 hours, which is still faster than the 3 hours of TBA-15 sensor and the 5.5 hours for TBA-29 sensor. In addition, in terms of dynamic range and specificity, TBA-U has good performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Fan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Siyuan Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Chongyu Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Hui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Shaoguang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Fan Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
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11
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Riccardi C, D’Aria F, Fasano D, Digilio FA, Carillo MR, Amato J, De Rosa L, Paladino S, Melone MAB, Montesarchio D, Giancola C. Truncated Analogues of a G-Quadruplex-Forming Aptamer Targeting Mutant Huntingtin: Shorter Is Better! Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012412. [PMID: 36293267 PMCID: PMC9604342 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Two analogues of the MS3 aptamer, which was previously shown to have an exquisite capability to selectively bind and modulate the activity of mutant huntingtin (mHTT), have been here designed and evaluated in their physicochemical and biological properties. Featured by a distinctive propensity to form complex G-quadruplex structures, including large multimeric aggregates, the original 36-mer MS3 has been truncated to give a 33-mer (here named MS3-33) and a 17-mer (here named MS3-17). A combined use of different techniques (UV, CD, DSC, gel electrophoresis) allowed a detailed physicochemical characterization of these novel G-quadruplex-forming aptamers, tested in vitro on SH-SY5Y cells and in vivo on a Drosophila Huntington’s disease model, in which these shorter MS3-derived oligonucleotides proved to have improved bioactivity in comparison with the parent aptamer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Federica D’Aria
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Dominga Fasano
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Filomena Anna Digilio
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET), UOS Naples-CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Carillo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Laura De Rosa
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Paladino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mariarosa Anna Beatrice Melone
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122-6078, USA
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Concetta Giancola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.M.); (C.G.)
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12
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Selective light-up of dimeric G-quadruplex forming aptamers for efficient VEGF165 detection. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 224:344-357. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.10.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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13
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Insights into Aptamer-Drug Delivery Systems against Prostate Cancer. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27113446. [PMID: 35684384 PMCID: PMC9182114 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27113446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is a common cancer in elderly males. Significant progress has been made in the drug therapies for prostate cancer in recent years. However, side effects are still problems that have not been overcome by the currently used anti-prostate cancer drugs. Novel technologies can be applied to reduce or even eliminate the side effects of drugs. An aptamer may be a sequence of nucleic acids or peptides that can specifically recognize proteins or cells. Taking advantage of this feature, scientists have designed aptamer-drug delivery systems for the development of anti-prostate cancer agents. Theoretically, these aptamer-drug delivery systems can specifically recognize prostate cancer cells and then induce cell death without attacking normal cells. We collected the relevant literature in this field and found that at least nine compounds have been prepared as aptamer-drug delivery systems to evaluate their precise anti-prostate cancer effects. However, the currently studied aptamer-drug delivery systems have not yet entered the market due to defects. Here, we analyze the published data, summarize the characteristics of these delivery systems, and propose ways to promote their application, thus promoting the development of the aptamer-drug delivery systems against prostate cancer.
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14
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Platella C, Napolitano E, Riccardi C, Musumeci D, Montesarchio D. Affinity Chromatography-Based Assays for the Screening of Potential Ligands Selective for G-Quadruplex Structures. ChemistryOpen 2022; 11:e202200090. [PMID: 35608081 PMCID: PMC9127747 DOI: 10.1002/open.202200090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA G-quadruplexes (G4s) are key structures for the development of targeted anticancer therapies. In this context, ligands selectively interacting with G4s can represent valuable anticancer drugs. Aiming at speeding up the identification of G4-targeting synthetic or natural compounds, we developed an affinity chromatography-based assay, named G-quadruplex on Oligo Affinity Support (G4-OAS), by synthesizing G4-forming sequences on commercially available polystyrene OAS. Then, due to unspecific binding of several hydrophobic ligands on nude OAS, we moved to Controlled Pore Glass (CPG). We thus conceived an ad hoc functionalized, universal support on which both the on-support elongation and deprotection of the G4-forming oligonucleotides can be performed, along with the successive affinity chromatography-based assay, renamed as G-quadruplex on Controlled Pore Glass (G4-CPG) assay. Here we describe these assays and their applications to the screening of several libraries of chemically different putative G4 ligands. Finally, ongoing studies and outlook of our G4-CPG assay are reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Platella
- Department of Chemical SciencesUniversity of Naples Federico IIvia Cintia 2180126NaplesItaly
| | - Ettore Napolitano
- Department of Chemical SciencesUniversity of Naples Federico IIvia Cintia 2180126NaplesItaly
| | - Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical SciencesUniversity of Naples Federico IIvia Cintia 2180126NaplesItaly
| | - Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical SciencesUniversity of Naples Federico IIvia Cintia 2180126NaplesItaly
- Institute of Biostructures and BioimagesCNRVia Tommaso De Amicis, 9580145NaplesItaly
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical SciencesUniversity of Naples Federico IIvia Cintia 2180126NaplesItaly
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15
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Riccardi C, D’Aria F, Digilio FA, Carillo MR, Amato J, Fasano D, De Rosa L, Paladino S, Melone MAB, Montesarchio D, Giancola C. Fighting the Huntington's Disease with a G-Quadruplex-Forming Aptamer Specifically Binding to Mutant Huntingtin Protein: Biophysical Characterization, In Vitro and In Vivo Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:4804. [PMID: 35563194 PMCID: PMC9101412 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A set of guanine-rich aptamers able to preferentially recognize full-length huntingtin with an expanded polyglutamine tract has been recently identified, showing high efficacy in modulating the functions of the mutated protein in a variety of cell experiments. We here report a detailed biophysical characterization of the best aptamer in the series, named MS3, proved to adopt a stable, parallel G-quadruplex structure and show high nuclease resistance in serum. Confocal microscopy experiments on HeLa and SH-SY5Y cells, as models of non-neuronal and neuronal cells, respectively, showed a rapid, dose-dependent uptake of fluorescein-labelled MS3, demonstrating its effective internalization, even in the absence of transfecting agents, with no general cytotoxicity. Then, using a well-established Drosophila melanogaster model for Huntington's disease, which expresses the mutated form of human huntingtin, a significant improvement in the motor neuronal function in flies fed with MS3 was observed, proving the in vivo efficacy of this aptamer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Federica D’Aria
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (F.D.); (J.A.)
| | - Filomena Anna Digilio
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET), UOS Naples-CNR, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (F.A.D.); (M.R.C.)
| | - Maria Rosaria Carillo
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET), UOS Naples-CNR, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (F.A.D.); (M.R.C.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (F.D.); (J.A.)
| | - Dominga Fasano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (D.F.); (L.D.R.); (S.P.)
- Center for Rare Diseases and Inter University Center for Research in Neurosciences, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Laura De Rosa
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (D.F.); (L.D.R.); (S.P.)
| | - Simona Paladino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (D.F.); (L.D.R.); (S.P.)
| | - Mariarosa Anna Beatrice Melone
- Center for Rare Diseases and Inter University Center for Research in Neurosciences, Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
- Center for Biotechnology, Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Concetta Giancola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (F.D.); (J.A.)
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16
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Manuel BA, Sterling SA, Sanford AA, Heemstra JM. Systematically Modulating Aptamer Affinity and Specificity by Guanosine-to-Inosine Substitution. Anal Chem 2022; 94:6436-6440. [PMID: 35435665 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c00422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Aptamers are widely used in small molecule detection applications due to their specificity, stability, and cost effectiveness. One key challenge in utilizing aptamers in sensors is matching the binding affinity of the aptamer to the desired concentration range for analyte detection. The most common methods for modulating affinity have inherent limitations, such as the likelihood of drastic changes in aptamer folding. Here, we propose that substituting guanosine for inosine at specific locations in the aptamer sequence provides a less perturbative approach to modulating affinity. Inosine is a naturally occurring nucleotide that results from hydrolytic deamination of adenosine, and like guanine, it base pairs with cytosine. Using the well-studied cocaine binding aptamer, we systematically replaced guanosine with inosine and were able to generate sequences having a range of binding affinities from 230 nM to 80 μM. Interestingly, we found that these substitutions could also modulate the specificity of the aptamers, leading to a range of binding affinities for structurally related analytes. Analysis of folding stability via melting temperature shows that, as expected, aptamer structure is impacted by guanosine-to-inosine substitutions. The ability to tune binding affinity and specificity through guanosine-to-inosine substitution provides a convenient and reliable approach for rapidly generating aptamers for diverse biosensing applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brea A Manuel
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Sierra A Sterling
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Aimee A Sanford
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Jennifer M Heemstra
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
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17
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Xu J, Xiang J, Chen J, Wan T, Deng H, Li D. High sensitivity detection of tumor cells in biological samples using a multivalent aptamer strand displacement strategy. Analyst 2022; 147:634-644. [PMID: 35040831 DOI: 10.1039/d1an01949j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Monitoring the cell surface-expressed nucleolin facilitates early cancer diagnosis. Herein, we developed a multivalent aptamer displacement strand duplex strategy on cell membranes using a multi-receptor co-recognition design for improving the sensitivity and specificity of cancer cell recognition with an ultra-low background. The AS1411 aptamer labeled with the FAM fluorophore can be quenched using a partial complementary sequence modified with a BHQ1 tag which is partially hybridized with the AS1411 aptamer to create a receptor-activating aptamer. The multi-AS1411 activable probe based on the strand displacement strategy was constructed using multiple copies of the structure-switching AS1411 aptamer (bearing a short poly-A tail) linked together using the poly-T long chain (as a scaffold) which was synthesized by Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase (TDT)-mediated extension. We demonstrated the promising efficacy and sensitivity of our method in recognizing tumor cells in both cell mixtures and clinical cytology specimens. Due to its simple and fast operation with excellent cell recognition sensitivity and accuracy, it is expected to achieve the detection of low abundance target cells. Our approach will have broad application in clinical rapid detection and personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieru Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
| | - Jiahui Xiang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
| | - Jialing Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
| | - Tao Wan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
| | - Hongli Deng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
| | - Dairong Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
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18
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Spirov AV, Myasnikova EM. Heuristic algorithms in evolutionary computation and modular organization of biological macromolecules: Applications to in vitro evolution. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0260497. [PMID: 35085255 PMCID: PMC8794168 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary computing (EC) is an area of computer sciences and applied mathematics covering heuristic optimization algorithms inspired by evolution in Nature. EC extensively study all the variety of methods which were originally based on the principles of selectionism. As a result, many new algorithms and approaches, significantly more efficient than classical selectionist schemes, were found. This is especially true for some families of special problems. There are strong arguments to believe that EC approaches are quite suitable for modeling and numerical analysis of those methods of synthetic biology and biotechnology that are known as in vitro evolution. Therefore, it is natural to expect that the new algorithms and approaches developed in EC can be effectively applied in experiments on the directed evolution of biological macromolecules. According to the John Holland's Schema theorem, the effective evolutionary search in genetic algorithms (GA) is provided by identifying short schemata of high fitness which in the further search recombine into the larger building blocks (BBs) with higher and higher fitness. The multimodularity of functional biological macromolecules and the preservation of already found modules in the evolutionary search have a clear analogy with the BBs in EC. It seems reasonable to try to transfer and introduce the methods of EC, preserving BBs and essentially accelerating the search, into experiments on in vitro evolution. We extend the key instrument of the Holland's theory, the Royal Roads fitness function, to problems of the in vitro evolution (Biological Royal Staircase, BioRS, functions). The specific version of BioRS developed in this publication arises from the realities of experimental evolutionary search for (DNA-) RNA-devices (aptazymes). Our numerical tests showed that for problems with the BioRS functions, simple heuristic algorithms, which turned out to be very effective for preserving BBs in GA, can be very effective in in vitro evolution approaches. We are convinced that such algorithms can be implemented in modern methods of in vitro evolution to achieve significant savings in time and resources and a significant increase in the efficiency of evolutionary search.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V. Spirov
- I. M. Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
- The Institute of Scientific Information for Social Sciences RAS, Moscow, Russia
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19
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Dillen A, Lammertyn J. Paving the way towards continuous biosensing by implementing affinity-based nanoswitches on state-dependent readout platforms. Analyst 2022; 147:1006-1023. [DOI: 10.1039/d1an02308j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Combining affinity-based nanoswitches with state-dependent readout platforms allows for continuous biosensing and acquisition of real-time information about biochemical processes occurring in the environment of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelies Dillen
- KU Leuven, Department of Biosystems – Biosensors Group, Willem de Croylaan 42, Box 2428, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Lammertyn
- KU Leuven, Department of Biosystems – Biosensors Group, Willem de Croylaan 42, Box 2428, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
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20
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Zhang Z, Pandey R, Li J, Gu J, White D, Stacey HD, Ang JC, Steinberg C, Capretta A, Filipe CDM, Mossman K, Balion C, Miller MS, Salena BJ, Yamamura D, Soleymani L, Brennan JD, Li Y. High‐Affinity Dimeric Aptamers Enable the Rapid Electrochemical Detection of Wild‐Type and B.1.1.7 SARS‐CoV‐2 in Unprocessed Saliva. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202110819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zijie Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences McMaster University Canada
| | - Richa Pandey
- Department of Engineering Physics McMaster University Canada
| | - Jiuxing Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences McMaster University Canada
| | - Jimmy Gu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences McMaster University Canada
| | - Dawn White
- Biointerfaces Institute McMaster University Canada
| | - Hannah D. Stacey
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences McMaster University Canada
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease Research McMaster University Canada
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre McMaster University Canada
| | - Jann C. Ang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences McMaster University Canada
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease Research McMaster University Canada
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre McMaster University Canada
| | | | - Alfredo Capretta
- Biointerfaces Institute McMaster University Canada
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease Research McMaster University Canada
| | | | - Karen Mossman
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease Research McMaster University Canada
- Department of Medicine McMaster University Canada
| | - Cynthia Balion
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine McMaster University Canada
| | - Matthew S. Miller
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences McMaster University Canada
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease Research McMaster University Canada
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre McMaster University Canada
| | | | - Deborah Yamamura
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease Research McMaster University Canada
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine McMaster University Canada
| | - Leyla Soleymani
- Department of Engineering Physics McMaster University Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering McMaster University 1280 Main Street West Hamilton Ontario L8S 4K1 Canada
| | | | - Yingfu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences McMaster University Canada
- Biointerfaces Institute McMaster University Canada
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease Research McMaster University Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering McMaster University 1280 Main Street West Hamilton Ontario L8S 4K1 Canada
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21
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Zhang Z, Pandey R, Li J, Gu J, White D, Stacey HD, Ang JC, Steinberg C, Capretta A, Filipe CDM, Mossman K, Balion C, Miller MS, Salena BJ, Yamamura D, Soleymani L, Brennan JD, Li Y. High-Affinity Dimeric Aptamers Enable the Rapid Electrochemical Detection of Wild-Type and B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 in Unprocessed Saliva. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:24266-24274. [PMID: 34464491 PMCID: PMC8596624 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202110819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
We report a simple and rapid saliva-based SARS-CoV-2 antigen test that utilizes a newly developed dimeric DNA aptamer, denoted as DSA1N5, that specifically recognizes the spike proteins of the wildtype virus and its Alpha and Delta variants with dissociation constants of 120, 290 and 480 pM, respectively, and binds pseudotyped lentiviruses expressing the wildtype and alpha trimeric spike proteins with affinity constants of 2.1 pM and 2.3 pM, respectively. To develop a highly sensitive test, DSA1N5 was immobilized onto gold electrodes to produce an electrochemical impedance sensor, which was capable of detecting 1000 viral particles per mL in 1:1 diluted saliva in under 10 min without any further sample processing. Evaluation of 36 positive and 37 negative patient saliva samples produced a clinical sensitivity of 80.5 % and specificity of 100 % and the sensor could detect the wildtype virus as well as the Alpha and Delta variants in the patient samples, which is the first reported rapid test that can detect any emerging variant of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijie Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical SciencesMcMaster UniversityCanada
| | - Richa Pandey
- Department of Engineering PhysicsMcMaster UniversityCanada
| | - Jiuxing Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical SciencesMcMaster UniversityCanada
| | - Jimmy Gu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical SciencesMcMaster UniversityCanada
| | - Dawn White
- Biointerfaces InstituteMcMaster UniversityCanada
| | - Hannah D. Stacey
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical SciencesMcMaster UniversityCanada
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease ResearchMcMaster UniversityCanada
- McMaster Immunology Research CentreMcMaster UniversityCanada
| | - Jann C. Ang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical SciencesMcMaster UniversityCanada
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease ResearchMcMaster UniversityCanada
- McMaster Immunology Research CentreMcMaster UniversityCanada
| | | | - Alfredo Capretta
- Biointerfaces InstituteMcMaster UniversityCanada
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease ResearchMcMaster UniversityCanada
| | | | - Karen Mossman
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease ResearchMcMaster UniversityCanada
- Department of MedicineMcMaster UniversityCanada
| | - Cynthia Balion
- Department of Pathology and Molecular MedicineMcMaster UniversityCanada
| | - Matthew S. Miller
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical SciencesMcMaster UniversityCanada
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease ResearchMcMaster UniversityCanada
- McMaster Immunology Research CentreMcMaster UniversityCanada
| | | | - Deborah Yamamura
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease ResearchMcMaster UniversityCanada
- Department of Pathology and Molecular MedicineMcMaster UniversityCanada
| | - Leyla Soleymani
- Department of Engineering PhysicsMcMaster UniversityCanada
- School of Biomedical EngineeringMcMaster University1280 Main Street WestHamiltonOntarioL8S 4K1Canada
| | | | - Yingfu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical SciencesMcMaster UniversityCanada
- Biointerfaces InstituteMcMaster UniversityCanada
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute of Infectious Disease ResearchMcMaster UniversityCanada
- School of Biomedical EngineeringMcMaster University1280 Main Street WestHamiltonOntarioL8S 4K1Canada
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22
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Pérez de Carvasal K, Riccardi C, Russo Krauss I, Cavasso D, Vasseur JJ, Smietana M, Morvan F, Montesarchio D. Charge-Transfer Interactions Stabilize G-Quadruplex-Forming Thrombin Binding Aptamers and Can Improve Their Anticoagulant Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9510. [PMID: 34502432 PMCID: PMC8430690 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the search for optimized thrombin binding aptamers (TBAs), we herein describe the synthesis of a library of TBA analogues obtained by end-functionalization with the electron-rich 1,5-dialkoxy naphthalene (DAN) and the electron-deficient 1,8,4,5-naphthalenetetra-carboxylic diimide (NDI) moieties. Indeed, when these G-rich oligonucleotides were folded into the peculiar TBA G-quadruplex (G4) structure, effective donor-acceptor charge transfer interactions between the DAN and NDI residues attached to the extremities of the sequence were induced, providing pseudo-cyclic structures. Alternatively, insertion of NDI groups at both extremities produced TBA analogues stabilized by π-π stacking interactions. All the doubly-modified TBAs were characterized by different biophysical techniques and compared with the analogues carrying only the DAN or NDI residue and unmodified TBA. These modified TBAs exhibited higher nuclease resistance, and their G4 structures were markedly stabilized, as evidenced by increased Tm values compared to TBA. These favorable properties were also associated with improved anticoagulant activity for one DAN/NDI-modified TBA, and for one NDI/NDI-modified TBA. Our results indicated that TBA pseudo-cyclic structuring by ad hoc designed end-functionalization represents an efficient approach to improve the aptamer features, while pre-organizing and stabilizing the G4 structure but allowing sufficient flexibility to the aptamer folding, which is necessary for optimal thrombin recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kévan Pérez de Carvasal
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, University Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France; (K.P.d.C.); (J.-J.V.); (M.S.)
| | - Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.R.); (I.R.K.); (D.C.)
| | - Irene Russo Krauss
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.R.); (I.R.K.); (D.C.)
- CSGI—Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase, Via della Lastruccia 3, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Domenico Cavasso
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.R.); (I.R.K.); (D.C.)
- CSGI—Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase, Via della Lastruccia 3, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Jean-Jacques Vasseur
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, University Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France; (K.P.d.C.); (J.-J.V.); (M.S.)
| | - Michael Smietana
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, University Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France; (K.P.d.C.); (J.-J.V.); (M.S.)
| | - François Morvan
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, University Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, 34095 Montpellier, France; (K.P.d.C.); (J.-J.V.); (M.S.)
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.R.); (I.R.K.); (D.C.)
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23
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Covalent Bi-Modular Parallel and Antiparallel G-Quadruplex DNA Nanocostructs Reduce Viability of Patient Glioma Primary Cell Cultures. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073372. [PMID: 33806042 PMCID: PMC8036578 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex oligonucleotides (GQs) exhibit specific anti-proliferative activity in human cancer cell lines, and they can selectively inhibit the viability/proliferation of cancer cell lines vs. non-cancer ones. This ability could be translated into a cancer treatment, in particular for glioblastoma multiform (GBM), which currently has a poor prognosis and low-efficiency therapeutic treatments. A novel bi-modular GQ, bi-(AID-1-T), a twin of the previously described three-quartet AID-1-T, was designed and studied in terms of both its structure and function. A covalent conjugation of two AID-1-Ts via three thymidine link, TTT, did not interfere with its initial GQ structure. A comparison of bi-(AID-1-T) with its mono-modular AID-1-T, mono-modular two-quartet HD1, and bi-modular bi-HD1, as well as conventional two-quartet AS1411, was made. Among the five GQs studied, bi-(AID-1-T) had the highest anti-proliferative activity for the neural cancer cell line U87, while not affecting the control cell line, human embryonic fibroblasts. GQs, for the first time, were tested on several primary glioma cultures from patient surgical samples. It turned out that the sensitivity of the patient primary glioma cultures toward GQs varied, with an apparent IC50 of less than 1 μM for bi-(AID-1-T) toward the most sensitive G11 cell culture (glioma, Grade III).
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Malecka K, Mikuła E, Ferapontova EE. Design Strategies for Electrochemical Aptasensors for Cancer Diagnostic Devices. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21030736. [PMID: 33499136 PMCID: PMC7866130 DOI: 10.3390/s21030736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Improved outcomes for many types of cancer achieved during recent years is due, among other factors, to the earlier detection of tumours and the greater availability of screening tests. With this, non-invasive, fast and accurate diagnostic devices for cancer diagnosis strongly improve the quality of healthcare by delivering screening results in the most cost-effective and safe way. Biosensors for cancer diagnostics exploiting aptamers offer several important advantages over traditional antibodies-based assays, such as the in-vitro aptamer production, their inexpensive and easy chemical synthesis and modification, and excellent thermal stability. On the other hand, electrochemical biosensing approaches allow sensitive, accurate and inexpensive way of sensing, due to the rapid detection with lower costs, smaller equipment size and lower power requirements. This review presents an up-to-date assessment of the recent design strategies and analytical performance of the electrochemical aptamer-based biosensors for cancer diagnosis and their future perspectives in cancer diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Malecka
- Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima Str. 10, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland; (K.M.); (E.M.)
| | - Edyta Mikuła
- Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima Str. 10, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland; (K.M.); (E.M.)
| | - Elena E. Ferapontova
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-87156703
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Bifunctional Aptamer Drug Carrier Enabling Selective and Efficient Incorporation of an Approved Anticancer Drug Irinotecan to Fibrin Gels. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app10238755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
We have previously developed a bifunctional aptamer (bApt) binding to both human thrombin and camptothecin derivative (CPT1), and showed that bApt acts as a drug carrier under the phenomenon named selective oligonucleotide entrapment in fibrin polymers (SOEF), which enables efficient enrichment of CPT1 into fibrin gels, resulting in significant inhibition of tumor cell growth. However, although the derivative CPT1 exhibits anticancer activity, it is not an approved drug. In this study, we evaluated the binding properties of bApt to irinotecan, a camptothecin analog commonly used for anticancer drug therapy, in addition to unmodified camptothecin (CPT). Furthermore, we have revealed that irinotecan binds to bApt like CPT1 and is selectively concentrated on fibrin gels formed around the tumor cells under the SOEF phenomenon to suppress cell proliferation.
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