SELEX based aptamers with diagnostic and entry inhibitor therapeutic potential for SARS-CoV-2.

ABSTRACT: Frequent mutation and variable immunological protection against vaccination is a common feature for COVID-19 pandemic. Early detection and confinement remain key to controlling further spread of infection. In response, we have developed an aptamer-based system that possesses both diagnostic and therapeutic potential towards the virus. A random aptamer library (~ 10¹⁷ molecules) was screened using systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) and aptamer R was identified as a potent binder for the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain (RBD) using in vitro binding assay. Using a pseudotyped viral entry assay we have shown that aptamer R specifically inhibited the entry of a SARS-CoV-2 pseudotyped virus in HEK293T-ACE2 cells but did not inhibit the entry of a

SUBMITTER: Halder S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10477244 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature