Identification of a DNA aptamer that inhibits sclerostin's antagonistic effect on Wnt signalling

Biochem J. 2011 Mar 15;434(3):493-501. doi: 10.1042/BJ20101096.

Abstract

Sclerostin is an extracellular negative regulator of bone formation that is a recognized therapeutic target for osteoporosis therapy. In the present study, we performed DNA aptamer selection against sclerostin, then characterized aptamer-sclerostin binding and the ability to inhibit sclerostin function in cell culture. We show that a selected DNA aptamer was highly selective for binding to sclerostin with affinities in the nanomolar range as determined by solid-phase assays and by isothermal titration calorimetry. Binding between sclerostin and the aptamer was exothermic and enthalpically driven. CD confirmed that the aptamer had temperature-dependent parallel G-quadruplex characteristics. The aptamer was stabilized with 3' inverted thymidine to investigate efficacy at inhibiting sclerostin function in cell culture. The stabilized DNA aptamer showed potent and specific dose-dependent inhibition of sclerostin's antagonistic effect on Wnt activity using a reporter assay. Taken together, the present findings suggest an alternative approach to inhibiting sclerostin function with therapeutic potential.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Animals
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / chemistry
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / pharmacology*
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / chemistry
  • Calorimetry
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Genetic Markers
  • Glycoproteins
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Mice
  • Protein Binding
  • Signal Transduction
  • Thermodynamics
  • Wnt Proteins / physiology*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
  • Genetic Markers
  • Glycoproteins
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Sost protein, mouse
  • Wnt Proteins