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Updated: May 7, 2026
12:31
A Method for Selecting Structure-switching Aptamers Applied to a Colorimetric Gold Nanoparticle Assay
Published on: February 28, 2015
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A functional group-guided approach to aptamers for small molecules.
Kyungae Yang1, Noelle M Mitchell2, Saswata Banerjee1
1Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|June 1, 2023
Summary
Identifying aptameric receptors for biosensors is challenging due to target structure. This study introduces functional group-guided strategies to overcome selection barriers and improve aptamer discovery for difficult targets.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Biosensor Technology
Background:
- Aptameric receptors are crucial for biosensor development.
- Identifying aptamers is often hindered by the target molecule's structure.
- Previous selection methods have limitations for complex targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze functional group contributions to aptamer binding.
- To develop tailored strategies for overcoming aptamer selection barriers.
- To enhance aptamer isolation for challenging targets like leucine and voriconazole.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 27 target-aptamer pairs to understand functional group impact.
- Identification of steric hindrance and negative cooperativity as binding impediments.
- Design of functional group-guided selection strategies.
- Utilizing conserved sequences for target analogs as anchors in oligonucleotide searches.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that individual functional groups significantly influence aptamer binding.
- Identified specific structural features that impede aptamer isolation.
- Successfully designed strategies to overcome previously encountered selection failures.
- Showcased the efficacy of functional group-guided approaches for difficult targets.
Conclusions:
- Tailored strategies based on functional group analysis improve aptamer selection success.
- Moving beyond standardized protocols is essential for isolating aptamers against challenging targets.
- Functional group-guided aptamer discovery offers a more efficient route to novel biosensor components.
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