scholarly journals A Combined ELONA-(RT)qPCR Approach for Characterizing DNA and RNA Aptamers Selected against PCBP-2

Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 1213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Moreno ◽  
María Fernández-Algar ◽  
Javier Fernández-Chamorro ◽  
Jorge Ramajo ◽  
Encarnación Martínez-Salas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Rna Aptamers ◽  
Dna Aptamers ◽  
General Strategy ◽  
Label Free ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Real Time Quantitative Pcr ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Dna And Rna ◽  
Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assays

Improvements in Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX) technology and DNA sequencing methods have led to the identification of a large number of active nucleic acid molecules after any aptamer selection experiment. As a result, the search for the fittest aptamers has become a laborious and time-consuming task. Herein, we present an optimized approach for the label-free characterization of DNA and RNA aptamers in parallel. The developed method consists in an Enzyme-Linked OligoNucleotide Assay (ELONA) coupled to either real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR, for DNA aptamers) or reverse transcription qPCR (RTqPCR, for RNA aptamers), which allows the detection of aptamer-target interactions in the high femtomolar range. We have applied this methodology to the affinity analysis of DNA and RNA aptamers selected against the poly(C)-binding protein 2 (PCBP-2). In addition, we have used ELONA-(RT)qPCR to quantify the dissociation constant (Kd) and maximum binding capacity (Bmax) of 16 high affinity DNA and RNA aptamers. The Kd values of the high affinity DNA aptamers were compared to those derived from colorimetric ELONA performed in parallel. Additionally, Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assays (EMSA) were used to confirm the binding of representative PCBP-2-specific RNA aptamers in solution. We propose this ELONA-(RT)qPCR approach as a general strategy for aptamer characterization, with a broad applicability in biotechnology and biomedicine.

scholarly journals Selection of DNA aptamers with two modified bases

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (11) ◽  
pp. 2898-2903 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bharat N. Gawande ◽  
John C. Rohloff ◽  
Jeffrey D. Carter ◽  
Ira von Carlowitz ◽  
Chi Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Diversity ◽  
Rna Aptamers ◽  
Dna Aptamers ◽  
Dramatic Improvement ◽  
Protein Targets ◽  
Dna And Rna ◽  
Modified Dna ◽  
Pyrimidine Bases ◽  
Representative Protein ◽  
Selection Of

The nucleobases comprising DNA and RNA aptamers provide considerably less chemical diversity than protein-based ligands, limiting their versatility. The introduction of novel functional groups at just one of the four bases in modified aptamers has recently led to dramatic improvement in the success rate of identifying nucleic acid ligands to protein targets. Here we explore the benefits of additional enhancement in physicochemical diversity by selecting modified DNA aptamers that contain amino-acid–like modifications on both pyrimidine bases. Using proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 as a representative protein target, we identify specific pairwise combinations of modifications that result in higher affinity, metabolic stability, and inhibitory potency compared with aptamers with single modifications. Such doubly modified aptamers are also more likely to be encoded in shorter sequences and occupy nonoverlapping epitopes more frequently than aptamers with single modifications. These highly modified DNA aptamers have broad utility in research, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications.

scholarly journals Transcriptional Activation of Multiple Operons Involved inpara-Nitrophenol Degradation by Pseudomonas sp. Strain WBC-3

2014 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 220-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-Mao Zhang ◽  
Jun-Jie Zhang ◽  
Xuan Jiang ◽  
Hongjun Chao ◽  
Ning-Yi Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Transcriptional Regulator ◽  
Pseudomonas Sp ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Dnase I Footprinting ◽  
Nitrophenol Degradation ◽  
Transcriptional Start Sites ◽  
Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assays

ABSTRACTPseudomonassp. strain WBC-3 utilizespara-nitrophenol (PNP) as a sole carbon and energy source. The genes involved in PNP degradation are organized in the following three operons:pnpA,pnpB, andpnpCDEFG. How the expression of the genes is regulated is unknown. In this study, an LysR-type transcriptional regulator (LTTR) is identified to activate the expression of the genes in response to the specific inducer PNP. While the LTTR coding genepnpRwas found to be not physically linked to any of the three catabolic operons, it was shown to be essential for the growth of strain WBC-3 on PNP. Furthermore, PnpR positively regulated its own expression, which is different from the function of classical LTTRs. A regulatory binding site (RBS) with a 17-bp imperfect palindromic sequence (GTT-N11-AAC) was identified in allpnpA,pnpB,pnpC, andpnpRpromoters. Through electrophoretic mobility shift assays and mutagenic analyses, this motif was proven to be necessary for PnpR binding. This consensus motif is centered at positions approximately −55 bp relative to the four transcriptional start sites (TSSs). RBS integrity was required for both high-affinity PnpR binding and transcriptional activation ofpnpA,pnpB, andpnpR. However, this integrity was essential only for high-affinity PnpR binding to the promoter ofpnpCDEFGand not for its activation. Intriguingly, unlike other LTTRs studied, no changes in lengths of the PnpR binding regions of thepnpAandpnpBpromoters were observed after the addition of the inducer PNP in DNase I footprinting.

scholarly journals Unraveling Determinants of Affinity Enhancement in Dimeric Aptamers for a Dimeric Protein

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sepehr Manochehry ◽  
Erin M. McConnell ◽  
Yingfu Li
Keyword(s):  
Binding Site ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Two Component ◽  
Systematic Evolution ◽  
Dimeric Protein ◽  
Enrichment Experiments ◽  
Exponential Enrichment ◽  
Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assays

AbstractHigh-affinity aptamers can be derived de novo by using stringent conditions in SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment) experiments or can be engineered post SELEX via dimerization of selected aptamers. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we studied a series of heterodimeric and homodimeric aptamers, constructed from two DNA aptamers with distinct primary sequences and secondary structures, previously isolated for VEGF-165, a homodimeric protein. We investigated four factors envisaged to impact the affinity of a dimeric aptamer to a dimeric protein: (1) length of the linker between two aptamer domains, (2) linking orientation, (3) binding-site compatibility of two component aptamers in a heterodimeric aptamer, and (4) steric acceptability of the two identical aptamers in a homodimeric aptamer. All heterodimeric aptamers for VEGF-165 were found to exhibit monomeric aptamer-like affinity and the lack of affinity enhancement was attributed to binding-site overlap by the constituent aptamers. The best homodimeric aptamer showed 2.8-fold better affinity than its monomeric unit (Kd = 13.6 ± 2.7 nM compared to 37.9 ± 14 nM), however the barrier to further affinity enhancement was ascribed to steric interference of the constituent aptamers. Our findings point to the need to consider the issues of binding-site compatibility and spatial requirement of aptamers for the development of dimeric aptamers capable of bivalent recognition. Thus, determinants highlighted herein should be assessed in future multimerization efforts.

scholarly journals In vitro DNA binding of purified CcpA protein from Lactococcus lactis IL1403.

2007 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Kowalczyk ◽  
Barbara Borcz ◽  
Danuta Płochocka ◽  
Jacek Bardowski
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Stable Complex ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Unspecific Binding ◽  
Lactis Il1403 ◽  
Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assays

During this study His-tagged CcpA protein purified under native conditions to obtain a biologically active protein was used for molecular analysis of CcpA-dependent regulation. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays it was demonstrated that CcpA of L. lactis can bind DNA in the absence of the HPr-Ser-P corepressor and exhibits DNA-binding affinity for nucleotide sequences lacking cre sites. However, purified HPr-Ser-P protein from Bacillus subtilis was shown to slightly increase the DNA-binding capacity of the CcpA protein. It was also observed that CcpA bound to the cre box forms an apparently more stable complex than that resulting from unspecific binding. Competition gel retardation assay performed on DNA sequences from two PEP:PTS regions demonstrated that the ybhE, bglS, rheB, yebE, ptcB and yecA genes situated in these regions are most probably directly regulated by CcpA.

scholarly journals In vitro selection of l-DNA aptamers that bind a structured d-RNA molecule

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 1669-1680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sougata Dey ◽  
Jonathan T Sczepanski
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Selection ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Aptamers ◽  
Dna Aptamers ◽  
Binding Properties ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Dna And Rna ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract The development of structure-specific RNA binding reagents remains a central challenge in RNA biochemistry and drug discovery. Previously, we showed in vitro selection techniques could be used to evolve l-RNA aptamers that bind tightly to structured d-RNAs. However, whether similar RNA-binding properties can be achieved using aptamers composed of l-DNA, which has several practical advantages compared to l-RNA, remains unknown. Here, we report the discovery and characterization of the first l-DNA aptamers against a structured RNA molecule, precursor microRNA-155, thereby establishing the capacity of DNA and RNA molecules of the opposite handedness to form tight and specific ‘cross-chiral’ interactions with each other. l-DNA aptamers bind pre-miR-155 with low nanomolar affinity and high selectivity despite the inability of l-DNA to interact with native d-RNA via Watson–Crick base pairing. Furthermore, l-DNA aptamers inhibit Dicer-mediated processing of pre-miRNA-155. The sequence and structure of l-DNA aptamers are distinct from previously reported l-RNA aptamers against pre-miR-155, indicating that l-DNA and l-RNA interact with the same RNA sequence through unique modes of recognition. Overall, this work demonstrates that l-DNA may be pursued as an alternative to l-RNA for the generation of RNA-binding aptamers, providing a robust and practical approach for targeting structured RNAs.

scholarly journals Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus SarA Binding Sites

2003 ◽  
Vol 185 (15) ◽  
pp. 4410-4417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen M. Sterba ◽  
Samuel G. Mackintosh ◽  
Jon S. Blevins ◽  
Barry K. Hurlburt ◽  
Mark S. Smeltzer
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Nucleotide Composition ◽  
Dna Fragments ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assays

ABSTRACT The staphylococcal accessory regulator locus (sarA) encodes a DNA-binding protein (SarA) that modulates expression of over 100 genes. Whether this occurs via a direct interaction between SarA and cis elements associated with its target genes is unclear, partly because the definitive characteristics of a SarA binding site have not been identified. In this work, electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) were used to identify a SarA binding site(s) upstream of the SarA-regulated gene cna. The results suggest the existence of multiple high-affinity binding sites within the cna promoter region. Using a SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) procedure and purified, recombinant SarA, we also selected DNA targets that contain a high-affinity SarA binding site from a random pool of DNA fragments. These fragments were subsequently cloned and sequenced. Randomly chosen clones were also examined by EMSA. These DNA fragments bound SarA with affinities comparable to those of recognized SarA-regulated genes, including cna, fnbA, and sspA. The composition of SarA-selected DNAs was AT rich, which is consistent with the nucleotide composition of the Staphylococcus aureus genome. Alignment of selected DNAs revealed a 7-bp consensus (ATTTTAT) that was present with no more than one mismatch in 46 of 56 sequenced clones. By using the same criteria, consensus binding sites were also identified upstream of the S. aureus genes spa, fnbA, sspA, agr, hla, and cna. With the exception of cna, which has not been previously examined, this 7-bp motif was within the putative SarA binding site previously associated with each gene.

Antiparasitic Treatment of Patients with P. falciparum Malaria Reduces the Ability of Patient Serum to Induce Tissue Factor by Decreasing NF-κB Activation

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (01) ◽  
pp. 039-048 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Bierhaus ◽  
Ch J Hemmer ◽  
N Mackman ◽  
R Kutob ◽  
R Ziegler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Factor ◽  
Falciparum Malaria ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Tf Gene ◽  
Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assays ◽  
Antiparasitic Treatment ◽  
Stimulation Of

SummarySerum from patients with P. falciparum malaria at day 1 (pretherapy) induces tissue factor (TF) in cultured endothelial cells. TF induction depends on de novo transcription as shown in Nuclear Run On assays. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated binding of AP-1 and NF- κB/Rel proteins to their recognition sites in the TF promotor. After therapy (day 28), stimulation of TF antigen by patient serum is reduced by 70%. When serum obtained before and after therapy was compared, a decrease of NF-κB activation was evident. Activation of NF-κB-like proteins was in part dependent on TNFα in patient serum, since a TNFα neutralizing antibody reduced induction of TF transcription and translation and induction of NF-κB-like proteins. Induction of TF activity was suppressed by pDTC, an inhibitor of NF-κB activation. When different promotor constructs of the TF gene were tested, induction was dependent upon the presence of the intact NF-κB-like binding site in the TF promotor. A mutant with deleted NF-κB, but intact AP-1 sites was not inducible. Mutation of the AP-1 sites did not prevent induction, but reduced inducibility by pretherapy serum. Therefore, NF-κB/Rel proteins are responsible for induction of TF transcription by pretherapy serum, but AP-1 is needed for highest inducibility. The effect of antiparasitic therapy on the induction of TF by serum from patients with complicated P. falciparum malaria is dependent on a therapy-mediated loss of activation of NF-κB-like proteins in post-treatment patient serum.

scholarly journals Secondary structural choice of DNA and RNA associated with CGG/CCG trinucleotide repeat expansion rationalizes the RNA misprocessing in FXTAS

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yogeeshwar Ajjugal ◽  
Narendar Kolimi ◽  
Thenmalarchelvi Rathinavelan
Keyword(s):  
Rna Binding ◽  
Trinucleotide Repeat ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Fragile X ◽  
Repeat Expansion ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Cgg Repeat ◽  
Dna And Rna ◽  
Structural Choice ◽  
Sense Strand

AbstractCGG tandem repeat expansion in the 5′-untranslated region of the fragile X mental retardation-1 (FMR1) gene leads to unusual nucleic acid conformations, hence causing genetic instabilities. We show that the number of G…G (in CGG repeat) or C…C (in CCG repeat) mismatches (other than A…T, T…A, C…G and G…C canonical base pairs) dictates the secondary structural choice of the sense and antisense strands of the FMR1 gene and their corresponding transcripts in fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). The circular dichroism (CD) spectra and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) reveal that CGG DNA (sense strand of the FMR1 gene) and its transcript favor a quadruplex structure. CD, EMSA and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations also show that more than four C…C mismatches cannot be accommodated in the RNA duplex consisting of the CCG repeat (antisense transcript); instead, it favors an i-motif conformational intermediate. Such a preference for unusual secondary structures provides a convincing justification for the RNA foci formation due to the sequestration of RNA-binding proteins to the bidirectional transcripts and the repeat-associated non-AUG translation that are observed in FXTAS. The results presented here also suggest that small molecule modulators that can destabilize FMR1 CGG DNA and RNA quadruplex structures could be promising candidates for treating FXTAS.

An IRP-like protein from Plasmodium falciparum binds to a mammalian iron-responsive element

Blood ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 98 (8) ◽  
pp. 2555-2562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Loyevsky ◽  
Timothy LaVaute ◽  
Charles R. Allerson ◽  
Robert Stearman ◽  
Olakunle O. Kassim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Protein S ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Mobility Shift ◽  
Iron Responsive Element ◽  
Element Binding Protein ◽  
Responsive Element ◽  
Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assays

Abstract This study cloned and sequenced the complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding of a putative malarial iron responsive element-binding protein (PfIRPa) and confirmed its identity to the previously identified iron-regulatory protein (IRP)–like cDNA from Plasmodium falciparum. Sequence alignment showed that the plasmodial sequence has 47% identity with human IRP1. Hemoglobin-free lysates obtained from erythrocyte-stage P falciparum contain a protein that binds a consensus mammalian iron-responsive element (IRE), indicating that a protein(s) with iron-regulatory activity was present in the lysates. IRE-binding activity was found to be iron regulated in the electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Western blot analysis showed a 2-fold increase in the level of PfIRPa in the desferrioxamine-treated cultures versus control or iron-supplemented cells. Malarial IRP was detected by anti-PfIRPa antibody in the IRE-protein complex fromP falciparum lysates. Immunofluorescence studies confirmed the presence of PfIRPa in the infected red blood cells. These findings demonstrate that erythrocyte P falciparum contains an iron-regulated IRP that binds a mammalian consensus IRE sequence, raising the possibility that the malaria parasite expresses transcripts that contain IREs and are iron-dependently regulated.

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