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The Ebola virus glycoprotein (GP) gene templates several mRNAs that produce either the virion-associated transmembrane protein or one of two secreted glycoproteins. Soluble glycoprotein (sGP) is the predominant product. GP1 and sGP share an amino terminal sequence of 295 amino acids but differ in quaternary structure, with GP1 being a heterohexamer with GP2 and sGP a homodimer. Two structurally different DNA aptamers were selected against sGP that also bound GP1,2. These DNA aptamers were compared with a 2′FY-RNA aptamer for their interactions with the Ebola GP gene products. The three aptamers have almost identical binding isotherms for sGP and GP1,2 in solution and on the virion. They demonstrated high affinity and selectivity for sGP and GP1,2. Furthermore, one aptamer, used as a sensing element in an electrochemical format, detected GP1,2 on pseudotyped virions and sGP with high sensitivity in the presence of serum, including from an Ebola-virus-infected monkey. Our results suggest that the aptamers interact with sGP across the interface between the monomers, which is different from the sites on the protein bound by most antibodies. The remarkable similarity in functional features of three structurally distinct aptamers suggests that aptamers, like antibodies, have preferred binding sites on proteins.

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a well-characterized tumor marker associated with prostate cancer and neovasculature of most solid tumors. PSMA-specific ligands are thus being developed to deliver imaging or therapeutic agents to cancer cells. Here, we report on a crystal structure of human PSMA in complex with A9g, a 43-bp PSMA-specific RNA aptamer, that was determined to the 2.2 Å resolution limit. The analysis of the PSMA/aptamer interface allows for identification of key interactions critical for nanomolar binding affinity and high selectivity of A9g for human PSMA. Combined with in silico modeling, site-directed mutagenesis, inhibition experiments and cell-based assays, the structure also provides an insight into structural changes of the aptamer and PSMA upon complex formation, mechanistic explanation for inhibition of the PSMA enzymatic activity by A9g as well as its ligand-selective competition with small molecules targeting the internal pocket of the enzyme. Additionally, comparison with published protein–RNA aptamer structures pointed toward more general features governing protein-aptamer interactions. Finally, our findings can be exploited for the structure-assisted design of future A9g-based derivatives with improved binding and stability characteristics.

The development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) following infection or tissue injury is associated with increased patient morbidity and mortality. Extensive cellular injury results in the release of nuclear proteins, of which histones are the most abundant, into the circulation. Circulating histones are implicated as essential mediators of MODS. Available anti-histone therapies have failed in clinical trials due to off-target effects such as bleeding and toxicity. Here, we describe a therapeutic strategy for MODS based on the neutralization of histones by chemically stabilized nucleic acid bio-drugs (aptamers). Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment technology identified aptamers that selectively bind those histones responsible for MODS and do not bind to serum proteins. We demonstrate the efficacy of histone-specific aptamers in human cells and in a murine model of MODS. These aptamers could have a significant therapeutic benefit in the treatment of multiple diverse clinical conditions associated with MODS., Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is a serious event that can occur following infection or tissue injury, and is partly mediated by histones released in circulation. Here, the authors develop aptamers that neutralise histones involved in MODS, and demonstrate efficacy in human cells and in mouse models.

The relative ease of isolating aptamers with high specificity for target molecules suggests that molecular recognition may be common in the folds of natural RNAs. We show here that, when expressed in cells, aptamers can increase the intracellular concentrations of their small molecule ligands. We have named these aptamers as DRAGINs (Drug Binding Aptamers for Growing Intracellular Numbers). The DRAGIN property, assessed here by the ability to enhance the toxicity of their ligands, was found for some, but not all, aminoglycoside aptamers. One aptamer protected cells against killing by its ligand. Another aptamer promoted killing as a singlemer and protected against killing as a tandemer. Based on a mathematical model, cell protection vs. killing is proposed as governed by aptamer affinity and access to the inner surface of the cell membrane, with the latter being a critical determinant. With RNA molecules proposed as the earliest functional polymers to drive the evolution of life, we suggest that RNA aptamer-like structures present in primitive cells might have selectively concentrated precursors for polymer synthesis. Riboswitches may be the evolved forms of these ancient aptamer-like “nutrient procurers”. Aptamers with DRAGIN capability in the modern world could be applied for imaging cells, in synthetic cell constructs, or to draw drugs into cells to make “undruggable” targets accessible to small molecule inhibitors.