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Citartan M. The dynamicity of light-up aptamers in one-pot in vitro diagnostic assays. Analyst 2021; 147:10-21. [PMID: 34860215 DOI: 10.1039/d1an01690c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Light-up aptamers are aptamers that ignite the fluorescence emission of certain dyes upon binding. Widely harnessed in in vivo imaging, the binding capacity of the light-up aptamers can also be deployed in in vitro diagnostic assays, engendering a mix-and-read format. Intrigued by this, I intend to provide an overview of the various formats of diagnostic assays developed using light-up aptamers from the direct modulation of the light-up aptamers, split aptamer-based configuration, strand displacement, in vitro transcription-based one-pot diagnostic assay, CRISPR-Cas system to the measurement of the ion reliance. The incorporation of the light-up aptamers into each configuration is expounded and further supported by describing the exemplary assays developed thus far. It is anticipated that the present study can be enlightening to any researchers who aspire to embark on the development of one-pot in vitro diagnostic assays based on light-up aptamers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marimuthu Citartan
- Advanced Medical & Dental Institute (AMDI), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200, Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia.
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2
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Chandler M, Johnson B, Khisamutdinov E, Dobrovolskaia MA, Sztuba-Solinska J, Salem AK, Breyne K, Chammas R, Walter NG, Contreras LM, Guo P, Afonin KA. The International Society of RNA Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine (ISRNN): The Present and Future of the Burgeoning Field. ACS NANO 2021; 15:16957-16973. [PMID: 34677049 PMCID: PMC9023608 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c10240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The International Society of RNA Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine (ISRNN) hosts an annual meeting series focused on presenting the latest research achievements involving RNA-based therapeutics and strategies, aiming to expand their current biomedical applications while overcoming the remaining challenges of the burgeoning field of RNA nanotechnology. The most recent online meeting hosted a series of engaging talks and discussions from an international cohort of leading nanotechnologists that focused on RNA modifications and modulation, dynamic RNA structures, overcoming delivery limitations using a variety of innovative platforms and approaches, and addressing the newly explored potential for immunomodulation with programmable nucleic acid nanoparticles. In this Nano Focus, we summarize the main discussion points, conclusions, and future directions identified during this two-day webinar as well as more recent advances to highlight and to accelerate this exciting field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Chandler
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Brittany Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Emil Khisamutdinov
- Department of Chemistry, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana 47304, United States
| | - Marina A Dobrovolskaia
- Nanotechnology Characterization Lab, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Joanna Sztuba-Solinska
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, 120 W. Samford Avenue, Rouse Life Sciences Building, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States
| | - Aliasger K Salem
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
| | - Koen Breyne
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology and Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachussets 02114, United States
| | - Roger Chammas
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
- Centro de Investigação Translacional em Oncologia, Departamento de Radiologia e Oncologia, Instituto do Cancer do Estado de São Paulo - ICESP, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo - FMUSP, Avenida Dr. Arnaldo 251, Cerqueira César, São Paulo 01246-000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nils G Walter
- Single Molecule Analysis Group, Department of Chemistry and Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Lydia M Contreras
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering and Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78714, United States
| | - Peixuan Guo
- Center for RNA Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine, College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Medicine, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Kirill A Afonin
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
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Ryckelynck M. Development and Applications of Fluorogen/Light-Up RNA Aptamer Pairs for RNA Detection and More. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2166:73-102. [PMID: 32710404 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0712-1_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The central role of RNA in living systems made it highly desirable to have noninvasive and sensitive technologies allowing for imaging the synthesis and the location of these molecules in living cells. This need motivated the development of small pro-fluorescent molecules called "fluorogens" that become fluorescent upon binding to genetically encodable RNAs called "light-up aptamers." Yet, the development of these fluorogen/light-up RNA pairs is a long and thorough process starting with the careful design of the fluorogen and pursued by the selection of a specific and efficient synthetic aptamer. This chapter summarizes the main design and the selection strategies used up to now prior to introducing the main pairs. Then, the vast application potential of these molecules for live-cell RNA imaging and other applications is presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Ryckelynck
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, UPR 9002, Strasbourg, France.
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Liu LS, Wang F, Ge Y, Lo PK. Recent Developments in Aptasensors for Diagnostic Applications. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:9329-9358. [PMID: 33155468 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c14788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Aptamers are exciting smart molecular probes for specific recognition of disease biomarkers. A number of strategies have been developed to convert target-aptamer binding into physically detectable signals. Since the aptamer sequence was first discovered, a large variety of aptamer-based biosensors have been developed, with considerable attention paid to their potential applications in clinical diagnostics. So far, a variety of techniques in combination with a wide range of functional nanomaterials have been used for the design of aptasensors to further improve the sensitivity and detection limit of target determination. In this paper, the advantages of aptamers over traditional antibodies as the molecular recognition components in biosensors for high-throughput screening target molecules are highlighted. Aptamer-target pairing configurations are predominantly single- or dual-site binding; the design of recognition modes of each aptamer-target pairing configuration is described. Furthermore, signal transduction strategies including optical, electrical, mechanical, and mass-sensitive modes are clearly explained together with examples. Finally, we summarize the recent progress in the development of aptamer-based biosensors for clinical diagnosis, including detection of cancer and disease biomarkers and in vivo molecular imaging. We then conclude with a discussion on the advanced development and challenges of aptasensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Sum Liu
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yonghe Ge
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Pik Kwan Lo
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518057, China
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5
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Kolpashchikov DM, Spelkov AA. Binary (Split) Light‐up Aptameric Sensors. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201914919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry M. Kolpashchikov
- Chemistry Department University of Central Florida Orlando FL 32816-2366 USA
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences University of Central Florida Orlando FL 32816 USA
| | - Alexander A. Spelkov
- Laboratory of Solution Chemistry of Advanced Materials and Technologies ITMO University 9 Lomonosova Str. St. Petersburg 191002 Russian Federation
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Kolpashchikov DM, Spelkov AA. Binary (Split) Light-up Aptameric Sensors. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 60:4988-4999. [PMID: 32208549 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201914919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This Minireview discusses the design and applications of binary (also known as split) light-up aptameric sensors (BLAS). BLAS consist of two RNA or DNA strands and a fluorogenic organic dye added as a buffer component. When associated, the two strands form a dye-binding site, followed by an increase in fluorescence of the aptamer-bound dye. The design is cost-efficient because it uses short oligonucleotides and does not require conjugation of organic dyes with nucleic acids. In some applications, BLAS design is preferable over monolithic sensors because of simpler assay optimization and improved selectivity. RNA-based BLAS can be expressed in cells and used for the intracellular monitoring of biological molecules. BLAS have been used as reporters of nucleic acid association events in RNA nanotechnology and nucleic-acid-based molecular computation. Other applications of BLAS include the detection of nucleic acids, proteins, and cancer cells, and potentially they can be tailored to report a broad range of biological analytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry M Kolpashchikov
- Chemistry Department, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32816-2366, USA.,Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32816, USA
| | - Alexander A Spelkov
- Laboratory of Solution Chemistry of Advanced Materials and Technologies, ITMO University, 9 Lomonosova Str., St. Petersburg, 191002, Russian Federation
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Chandler M, Panigaj M, Rolband LA, Afonin KA. Challenges to optimizing RNA nanostructures for large scale production and controlled therapeutic properties. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2020; 15:1331-1340. [PMID: 32452262 PMCID: PMC7304434 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2020-0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acids have been utilized to construct an expansive collection of nanoarchitectures varying in design, physicochemical properties, cellular processing and biomedical applications. However, the broader therapeutic adaptation of nucleic acid nanoassemblies in general, and RNA-based nanoparticles in particular, have faced several challenges in moving towards (pre)clinical settings. For one, the large-batch synthesis of nucleic acids is still under development, with multi-stranded and chemically modified assemblies requiring greater production capacity while maintaining consistent medical-grade outputs. Furthermore, the unknown immunostimulation by these nanomaterials poses additional challenges, necessary to be overcome for optimizing future development of clinically approved RNA nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Chandler
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Martin Panigaj
- Institute of Biology & Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Lewis A Rolband
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Kirill A Afonin
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
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Chen S, Hermann T. RNA-DNA hybrid nanoshapes that self-assemble dependent on ligand binding. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:3302-3307. [PMID: 31971536 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr09706f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembly of nucleic acid nanostructures is driven by selective association of oligonucleotide modules through base pairing between complementary sequences. Herein, we report the development of RNA-DNA hybrid nanoshapes that conditionally assemble under the control of an adenosine ligand. The design concept for the nanoshapes relies on ligand-dependent stabilization of DNA aptamers that serve as connectors between marginally stable RNA corner modules. Ligand-dependent RNA-DNA nanoshapes self-assemble in an all-or-nothing process by coupling adenosine binding to the formation of circularly closed structures which are stabilized through continuous base stacking in the resulting polygons. By screening combinations of various DNA aptamer constructs with RNA corner modules for the formation of stable complexes, we identified adenosine-dependent nanosquares whose shape was confirmed by atomic force microscopy. As a proof-of-concept for sensor applications, adenosine-responsive FRET-active nanosquares were obtained by dye conjugation of the DNA aptamer components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Chen
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Thomas Hermann
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California, 92093, USA. and Center for Drug Discovery Innovation, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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9
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Panigaj M, Johnson MB, Ke W, McMillan J, Goncharova EA, Chandler M, Afonin KA. Aptamers as Modular Components of Therapeutic Nucleic Acid Nanotechnology. ACS NANO 2019; 13:12301-12321. [PMID: 31664817 PMCID: PMC7382785 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b06522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acids play a central role in all domains of life, either as genetic blueprints or as regulators of various biochemical pathways. The chemical makeup of ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), generally represented by a sequence of four monomers, also provides precise instructions for folding and higher-order assembly of these biopolymers that, in turn, dictate biological functions. The sequence-based specific 3D structures of nucleic acids led to the development of the directed evolution of oligonucleotides, SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment), against a chosen target molecule. Among the variety of functions, selected oligonucleotides named aptamers also allow targeting of cell-specific receptors with antibody-like precision and can deliver functional RNAs without a transfection agent. The advancements in the field of customizable nucleic acid nanoparticles (NANPs) opened avenues for the design of nanoassemblies utilizing aptamers for triggering or blocking cell signaling pathways or using aptamer-receptor combinations to activate therapeutic functionalities. A recent selection of fluorescent aptamers enables real-time tracking of NANP formation and interactions. The aptamers are anticipated to contribute to the future development of technologies, enabling an efficient assembly of functional NANPs in mammalian cells or in vivo. These research topics are of top importance for the field of therapeutic nucleic acid nanotechnology with the promises to scale up mass production of NANPs suitable for biomedical applications, to control the intracellular organization of biological materials to enhance the efficiency of biochemical pathways, and to enhance the therapeutic potential of NANP-based therapeutics while minimizing undesired side effects and toxicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Panigaj
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Kosice 04154, Slovak Republic
| | - M. Brittany Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Weina Ke
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Jessica McMillan
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Ekaterina A. Goncharova
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
- Laboratory of Solution Chemistry of Advanced Materials and Technologies, ITMO University, St. Petersburg 191002, Russian Federation
| | - Morgan Chandler
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Kirill A. Afonin
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
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Halman JR, Afonin KA. Editorial for the Special Issue on "Nucleic Acid Architectures for Therapeutics, Diagnostics, Devices and Materials". NANOMATERIALS 2019; 9:nano9070951. [PMID: 31261977 PMCID: PMC6669640 DOI: 10.3390/nano9070951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Justin R Halman
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Kirill A Afonin
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA.
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11
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Chandler M, Afonin KA. Smart-Responsive Nucleic Acid Nanoparticles (NANPs) with the Potential to Modulate Immune Behavior. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 9:E611. [PMID: 31013847 PMCID: PMC6523571 DOI: 10.3390/nano9040611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acids are programmable and biocompatible polymers that have beneficial uses in nanotechnology with broad applications in biosensing and therapeutics. In some cases, however, the development of the latter has been impeded by the unknown immunostimulatory properties of nucleic acid-based materials, as well as a lack of functional dynamicity due to stagnant structural design. Recent research advancements have explored these obstacles in tandem via the assembly of three-dimensional, planar, and fibrous cognate nucleic acid-based nanoparticles, called NANPs, for the conditional activation of embedded and otherwise quiescent functions. Furthermore, a library of the most representative NANPs was extensively analyzed in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and the links between the programmable architectural and physicochemical parameters of NANPs and their immunomodulatory properties have been established. This overview will cover the recent development of design principles that allow for fine-tuning of both the physicochemical and immunostimulatory properties of dynamic NANPs and discuss the potential impacts of these novel strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Chandler
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA.
| | - Kirill A Afonin
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA.
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