Aptameric inhibition of p210^bcr-abl tyrosine kinase autophosphorylation by oligodeoxynucleotides of defined sequence and backbone structure

Protein tyrosine kinases play key roles in cellular physiology. Specific inhibitors of these enzymes are important laboratory tools and may prove to be novel therapeutic agents. In this report we describe a new class of tyrosine kinase inhibitor, synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs). An ODN is described which specifically inhibits p210^bcr-abl tyrosine kinase autophosphorylation in vitro with a K₁ of 0.5 μM. Inhibition is non-competitive with respect to ATP. The effects upon inhibitory activity of ODN structure modifications are described. The inhibition described is not mediated by classical antisense mechanisms and represents an example of the recently recognized aptameric properties of ODNs.