Prion proteins (PrPs) cause prion diseases, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The conversion of a normal cellular form (PrP(C)) of PrP into an abnormal form (PrP(Sc)) is thought to be associated with the pathogenesis. An RNA aptamer that tightly binds to and stabilizes PrP(C) is expected to block this conversion and to thereby prevent prion diseases. Here, we show that an RNA aptamer co...

A novel photoelectrochemical aptasensor for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) detection was developed by introducing inorganic−organic photoactive nanocomposites as sensitization agents to achieve significant signal amplification. Specifically, a TiO2/Au hybrid structure was first fabricated by decorating Au nanoparticles on the surface of TiO2 film, which then was used as the photoelectrochemical m...

Aptamers are nucleic acid based molecular recognition elements with a high potential for the theranostics. Some of the aptamers are under development for therapeutic applications as promising antithrombotic agents; and G-quadruplex DNA aptamers, which directly inhibit the thrombin activity, are among them. RA-36, the 31-meric DNA aptamer, consists of two thrombin binding pharmacophores joined w...

The adsorption and the redox behaviour of thrombine binding aptamer (TBA) and extended TBA (eTBA) were studied using atomic force microscopy and voltammetry at highly oriented pyrolytic graphite and glassy carbon. The different adsorption patterns and degree of surface coverage were correlated with the sequence base composition, presence/absence of K and voltammetric behaviour of TBA and eTBA. ...

The adsorption and the redox behaviour of thrombin-binding aptamer (TBA) and extended TBA (eTBA) were studied using atomic force microscopy and voltammetry at highly oriented pyrolytic graphite and glassy carbon. The different adsorption patterns and degree of surface coverage were correlated with the sequence base composition, presence/absence of K(+), and voltammetric behaviour of TBA and eTB...

The specific recognition by proteins of G-quadruplex structures provides evidence of a functional role for in vivo G-quadruplex structures. As previously reported, the ribonucleoprotein, hnRNP Al, and it is proteolytic derivative, unwinding protein 1 (UP1), bind to and destabilize G-quadruplex structures formed by the human telomeric repeat d(TTAGGG)n. UP1 has been proposed to be involved in th...

G-Quadruplexes are special secondary structures adopted in some guanine-rich DNA sequences. The highly prevalent putative existence of G-quadruplex and the influence on genomic stability, telomere maintenance and gene expression indicate that G-quadruplexes may play important roles in biological processes [1]. Many research findings have provided substantive evidence for potential applications ...

It is known that the guanine-rich strands in proto-oncogene promoters can fold into G-quadruplex structures to regulate gene expression. An intramolecular parallel G-quadruplex has been identified in MET promoter. It acts as a repressor in regulating MET expression. However, the full guanine-rich region in MET promoter forms a hybrid parallel/antiparallel G-quadruplex structure under physiologi...