International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Editorial

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2 pages, 181 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Aptamers: Functional-Structural Studies and Biomedical Applications

by Romualdo Troisi and Filomena Sica

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(9), 4796; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23094796 - 27 Apr 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1574

Abstract

Aptamers are synthetic molecules of different natures (mostly, DNA or RNA) that recognize a target molecule with high affinity and specificity [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aptamers: Functional-Structural Studies and Biomedical Applications)

Research

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17 pages, 4264 KiB

Open AccessArticle

BSA Hydrogel Beads Functionalized with a Specific Aptamer Library for Capturing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Serum and Blood

by Markus Krämer, Ann-Kathrin Kissmann, Heinz Fabian Raber, Hu Xing, Patrizia Favella, Ingrid Müller, Barbara Spellerberg, Tanja Weil, Dennis Kubiczek, Susanne Sihler, Ulrich Ziener and Frank Rosenau

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(20), 11118; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222011118 - 15 Oct 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2560

Abstract

Systemic blood stream infections are a major threat to human health and are dramatically increasing worldwide. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a WHO-alerted multi-resistant pathogen of extreme importance as a cause of sepsis. Septicemia patients have significantly increased survival chances if sepsis is diagnosed in [...] Read more.

Systemic blood stream infections are a major threat to human health and are dramatically increasing worldwide. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a WHO-alerted multi-resistant pathogen of extreme importance as a cause of sepsis. Septicemia patients have significantly increased survival chances if sepsis is diagnosed in the early stages. Affinity materials can not only represent attractive tools for specific diagnostics of pathogens in the blood but can prospectively also serve as the technical foundation of therapeutic filtration devices. Based on the recently developed aptamers directed against P. aeruginosa, we here present aptamer-functionalized beads for specific binding of this pathogen in blood samples. These aptamer capture beads (ACBs) are manufactured by crosslinking bovine serum albumin (BSA) in an emulsion and subsequent functionalization with the amino-modified aptamers on the bead surface using the thiol- and amino-reactive bispecific crosslinker PEG₄-SPDP. Specific and quantitative binding of P. aeruginosa as the dedicated target of the ACBs was demonstrated in serum and blood. These initial but promising results may open new routes for the development of ACBs as a platform technology for fast and reliable diagnosis of bloodstream infections and, in the long term, blood filtration techniques in the fight against sepsis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aptamers: Functional-Structural Studies and Biomedical Applications)

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16 pages, 3287 KiB

Open AccessArticle

FluCell-SELEX Aptamers as Specific Binding Molecules for Diagnostics of the Health Relevant Gut Bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila

by Heinz Fabian Raber, Dennis Horst Kubiczek, Nicholas Bodenberger, Ann-Kathrin Kissmann, Deena D’souza, Hu Xing, Daniel Mayer, Pengfei Xu, Uwe Knippschild, Barbara Spellerberg, Tanja Weil and Frank Rosenau

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(19), 10425; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms221910425 - 27 Sep 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3275

Abstract

Based on their unique properties, oligonucleotide aptamers have been named a gift of biological chemistry to life science. We report the development of DNA aptamers as the first high-affinity binding molecules available for fast and rapid labeling of the human gut bacterium Akkermansia [...] Read more.

Based on their unique properties, oligonucleotide aptamers have been named a gift of biological chemistry to life science. We report the development of DNA aptamers as the first high-affinity binding molecules available for fast and rapid labeling of the human gut bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila with a certain impact on Alzheimer´s disease. Fast and reliable analyses of the composition of microbiomes is an emerging field in microbiology. We describe the molecular evolution and biochemical characterization of a specific aptamer library by a FluCell-SELEX and the characterization of specific molecules from the library by bioinformatics. The aptamer AKK13.1 exerted universal applicability in different analysis techniques in modern microbiology, including fluorimetry, confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometry. It was also functional as a specific binding entity hybridized to anchor primers chemically coupled via acrydite-modification to the surface of a polyacrylamide-hydrogel, which can be prototypically used for the construction of affinity surfaces in sensor chips. Together, the performance and methodological flexibility of the aptamers presented here may open new routes not only to develop novel Akkermansia-specific assays for clinical microbiology and the analyses of human stool samples but may also be an excellent starting point for the construction of novel electronic biosensors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aptamers: Functional-Structural Studies and Biomedical Applications)

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23 pages, 6884 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Charge-Transfer Interactions Stabilize G-Quadruplex-Forming Thrombin Binding Aptamers and Can Improve Their Anticoagulant Activity

by Kévan Pérez de Carvasal, Claudia Riccardi, Irene Russo Krauss, Domenico Cavasso, Jean-Jacques Vasseur, Michael Smietana, François Morvan and Daniela Montesarchio

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(17), 9510; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22179510 - 2 Sep 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2714

Abstract

In the search for optimized thrombin binding aptamers (TBAs), we herein describe the synthesis of a library of TBA analogues obtained by end-functionalization with the electron-rich 1,5-dialkoxy naphthalene (DAN) and the electron-deficient 1,8,4,5-naphthalenetetra-carboxylic diimide (NDI) moieties. Indeed, when these G-rich oligonucleotides were folded [...] Read more.

In the search for optimized thrombin binding aptamers (TBAs), we herein describe the synthesis of a library of TBA analogues obtained by end-functionalization with the electron-rich 1,5-dialkoxy naphthalene (DAN) and the electron-deficient 1,8,4,5-naphthalenetetra-carboxylic diimide (NDI) moieties. Indeed, when these G-rich oligonucleotides were folded into the peculiar TBA G-quadruplex (G4) structure, effective donor–acceptor charge transfer interactions between the DAN and NDI residues attached to the extremities of the sequence were induced, providing pseudo-cyclic structures. Alternatively, insertion of NDI groups at both extremities produced TBA analogues stabilized by π–π stacking interactions. All the doubly-modified TBAs were characterized by different biophysical techniques and compared with the analogues carrying only the DAN or NDI residue and unmodified TBA. These modified TBAs exhibited higher nuclease resistance, and their G4 structures were markedly stabilized, as evidenced by increased T_m values compared to TBA. These favorable properties were also associated with improved anticoagulant activity for one DAN/NDI-modified TBA, and for one NDI/NDI-modified TBA. Our results indicated that TBA pseudo-cyclic structuring by ad hoc designed end-functionalization represents an efficient approach to improve the aptamer features, while pre-organizing and stabilizing the G4 structure but allowing sufficient flexibility to the aptamer folding, which is necessary for optimal thrombin recognition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aptamers: Functional-Structural Studies and Biomedical Applications)

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22 pages, 82014 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Role of RNA Motifs in RNA Interaction with Membrane Lipid Rafts: Implications for Therapeutic Applications of Exosomal RNAs

by Rafał Mańka, Pawel Janas, Karolina Sapoń, Teresa Janas and Tadeusz Janas

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(17), 9416; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22179416 - 30 Aug 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3020

Abstract

RNA motifs may promote interactions with exosomes (EXO-motifs) and lipid rafts (RAFT-motifs) that are enriched in exosomal membranes. These interactions can promote selective RNA loading into exosomes. We quantified the affinity between RNA aptamers containing various EXO- and RAFT-motifs and membrane lipid rafts [...] Read more.

RNA motifs may promote interactions with exosomes (EXO-motifs) and lipid rafts (RAFT-motifs) that are enriched in exosomal membranes. These interactions can promote selective RNA loading into exosomes. We quantified the affinity between RNA aptamers containing various EXO- and RAFT-motifs and membrane lipid rafts in a liposome model of exosomes by determining the dissociation constants. Analysis of the secondary structure of RNA molecules provided data about the possible location of EXO- and RAFT-motifs within the RNA structure. The affinity of RNAs containing RAFT-motifs (UUGU, UCCC, CUCC, CCCU) and some EXO-motifs (CCCU, UCCU) to rafted liposomes is higher in comparison to aptamers without these motifs, suggesting direct RNA-exosome interaction. We have confirmed these results through the determination of the dissociation constant values of exosome-RNA aptamer complexes. RNAs containing EXO-motifs GGAG or UGAG have substantially lower affinity to lipid rafts, suggesting indirect RNA-exosome interaction via RNA binding proteins. Bioinformatics analysis revealed RNA aptamers containing both raft- and miRNA-binding motifs and involvement of raft-binding motifs UCCCU and CUCCC. A strategy is proposed for using functional RNA aptamers (fRNAa) containing both RAFT-motif and a therapeutic motif (e.g., miRNA inhibitor) to selectively introduce RNAs into exosomes for fRNAa delivery to target cells for personalized therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aptamers: Functional-Structural Studies and Biomedical Applications)

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12 pages, 3787 KiB

Open AccessArticle

NXP031 Improves Cognitive Impairment in a Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion-Induced Vascular Dementia Rat Model through Nrf2 Signaling

by Jae-Min Lee, Joo-Hee Lee, Min-Kyung Song and Youn-Jung Kim

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(12), 6285; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22126285 - 11 Jun 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4053

Abstract

Vascular dementia (VaD) is a progressive cognitive impairment caused by a reduced blood supply to the brain. Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) is one cause of VaD; it induces oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, damaging several brain regions. Vitamin C plays [...] Read more.

Vascular dementia (VaD) is a progressive cognitive impairment caused by a reduced blood supply to the brain. Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) is one cause of VaD; it induces oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, damaging several brain regions. Vitamin C plays a vital role in preventing oxidative stress-related diseases induced by reactive oxygen species, but it is easily oxidized and loses its antioxidant activity. To overcome this weakness, we have developed a vitamin C/DNA aptamer complex (NXP031) that increases vitamin C’s antioxidant efficacy. Aptamers are short single-stranded nucleic acid polymers (DNA or RNA) that can interact with their corresponding target with high affinity. We established an animal model of VaD by permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) in 12 week old Wistar rats. Twelve weeks after BCCAO, we injected NXP031 into the rats intraperitoneally for two weeks at moderate (200 mg/4 mg/kg) and high concentrations (200 mg/20 mg/kg). NXP031 administration alleviates cognitive impairment, microglial activity, and oxidative stress after CCH. NXP031 increased the expression of basal lamina (laminin), endothelial cell (RECA-1, PECAM-1), and pericyte (PDGFRβ); these markers maintain the BBB integrity. We found that NXP031 administration activated the Nrf2-ARE pathway and increased the expression of SOD-1 and GSTO1/2. These results suggest that this new aptamer complex, NXP031, could be a therapeutic intervention in CCH-induced VaD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aptamers: Functional-Structural Studies and Biomedical Applications)

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26 pages, 3876 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design, Synthesis and Characterization of Cyclic NU172 Analogues: A Biophysical and Biological Insight

by Claudia Riccardi, Albert Meyer, Jean-Jacques Vasseur, Domenico Cavasso, Irene Russo Krauss, Luigi Paduano, François Morvan and Daniela Montesarchio

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(11), 3860; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21113860 - 29 May 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3177

Abstract

NU172—a 26-mer oligonucleotide able to bind exosite I of human thrombin and inhibit its activity—was the first aptamer to reach Phase II clinical studies as an anticoagulant in heart disease treatments. With the aim of favoring its functional duplex-quadruplex conformation and thus improving [...] Read more.

NU172—a 26-mer oligonucleotide able to bind exosite I of human thrombin and inhibit its activity—was the first aptamer to reach Phase II clinical studies as an anticoagulant in heart disease treatments. With the aim of favoring its functional duplex-quadruplex conformation and thus improving its enzymatic stability, as well as its thrombin inhibitory activity, herein a focused set of cyclic NU172 analogues—obtained by connecting its 5′- and 3′-extremities with flexible linkers—was synthesized. Two different chemical approaches were exploited in the cyclization procedure, one based on the oxime ligation method and the other on Cu(I)-assisted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), affording NU172 analogues including circularizing linkers with different length and chemical nature. The resulting cyclic NU172 derivatives were characterized using several biophysical techniques (ultraviolet (UV) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies, gel electrophoresis) and then investigated for their serum resistance and anticoagulant activity in vitro. All the cyclic NU172 analogues showed higher thermal stability and nuclease resistance compared to unmodified NU172. These favorable properties were, however, associated with reduced—even though still significant—anticoagulant activity, suggesting that the conformational constraints introduced upon cyclization were somehow detrimental for protein recognition. These results provide useful information for the design of improved analogues of NU172 and related duplex-quadruplex structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aptamers: Functional-Structural Studies and Biomedical Applications)

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Review

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23 pages, 6950 KiB

Open AccessReview

Exosite Binding in Thrombin: A Global Structural/Dynamic Overview of Complexes with Aptamers and Other Ligands

by Romualdo Troisi, Nicole Balasco, Ida Autiero, Luigi Vitagliano and Filomena Sica

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(19), 10803; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms221910803 - 6 Oct 2021

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 3663

Abstract

Thrombin is the key enzyme of the entire hemostatic process since it is able to exert both procoagulant and anticoagulant functions; therefore, it represents an attractive target for the developments of biomolecules with therapeutic potential. Thrombin can perform its many functional activities because [...] Read more.

Thrombin is the key enzyme of the entire hemostatic process since it is able to exert both procoagulant and anticoagulant functions; therefore, it represents an attractive target for the developments of biomolecules with therapeutic potential. Thrombin can perform its many functional activities because of its ability to recognize a wide variety of substrates, inhibitors, and cofactors. These molecules frequently are bound to positively charged regions on the surface of protein called exosites. In this review, we carried out extensive analyses of the structural determinants of thrombin partnerships by surveying literature data as well as the structural content of the Protein Data Bank (PDB). In particular, we used the information collected on functional, natural, and synthetic molecular ligands to define the anatomy of the exosites and to quantify the interface area between thrombin and exosite ligands. In this framework, we reviewed in detail the specificity of thrombin binding to aptamers, a class of compounds with intriguing pharmaceutical properties. Although these compounds anchor to protein using conservative patterns on its surface, the present analysis highlights some interesting peculiarities. Moreover, the impact of thrombin binding aptamers in the elucidation of the cross-talk between the two distant exosites is illustrated. Collectively, the data and the work here reviewed may provide insights into the design of novel thrombin inhibitors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aptamers: Functional-Structural Studies and Biomedical Applications)

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24 pages, 58591 KiB

Open AccessReview

Beyond G-Quadruplexes—The Effect of Junction with Additional Structural Motifs on Aptamers Properties

by Weronika Kotkowiak and Anna Pasternak

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(18), 9948; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22189948 - 14 Sep 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2761

Abstract

G-quadruplexes constitute an important type of nucleic acid structure, which can be found in living cells and applied by cell machinery as pivotal regulatory elements. Importantly, robust development of SELEX technology and modern, nucleic acid-based therapeutic strategies targeted towards various molecules have also [...] Read more.

G-quadruplexes constitute an important type of nucleic acid structure, which can be found in living cells and applied by cell machinery as pivotal regulatory elements. Importantly, robust development of SELEX technology and modern, nucleic acid-based therapeutic strategies targeted towards various molecules have also revealed a large group of potent aptamers whose structures are grounded in G-quadruplexes. In this review, we analyze further extension of tetraplexes by additional structural elements and investigate whether G-quadruplex junctions with duplex, hairpin, triplex, or second G-quadruplex motifs are favorable for aptamers stability and biological activity. Furthermore, we indicate the specific and pivotal role of the G-quadruplex domain and the additional structural elements in interactions with target molecules. Finally, we consider the potency of G-quadruplex junctions in future applications and indicate the emerging research area that is still waiting for development to obtain highly specific and effective nucleic acid-based molecular tools. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aptamers: Functional-Structural Studies and Biomedical Applications)

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24 pages, 18227 KiB

Open AccessReview

Identification and Engineering of Aptamers for Theranostic Application in Human Health and Disorders

by Debleena Basu, Sourabrata Chakraborty, Riddhi Pal, Tarun Kumar Sharma and Siddik Sarkar

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(18), 9661; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22189661 - 7 Sep 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3766

Abstract

An aptamer is a short sequence of synthetic oligonucleotides which bind to their cognate target, specifically while maintaining similar or higher sensitivity compared to an antibody. The in-vitro selection of an aptamer, applying a conjoining approach of chemistry and molecular biology, is referred [...] Read more.

An aptamer is a short sequence of synthetic oligonucleotides which bind to their cognate target, specifically while maintaining similar or higher sensitivity compared to an antibody. The in-vitro selection of an aptamer, applying a conjoining approach of chemistry and molecular biology, is referred as Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential enrichment (SELEX). These initial products of SELEX are further modified chemically in an attempt to make them stable in biofluid, avoiding nuclease digestion and renal clearance. While the modification is incorporated, enough care should be taken to maintain its sensitivity and specificity. These modifications and several improvisations have widened the window frame of aptamer applications that are currently not only restricted to in-vitro systems, but have also been used in molecular imaging for disease pathology and treatment. In the food industry, it has been used as sensor for detection of different diseases and fungal infections. In this review, we have discussed a brief history of its journey, along with applications where its role as a therapeutic plus diagnostic (theranostic) tool has been demonstrated. We have also highlighted the potential aptamer-mediated strategies for molecular targeting of COVID-19. Finally, the review focused on its future prospective in immunotherapy, as well as in identification of novel biomarkers in stem cells and also in single cell proteomics (scProteomics) to study intra or inter-tumor heterogeneity at the protein level. Small size, chemical synthesis, low batch variation, cost effectiveness, long shelf life and low immunogenicity provide advantages to the aptamer over the antibody. These physical and chemical properties of aptamers render them as a strong biomedical tool for theranostic purposes over the existing ones. The significance of aptamers in human health was the key finding of this review. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aptamers: Functional-Structural Studies and Biomedical Applications)

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20 pages, 2185 KiB

Open AccessReview

High-Throughput Selection and Characterisation of Aptamers on Optical Next-Generation Sequencers

by Alissa Drees and Markus Fischer

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(17), 9202; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22179202 - 25 Aug 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3545

Abstract

Aptamers feature a number of advantages, compared to antibodies. However, their application has been limited so far, mainly because of the complex selection process. ‘High-throughput sequencing fluorescent ligand interaction profiling’ (HiTS–FLIP) significantly increases the selection efficiency and is consequently a very powerful and [...] Read more.

Aptamers feature a number of advantages, compared to antibodies. However, their application has been limited so far, mainly because of the complex selection process. ‘High-throughput sequencing fluorescent ligand interaction profiling’ (HiTS–FLIP) significantly increases the selection efficiency and is consequently a very powerful and versatile technology for the selection of high-performance aptamers. It is the first experiment to allow the direct and quantitative measurement of the affinity and specificity of millions of aptamers simultaneously by harnessing the potential of optical next-generation sequencing platforms to perform fluorescence-based binding assays on the clusters displayed on the flow cells and determining their sequence and position in regular high-throughput sequencing. Many variants of the experiment have been developed that allow automation and in situ conversion of DNA clusters into base-modified DNA, RNA, peptides, and even proteins. In addition, the information from mutational assays, performed with HiTS–FLIP, provides deep insights into the relationship between the sequence, structure, and function of aptamers. This enables a detailed understanding of the sequence-specific rules that determine affinity, and thus, supports the evolution of aptamers. Current variants of the HiTS–FLIP experiment and its application in the field of aptamer selection, characterisation, and optimisation are presented in this review. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aptamers: Functional-Structural Studies and Biomedical Applications)

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27 pages, 3141 KiB

Open AccessReview

Structural Biology for the Molecular Insight between Aptamers and Target Proteins

by Ning Zhang, Zihao Chen, Dingdong Liu, Hewen Jiang, Zong-Kang Zhang, Aiping Lu, Bao-Ting Zhang, Yuanyuan Yu and Ge Zhang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(8), 4093; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22084093 - 15 Apr 2021

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 4910

Abstract

Aptamers are promising therapeutic and diagnostic agents for various diseases due to their high affinity and specificity against target proteins. Structural determination in combination with multiple biochemical and biophysical methods could help to explore the interacting mechanism between aptamers and their targets. Regrettably, [...] Read more.

Aptamers are promising therapeutic and diagnostic agents for various diseases due to their high affinity and specificity against target proteins. Structural determination in combination with multiple biochemical and biophysical methods could help to explore the interacting mechanism between aptamers and their targets. Regrettably, structural studies for aptamer–target interactions are still the bottleneck in this field, which are facing various difficulties. In this review, we first reviewed the methods for resolving structures of aptamer–protein complexes and for analyzing the interactions between aptamers and target proteins. We summarized the general features of the interacting nucleotides and residues involved in the interactions between aptamers and proteins. Challenges and perspectives in current methodologies were discussed. Approaches for determining the binding affinity between aptamers and target proteins as well as modification strategies for stabilizing the binding affinity of aptamers to target proteins were also reviewed. The review could help to understand how aptamers interact with their targets and how alterations such as chemical modifications in the structures affect the affinity and function of aptamers, which could facilitate the optimization and translation of aptamers-based theranostics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aptamers: Functional-Structural Studies and Biomedical Applications)

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21 pages, 2314 KiB

Open AccessReview

Overview of the Therapeutic Potential of Aptamers Targeting Coagulation Factors

by Max Liu, Khalequz Zaman and Yolanda M. Fortenberry

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(8), 3897; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22083897 - 9 Apr 2021

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 3995

Abstract

Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA sequences that bind target molecules with high specificity and affinity. Aptamers exhibit several notable advantages over protein-based therapeutics. Aptamers are non-immunogenic, easier to synthesize and modify, and can bind targets with greater affinity. Due to these benefits, [...] Read more.

Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA sequences that bind target molecules with high specificity and affinity. Aptamers exhibit several notable advantages over protein-based therapeutics. Aptamers are non-immunogenic, easier to synthesize and modify, and can bind targets with greater affinity. Due to these benefits, aptamers are considered a promising therapeutic candidate to treat various conditions, including hematological disorders and cancer. An active area of research involves developing aptamers to target blood coagulation factors. These aptamers have the potential to treat cardiovascular diseases, blood disorders, and cancers. Although no aptamers targeting blood coagulation factors have been approved for clinical use, several aptamers have been evaluated in clinical trials and many more have demonstrated encouraging preclinical results. This review summarized our knowledge of the aptamers targeting proteins involved in coagulation, anticoagulation, fibrinolysis, their extensive applications as therapeutics and diagnostics tools, and the challenges they face for advancing to clinical use. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aptamers: Functional-Structural Studies and Biomedical Applications)

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17 pages, 2927 KiB

Open AccessReview

Artificial Intelligence in Aptamer–Target Binding Prediction

by Zihao Chen, Long Hu, Bao-Ting Zhang, Aiping Lu, Yaofeng Wang, Yuanyuan Yu and Ge Zhang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(7), 3605; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22073605 - 30 Mar 2021

Cited by 57 | Viewed by 10104

Abstract

Aptamers are short single-stranded DNA, RNA, or synthetic Xeno nucleic acids (XNA) molecules that can interact with corresponding targets with high affinity. Owing to their unique features, including low cost of production, easy chemical modification, high thermal stability, reproducibility, as well as low [...] Read more.

Aptamers are short single-stranded DNA, RNA, or synthetic Xeno nucleic acids (XNA) molecules that can interact with corresponding targets with high affinity. Owing to their unique features, including low cost of production, easy chemical modification, high thermal stability, reproducibility, as well as low levels of immunogenicity and toxicity, aptamers can be used as an alternative to antibodies in diagnostics and therapeutics. Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX), an experimental approach for aptamer screening, allows the selection and identification of in vitro aptamers with high affinity and specificity. However, the SELEX process is time consuming and characterization of the representative aptamer candidates from SELEX is rather laborious. Artificial intelligence (AI) could help to rapidly identify the potential aptamer candidates from a vast number of sequences. This review discusses the advancements of AI pipelines/methods, including structure-based and machine/deep learning-based methods, for predicting the binding ability of aptamers to targets. Structure-based methods are the most used in computer-aided drug design. For this part, we review the secondary and tertiary structure prediction methods for aptamers, molecular docking, as well as molecular dynamic simulation methods for aptamer–target binding. We also performed analysis to compare the accuracy of different secondary and tertiary structure prediction methods for aptamers. On the other hand, advanced machine-/deep-learning models have witnessed successes in predicting the binding abilities between targets and ligands in drug discovery and thus potentially offer a robust and accurate approach to predict the binding between aptamers and targets. The research utilizing machine-/deep-learning techniques for prediction of aptamer–target binding is limited currently. Therefore, perspectives for models, algorithms, and implementation strategies of machine/deep learning-based methods are discussed. This review could facilitate the development and application of high-throughput and less laborious in silico methods in aptamer selection and characterization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aptamers: Functional-Structural Studies and Biomedical Applications)

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