ENA oligonucleotides as therapeutics

Curr Opin Mol Ther. 2006 Apr;8(2):144-9.

Abstract

Oligonucleotides containing 2'-O,4'-C-ethylene-bridged nucleic acid (ENA) residues have two notable properties: (i) considerable affinity to complementary single-stranded RNA and double-stranded DNA; and (ii) dramatically high resistance against nucleases. On the basis of these properties, the in vitro and in vivo applications of ENA for gene silencing as antisense oligonucleotides, triplex-forming oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs are discussed here. ENA oligonucleotides also have potential as therapeutic agents for Duchenne muscular dystrophy by a mechanism of exon skipping.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bridged-Ring Compounds / chemical synthesis
  • Bridged-Ring Compounds / chemistry
  • Ethylenes / chemical synthesis
  • Ethylenes / chemistry*
  • Exons
  • Humans
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nucleic Acids / chemical synthesis
  • Nucleic Acids / chemistry*
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense / chemical synthesis
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense / chemistry*
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense / genetics
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense / pharmacology*
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense / therapeutic use*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism

Substances

  • Bridged-Ring Compounds
  • Ethylenes
  • Nucleic Acids
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense
  • RNA, Small Interfering