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Phthalic Acid Ester-Binding DNA Aptamer Selection, Characterization, and Application to an Electrochemical Aptasensor
Published on: March 21, 2018
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Selected DNA aptamers as hydroxyapatite affinity reagents
Emma Duffy1, John Florek1, Stephanie Colon1
1Emmanuel College, Department of Chemistry and Physics, 400 the Fenway, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
Analytica Chimica Acta
|April 13, 2020
Summary
DNA aptamers were developed to bind specifically to hydroxyapatite (HAP), a key mineral in bone and enamel. These aptamers show high affinity and specificity, enabling precise labeling of HAP in biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Molecular Biology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Hydroxyapatite (HAP) is the primary mineral component of bone and enamel.
- Specific and efficient binding agents are needed for HAP detection and labeling in biomedical fields.
Purpose of the Study:
- To select and characterize DNA aptamers with high specificity and affinity for crystalline hydroxyapatite (HAP).
- To evaluate the potential of these aptamers for labeling HAP in biomedical and biotechnological applications.
Main Methods:
- Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) was used to select DNA aptamers against crystalline HAP.
- Binding affinity, kinetics, specificity, and secondary structure (G-quadruplex) of selected aptamers were analyzed.
- Fluorescently-functionalized aptamers were used in surface binding experiments to demonstrate HAP labeling.
Main Results:
- DNA aptamers with a high percentage of G-nucleotides and a propensity for G-quadruplex formation were selected.
- One aptamer exhibited high-affinity binding, high loading capacity, enhanced binding kinetics, and specificity for crystalline HAP over amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) and β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP).
- Fluorescently-labeled aptamer successfully and specifically labeled HAP in surface binding assays.
Conclusions:
- Selected DNA aptamers demonstrate high specificity and affinity for crystalline HAP.
- These aptamers hold promise for applications requiring the specific labeling of HAP in biomedical and biotechnology.
- The G-quadruplex structure may contribute to the aptamers' enhanced binding properties to HAP.
