Computational tests of a thermal cycling strategy to isolate more complex functional nucleic acid motifs from random sequence pools by in vitro selection

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Reba ◽  
Austin G. Meyer ◽  
Jeffrey E. Barrick
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Thermal Cycling ◽  
In Vitro Selection ◽  
Random Sequence

scholarly journals Secondary Structure Libraries for Artificial Evolution Experiments

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1671
Author(s):  
Ráchel Sgallová ◽  
Edward A. Curtis
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Structure ◽  
Sequence Space ◽  
In Vitro Selection ◽  
Random Sequence ◽  
Random Mutagenesis ◽  
Nucleotide Composition ◽  
Artificial Evolution ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Range Of Functions

Methods of artificial evolution such as SELEX and in vitro selection have made it possible to isolate RNA and DNA motifs with a wide range of functions from large random sequence libraries. Once the primary sequence of a functional motif is known, the sequence space around it can be comprehensively explored using a combination of random mutagenesis and selection. However, methods to explore the sequence space of a secondary structure are not as well characterized. Here we address this question by describing a method to construct libraries in a single synthesis which are enriched for sequences with the potential to form a specific secondary structure, such as that of an aptamer, ribozyme, or deoxyribozyme. Although interactions such as base pairs cannot be encoded in a library using conventional DNA synthesizers, it is possible to modulate the probability that two positions will have the potential to pair by biasing the nucleotide composition at these positions. Here we show how to maximize this probability for each of the possible ways to encode a pair (in this study defined as A-U or U-A or C-G or G-C or G.U or U.G). We then use these optimized coding schemes to calculate the number of different variants of model stems and secondary structures expected to occur in a library for a series of structures in which the number of pairs and the extent of conservation of unpaired positions is systematically varied. Our calculations reveal a tradeoff between maximizing the probability of forming a pair and maximizing the number of possible variants of a desired secondary structure that can occur in the library. They also indicate that the optimal coding strategy for a library depends on the complexity of the motif being characterized. Because this approach provides a simple way to generate libraries enriched for sequences with the potential to form a specific secondary structure, we anticipate that it should be useful for the optimization and structural characterization of functional nucleic acid motifs.

Engineering DNA aptamers and DNA enzymes with fluorescence-signaling properties

2004 ◽  
Vol 76 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 1547-1561 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Nutiu ◽  
Shirley Mei ◽  
Zhongjie Liu ◽  
Y. Li
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
In Vitro Selection ◽  
Random Sequence ◽  
Pair Potential ◽  
Dna Aptamers ◽  
Dna Molecules ◽  
Dna Enzymes ◽  
Fluorescence Signaling

Single-stranded DNA molecules with ligand-binding ability and catalytic function, referred to as DNA aptamers and DNA enzymes, respectively, are special DNA sequences isolated from random-sequence DNA libraries by “in vitro selection”. These two new classes of artificial DNA molecules have the potential of being used as molecular tools in a variety of innovative applications ranging from biosensing to gene regulation. Our laboratory is interested in engineering fluorescence-signaling DNA aptamers and DNA enzymes that can be widely exploited for detection-directed applications. In this article, we will first discuss our recent efforts on the rational design of a new class of signaling aptamers denoted “structure- switching signaling aptamers”, which report target binding by switching structures from DNA/DNA duplex to DNA/target complex. We will then describe the in vitro selection of fluorescence-signaling DNA enzymes that exhibit a synchronized catalysis-signaling capability by cleaving a chimeric RNA/DNA substrate at the lone RNA linkage surrounded by closely spaced fluorophore-quencher pair. Potential utilities of these signaling DNA molecules will also be discussed.

scholarly journals In vitro selection of ribozyme ligases that use prebiotically plausible 2-aminoimidazole–activated substrates

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (11) ◽  
pp. 5741-5748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Travis Walton ◽  
Saurja DasGupta ◽  
Daniel Duzdevich ◽  
Seung Soo Oh ◽  
Jack W. Szostak
Keyword(s):  
Origin Of Life ◽  
In Vitro Selection ◽  
Random Sequence ◽  
Bond Formation ◽  
Rna Sequences ◽  
Phosphodiester Bond ◽  
Complex Protein ◽  
The Origin Of Life ◽  
Group 2

The hypothesized central role of RNA in the origin of life suggests that RNA propagation predated the advent of complex protein enzymes. A critical step of RNA replication is the template-directed synthesis of a complementary strand. Two experimental approaches have been extensively explored in the pursuit of demonstrating protein-free RNA synthesis: template-directed nonenzymatic RNA polymerization using intrinsically reactive monomers and ribozyme-catalyzed polymerization using more stable substrates such as biological 5′-triphosphates. Despite significant progress in both approaches in recent years, the assembly and copying of functional RNA sequences under prebiotic conditions remains a challenge. Here, we explore an alternative approach to RNA-templated RNA copying that combines ribozyme catalysis with RNA substrates activated with a prebiotically plausible leaving group, 2-aminoimidazole (2AI). We applied in vitro selection to identify ligase ribozymes that catalyze phosphodiester bond formation between a template-bound primer and a phosphor-imidazolide–activated oligomer. Sequencing revealed the progressive enrichment of 10 abundant sequences from a random sequence pool. Ligase activity was detected in all 10 RNA sequences; all required activation of the ligator with 2AI and generated a 3′-5′ phosphodiester bond. We propose that ribozyme catalysis of phosphodiester bond formation using intrinsically reactive RNA substrates, such as imidazolides, could have been an evolutionary step connecting purely nonenzymatic to ribozyme-catalyzed RNA template copying during the origin of life.

In vitro selection of high-affinity nucleic acid ligands to parasite target molecules

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (12) ◽  
pp. 1309-1317 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.Ulrich Göringer ◽  
Matthias Homann ◽  
Mihaela Lorger
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
In Vitro Selection ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Target Molecules ◽  
Selection Of

Structure-function investigation of a deoxyribozyme with dual chelatase and peroxidase activities

2004 ◽  
Vol 76 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 1537-1545 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.-W. Lee ◽  
D. J.-F. Chinnapen ◽  
D. Sen
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Selection ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Random Sequence ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Dna Library ◽  
Dna Molecule ◽  
Folded Structure ◽  
And Function ◽  
Porphyrin Metallation

PS2.M, an 18-nucleotide DNA molecule, has been shown to be a dual enzyme for porphyrin metallation and, when complexed with hemin, for peroxidation. To date, detailed information has not been available on either the actively folded structure of PS2.M or on the contribution of specific nucleotides within it toward the peroxidase activity. Here, we report a variety of experiments that probe the structure and function of PS2.M as well as of a number of point mutants of PS2.M. Based on these experiments, a structural model for the folding of PS2.M and the location of a functionally relevant hemin-binding site are proposed. A key finding is that PS2.M, originally obtained by in vitro selection from a random-sequence DNA library, is uniquely suited for its catalysis of peroxidation; all point mutants examined showed significantly poorer catalytic activity than PS2.M itself.

Aptamer-based modulation of blood coagulation

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (04) ◽  
pp. 258-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Rohrbach ◽  
B. Pötzsch ◽  
J. Müller ◽  
G. Mayer
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
In Vitro Selection ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Selection Procedure ◽  
Anticoagulant Drugs ◽  
Coagulation Proteins ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Target Molecules

SummaryNucleic acid based aptamers are singlestranded oligonucleotide ligands isolated from random libraries by an in-vitro selection procedure. Through the formation of unique three-dimensional structures, aptamers are able to selectively interact with a variety of target molecules and are therefore also promising candidates for the development of anticoagulant drugs. While thrombin represents the most prominent enzymatic target in this field, also aptamers directed against other coagulation proteins and proteases have been identified with some currently being tested in clinical trials.In this review, we summarize recent developments in the design and evaluation of aptamers for anticoagulant therapy and research.

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