Incorporating uracil and 5-halouracils into short peptide nucleic acids for enhanced recognition of A-U pairs in dsRNAs.

ABSTRACT: Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) structures form triplexes and RNA-protein complexes through binding to single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) regions and proteins, respectively, for diverse biological functions. Hence, targeting dsRNAs through major-groove triplex formation is a promising strategy for the development of chemical probes and potential therapeutics. Short (e.g., 6-10 mer) chemically-modified Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs) have been developed that bind to dsRNAs sequence specifically at physiological conditions. For example, a PNA incorporating a modified base thio-pseudoisocytosine (L) has an enhanced recognition of a G-C pair in an RNA duplex through major-groove L·G-C base triple formation at physiological pH, with reduced pH dependence as observed for C+·G-C base triple formation. Currentl

SUBMITTER: Patil KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6125629 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature