Structural Determinants for the Interactions of Chemically Modified Nucleic Acids with the Stabilin-2 Clearance Receptor

Biochemistry. 2018 Apr 10;57(14):2061-2064. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00126. Epub 2018 Mar 30.

Abstract

The Stabilin receptors are systemic clearance receptors for some classes of chemically modified nucleic acid therapeutics. In this study, the recombinant human secreted ecto-domain of the small isoform of Stabilin-2 (s190) was purified from cell culture and evaluated for direct binding with a multitude of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) using a fluorescence polarization-based assay. The tested ASOs varied in their backbone composition, modification of the ribose 2' position, overall length of the oligo, and sequence of the nucleotide bases. A fully phosphorothioate (PS) ASO with a 5-10-5 pattern of flanking 2'- O-methoxyethyl modifications was then used to test the effects of pH and salt concentration on receptor binding. These tests concluded that the PS backbone was the primary determinant for ASO binding and that decreasing pH and increasing salt generally increased the rate of ligand dissociation and fit within the biological parameters expected of a constitutive recycling receptor. These results will be useful in the rational design of therapeutic oligonucleotides for enhancing their affinity or avoidance of the Stabilin receptors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / chemistry*
  • Fluorescence Polarization*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense / chemistry*
  • Protein Domains
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • STAB2 protein, human