CH391L/S13/In vitro Selection of FNAs: Difference between revisions
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===Aptamers and Riboswitches=== | ===Aptamers and Riboswitches=== | ||
The word aptamer from the latin ''aptus'' and translates as the past participle of to fit were originally identified by employing the protocol SELEX. Therefore the word Aptamer describes their basic function as RNA or single stranded DNA (ssDNA)that can bind a ligand by assuming an specific structure.<cite>Silverman2009, Wilson1999</cite> Yet, it would take several years until the discovery of the first ''in vivo'' aptamer or riboswitch <cite> | The word aptamer from the latin ''aptus'' and translates as the past participle of to fit were originally identified by employing the protocol SELEX. Therefore the word Aptamer describes their basic function as RNA or single stranded DNA (ssDNA)that can bind a ligand by assuming an specific structure.<cite>Silverman2009, Wilson1999</cite> Yet, it would take several years until the discovery of the first ''in vivo'' aptamer or riboswitch <cite> Winkler2002 </cite>. See the following page to get a better understanding of aptamers and riboswitches. | ||
==In vitro Selection of Functional Nucleic Acids== | ==In vitro Selection of Functional Nucleic Acids== | ||
Revision as of 05:51, 11 February 2013
Introduction
Functional nucleic acids (FNAs) are RNA, DNA, or XNA(nucleic acid analogues) that perform an activity such as binding or catalyzing a reaction. FNAs are grouped into three main categories Aptamers, Ribozymes, and Deoxyribozymes that are subdivided into either natural or artificial depending on their origin; the exception being Deoxyribozymes as they have yet to be discovered in a living organism. It was only in the 1980s that the 1st ribozyme was discovered that we started to study FNAs and have allowed for the discovery of new methods, such as the SELEX or In vitro selection process that we are expanding their potential both as tools for exploring biology and real world problem solving.
Functional Nucleic Acids
Ribozymes
Deoxyribozymes
Aptamers and Riboswitches
The word aptamer from the latin aptus and translates as the past participle of to fit were originally identified by employing the protocol SELEX. Therefore the word Aptamer describes their basic function as RNA or single stranded DNA (ssDNA)that can bind a ligand by assuming an specific structure.[5, 6] Yet, it would take several years until the discovery of the first in vivo aptamer or riboswitch [7]. See the following page to get a better understanding of aptamers and riboswitches.
In vitro Selection of Functional Nucleic Acids
The image presented describes the basic method for performing a SELEX or In vivo selection experiment using single stranded nucleic acids (RNA,ssDNA,XNA) that are chemically synthesizedan have a constant region (CR) and a random region. Having the CR allows later amplification using PCR. The first step is subjecting the population of single stranded nucleic acids to specific selective condition in which function is possible. Then a (2) diverse subset of the population will perform the desired function and will be then (3) PCR amplified to make double stranded nucleic acids with the use of the CR introduced previously. Therefore the selection can continue to a following round, while at the same time a sample is obtained and can be sequenced. [8]
New Methods and Tools that assit In vitro selections
Computational Methods
- Mfold
FRET
- Fluorescent analogues
Next Generation Sequencing
New Applications of FNAs
<biblio>
- Cech1982 pmid=6297745
- Altman1983 pmid=6197186
- Breaker2002 pmid=12022469
- Silverman2009 isbn=978-0-387-73711-9
- Wilson1999 pmid=10872462
- Ellington1990 pmid=1697402
- Gold1990 pmid=2200121
- Winkler2002 pmid=12410317
<\biblio>
