1. DNA Meets Protein─Development, Characterization, and Application of Aptamers against Peanut Allergen.
- Author
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Schäfer L, Miskey C, Hein S, Völker E, Reuter A, Beyer K, Ahrens B, Mayer G, and Holzhauser T
- Subjects
- Peanut Hypersensitivity immunology, Glycoproteins immunology, Glycoproteins chemistry, Membrane Proteins immunology, Membrane Proteins genetics, Humans, SELEX Aptamer Technique methods, Aptamers, Nucleotide chemistry, Aptamers, Nucleotide immunology, Arachis chemistry, Arachis immunology, Antigens, Plant immunology, Antigens, Plant analysis, Antigens, Plant genetics, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Plant Proteins immunology, Plant Proteins genetics, Allergens immunology, Allergens analysis
- Abstract
Allergen detection methods support food labeling and quality assessment at the allergen component level of allergen preparations used for allergy diagnosis and immunotherapy (AIT). Commonly applied enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) requires animal antibodies but potentially shows batch variations. We developed synthetic aptamers as alternative binders in allergen detection to meet the replacement, reduction, and refinement (3R) principle on animal protection in science. ssDNA aptamers were specifically selected against the major peanut allergen Ara h 1 and identified by next-generation sequencing. Application in various detection systems (ELISA-like assays, western blot, and surface plasmon resonance) was demonstrated. The ELISA-like assay comprised a sensitivity of 10 ng/mL Ara h 1, comparable to published antibody-based ELISA, and allowed Ara h 1 detection in various peanut flours, similar to those used in peanut AIT as well as in processed food. This ELISA-like aptamer-based assay proofs antibody-free allergen detection for food labeling or quality assessment of diagnostic and therapeutic allergen products.
- Published
- 2024
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