Characterization of DNA aptamers generated against the soft-shelled turtle iridovirus with antiviral effects.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Soft-shelled turtle iridovirus (STIV) causes severe systemic disease in farmed soft-shelled turtles (Trionyx sinensis). More efficient methods of controlling and detecting STIV infections are urgently needed. 

METHODS:

In this study, we generated eight single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) aptamers against STIV using systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX).

RESULTS:

The aptamers formed representative stem-loop secondary structures. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and fluorescent localization showed that the selected aptamers had high binding affinity for STIV. Aptamer QA-36 had the highest calculated binding affinity (K d ) of 53.8 nM. Flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy of cell-aptamer interactions demonstrated that QA-12 was able to recognize both STIV-infected cells and tissues with a high level of specificity. Moreover, the selected aptamers inhibited STIV infection in vitro and in vivo, with aptamer QA-36 demonstrating the greatest protective effect against STIV and inhibiting STIV infection in a dose-dependent manner.

DISCUSSION:

We generated DNA aptamers that bound STIV with a high level of specificity, providing an alternative means for investigating STIV pathogenesis, drug development, and medical therapies for STIV infection.

CONCLUSIONS:

These DNA aptamers may thus be suitable antiviral candidates for the control of STIV infections.

• Authors: Pengfei Li, Lingli Zhou, Yepin Yu, Min Yang, Songwei Ni, Shina Wei, Qiwei Qin
• Journal: BMC veterinary research (BMC Vet Res) Vol. 11 Pg. 245 (Sep 30 2015) ISSN: 1746-6148 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 26419355 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Aptamers, Nucleotide

Topics

• Animals
• Antiviral Agents (pharmacology)
• Aptamers, Nucleotide (pharmacology)
• Cell Line
• Cell Survival
• Fishes
• Iridovirus (classification)
• Protein Binding
• Turtles (virology)