Current Status and Challenges of Aptamers Screening and Optimization

Yong Tan; Lan Ma; Xue Yang; Qi-Ni Cheng; Jiang-Feng Wu

doi:10.2174/1386207325666220501170846

Current Status and Challenges of Aptamers Screening and Optimization

Comb Chem High Throughput Screen. 2023;26(6):1067-1082. doi: 10.2174/1386207325666220501170846.

Authors

Yong Tan^{1

2

3}, Lan Ma^{1

3}, Xue Yang^{1

2

3}, Qi-Ni Cheng^{1

2

3}, Jiang-Feng Wu^{1

2

3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China.
² Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China.
³ Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China.
⁴ Department of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery, the First People's Hospital of Yichang, Yichang, Hubei, Hubei, China.

PMID: 35490432
DOI: 10.2174/1386207325666220501170846

Abstract

Background: Aptamers, consisting of single-stranded DNA or RNA, have secondary and tertiary structures which could bind specifically to target molecules. They are characterized by strong specificity, high affinity, low molecular weight, and low immunogenicity; therefore, the current research focuses on their potential as a targeted drug carrier, a diagnostic probe for diseases, or as a direct therapeutic drug.

Objective: In this review, how to improve the success rate of adaptor screening and the optimization after screening is described.

Results: For aptamer screening, an efficient selection strategy is needed. In this article, by analyzing key aspects of SELEX such as initial library design, screening procedures, truncation and modification after screening, a comprehensive analysis of each step that might meet obstacles in SELEX is provided.

Conclusion: Aptamers, which possess the specificity and affinity with the target, can serve as targeted drug carriers or biosensors for diagnosing a disease. If the problems in the screening process in cell-SELEX technology, truncation, and modification after screening are solved, it will have a broader range of applications.

Keywords: Aptamer; SELEX; antibodies; immunogenicity; optimization; truncation.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aptamers, Nucleotide* / chemistry
Aptamers, Nucleotide* / pharmacology
Aptamers, Nucleotide* / standards
SELEX Aptamer Technique* / methods
SELEX Aptamer Technique* / standards

Substances

Aptamers, Nucleotide