Myelin Basic Protein and a Multiple Sclerosis-related MBP-peptide Bind to Oligonucleotides

Aptamer ligands for myelin basic protein (MBP) were obtained using the systematic evolution of ligand by exponential enrichment (SELEX) method. Two clones were isolated from a pool of oligonucleotides and tested for MBP targeting. Using purified MBP, we demonstrated the binding activity of the aptamers and we also showed the affinity of MBP for oligonucleotides of specific length. Moreover, one selected aptamer competitively inhibited the binding of an MBP-specific antibody to MBP and the aptamer was found more sensitive than a commercial antibody. In addition, we showed the ability of the aptamer to detect myelin-rich regions in paraffin-embedded mouse brain tissue. Therefore, the MBP-binding activity of the selected oligonucleotide may prove useful as a tool for life science and medical research for myelin detection and might be a good lead for testing it in autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.