Biotechnological and Therapeutic Applications of Natural Nucleic Acid Structural Motifs
Name
41061_2020_290_ReferencePDF.pdf
Size
2.2 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
c265e3a137c3ac9c8adf4f9cca9ad5d1
Author(s) • •
Duan, Jinwei
Wang, Xing
Kizer, Megan E
Date Issued
February 18, 2020
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Citation
Topics in Current Chemistry. 2020 Feb 18;378(2):26
Version
Author's final manuscript
Abstract
Abstract
Genetic information and the blueprint of life are stored in the form of nucleic acids. The primary sequence of DNA, read from the canonical double helix, provides the code for RNA and protein synthesis. Yet these already-information-rich molecules have higher-order structures which play critical roles in transcription and translation. Uncovering the sequences, parameters, and conditions which govern the formation of these structural motifs has allowed researchers to study them and to utilize them in biotechnological and therapeutic applications in vitro and in vivo. This review covers both DNA and RNA structural motifs found naturally in biological systems including catalytic nucleic acids, non-coding RNA, aptamers, G-quadruplexes, i-motifs, and Holliday junctions. For each category, an overview of the structural characteristics, biological prevalence, and function will be discussed. The biotechnological and therapeutic applications of these structural motifs are highlighted. Future perspectives focus on the addition of proteins and unnatural modifications to enhance structural stability for greater applicability.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Biology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Chemistry
Terms of Use
Article is made available in accordance with the publisher's policy and may be subject to US copyright law. Please refer to the publisher's site for terms of use.
Persistent DSpace Link
DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1007/s41061-020-0290-z