In vitro stability of alpha-helical peptide nucleic acids (alpha PNAs)

Citation
P. Garner et al., In vitro stability of alpha-helical peptide nucleic acids (alpha PNAs), BIOORG MED, 11(17), 2001, pp. 2315-2317
Citations number
13
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Chemistry & Analysis
Journal title
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
ISSN journal
0960-894X → ACNP
Volume
11
Issue
17
Year of publication
2001
Pages
2315 - 2317
Database
ISI
SICI code
0960-894X(20010903)11:17<2315:IVSOAP>2.0.ZU;2-G
Abstract
alpha -helical peptide nucleic acids (alpha PNAs) are synthetic molecules t hat merge the a-helix secondary structure of peptides with the codified Wat son-Crick base pairing capability of nucleic acids. It is now demonstrated that aPNAs made up of either L- Or D-amino acids are resistant to degradati on by the proteases present in human serum. The increased stability of aPNA s towards proteases may be attributable to the presence of unnatural nucleo amino acid residues [-NHCH(CH2OCH2B)CO, where B = thymine or cytosine] sinc e the replacement of these amino acids by serine yields a control peptide t hat does break down in human serum. The stability of alpha PNAs towards pro teases makes them attractive candidates for further development as antisens e agents. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.