Similar to DNA and RNA, Peptide Nucleic
Acid (PNA) is quite unique in properties chemically, physically as well as
biologically. Capable of binding to complementary nucleic acid strands, PNA has
become a powerful new bio-molecular tool with multi-applications. In addition,
scientists also extended PNA’s role to be biosensors, molecular probes and
antisense and antigene agents.
What
is PNA?
As expounded by wiki, PNA is a synthesized
polymer that resembles DNA or RNA structurally and makes its debut back in the
year of 1991. Alternatively, PNAs is synthetic homolog of nucleic acids where
the phosphate–sugar polynucleotide backbone is replaced by a flexible
pseudo-peptide polymer to which the nucleobases are linked. The following graph
makes a vivid explanation of this:
Features
of PNA
This structure (as shown in the above graph)
enables PNAs to be hybridized to complementary sequences of DNA and RNA with
high affinity and specificity. This differentiating feature makes PNAs stand
out in a wide range of biological applications. Recently some exciting new PNA
technology has been discovered in genetics and cytogenetics. Another major hybridization
technology based on PNA has caught the eyes of the public.
Applications
of PNA
As the field of DNA/RNA synthesis continues
to expand and advance, synthetic oligonucleotides like PNAs are playing a vital
role in molecular biology, genetic diagnostics and medicine more than ever.
PNA
in antigene and antisense therapy
Due to its high biological stability and
strong inhibiting translation of the target genes, PNA is considered to be a
perfect choice to be applied in antisense technology. They are capable of
binding mRNA. More importantly, they are more stable than other anti-sense
agents due to their nuclease resistant properties, as a result of the
replacement of the deoxyribose phosphate backbone with a polypeptide backbone
in their structures. This helps to conceive a new concept of drug design. The
genetic information could be modulated by antisense and antigene
oligonucleotides.
PNA
as biosensor for nucleic acid
We know that biosensors, featuring high
sensitivity and selectivity, are of paramount importance in fields of genomics,
clinical diagnostics as well as drug discovery. As reached by a group of
scientists, PNA can serve as one type of biosensors, and be used to detect of
mutation point in the human p53 gene. More remains to be discovered.
To sum up, peptide
nucleic acid- a novel class of compound could be applied various
applications in the field of biology. With relevant studies gaining momentum,
more exploitations of PNA technology are sure to be unveiled.
About the Author
With years of experience in the pharmaceutical
industry, Creative Peptides has grown to be a large manufacturer offering
one-stop services including MHC-peptide Tetramer, custom synthesis of stable isotope
labeled peptide sand cell penetrating peptides, etc.
Well-equipped with high-caliber academic and research staff, Creative Peptides
could be your exclusive choice in solving scientific and clinical challenges.
