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Published on: August 9, 2019
Current Advances in Aptamer-based Biomolecular Recognition and Biological Process Regulation
Sisi Chen1, Lei Zhang1, Quan Yuan1
1Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory(MBL), Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine(ICBN), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082 P. R. China.
Aptamers, short DNA or RNA sequences, are powerful tools for recognizing biomolecules and regulating biological functions like enzymatic activity and cellular immunity. This review highlights advancements and challenges in their application.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Biomolecule-ligand interactions are crucial for biological regulation.
- Aptamers are oligonucleotide tools for specific biomolecule recognition.
- Existing reviews focus on recognition, not functional regulation by aptamers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize methods for enhancing aptamer affinity.
- To review aptamer applications in regulating enzymatic activity, cellular immunity, and cellular behaviors.
- To discuss challenges and future directions for aptamer-based biological regulation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of aptamer research.
- Analysis of strategies for improving aptamer binding affinity.
- Synthesis of findings on aptamer-mediated regulation of biological processes.
Main Results:
- Aptamers have advanced significantly in target recognition over the past decade.
- Various approaches exist to enhance aptamer affinity and specificity.
- Aptamers demonstrate potential in modulating enzymatic activity, immune responses, and cell behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Aptamers are versatile tools for regulating biological functions.
- Further research is needed to overcome challenges in complex biological environments.
- Aptamers offer promising avenues for future biomolecular function regulation.
