Photoregulation of thrombin aptamer activity using Bhc caging strategy

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Photochemistry

Background:

• Aptamers are functional nucleic acid sequences with high specificity for molecular targets.
• Controlling aptamer activity with spatiotemporal precision is crucial for various applications.
• Photolabile protecting groups offer a means to modulate biomolecule function using light.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a photoregulated thrombin aptamer system.
• To control aptamer affinity and biological activity using light-induced uncaging.
• To achieve precise spatiotemporal control over aptamer function.

Main Methods:

• Chemical modification of thrombin aptamer with the 6-bromo-7-hydroxycoumarin-4-ylmethyl (Bhc) photolabile group.
• Employing a multiple-caging strategy to achieve reversible inactivation and activation.
• Utilizing photolysis (illumination) to control aptamer activity.

Main Results:

• Successful caging of thrombin aptamer with the Bhc group.
• Demonstration of light-induced inactivation and partial restoration of aptamer activity.
• Achieved spatiotemporal control over aptamer binding affinity.

Conclusions:

• The developed method enables photoregulated control of thrombin aptamer activity.
• This approach offers a convenient tool for precise spatiotemporal manipulation of aptamer function.
• The photoregulated aptamer system has potential applications in molecular diagnostics and therapeutics.