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DNA aptamers selection for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
Mariane Izabella Abreu de Melo1, Cristiane Rodrigues Correa1, Pricila da Silva Cunha1
1Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear, Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil.
Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters
|June 13, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed novel DNA aptamers for Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) detection in colorectal cancer. Apta 3 and Apta 5 demonstrated high specificity and affinity, showing promise for targeted cancer diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a key biomarker for diagnosing and monitoring various cancers, notably colorectal cancer.
- Nucleic acid aptamers offer high specificity and affinity for molecular targets, presenting an alternative to antibodies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To select and characterize DNA aptamers that specifically bind to Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA).
- To evaluate the potential of these aptamers as radiopharmaceuticals for colorectal cancer diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential Enrichment (SELEX) was employed to identify CEA-specific aptamers.
- Selected aptamers were tested for binding affinity and specificity using CEA-positive (T84) and CEA-negative (Hela) cell lines.
Main Results:
- Five aptamers were successfully selected through SELEX.
- Apta 3 and Apta 5 exhibited significant specificity and high affinity for CEA-expressing T84 cells.
- Dissociation constants (Kd) for Apta 3 and Apta 5 were determined to be 60.4 ± 5.7 nM and 37.8 ± 5.8 nM, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Apta 3 and Apta 5 are highly promising candidates for developing targeted diagnostic tools for colorectal cancer.
- These aptamers demonstrate potential for identifying tumor cells overexpressing CEA, paving the way for improved cancer detection.
