Sequence-selective recognition of DNA by strand displacement with a thymine-substituted polyamide

O Buchardt, Peter E. Nielsen

Abstract

A polyamide nucleic acid (PNA) was designed by detaching the deoxyribose phosphate backbone of DNA in a computer model and replacing it with an achiral polyamide backbone. On the basis of this model, oligomers consisting of thymine-linked aminoethylglycyl units were prepared. These oligomers recognize their complementary target in double-stranded DNA by strand displacement. The displacement is made possible by the extraordinarily high stability of the PNA-DNA hybrids. The results show that the backbone of DNA can be replaced by a polyamide, with the resulting oligomer retaining base-specific hybridization.

Original languageEnglish
JournalScience (New York, N.Y.)
Volume254
Issue number5037
Pages (from-to)1497-500
Number of pages4
ISSN0036-8075
Publication statusPublished - 6 Dec 1991

Keywords

  • Base Sequence
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nylons/chemistry
  • Oligonucleotides/chemistry
  • Photochemistry
  • Thermodynamics

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