DNA structures and its siblings

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the structural differences and applications of Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) and Morpholino. PNA features a synthetic peptide backbone made from N-(2-amino-ethyl)-glycine units, lacking the ring structure found in Morpholino and DNA. PNA is utilized in gene silencing, translation inhibition, and gene-specific expression due to its ability to bind to natural nucleic acids and disrupt their functions. The conversation highlights the stability of synthetic nucleic acids, which can be used to create RNA interference (RNAi) probes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of nucleic acid structures, specifically DNA and RNA.
  • Familiarity with synthetic nucleic acids and their applications.
  • Knowledge of gene silencing techniques.
  • Basic concepts of molecular biology and biochemistry.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the structural differences between PNA, Morpholino, and DNA.
  • Explore the mechanisms of gene silencing using PNA and RNAi probes.
  • Investigate the stability and applications of synthetic nucleic acids in molecular biology.
  • Learn about the synthesis and design of PNA for specific gene targeting.
USEFUL FOR

Researchers in molecular biology, genetic engineers, and professionals involved in gene therapy and synthetic biology will benefit from this discussion.

Pattielli
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I would like to ask a question about PNA and Morpholino... I am sorry, I look at their structure images but I still couldn't see anything that can be called similarities. The Morpholino has ring structure which is the same as DNA but PNA has no rings at all...

Would you please explain a little more about this for me ?

Thank you very much,
 
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Peptide nucleic acide (PNA) is a nucleic acid analog in which the sugar phosphate backbone of natural nucleic acid has been replaced by a synthetic peptide backbone usually formed from N-(2-amino-ethyl)-glycine units, resulting in an achiral and uncharged mimic.

http://people.bu.edu/hkuhn/images/FASEB_review.pdf
 
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So what would be the applications of this PNA nucleic acid analog?
 
Gene silencing, Inhibition of translation and gene specific expression.

http://www.cell-research.com/20042/111.pdf
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=19253
 
Last edited by a moderator:
The molecule is able to bind to regular nucleic acids and thereby disturbs their function, what I understand from a quick look. There are also synthetic nucleic acids that look like RNA, but cannot degraded, thus stable RNAi probes can be made from those, which in turn are used for gene silencing. Apparently two different approaches with synthetic nucleic acids?
 

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