Theoretical analysis of divalent cation effects on aptamer recognition of neurotransmitter targets

Douaki, Ali; Stuber, Annina; Hengsteler, Julian; Momotenko, Dmitry; Rogers, David M.; Rocchia, Walter; Hirst, Jonathan D.; Nakatsuka, Nako; Garoli, Denis

Abstract

Aptamer-based sensing of small molecules such as dopamine and serotonin in the brain, requires characterization of the specific aptamer sequences in solutions mimicking the in vivo environment with physiological ionic concentrations. In particular, divalent cations (Mg2+ and Ca2+) present in brain fluid, have been shown to affect the conformational dynamics of aptamers upon target recognition. Thus, for biosensors that transduce aptamer structure switching as the signal response, it is critical to interrogate the influence of divalent cations on each unique aptamer sequence. Herein, we demonstrate the potential of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to predict the behaviour of dopamine and serotonin aptamers on sensor surfaces. The simulations enable molecular-level visualization of aptamer conformational changes that, in some cases, are significantly influenced by divalent cations. The correlations of theoretical simulations with experimental findings validate the potential for MD simulations to predict aptamer-specific behaviors on biosensors.

Citation

Douaki, A., Stuber, A., Hengsteler, J., Momotenko, D., Rogers, D. M., Rocchia, W., …Garoli, D. (2023). Theoretical analysis of divalent cation effects on aptamer recognition of neurotransmitter targets. Chemical Communications, 59(99), 14713-14716. https://doi.org/10.1039/d3cc04334g

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 16, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Nov 17, 2023
• Publication Date: Dec 25, 2023
• Deposit Date: Dec 7, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 7, 2023
• Journal: Chemical Communications
• Print ISSN: 1359-7345
• Electronic ISSN: 1364-548X
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 59
• Issue: 99
• Pages: 14713-14716
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d3cc04334g
• Keywords: Materials Chemistry; Metals and Alloys; Surfaces, Coatings and Films; General Chemistry; Ceramics and Composites; Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials; Catalysis
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/27855035
• Publisher URL: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2023/CC/D3CC04334G