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Wang J, Yu H. Threose nucleic acid as a primitive genetic polymer and a contemporary molecular tool. Bioorg Chem 2024; 143:107049. [PMID: 38150936 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.107049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acids serve a dual role as both genetic materials in living organisms and versatile molecular tools for various applications. Threose nuclei acid (TNA) stands out as a synthetic genetic polymer, holding potential as a primitive genetic material and as a contemporary molecular tool. In this review, we aim to provide an extensive overview of TNA research progress in these two key aspects. We begin with a retrospect of the initial discovery of TNA, followed by an in-depth look at the structural features of TNA duplex and experimental assessment of TNA as a possible RNA progenitor during early evolution of life on Earth. In the subsequent section, we delve into the recent development of TNA molecular tools such as aptamers, catalysts and antisense oligonucleotides. We emphasize the practical application of functional TNA molecules in the realms of targeted protein degradation and selective gene silencing. Our review culminates with a discussion of future research directions and the technical challenges that remain to be addressed in the field of TNA research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Hanyang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
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Gao M, Wei D, Chen S, Qin B, Wang Y, Li Z, Yu H. Selection of RNA-Cleaving TNA Enzymes for Cellular Mg 2+ Imaging. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202200651. [PMID: 36513605 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Catalytic DNA-based fluorescent sensors have enabled cellular imaging of metal ions such as Mg2+ . However, natural DNA is prone to nuclease-mediated degradation. Here, we report the in vitro selection of threose nucleic acid enzymes (TNAzymes) with RNA endonuclease activities. One such TNAzyme, T17-22, catalyzes a site-specific RNA cleavage reaction with a kcat of 0.017 min-1 and KM of 675 nM. A fluorescent sensor based on T17-22 responds to an increasing concentration of Mg2+ with a limit of detection at 0.35 mM. This TNAzyme-based sensor also allows cellular imaging of Mg2+ . This work presents the first proof-of-concept demonstration of using a TNA catalyst in cellular metal ion imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingmei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry Department of Biomedical Engineering College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC) Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Dongying Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry Department of Biomedical Engineering College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC) Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Siqi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry Department of Biomedical Engineering College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC) Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Bohe Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry Department of Biomedical Engineering College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC) Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Yueyao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry Department of Biomedical Engineering College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC) Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Zhe Li
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science Department of Biomedical Engineering College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Hanyang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry Department of Biomedical Engineering College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC) Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, P. R. China
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