Comparing the Binding Affinity of RNA Aptamers for Targeted Cancer Cell Therapy
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates from a lymphoid progenitor, specifically B-cells. These cancerous B-cells are found to have an over expression of a B-cell activating factor receptor (BAFF-R) protein on its cell surface. When this receptor binds to B-cell activating factor (BAFF) ligand, it induces a robust proliferation event allowing for survival factors to activate and promote the cells to rapidly spread systemically throughout the body. To counteract and inhibit the binding between BAFF-R and BAFF ligand in B- cells with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a RNA aptamer can be utilized to bind directly to BAFF-R thus outcompeting and preventing the BAFF ligand from binding to the receptor; ultimately, preventing the cancerous cells from proliferating. To analyze the specificity of BAFF-R and the RNA aptamer, we must first test the affinity by comparing the RNA aptamer to a Random RNA aptamer using electrophoresis mobility shift assays (EMSA). Once proven that the RNA aptamer has a stronger affinity for BAFF-R we can then manipulate the RNA aptamer and focus on specific interactions to increase specificity including factors such as nucleotides.