Selection, characterization and application of new RNA HIV gp 120 aptamers for facile delivery of Dicer substrate siRNAs into HIV infected cells

Nucleic Acids Res. 2009 May;37(9):3094-109. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkp185. Epub 2009 Mar 21.

Abstract

The envelope glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) consists of an exterior glycoprotein (gp120) and a trans-membrane domain (gp41) and has an important role in viral entry into cells. HIV-1 entry has been validated as a clinically relevant anti-viral strategy for drug discovery. In the present work, several 2'-F substituted RNA aptamers that bind to the HIV-1(BaL) gp120 protein with nanomole affinity were isolated from a RNA library by the SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment) procedure. From two of these aptamers we created a series of new dual inhibitory function anti-gp120 aptamer-siRNA chimeras. The aptamers and aptamer-siRNA chimeras specifically bind to and are internalized into cells expressing HIV gp160. The Dicer-substrate siRNA delivered by the aptamers is functionally processed by Dicer, resulting in specific inhibition of HIV-1 replication and infectivity in cultured CEM T-cells and primary blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Moreover, we have introduced a 'sticky' sequence onto a chemically synthesized aptamer which facilitates attachment of the Dicer substrate siRNAs for potential multiplexing. Our results provide a set of novel inhibitory agents for blocking HIV replication and further validate the use of aptamers for delivery of Dicer substrate siRNAs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-HIV Agents / chemistry*
  • Anti-HIV Agents / metabolism
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry*
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / metabolism
  • Base Sequence
  • Cells, Cultured
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / genetics
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp160 / metabolism
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • HIV-1 / metabolism
  • HIV-1 / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Interferon Type I / biosynthesis
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • RNA, Small Interfering / chemistry*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Ribonuclease III / metabolism
  • SELEX Aptamer Technique
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp160
  • Interferon Type I
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • gp120 protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1
  • gp160 protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1
  • Ribonuclease III