Inhibition of thrombin activity by a covalent-binding aptamer and reversal by the complementary strand antidote

Chem Commun (Camb). 2021 Mar 11;57(20):2483-2486. doi: 10.1039/d0cc08109d. Epub 2021 Feb 24.

Abstract

Alleviating the potential risk of irreversible adverse drug effects has been an important and challenging issue for the development of covalent drugs. Here we created a DNA-aptamer-type covalent drug by introducing a sulfonyl fluoride warhead at appropriate positions of the thrombin binding aptamer to create weaponized covalent drugs. We showed the de-activation of thrombin by the novel modality, followed by its re-activation by the complementary strand antidote at an arbitrary time. We envision that such on-demand reversal of covalent drugs will alleviate the major concern of potentially irreversible ADEs and accelerate the translational application of covalent aptamer drugs.

MeSH terms

  • Alkynes / chemistry
  • Antidotes / chemistry*
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry*
  • Azides / chemistry
  • Catalytic Domain
  • Cycloaddition Reaction
  • Protein Binding
  • Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Sulfinic Acids / chemistry
  • Thrombin / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Alkynes
  • Antidotes
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide
  • Azides
  • Serine Proteinase Inhibitors
  • Sulfinic Acids
  • thrombin aptamer
  • sulfuryl fluoride
  • Thrombin