title: Expected and unexpected features of protein-binding RNA aptamers.
abstract: RNA molecules with high affinity to specific proteins can be isolated from libraries of up to 1016different RNA sequences by systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). These so-called protein-binding RNA aptamers are often interesting, e.g., as modulators of protein function for therapeutic use, for probing the conformations of proteins, for studies of basic aspects of nucleic acid-protein interactions, etc. Studies on the interactions between RNA aptamers and proteins display a number of expected and unexpected features, including the chemical nature of the interacting RNA-protein surfaces, the conformation of protein-bound aptamer versus free aptamer, the conformation of aptamer-bound protein versus free protein, and the effects of aptamers on protein function. Here, we review current insights into the details of RNA aptamer-protein interactions. WIREs RNA 2016, 7:744-757. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1360 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Nils
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bjerregaard
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Andreasen
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark. dmd@mbg.au.dk.
authors.forename: Daniel M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Dupont
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D012313:RNA