Site-selective and inducible acylation of thrombin using aptamer-catalyst conjugates.

Two acyl-transfer catalysts were conjugated to thrombin-binding DNA aptamers to perform thrombin acylation. Modification occurred site-selectively on Lys (>>Ser) residues proximal to the respective aptamer-thrombin interface, is selective for thrombin in competitive assays, and the activity of both DNA-catalysts could be controlled by an external trigger.