MODULAR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF NUCLEIC ACID MOLECULES, APTAMER-DERIVED NUCLEIC ACID CONSTRUCTS, RNA SCAFFOLDS, THEIR EXPRESSION, AND METHODS OF USE

摘要

The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule comprised of first and second nucleic acid elements that each bind a target molecule, and a three­ way junction operably linking the first and second nucleic elements. Also disclosed is an RNA scaffold comprising first and second RNA receptor regions operably linked by a three-way junction, wherein the first and second RNA receptor regions each comprise a stem defined by at least two sets of consecutive, canonic, paired bases. A method of using a multivalent nucleic acid aptamer to bring a first and second target molecule into proximity of one another is also disclosed. Also disclosed are constructed DNA molecules, engineered genes, transgenic non-human organisms, methods of modifying activity of target molecules, and functional RNA molecules comprising an RNA scaffold and one or more functional modules. A method for modular design and construction of nucleic acid molecules is also disclosed.