DNA-Peptide Amphiphile Nanofibers Enhance Aptamer Function.
Christopher M Serrano1,2, Ronit Freeman2, Jacqueline Godbe2,3
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, 2220 Campus Drive, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA.
ACS Applied Bio Materials
|October 1, 2020
Summary
DNA aptamers displayed on nanofibers show enhanced binding and nuclease resistance to platelet-derived growth factor. This supramolecular system improves therapeutic potential by inhibiting cell proliferation more effectively than free aptamers.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Aptamers, or DNA oligonucleotides, show therapeutic promise but require functional optimization and protection against nuclease degradation.
- Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a key target in various biological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize DNA-peptide amphiphiles for supramolecular self-assembly into nanofibers.
- To display aptamers on these nanofibers for enhanced binding and stability.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of aptamer-functionalized nanofibers.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of DNA-peptide amphiphiles.
- Supramolecular self-assembly into high aspect ratio nanofibers.
- Characterization of aptamer display and binding affinity.
- Nuclease resistance assays.
- Inhibition of cell proliferation assays.
Main Results:
- DNA-peptide amphiphiles self-assembled into nanofibers displaying aptamers.
- Nanofiber-displayed aptamers exhibited a fivefold greater binding affinity for PDGF compared to free aptamers.
- The displayed aptamers showed an eightfold increase in nuclease resistance.
- Supramolecular aptamer systems demonstrated improved inhibition of PDGF-induced cell proliferation.
Conclusions:
- Supramolecular self-assembly of DNA-peptide amphiphiles creates nanofibers that enhance aptamer function.
- This approach significantly improves aptamer binding affinity and nuclease resistance.
- The developed aptamer-nanofiber system holds considerable therapeutic potential for targeting growth factors.
