Antigene property of PNA conjugated to the nuclear localization signal peptide

Nucleosides Nucleotides Nucleic Acids. 2005;24(5-7):971-4. doi: 10.1081/ncn-200059333.

Abstract

Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is a DNA mimic with antigene properties. To enhance its capacity to enter in the cell and internalize in the nucleus, PNA has been conjugated to the nuclear localization signal (NLS) peptide, PKKKRKV PNA-NLS conjugates form stable hybrids with complementary DNA strands and poorly tolerate mismatched base pairing. Employed against cancer-associated genes, PNA-NLS exhibited a potent and specific antigene activity, suggesting exciting therapeutic approaches to cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • DNA, Complementary / metabolism
  • Genes, ras
  • Humans
  • Models, Genetic
  • Molecular Biology / methods*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Nuclear Localization Signals
  • Nucleic Acid Denaturation
  • Pancreas / metabolism
  • Peptide Nucleic Acids / chemistry*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Protein Sorting Signals*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • ras Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • Nuclear Localization Signals
  • Peptide Nucleic Acids
  • Peptides
  • Protein Sorting Signals
  • RNA, Messenger
  • ras Proteins