In recent years, capillary electrophoresis coupled to systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (CE-SELEX) has been widely used to conduct aptamer selection from a random oligonucleotide pool. A traditional DNA or RNA library contains numerous fragments, each of which contains a randomized central region (30-60 nucleotides) with a fixed primer region at each end (~20 nucleotides) for amplifying target-bound central sequences. To overcome the drawbacks in the conventional design, the author previously proposed a new design for the fixed primer regions in an oligonucleotide library, suggesting the use of a conformation-changeable sequence such as an intercalated motif (i-motif) as primers. For this study, the author investigated the effects of pH-mediated conformational changes of the i-motif primers on target binding to the central region of the DNA fragments, and experimentally confirmed the applicability of i-motifs as primers for the library members. This new library design, along with pH modifications to the CE procedure, expand the range of SELEX aptamer screening.

i-Motifs as the fixed primers in an oligonucleotide library for aptamer screening

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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