Nuclease-resistant nucleic acid ligands to vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial growth factor

Abstract

We have used the SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) process in conjunction with post-SELEX modifications to define a highly nuclease-resistant oligonucleotide that binds to VPF/VEGF with high affinity and specificity.

A therapeutic aptamer inhibits angiogenesis by specifically targeting the heparin binding domain of VEGF 165

“…The Ca 2ϩ requirement for the formation of the VEGF 165 -aptamer complex is specific to this aptamer family and is not observed in other high-affinity aptamers to VEGF 165 (8,(23)(24)(25). The results here show that Ca 2ϩ is also required for the HBD-aptamer complex formation.…”

A DNA aptamer population specifically detects Leishmania infantum H2A antigen

“…It has been shown that aptamers form stable and specific complexes with a range of different targets, including small molecules such as amino acids and highly complex proteins and whole viruses. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] These specialized molecules are analogs to antibodies in specificity and affinity, but have the potential advantage of being reproduced by chemical synthesis and be more easily labeled with fluorescent or other reporters during their synthesis. Consequently, they are considered potential therapeutic agents and also thought to rival antibodies in immunoassay-like analyses.…”

Targeted Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy

“…For instance, one of the most important success of aptamers so far has been the development of aptamers that are able to bind VEGF [58] such as Pegaptanib sodium aptamer (Macugen, Pfizer, and Eyetech). However, as aptamers are expensive to produce, it is more economical to use aptamers as targeting agents rather than as therapeutic agents.…”