Original Articles: 2016 Vol: 8 Issue: 5
The Applications of Aptamers in the Field Of Therapeutics
Abstract
Aptamers are single stranded nucleic acid which can bind directly to various protein structures by specific 3- dimensional structure and results in high affinity attachment to targeted site. They are found more advantageous than monoclonal antibodies which is drawn back due to immune rejection system but also instead of hybridization molecular strategies it goes similar with antigen and antibody binding mechanism and also similar in respect of binding (high specific) in picomolar or nanomolar range. Aptamers is an effective antagonist against protein functions and other biomolecules such as lipids, carbohydrate, other organic compounds and even whole cells. Thermal stability, recovery of native conformation after denaturation, easy and cost effective in production, feasibility of chemical modification with requirement, nuclease resistance; less immunogenic, highly binding specificity and affinity are some of positive aspects preferred in therapeutic and diagnostic requirement agenda. The applications of aptamer is wide and prospective, keeping in mind all the properties and affinity towards various biomolecular substance, the complete significance of aptamer is still long way to reach the common people in affordable price