The continuing search for modified nucleic acids with improved properties for use in molecular diagnostics, gene- and RNA-targeting therapies has now lighted on unlocked nucleic acids monomers – which act as acyclic RNA mimics. Unlocked nucleic acids monomers (UNA) were first synthesised over a decade ago, but only now has their potential for therapeutics really been explored.
Structure of a UNA monomer
In this Emerging Area article, Anna Pasternak and Jesper Wengel (University of Southern Denmark) find that UNA monomers inserted into oligonucleotides can modulate the thermodynamic stability of DNA and RNA structures such as duplexes, quadruplexes and i-motifs. This, they hope, will open up new options for designing new quadruplex-based aptamer drugs and superior siRNA constructs due to their high silencing activity and low toxicity.
Download the article to read the full details:
Unlocked nucleic acid – an RNA modification with broad potential
Anna Pasternak and Jesper Wengel
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2011, 9, 3591-3597
DOI: 10.1039/C0OB01085E
