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Adipocyte-Specific ATAC-Seq with Adipose Tissues Using Fluorescence-Activated Nucleus Sorting
Published on: March 17, 2023
Selection of aptamers specific for adipose tissue
Jun Liu1, Huixia Liu, Kwame Sefah
1Division of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Plos One
|June 5, 2012
Summary
Researchers identified aptamer adipo-8, which specifically binds to mature fat cells (adipocytes). This discovery offers a new tool for targeting adipose tissue in obesity and metabolic disorder treatments.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Obesity is a global epidemic, with adipose tissue a key therapeutic target.
- Current drugs lack specificity for adipose tissue due to limited knowledge of adipocyte markers.
- Targeting adipocytes is crucial for treating obesity and related metabolic disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify specific molecular targets on mature adipocytes.
- To develop tools for selective drug delivery to adipose tissue.
- To advance therapeutic strategies for obesity and metabolic diseases.
Main Methods:
- Utilized cell-SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment) technology.
- Selected and characterized aptamers, specifically adipo-1 and adipo-8.
- Assessed aptamer binding affinity and specificity to differentiated adipocytes.
Main Results:
- Identified two aptamers, adipo-1 and adipo-8, that specifically recognize mature adipocytes.
- Aptamer adipo-8 demonstrated high affinity (K(d) = 17.8±5.1 nM) for differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
- Binding was stable under physiological conditions and confirmed on tissue slides and isolated cells.
Conclusions:
- Aptamer adipo-8 specifically binds to mature, differentiated adipocytes.
- This aptamer is a promising tool for adipocyte biomarker discovery.
- Potential applications include targeted delivery of therapeutic molecules to adipocytes.
