title: Screening and development of DNA aptamers specific to several oral pathogens.
abstract: Aptamers are composed of single-stranded oilgonucleotides that can selectively bind desired molecules. It has been reported that RNA or DNA could act as not only a genetic messenger but also a catalyst in metabolic pathways. RNA aptamers (average sizes 40-50 bp) are smaller than antibodies and have strong binding capacities to target molecules, similar to antigen-antibody interactions. Once an aptamer was selected, it can be readily produced in large quantities at low cost. The objectives of this study are to screen and develop aptamers specific to oral pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Streptococcus mutans. The bacterial cell pellet was fixed with formaldehyde as a target molecule for the screening of aptamers. The SELEX method was used for the screening of aptamers and a modified western blot analysis was used to verify their specificities. Through SELEX, 40 kinds of aptamers were selected and the specificity of the aptamers to the bacterial cells was confirmed by modified western blot analysis. Through the SELEX method, 40 aptamers that specifically bind to oral pathogens were screened and isolated. The aptamers showed possibility as effective candidates for the detection agents of oral infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-757, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jung-Pyo
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hye Joo
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Suk-Gyun
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hee-Kyun
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Choong-Ho
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Hong-Ju
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Min-Suk
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kook
authors.forename: Seung-Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ohk
mesh_terms: D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D006801:Humans; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D052156:SELEX Aptamer Technique; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019533:Streptococcus oralis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013298:Streptococcus sanguis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D048373:Treponema denticola / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity
chemical_list: D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide