Poster abstracts
Poster number 2 submitted by Debmalya Bhunia
Design and Synthesis of DNA/RNA Targeted Novel α-PNAs Based on Amino Side Chains
Debmalya Bhunia (Chemistry and Biochemistry), Shekaraiah Devari (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
Abstract:
Most recently, DNA/RNA targeted molecules have achieved significant attention around the globe due to huge implications in the field of drug discovery. Among them, α-PNAs (Peptide-nucleic acid) play potential role as they target DNA/RNA through base pairing recognition and significant binding efficacy.1 Herein, we have designed and synthesized a library novel peptide cognates (α-PNA) consisted with Melamine (M) and various nucleobases [cytosine (C), Uracil (U), Adenine (A), and Guanine (G)] having amino side chains. Most interestingly, our newly synthesized α-PNAs exhibit significant thermal denaturation (Tm) with targeted ssDNA with higher specificity. These DNA/RNA mimicking peptides may target the non-coding RNA (MALAT1), extremely overexpressed in various cancer cells (lung, pancreatic, cervical etc).2 Our focus is to knockdown the MALAT1 gene, ultimately reduce the tumor growth and metastasis in pre-clinical studies.
References:
1. X. Xia, X. Piao, and D. Bong, Bifacial peptide nucleic acid as an allosteric switch for aptamer and ribozyme function. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014,136, 7265–7268.
2. A. Donlic, B. S. Morgan, J. L. Xu, A. Liu, C. Roble, Jr., and A. E. Hargrove, Discovery of Small Molecule Ligands for MALAT1 by Tuning an RNA Binding Scaffold. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57, 13242-13247.
Keywords: DNARNA, Peptide Nucleic Acid, MALAT1