Selection of DNA aptamers with two modified bases.

The nucleobases comprising DNA and RNA aptamers provide considerably less chemical diversity than protein-based ligands, limiting their versatility. The introduction of novel functional groups at just one of the four bases in modified aptamers has recently led to dramatic improvement in the success rate of identifying nucleic acid ligands to protein targets. Here we explore the benefits of additional enhancement in physicochemical diversity by selecting modified DNA aptamers that contain amino-acid-like modifications on both pyrimidine bases. Using proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 as a representative protein target, we identify specific pairwise combinations of modifications that result in higher affinity, metabolic stability, and inhibitory potency compared with aptamers with single modifications. Such doubly modified aptamers are also more likely to be encoded in shorter sequences and occupy nonoverlapping epitopes more frequently than aptamers with single modifications. These highly modified DNA aptamers have broad utility in research, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications.

Non-helical DNA Triplex Forms a Unique Aptamer Scaffold for High Affinity Recognition of Nerve Growth Factor.

Discerning the structural building blocks of macromolecules is essential for understanding their folding and function. For a new generation of modified nucleic acid ligands (called slow off-rate modified aptamers or SOMAmers), we previously observed essential functions of hydrophobic aromatic side chains in the context of well-known nucleic acid motifs. Here we report a 2.45-Å resolution crystal structure of a SOMAmer complexed with nerve growth factor that lacks any known nucleic acid motifs, instead adopting a configuration akin to a triangular prism. The SOMAmer utilizes extensive hydrophobic stacking interactions, non-canonical base pairing and irregular purine glycosidic bond angles to adopt a completely non-helical, compact S-shaped structure. Aromatic side chains contribute to folding by creating an unprecedented intercalating zipper-like motif and a prominent hydrophobic core. The structure provides compelling rationale for potent inhibitory activity of the SOMAmer and adds entirely novel motifs to the repertoire of structural elements uniquely available to SOMAmers.

Chemically modified DNA aptamers bind interleukin-6 with high affinity and inhibit signaling by blocking its interaction with interleukin-6 receptor.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine that regulates immune and inflammatory responses, and its overproduction is a hallmark of inflammatory diseases. Inhibition of IL-6 signaling with the anti-IL-6 receptor antibody tocilizumab has provided some clinical benefit to patients; however, direct cytokine inhibition may be a more effective option. We used the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) process to discover slow off-rate modified aptamers (SOMAmers) with hydrophobic base modifications that inhibit IL-6 signaling in vitro. Two classes of IL-6 SOMAmers were isolated from modified DNA libraries containing 40 random positions and either 5-(N-benzylcarboxamide)-2'-deoxyuridine (Bn-dU) or 5-[N-(1-naphthylmethyl)carboxamide]-2'-deoxyuridine (Nap-dU) replacing dT. These modifications facilitate the high affinity binding interaction with IL-6 and provide resistance against degradation by serum endonucleases. Post-SELEX optimization of one Bn-dU and one Nap-dU SOMAmer led to improvements in IL-6 binding (10-fold) and inhibition activity (greater than 20-fold), resulting in lead SOMAmers with sub-nanomolar affinity (Kd = 0.2 nm) and potency (IC50 = 0.2 nm). Although similar in inhibition properties, the two SOMAmers have unique sequences and different ortholog specificities. Furthermore, these SOMAmers were stable in human serum in vitro for more than 48 h. Both SOMAmers prevented IL-6 signaling by blocking the interaction of IL-6 with its receptor and inhibited the proliferation of tumor cells in vitro as effectively as tocilizumab. This new class of IL-6 inhibitor may be an effective therapeutic alternative for patients suffering from inflammatory diseases.

Aptamer-based multiplexed proteomic technology for biomarker discovery.

BACKGROUND: The interrogation of proteomes ("proteomics") in a highly multiplexed and efficient manner remains a coveted and challenging goal in biology and medicine. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We present a new aptamer-based proteomic technology for biomarker discovery capable of simultaneously measuring thousands of proteins from small sample volumes (15 µL of serum or plasma). Our current assay measures 813 proteins with low limits of detection (1 pM median), 7 logs of overall dynamic range (~100 fM-1 µM), and 5% median coefficient of variation. This technology is enabled by a new generation of aptamers that contain chemically modified nucleotides, which greatly expand the physicochemical diversity of the large randomized nucleic acid libraries from which the aptamers are selected. Proteins in complex matrices such as plasma are measured with a process that transforms a signature of protein concentrations into a corresponding signature of DNA aptamer concentrations, which is quantified on a DNA microarray. Our assay takes advantage of the dual nature of aptamers as both folded protein-binding entities with defined shapes and unique nucleotide sequences recognizable by specific hybridization probes. To demonstrate the utility of our proteomics biomarker discovery technology, we applied it to a clinical study of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We identified two well known CKD biomarkers as well as an additional 58 potential CKD biomarkers. These results demonstrate the potential utility of our technology to rapidly discover unique protein signatures characteristic of various disease states. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We describe a versatile and powerful tool that allows large-scale comparison of proteome profiles among discrete populations. This unbiased and highly multiplexed search engine will enable the discovery of novel biomarkers in a manner that is unencumbered by our incomplete knowledge of biology, thereby helping to advance the next generation of evidence-based medicine.

Drosophila Sex-lethal protein mediates polyadenylation switching in the female germline.

The Drosophila master sex-switch protein Sex-lethal (SXL) regulates the splicing and/or translation of three known targets to mediate somatic sexual differentiation. Genetic studies suggest that additional target(s) of SXL exist, particularly in the female germline. Surprisingly, our detailed molecular characterization of a new potential target of SXL, enhancer of rudimentary (e(r)), reveals that SXL regulates e(r) by a novel mechanism--polyadenylation switching--specifically in the female germline. SXL binds to multiple SXL-binding sites, which include the GU-rich poly(A) enhancer, and competes for the binding of CstF64 in vitro. The SXL-binding sites are able to confer sex-specific poly(A) switching onto an otherwise nonresponsive polyadenylation signal in vivo. The sex-specific poly(A) switching of e(r) provides a means for translational regulation in germ cells. We present a model for the SXL-dependent poly(A) site choice in the female germline.

The conserved RNA recognition motif 3 of U2 snRNA auxiliary factor (U2AF 65) is essential in vivo but dispensable for activity in vitro.

The general splicing factor U2AF(65) recognizes the polypyrimidine tract (Py tract) that precedes 3' splice sites and has three RNA recognition motifs (RRMs). The C-terminal RRM (RRM3), which is highly conserved, has been proposed to contribute to Py-tract binding and establish protein-protein contacts with splicing factors mBBP/SF1 and SAP155. Unexpectedly, we find that the human RRM3 domain is dispensable for U2AF(65) activity in vitro. However, it has an essential function in Schizosaccharomyces pombe distinct from binding to the Py tract or to mBBP/SF1 and SAP155. First, deletion of RRM3 from the human protein has no effect on Py-tract binding. Second, RRM123 and RRM12 select similar sequences from a random pool of RNA. Third, deletion of RRM3 has no effect on the splicing activity of U2AF(65) in vitro. However, deletion of the RRM3 domain of S. pombe U2AF(59) abolishes U2AF function in vivo. In addition, certain amino acid substitutions on the four-stranded beta-sheet surface of RRM3 compromise U2AF function in vivo without affecting binding to mBBP/SF1 or SAP155 in vitro. We propose that RRM3 has an unrecognized function that is possibly relevant for the splicing of only a subset of cellular introns. We discuss the implications of these observations on previous models of U2AF function.

Optimization of cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase production from Klebsiella pneumoniae AS-22 in batch, fed-batch, and continuous cultures.

Production of a novel cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase) from Klebsiella pneumoniae AS-22 strain, which converts starch predominantly to alpha-CD at high conversion yields, in batch, fed-batch, and continuous cultures, is presented. In batch fermentations, optimization of different operating parameters such as temperature, pH, agitation speed, and carbon-source concentration resulted in more than 6-fold increase in CGTase activity. The enzyme production was further improved by two fed-batch approaches. First, using glucose-based feed to increase cell density, followed by starch-based feed to induce enzyme production, resulted in high cell density of 76 g dry cell weight/L, although the CGTase production was low. Using the second approach of a single dextrin-based feed, 20-fold higher CGTase was produced compared to that in batch fermentations with media containing tapioca starch. In continuous operation, more than 8-fold increase in volumetric CGTase productivity was obtained using dextrin-based media compared to that in batch culture using starch-based media.