Potential applications of peptide nucleic acid in biomedical domain

Abstract

Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) are DNA/RNA synthetic analogs with 2-([2-aminoethyl] amino) acetic acid backbone. They partake unique antisense and antigene properties, just due to its inhibitory effect on transcription and translation; they also undergo complementary binding to RNA/DNA with high affinity and specificity. Hence, to date, many methods utilizing PNA for diagnosis and treatment of various diseases namely cancer, AIDS, human papillomavirus, and so on, have been designed and developed. They are being used widely in polymerase chain reaction modulation/mutation, fluorescent in-situ hybridization, and in microarray as a probe; they are also utilized in many in-vitro and in-vivo assays and for developing micro and nano-sized biosensor/chip/array technologies. Earlier reviews, focused only on PNA properties, structure, and modifications related to diagnostics and therapeutics; our review emphasizes on PNA properties and synthesis along with its potential applications in diagnosis and therapeutics. Furthermore, prospects in biomedical applications of PNAs are being discussed in depth.

A SARS-CoV-2 aptasensor based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and low-cost gold electrode substrates.

“…In the Optimer only configuration, the lower concentration of BSA on the electrode surface provides a higher baseline current flux contrasted to configurations with additional BSA block. This is consistent with similar detection schemes, such as the use of nucleic acid probe structures with both morpholino and PNA probes showing higher overall analytical sensitivity because of lower starting impedances providing greater resolution of target binding 31,32 . Testing in clinical samples.…”

A New PNA-FISH Probe Targeting Fannyhessea vaginae

“…Despite being more affordable, DNA-FISH probes often present some low permeability efficiency and affinity, resulting in weaker fluorescence signals. PNA probes overcome some of the disadvantages of DNA probes ( Singh et al., 2020 ). PNA probes are synthetic nucleic acids analogs, where the negatively charged backbone characteristic of DNA structure is replaced by an uncharged polyamide backbone, formed by repetitive units of N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine ( Stender et al., 2002 ; Singh et al., 2020 ).…”

“…PNA probes overcome some of the disadvantages of DNA probes ( Singh et al., 2020 ). PNA probes are synthetic nucleic acids analogs, where the negatively charged backbone characteristic of DNA structure is replaced by an uncharged polyamide backbone, formed by repetitive units of N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine ( Stender et al., 2002 ; Singh et al., 2020 ). The synthetic backbone and consequently the lack of electrostatic repulsion, provides PNA probes unique hybridization characteristics such as improved thermal stability, allowing a stronger binding, higher specificity to complementary sequences and more rapid hybridization kinetics comparing to the traditional DNA probes ( Perry-O’Keefe et al., 2001 ; Stender et al., 2002 ; Shakeel et al., 2006 ).…”

“…The synthetic backbone and consequently the lack of electrostatic repulsion, provides PNA probes unique hybridization characteristics such as improved thermal stability, allowing a stronger binding, higher specificity to complementary sequences and more rapid hybridization kinetics comparing to the traditional DNA probes ( Perry-O’Keefe et al., 2001 ; Stender et al., 2002 ; Shakeel et al., 2006 ). PNA probes also hybridize under low salt concentrations which is ideal for targeting nucleic acids with a high degree of secondary structures, as the absence of salts destabilizes the secondary structures ( Perry-O’Keefe et al., 2001 ; Stender et al., 2002 ; Singh et al., 2020 ). The relative hydrophobic character of PNA probes allows the easy diffusion of the probe through the hydrophobic cell wall of fixed bacteria and yeasts ( Stender et al., 2014 ).…”

“…The relative hydrophobic character of PNA probes allows the easy diffusion of the probe through the hydrophobic cell wall of fixed bacteria and yeasts ( Stender et al., 2014 ). Furthermore, the unnatural backbone provides PNA probes resistance to the degradation by enzymes, such as nucleases and proteases ( Stender et al., 2002 ; Singh et al., 2020 ). All these characteristics have given PNA a remarkable advantage over the use of DNA probes ( Singh et al., 2020 ), and nowadays they are widely used in FISH methodology as means to improve its efficiency.…”