Journal
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Volume 118, Issue 50, Pages -Publisher
NATL ACAD SCIENCES
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2112942118
Keywords
aptamer selection; SARS-CoV-2 targeting; aptamer multimerization; viral neutralization; spike protein
Categories
Funding
- Carlsberg [CF20-0045, CF20-0610]
- Danish National Reseach Foundation [DNRF135]
- General-purpose virus neutralizing engulfing shells with modular target-specificity (VIROFIGHT) (European Union H2020FETOPEN) [899619]
- Novo Nordisk Foundation [NNF20OC0063436]
- Independent Research Fund Denmark [0214-00001B]
- Innovation Fund Denmark [0211-00066B]
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A special RNA aptamer with high affinity to the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein has been discovered, preventing its interaction with the host receptor and efficiently blocking viral infection. Trimerized version of the aptamer enhances binding affinity, showing potential for widespread use in detecting and treating SARS-CoV-2 and emerging variants.
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has created an urgent need for new technologies to treat COVID-19. Here we report a 20-fluoro protected RNA aptamer that binds with high affinity to the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, thereby preventing its interaction with the host receptor ACE2. A trimerized version of the RNA aptamer matching the three RBDs in each spike complex enhances binding affinity down to the low picomolar range. Binding mode and specificity for the aptamer-spike interaction is supported by biolayer interferometry, single-molecule fluorescence microscopy, and flow-induced dispersion analysis in vitro. Cell culture experiments using virus-like particles and live SARS-CoV-2 show that the aptamer and, to a larger extent, the trimeric aptamer can efficiently block viral infection at low concentration. Finally, the aptamer maintains its high binding affinity to spike from other circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains, suggesting that it could find wide-spread use for the detection and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and emerging variants.
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