Modular Assembly of Cell-targeting Devices Based on an Uncommon G-quadruplex Aptamer
Aptamers are valuable tools that provide great potential to develop cost-effective diagnostics and therapies in the biomedical field. Here, we report a novel DNA aptamer that folds into an unconventional G-quadruplex structure able to recognize and enter specifically into human Burkitt's lympho...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Book |
| Published: |
Elsevier,
2015-01-01T00:00:00Z.
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| Online Access: | Connect to this object online. |
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| Summary: | Aptamers are valuable tools that provide great potential to develop cost-effective diagnostics and therapies in the biomedical field. Here, we report a novel DNA aptamer that folds into an unconventional G-quadruplex structure able to recognize and enter specifically into human Burkitt's lymphoma cells. We further optimized this aptamer to a highly versatile and stable minimized version. The minimized aptamer can be easily equipped with different functionalities like quantum dots, organic dyes, or even a second different aptamer domain yielding a bi-paratopic aptamer. Although the target molecule of the aptamer remains unknown, our microscopy and pharmacological studies revealed that the aptamer hijacks the clathrin-mediated endocytosis pathway for its cellular internalization. We conclude that this novel class of aptamers can be used as a modular tool to specifically deliver different cargoes into malignant cells. This work provides a thorough characterization of the aptamer and we expect that our strategy will pave the path for future therapeutic applications. |
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| Item Description: | 2162-2531 10.1038/mtna.2015.25 |