Abstract: Disclosed is providing a novel VEGF-binding aptamer whose affinity to VEGF is higher than those of known VEGF-binding aptamers. By an in silico maturation method starting from a known VEGF-binding aptamer, 4 kinds of aptamers whose affinities to VEGF are higher than that of the known VEGF-binding aptamer were prepared. By linking two molecules of an obtained aptamer to each other via a linker, an aptamer having an even higher affinity to VEGF was obtained. The polynucleotide of the present invention contains the base sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:1 to 4, and binds to vascular endothelial growth factor.

Abstract: An aptamer having a G-quartet structure and being at least one selected from the group consisting of the following polynucleotides, the aptamer having a binding ability to an amyloid protein oligomer: (1) a polynucleotide comprising a base sequence represented by any one of SEQ ID NO:1 to SEQ ID NO:18; (2) a polynucleotide comprising a base sequence that includes at least four sets of at least two consecutive guanosine nucleotides and in which one or several bases has been deleted, substituted, or added in a base sequence represented by any one of SEQ ID NO:18; and (3) a polynucleotide that is a multimer including the polynucleotide of (1) or (2) as a structural unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is providing, a novel VEGF-binding aptamer whose affinity to VEGF is higher than those of known VEGF-binding aptamers. By a in silico maturation method starting from a known VEGF-binding aptamer, 4 kinds of aptamers whose affinities to VEGF are higher than that of the known VEGF-binding aptamer were prepared. By linking two molecules of an obtained aptamer to each other via a linker, an aptamer having an even higher affinity to VEGF was obtained. The polynucleotide of the present invention contains the base sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs:1 to 4, and binds to vascular endothelial growth factor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aptamer that binds to prostate-specific antigen (PSA), the aptamer including: a preceding region having a random polynucleotide sequence consisting of from 1 to 10 nucleotides; a first region, at a 3? end of the preceding region, consisting of nnnnCT wherein each n is independently selected from A, T, G and C; a second region consisting of nnCTTT wherein each n is independently selected from A, T, G and C, and at least one part of the second region is complementary to the first region; and a third region positioned between the first region and the second region and consisting of a random polynucleotide sequence having from 3 to 30 nucleotides.

Abstract: In one form, a fructosyl peptidyl oxidase derived from a budding yeast Phaeosphaeria nodorum for assaying a glycated protein in a sample is provided. The fructosyl peptidyl oxidase has higher activity toward fructosyl valine as well as fructosyl valyl histidine, and may be useful in assaying HbA1c with higher sensitivity and specificity. Still, other forms include unique methods, techniques, systems and devices involving a fructosyl peptidyl oxidase.

Abstract: In one form, a fructosyl peptidyl oxidase derived from a budding yeast Phaeosphaeria nodorum for assaying a glycated protein in a sample is provided. The fructosyl peptidyl oxidase has higher activity toward fructosyl valine as well as fructosyl valyl histidine, and may be useful in assaying HbA1c with higher sensitivity and specificity. Still, other forms include unique methods, techniques, systems and devices involving a fructosyl peptidyl oxidase.

Abstract: In one form, a fructosyl peptidyl oxidase derived from a budding yeast Phaeosphaeria nodorum for assaying a glycated protein in a sample is provided. The fructosyl peptidyl oxidase has higher activity toward fructosyl valine as well as fructosyl valyl histidine, and may be useful in assaying HbA1c with higher sensitivity and specificity. Still, other forms include unique methods, techniques, systems and devices involving a fructosyl peptidyl oxidase.

Abstract: An aptamer having a G-quartet structure and being at least one selected from the group consisting of the following polynucleotides, the aptamer having a binding ability to an amyloid protein oligomer: (1) a polynucleotide comprising a base sequence represented by any one of SEQ ID NO:1 to SEQ ID NO:18; (2) a polynucleotide comprising a base sequence that includes at least four sets of at least two consecutive guanosine nucleotides and in which one or several bases has been deleted, substituted, or added in a base sequence represented by any one of SEQ ID NO:18; and (3) a polynucleotide that is a multimer including the polynucleotide of (1) or (2) as a structural unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aptamer that binds to prostate-specific antigen (PSA), the aptamer including: a preceding region having a random polynucleotide sequence consisting of from 1 to 10 nucleotides; a first region, at a 3? end of the preceding region, consisting of nnnnCT wherein each n is independently selected from A, T, G and C; a second region consisting of nnCTTT wherein each n is independently selected from A, T, G and C, and at least one part of the second region is complementary to the first region; and a third region positioned between the first region and the second region and consisting of a random polynucleotide sequence having from 3 to 30 nucleotides.

Abstract: In one form, a mutant fructosyl amino acid oxidase modified at an amino acid residue involved in a proton relay system is provided. The mutant fructosyl amino acid oxidase has reduced oxidase activity while substantially maintaining its dehydrogenase activity. Other forms include an assay device and assay method for measuring glycated protein. Still, other forms include unique methods, techniques, systems and devices involving a mutant fructosyl amino acid oxidase.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for assaying a target substance in a sample and an apparatus for the method. The method can specifically assay the target substance in the sample without using any antibody against the target substance. The assaying method includes simultaneously or successively bringing a labeled aptamer, the target substance in the sample and a solid phase into contact together, and then measuring the label of the aptamer which has not been bound on the solid phase. The labeled aptamer has a property of binding to the target substance. The solid phase carries an oligonucleotide immobilized on it in an excess amount relative to the target substance. The oligonucleotide is hybridizable with the labeled aptamer when the labeled aptamer is in a state that it is not bound to the target substance, but is not hybridizable with the labeled aptamer when the labeled aptamer is in a state that it is bound to the target substance.

Abstract: The invention is to easily detect an interaction between nucleic acid and protein with high sensitivity without the need of sample labeling with a fluorescent molecule or sample anchorage onto a metal thin-film. As means for it, the presence or absence of occurrence of the interaction between nucleic acid and protein in a sample (S) is detected in an optical manner. Specifically, the sample (S) is irradiated with excitation rays (Le) and with measuring rays (L2) for measuring a photothermal effect produced in the sample (S) through the irradiation with the excitation rays (Le). A measurement signal for the photothermal effect in the sample (S) by the excitation rays (Le) is produced on the basis of any phase change of the measuring rays (L2). A temporal variation in the measurement signal is used for making a judgment on the presence or absence of any occurrence of interaction between nucleic acid and protein.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to detect a small biomolecule in a sample using simple and inexpensive equipment. To achieve this, the small biomolecule in a sample S is detected optically. Specifically, the sample S containing an aptamer capable of interacting with the small biomolecule is irradiated with an excitation light Le and irradiated with a measurement light L2 for measuring the photothermal effect produced in the sample S by the irradiation with the excitation light Le. The photothermal effect induced in the sample S by the excitation light Le is measured from the phase change in the measurement light L2, and the presence or absence of the interaction between the biomolecule and the aptamer is assessed based on the temporal variation in the measurement signal.

Abstract: An aptamer-probe complex for detecting the presence of a target molecule is disclosed. The complex of the present invention contains an aptamer moiety which is able to bind to an indicator protein and change the properties of the indicator protein, and a probe moiety which is able to bind to a target molecule, wherein the aptamer moiety and the probe moiety are combined in such a manner that the binding mode between the aptamer moiety and the indicator protein changes when the probe moiety binds to the target molecule. A target molecule can be detected with combination of an aptamer which binds to a certain protein, and a probe which binds to the target molecule, utilizing the properties of that protein as an indicator.

Abstract: In one form, a mutant fructosyl amino acid oxidase modified at an amino acid residue involved in a proton relay system is provided. The mutant fructosyl amino acid oxidase has reduced oxidase activity while substantially maintaining its dehydrogenase activity. Other forms include an assay device and assay method for measuring glycated protein. Still, other forms include unique methods, techniques, systems and devices involving a mutant fructosyl amino acid oxidase.

Abstract: In one form, a fructosyl peptidyl oxidase derived from a budding yeast Phaeosphaeria nodorum for assaying a glycated protein in a sample is provided. The fructosyl peptidyl oxidase has higher activity toward fructosyl valine as well as fructosyl valyl histidine, and may be useful in assaying HbA1c with higher sensitivity and specificity. Still, other forms include unique methods, techniques, systems and devices involving a fructosyl peptidyl oxidase.

Abstract: A method for measuring a test substance whereby the test substance in a sample can be specifically measured without using an antibody against the test substance; an aptamer molecule used therefor; and a method for creating the aptamer are disclosed. An aptamer capable of hybridizing with an oligonucleotide when it is bound to a test substance, but is incapable of hybridizing with the oligonucleotide when it is not bound to the test substance, is utilized. The aptamer is brought into contact with a sample, and the aptamer bound to the test substance is brought into contact with an immobilized oligonucleotide which hybridizes with the aptamer, to bind the aptamer to a solid phase, followed by measurement of the aptamer immobilized on the solid phase.

Abstract: An aptamer-probe complex for detecting the presence of a target molecule is disclosed. The complex of the present invention contains an aptamer moiety which is able to bind to an indicator protein and change the properties of the indicator protein, and a probe moiety which is able to bind to a target molecule, wherein the aptamer moiety and the probe moiety are combined in such a manner that the binding mode between the aptamer moiety and the indicator protein changes when the probe moiety binds to the target molecule. A target molecule can be detected with combination of an aptamer which binds to a certain protein, and a probe which binds to the target molecule, utilizing the properties of that protein as an indicator.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to detect a small biomolecule in a sample using simple and inexpensive equipment. To achieve this, the small biomolecule in a sample S is detected optically. Specifically, the sample S containing an aptamer capable of interacting with the small biomolecule is irradiated with an excitation light Le and irradiated with a measurement light L2 for measuring the photothermal effect produced in the sample S by the irradiation with the excitation light Le. The photothermal effect induced in the sample S by the excitation light Le is measured from the phase change in the measurement light L2, and the presence or absence of the interaction between the biomolecule and the aptamer is assessed based on the temporal variation in the measurement signal.

Abstract: An aptamer-probe complex for detecting the presence of a target molecule is disclosed. The complex of the present invention contains an aptamer moiety which is able to bind to an indicator protein and change the properties of the indicator protein, and a probe moiety which is able to bind to a target molecule, wherein the aptamer moiety and the probe moiety are combined in such a manner that the binding mode between the aptamer moiety and the indicator protein changes when the probe moiety binds to the target molecule. A target molecule can be detected with combination of an aptamer which binds to a certain protein, and a probe which binds to the target molecule, utilizing the properties of that protein as an indicator.