Bimodular thrombin aptamers with two types of non-covalent locks

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Nanotechnology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Aptamers are structured oligonucleotides with specific target-binding capabilities.
• Oligonucleotides can self-assemble into nanostructures using duplexes or G-quadruplexes.
• Aptamer-functionalized nanostructures offer targeted binding applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize bimodular aptamer constructions using self-assembling locks.
• To investigate the efficiency and functional activity of different aptamer assembly methods.
• To enhance the affinity of aptamer nanostructures for specific targets, using thrombin as a model.

Main Methods:

• Utilized two types of self-assembling locks (duplex and G-quadruplex) for aptamer construction.
• Employed a well-known aptamer targeting thrombin as a model system.
• Assessed the efficiency of lock assembly at varying concentrations.

Main Results:

• Duplex lock assembly was more efficient at lower concentrations.
• Functional activity of aptamer modules remained comparable to existing methods (HD1).
• Bimodular aptamers incorporating G-quadruplex locks exhibited a 5-10 fold increase in affinity for immobilized thrombin.

Conclusions:

• Self-assembling G-quadruplex locks provide a robust method for creating high-affinity bimodular aptamer nanostructures.
• This approach enhances target binding efficacy, with potential applications in diagnostics and therapeutics.
• The study demonstrates a significant improvement in aptamer-based target recognition through rational nanostructure design.