Peptide nucleic acids (PNA) derived from N-(N-methylaminoethyl)glycine. Synthesis, hybridization and structural properties
Journal article, 1999

Backbone N-methylated peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) containing the four nucleobases adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine were synthesized via solid phase peptide oligomerization. The oligomers bind to their complementary target with a thermal stability that is 1.5-4.5 degrees C lower per "N-methyl nucleobase unit" [dependent on the number and position(s) of the N-methyl] than that of unmodified PNA. However, even fully N-methyl modified PNAs bind as efficiently to DNA or RNA targets as DNA itself. Furthermore, the hybridization efficiency per N-methyl unit in a PNA decreased with increasing N-methyl content, and the effect was more pronounced when the N-methyl backbone units are present in the Hoogsteen versus the Watson-Crick strand in (PNA)(2)-DNA triplexes. Interestingly, CD spectral analyses indicate that 30% (3 out of ten) substitution with N-methyl nucleobases did not alter the structure of PNA-DNA (or RNA) duplexes or (PNA)(2)-DNA triplexes, and likewise CD spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography showed no major structural differences between N-methylated (30%) and unmodified PNA-PNA duplexes. However, PNA-DNA duplexes as well as triplexes adopted a different conformation when formed with all-Ai-methyl PNAs.

Author

G. Haaima

H. Rasmussen

G. Schmidt

D.K. Jensen

J. Sandholm Kastrup

Pernilla Wittung Stafshede

Department of Physical Chemistry

Bengt Nordén

Department of Physical Chemistry

O. Buchardt

P.E. Nielsen

New Journal of Chemistry

1144-0546 (ISSN) 1369-9261 (eISSN)

Vol. 23 8 833-840

Areas of Advance

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (SO 2010-2017, EI 2018-)

Energy

Life Science Engineering (2010-2018)

Materials Science

Subject Categories

Physical Chemistry

Roots

Basic sciences

DOI

10.1039/A902091H

More information

Created

10/7/2017