Aptamer Development for SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron Variants Using the Spike Protein Receptor Binding Domain as a Potential Diagnostic Tool and Therapeutic Agent.

ABSTRACT: Despite various methods for detecting and treating SARS-CoV-2, affordable and easily applicable solutions are still needed. Aptamers can potentially fill this gap. Here, we establish a workflow to identify aptamers that bind to the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2, a process applicable to other targets as well. The spike protein is crucial for the virus's entry into host cells. The aptamer development process for the spike protein's receptor binding domain (RBD) begins with splitting the SARS-CoV-2's genome into 40 nucleotide-long sequences, predicting their two-dimensional structure, and sorting based on the free energy. Selected oligomers undergo three-dimensional structure prediction and docking onto the viral spike protein's RBD. Six RNA oligomers were identified as top candidates based on

SUBMITTER: Shekar PV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12191217 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature