Molecular signaling aptamers for real-time fluorescence analysis of protein

Aptamers are a new class of nucleic acids that are selected in vitro for binding target molecules with high affinity and selectivity. They are promising protein-binding molecular probes that rival conventional antibodies for protein analysis. There have been recent advances in the development of molecular signaling aptamers that can transduce target protein binding to sensitive fluorescence signal changes. This facilitates the real time protein monitoring in homogenous solution as well as potentially in vivo. Different signaling strategies of using dual labeled aptamers based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), one fluorophore labeled aptamers based on fluorescence anisotropy assay, or other label-free aptamers are reviewed.