Triplex DNA: Importance and its medical application

Noori Dalooei , M; Mojoodi , A

Volume 56, Issue 4 (1 1998) Tehran Univ Med J 1998, 56(4): 13-22 | Back to browse issues page

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Noori Dalooei M, Mojoodi A. Triplex DNA: Importance and its medical application. Tehran Univ Med J 1998; 56 (4) :13-22
URL: http://tumj.tums.ac.ir/article-1-1533-en.html

Triplex DNA: Importance and its medical application

M Noori Dalooei ^*

, A Mojoodi

Abstract: (16981 Views)

Back in 1957, when investigators produced a triple-stranded form of DNA while studying synthetic nucleic acids, few researchers paid much attention to the discovery. However, triplex DNA was never entirely forgotton and especially since 1987 its structural and functional importance in biological systems as well as its medical applications and therapeutic potentional have been extensively studied. It was suggested that in triplex DNA, the third strand was hydrogen bonded and positioned in the major groove of the Watson-Crick duplex. Protein binding assays show that triplex formation by HR21ap inhibits Sp1 binding to the Ha-ras promoter. These results suggest that the triplex formation by the Ha-ras promoter targed oligonucleotide may provide a means to specifically inhibit transcription of this oncogene in vivo. Triplex DNA can disrupt gene transcriptions and can be used as of this oncogene in vivo. Triplex DNA can disrupt gene transcriptions and can be used as a new strategy for treating viral diseases, such as AIDS, by blocking virus reproduction. As discussed in this article, for a number of reasons, interest in oligonucleotide designed for triplex helices on dsDNA is being steadily increased (including their potential artificial repressors of gene expression, mediator of site specific DNA cleavage and therapeutic use for genetic diseases, cancer and diseases caused by viruses).

Keywords: Triplex, Transcription

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