Identification of DNA aptamers toward epithelial cell adhesion molecule via cell-SELEX

Mol Cells. 2014 Oct 31;37(10):742-6. doi: 10.14348/molcells.2014.0208. Epub 2014 Sep 29.

Abstract

The epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM, also known as CD326) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is specifically detected in most adenocarcinomas and cancer stem cells. In this study, we performed a Cell systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) experiment to isolate the aptamers against EpCAM. After seven round of Cell SELEX, we identified several aptamer candidates. Among the selected aptamers, EP166 specifically binds to cells expressing EpCAM with an equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) in a micromolar range. On the other hand, it did not bind to negative control cells. Moreover, EP166 binds to J1ES cells, a mouse embryonic stem cell line. Therefore, the isolated aptamers against EpCAM could be used as a stem cell marker or in other applications in both stem cell and cancer studies.

Keywords: EpCAM; SELEX; aptamer; stem cell marker.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism*
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / isolation & purification
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / metabolism*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Protein Binding
  • SELEX Aptamer Technique / methods*

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule