Two Examples of RNA Aptamers with Antiviral Activity. Are Aptamers the Wished Antiviral Drugs?

RNA nanotechnology breakthrough for targeted release of RNA-based drugs using cell-based aptamers

Nucleic acids play different roles besides storing information and proteins coding. For example, single-stranded nucleic acids can fold into complicated structures with capability of molecular detection, catalyzing bioreactions and therapy. The development of RNA-based therapies has been rapidly progressed in the recent years. RNA aptamers are biomolecules with a size of 10 to 50 nm that can be...

RNA–protein interactions govern antiviral specificity and encapsidation of broad spectrum anti-HIV reverse transcriptase aptamers

RNA aptamers that bind HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibit HIV-1 replication, but little is known about potential aptamer-specific viral resistance. During replication, RT interacts with diverse nucleic acids. Thus, the genetic threshold for eliciting resistance may be high for aptamers that make numerous contacts with RT. To evaluate the impact of RT-aptamer binding specificity on replica...

Perspective: Aptamers as Drugs

Aptamers are nucleic acid molecules, either single-stranded RNA or DNA, that form secondary structures capable of eliciting affinities to a variety of targets ranging from small organics to whole proteins. They can be quickly developed and are relatively inexpensive to manufacture. Aptamers have the potential to be used as novel drug products, but lacks general acceptance within the pharmaceuti...

Characterization of DNA aptamers generated against the soft-shelled turtle iridovirus with antiviral effects

BACKGROUND Soft-shelled turtle iridovirus (STIV) causes severe systemic disease in farmed soft-shelled turtles (Trionyx sinensis). More efficient methods of controlling and detecting STIV infections are urgently needed.  METHODS In this study, we generated eight single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) aptamers against STIV using systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). RESULTS...

Where are all the aptamers?