title: Applications of triple-stranded nucleic acid structures to DNA purification, detection and analysis.
abstract: Regions of double-stranded (duplex) DNA with purine bases predominantly in one strand and pyrimidine bases in the other may bind oligonucleotides of an appropriate sequence to form triple-stranded (triplex) structures. Oligonucleotide analogs and mimics, such as peptide nucleic acid, may also form stable complexes with duplex DNA. Triplex formation enables the specific targeting of duplex domains. The principles of triplex structures and recent developments in the gene therapeutic and biotechnological applications are briefly reviewed. Adaptations of triplex methodology to molecular diagnostics (DNA purification, detection and analysis) are reviewed in greater detail.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biosciences & Technology, Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center, Houston 77030-3303, USA. vpotaman@ibt.tamu.edu
authors.forename: Vladimir N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Potaman
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D009841:Oligonucleotides; C051802:triplex DNA; D004247:DNA