Two DNA aptamers against a tumor marker protein, human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF
165) were identified. In the screening process, another protein was used as the competitor to isolate those aptamers that have
high specificity for the target. In addition, we evaluated the affinities of the enriched library by means of aptamer blotting.
The isolated aptamers bound to VEGF
165 with a
K
d value in the range of a few hundred nanomoles, and did not bind to the competitor. This selection method enabled us to efficiently
select the specific aptamers against the target protein. These specific aptamers would be useful sensor elements for cancer
diagnosis.
Keywords Aptamer blotting - Cancer diagnosis - Competitor - DNA aptamer - Sensor element - VEGF165