• Technique and method • Previous Articles    

Screening of DNA aptamers for recognizing tumor cells by using cell-systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment

XU Fa-liang1, ZHOU Qi1, KUANG Yi1, CHEN Xiao-le1, ZHANG Hai-wei1, GU Chang-guo2   

  1. 1.The Center of Breast Disease, Chongqing Cancer Institute and Chongqing Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, China; 2.Clinical Laboratory, 452 Hospital of
    PLA, Chengdu 610061, China
  • Online:2013-12-28 Published:2014-01-02
  • Supported by:
    Key Program of Science and Technology Commission of Chongqing Municipality, 2010AC5132; Medical Research Project of Chongqing Municipal Health Bureau, 2009-2-122

Abstract:

Objective To establish commonly used technical platform of cell-systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (cell-SELEX) for screening DNA aptamers specifically binding to tumor cells. Methods A random double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) pool was established by PCR, and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) library was then separated from dsDNA pool by using avidin coated Sepharose. In order to get DNA aptamers for cancer cells, cell-SELEX and PCR were performed by using cultured gastric cancer cell line as positive screening target while normal gastric mucosal cell line as negative. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to monitor the enrichment efficiency and affinity of aptamers. Cloning, sequencing, and sequence analysis of aptamers by conventional molecular biology techniques were also carried out. Results A random ssDNA pool was successfully established and specific aptamers of tumor cells were got after 12 runs' cell-SELEX. Of 120 positive sequenced clones, 21 aptamers were identified. Accurate alignment of Blastn implied that not any similar sequence to 21 submitted aptamers was found in NCBI data base. Conclusion The article provided a technical platform for obtaining DNA aptamers specifically binding to tumor cells in a relatively short period of time.

Key words: cell-systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment, aptamer, tumor, targeting diagnosis, targeted therapy