Modelling aptamers with nucleic acid mimics (NAM): From sequence to three-dimensional docking.

Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides, formerly evolved by Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX), that fold into functional three-dimensional structures. Such conformation is crucial for aptamers' ability to bind to a target with high affinity and specificity...

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Main Authors: Ricardo Oliveira, Eva Pinho, Ana Luísa Sousa, Óscar Dias, Nuno Filipe Azevedo, Carina Almeida
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2022-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264701
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author Ricardo Oliveira
Eva Pinho
Ana Luísa Sousa
Óscar Dias
Nuno Filipe Azevedo
Carina Almeida
author_facet Ricardo Oliveira
Eva Pinho
Ana Luísa Sousa
Óscar Dias
Nuno Filipe Azevedo
Carina Almeida
author_sort Ricardo Oliveira
collection DOAJ
description Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides, formerly evolved by Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX), that fold into functional three-dimensional structures. Such conformation is crucial for aptamers' ability to bind to a target with high affinity and specificity. Unnatural nucleotides have been used to develop nucleic acid mimic (NAM) aptamers with increased performance, such as biological stability. Prior knowledge of aptamer-target interactions is critical for applying post-SELEX modifications with unnatural nucleotides since it can affect aptamers' structure and performance. Here, we describe an easy-to-apply in silico workflow using free available software / web servers to predict the tertiary conformation of NAM, DNA and RNA aptamers, as well as the docking with the target molecule. Representative 2'-O-methyl (2'OMe), locked nucleic acid (LNA), DNA and RNA aptamers, with experimental data deposited in Protein Data Bank, were selected to validate the workflow. All aptamers' tertiary structure and docking models were successfully predicted with good structural similarity to the experimental data. Thus, this workflow will boost the development of aptamers, particularly NAM aptamers, by assisting in the rational modification of specific nucleotides and avoiding trial-and-error approaches.
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spelling doaj.art-3180d50c69334276bd2cf71f3d7134392022-12-21T23:53:57ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032022-01-01173e026470110.1371/journal.pone.0264701Modelling aptamers with nucleic acid mimics (NAM): From sequence to three-dimensional docking.Ricardo OliveiraEva PinhoAna Luísa SousaÓscar DiasNuno Filipe AzevedoCarina AlmeidaAptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides, formerly evolved by Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX), that fold into functional three-dimensional structures. Such conformation is crucial for aptamers' ability to bind to a target with high affinity and specificity. Unnatural nucleotides have been used to develop nucleic acid mimic (NAM) aptamers with increased performance, such as biological stability. Prior knowledge of aptamer-target interactions is critical for applying post-SELEX modifications with unnatural nucleotides since it can affect aptamers' structure and performance. Here, we describe an easy-to-apply in silico workflow using free available software / web servers to predict the tertiary conformation of NAM, DNA and RNA aptamers, as well as the docking with the target molecule. Representative 2'-O-methyl (2'OMe), locked nucleic acid (LNA), DNA and RNA aptamers, with experimental data deposited in Protein Data Bank, were selected to validate the workflow. All aptamers' tertiary structure and docking models were successfully predicted with good structural similarity to the experimental data. Thus, this workflow will boost the development of aptamers, particularly NAM aptamers, by assisting in the rational modification of specific nucleotides and avoiding trial-and-error approaches.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264701
spellingShingle Ricardo Oliveira
Eva Pinho
Ana Luísa Sousa
Óscar Dias
Nuno Filipe Azevedo
Carina Almeida
Modelling aptamers with nucleic acid mimics (NAM): From sequence to three-dimensional docking.
PLoS ONE
title Modelling aptamers with nucleic acid mimics (NAM): From sequence to three-dimensional docking.
title_full Modelling aptamers with nucleic acid mimics (NAM): From sequence to three-dimensional docking.
title_fullStr Modelling aptamers with nucleic acid mimics (NAM): From sequence to three-dimensional docking.
title_full_unstemmed Modelling aptamers with nucleic acid mimics (NAM): From sequence to three-dimensional docking.
title_short Modelling aptamers with nucleic acid mimics (NAM): From sequence to three-dimensional docking.
title_sort modelling aptamers with nucleic acid mimics nam from sequence to three dimensional docking
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264701
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