Azobenzene-modified DNA aptamers evolved by capillary electrophoresis (CE)-SELEX method

Chemically modified aptamers have recently emerged as important materials for nucleic acid based therapeutics and diagnostic tools. Here, we report in vitro evolution of azobenzene-modified DNA by capillary electrophoresis (CE)-SELEX method. Azobenzene has been considered to be a fascinating functional group due its trans–cis photo-isomerization property. We harnessed C5-azobenzene-modified 2?-deoxyuridine (dUAz) azobenzene-tethered unit subjected it CE-SELEX with human thrombin. The obtained dUAz-modified aptamer showed strong binding affinity toward thrombin could reversibly photo-isomerized different wavelengths light. This work demonstrates that is powerful method obtain chemically dUAz an excellent photo-responsive nucleoside photo-switches.