Advances in aptamer screening technologies

Jianhua Yan; Hongjie Xiong; Shundong Cai; Nachuan Wen; Qunye He; Yanfei Liu; Dongming Peng; Zhenbao Liu

doi:10.1016/j.talanta.2019.03.015

Advances in aptamer screening technologies

Talanta. 2019 Aug 1:200:124-144. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2019.03.015. Epub 2019 Mar 4.

Authors

Jianhua Yan¹, Hongjie Xiong¹, Shundong Cai¹, Nachuan Wen², Qunye He¹, Yanfei Liu², Dongming Peng³, Zhenbao Liu¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmaceutics, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan Province, PR China.
² Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, Hunan Province, PR China.
³ Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, PR China.

PMID: 31036165
DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2019.03.015

Abstract

Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) is a well-established technology for the screening of aptamers binding to various targets with relatively high specificity and affinity. The screened aptamers have shown great achievements in bio-sensing and targeted therapeutics, which in turn stimulate continuous development of SELEX technology. To date, many SELEX technologies have been established, such as cell-SELEX, mag-SELEX, capillary electrophoresis SELEX and some novel modifications of SELEX. This review highlights current screening technologies and comprehensively pinpoints their principles, pros and cons. Some main aptamers screened by SELEX or involved in clinical trials are summarized. While, there are still challenges in obtaining of aptamer with high affinity and in an efficient way. The limitations and possible future directions on the screening of aptamers are also outlined.

Keywords: Aptamer; Oligonucleotide library; SELEX; Screening.

Publication types

Review