Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNA)--the explorer of gene mystery

Peptide Nucleic Acids(PNA) are DNA analogues in which the naturally occurring nucleobases are attached via methylene carbonyl linkages to an achiral pseudopeptide backbone of N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine units. PNA can bind to both DNA and RNA targets in a sequence-specific manner. PNA provides a powerful tool to study the mechanism for gene replication and transcription as well as an innovative strategy to regulate target gene expression. Advances as a probe in molecular biotechnology have greatly improved the sensitivity and the efficiency in genetic investigations and diagnosis. Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) which recognizes and binds to a complementary nucleic acid sequence presents unique physicochemical properties and has been incorporated into an expanding set of biological investigations. Accordingly, PNA is becoming the explorer of gene mystery.