Progress in DNA Aptamers as Recognition Components for Protein Functional Regulation

Proteins play a central role in all domains of life, and precise regulation of their activity is essential for understanding the related biological processes and therapeutic functions. Nucleic acid aptamers, the molecular recognition components derived from systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment(SELEX), can specifically identify proteins with antibody-like recognition characteristics and help to regulate their activity. This minireview covers the SELEX-based selection of protein-binding aptamers, membrane protein analytical techniques based on aptamer-mediated target recognition, aptamer-mediated functional regulation of proteins, including membrane receptors and non-membrane proteins(thrombin as a model), as well as the potential challenges and prospects regarding aptamer-mediated protein manipulation, aiming to supply some useful information for researchers in this field.

Automated summary

Proteins are essential in all life domains and precise regulation of their activity is crucial for understanding biological processes and therapeutic applications. Nucleic acid aptamers obtained through SELEX have specific protein recognition characteristics similar to antibodies and can help regulate their activity. This minireview covers the selection of protein-binding aptamers using SELEX, membrane protein analysis techniques based on aptamer-mediated target recognition, aptamer-mediated functional regulation of proteins (including membrane receptors and non-membrane proteins such as thrombin), as well as the potential challenges and prospects of aptamer-mediated protein manipulation, providing useful information for researchers in this field.