Publication
Title
Aptamer-ligand recognition studied by native ion mobility-mass spectrometry
Author
Abstract
The range of applications for aptamers, small oligonucleotide-based receptors binding to their targets with high specificity and affinity, has been steadily expanding. Our understanding of the mechanisms governing aptamer-ligand recognition and binding is however lagging, stymieing the progress in the rational design of new aptamers and optimization of the known ones. Here we demonstrate the capabilities and limitations of native ion mobility-mass spectrometry for the analysis of their higher-order structure and non-covalent interactions. A set of related cocaine-binding aptamers, displaying a range of folding properties and ligand binding affinities, was used as a case study in both positive and negative electrospray ionization modes. Using carefully controlled experimental conditions, we probed their conformational behavior and interactions with the high-affinity ligand quinine as a surrogate for cocaine. The ratios of bound and unbound aptamers in the mass spectra were used to rank them according to their apparent quinine-binding affinity, qualitatively matching the published ranking order. The arrival time differences between the free aptamer and aptamer-quinine complexes were consistent with a small ligand-induced conformational change, and found to inversely correlate with the affinity of binding. This mass spectrometry-based approach provides a fast and convenient way to study the molecular basis of aptamer-ligand recognition.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Talanta : the international journal of pure and applied analytical chemistry. - Oxford, 1958, currens
Publication
Oxford : Pergamon , 2021
ISSN
0039-9140 [print]
1873-3573 [online]
DOI
10.1016/J.TALANTA.2020.121917
Volume/pages
224 (2021) , 8 p.
Article Reference
121917
ISI
000600787800122
Pubmed ID
33379118
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 17.12.2020
Last edited 13.11.2024
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