DNA aptamers selection for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)

• Published in: Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters 2020-08, Vol.30 (15), p.127278-127278, Article 127278
• Main Authors: Izabella Abreu de Melo, Mariane, Rodrigues Correa, Cristiane, da Silva Cunha, Pricila, Miranda de Góes, Alfredo, Assis Gomes, Dawidson, Silva Ribeiro de Andrade, Antero
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carcinoembryonic antigen; Colorectal cancer; DNA aptamer; SELEX
• ISSN: 0960-894X; 1464-3405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127278

[Display omitted] •Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is an antigen expressed and secreted by several types of tumors.•Aptamers capable of identifying CEA were selected through Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX).•Apta 3 and Apta 5 showed high specificity and affinity for T84 cells (CEA positive cell line) in comparison with Hela cells (CEA negative cell line). Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycoprotein antigen generally used for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment monitoring of several types of tumors, including colorectal cancer. Nucleic acid aptamers are DNA or RNA oligonucleotides capable of binding with high specificity and affinity to a molecular target. The aim of this study was to obtain aptamers specific to CEA for use as radiopharmaceuticals in colorectal cancer diagnosis. Five aptamers were selected through the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponencial Enrichment (SELEX) and tested using T84 (CEA+) and Hela (CEA−) cells. Apta 3 and Apta 5 showed the best results presenting high specificity and affinity for T84 cells, with dissociation constants (Kd) of 60.4 ± 5.7 nM and 37.8 ± 5.8 nM, respectively. These results indicate that Apta 3 and Apta 5 are promising candidates for identifying tumor cells that overexpress CEA.