Screening and Development of DNA Aptamers Specific to Several Oral Pathogens

• Published in: Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol. 25; no. 3; pp. 393 - 398
• Main Authors: Park, Jung-Pyo, Shin, Hye Joo, Park, Suk-Gyun, Oh, Hee-Kyun, Choi, Choong-Ho, Park, Hong-Ju, Kook, Min-Suk, Ohk, Seung-Ho
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) 한국미생물·생명공학회 01.03.2015
• Subjects: Aptamers, Nucleotide - genetics; Aptamers, Nucleotide - pharmacology; Aptamers, Nucleotide - therapeutic use; Biosensing Techniques; Humans; Nucleic Acid Conformation; Porphyromonas gingivalis - drug effects; Porphyromonas gingivalis - isolation & purification; SELEX Aptamer Technique; Sensitivity and Specificity; Streptococcus mutans - drug effects; Streptococcus mutans - isolation & purification; Streptococcus oralis - drug effects; Streptococcus oralis - isolation & purification; Streptococcus oralis - pathogenicity; Streptococcus sanguis - drug effects; Streptococcus sanguis - isolation & purification; Streptococcus sanguis - pathogenicity; Treponema denticola - drug effects; Treponema denticola - isolation & purification; Treponema denticola - pathogenicity; 생물학
• ISSN: 1017-7825; 1738-8872
• DOI: 10.4014/jmb.1407.07019

Aptamers are composed of single-stranded oilgonucleotides that can selectively bind desired molecules. It has been reported that RNA or DNA could act as not only a genetic messenger but also a catalyst in metabolic pathways. RNA aptamers (average sizes 40-50 bp) are smaller than antibodies and have strong binding capacities to target molecules, similar to antigen-antibody interactions. Once an aptamer was selected, it can be readily produced in large quantities at low cost. The objectives of this study are to screen and develop aptamers specific to oral pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Streptococcus mutans. The bacterial cell pellet was fixed with formaldehyde as a target molecule for the screening of aptamers. The SELEX method was used for the screening of aptamers and a modified western blot analysis was used to verify their specificities. Through SELEX, 40 kinds of aptamers were selected and the specificity of the aptamers to the bacterial cells was confirmed by modified western blot analysis. Through the SELEX method, 40 aptamers that specifically bind to oral pathogens were screened and isolated. The aptamers showed possibility as effective candidates for the detection agents of oral infections.