Exploring the Landscape of Aptamers: From Cross-Reactive to Selective to Specific, High-Affinity Receptors for Cocaine.

ABSTRACT: We reported over 20 years ago MNS-4.1, the first DNA aptamer with a micromolar affinity for cocaine. MNS-4.1 is based on a structural motif that is very common in any random pool of oligonucleotides, and it is actually a nonspecific hydrophobic receptor with wide cross-reactivity with alkaloids and steroids. Despite such weaknesses preventing broad applications, this aptamer became widely used in proof-of-concept demonstrations of new formats of biosensors. We now report a series of progressively improved DNA aptamers recognizing cocaine, with the final optimized receptors having low nanomolar affinity and over a thousand-fold selectivity over the initial cross-reactants. In the process of optimization, we tested different methods to eliminate cross-reactivities and improve affinity, event

SUBMITTER: Yang K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10900216 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature