| abstract |
The invention discloses agonistic aptamer, C4-3, which binds the extracellular domain of Tyrosine-related kinase B receptor (TrkB) with high affinity, exhibits potent TrkB partial agonistic activity and neuroprotective effects in cultured cortical neurons, and activates TrkB upon infusion into the hippocampus. The aptamer of the disclosure is also useful for treatment of neurological or neuropsychiatric disorder(s). The invention also describes the cell-based aptamer selection approach for the identification of aptamer-based agonists for a variety of cell-surface signaling receptors. |