SELEX is a method of the identification of high affinity aptamers for a surprising variety of molecular targets including nucleic acid binding proteins, non-nucleic acid binding proteins as well as small organic molecules. The aptamers against enzymes involved in infectious, malignant diseases are still being discovered by the process of SELEX. This procedure might be a way of finding new drugs that specifically and effectively block viral replication, e.g. HIV.
Hepatitis C virus belongs to the group of particularly dangerous and most extensively studied RNA viruses. Since no vaccine for HCV is known and post-exposure treatment of infected patients has not been yet optimal, novel therapeutic strategies are being developed very intensively. Oligonucleotide-based molecular tools such as antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes, DNAzymes, aptamers and interfering RNAs are proving as effective modulators of gene expression and potential therapeutics. Several examples of oligonucleotide-based molecular tools directed towards HCV viral RNA are discussed in this review.
JavaScript is turned off in your web browser. Turn it on to take full advantage of this site, then refresh the page.