LNA - Locked nucleic acids

Synonyms: Locked nucleobase analogs

LNA - Locked Nucleic Acids are synthetic modified nucleic acids where the carbohydrate part of the nucleic acid has been synthetically changed. The modification results in an increased bonding strength between the DNA-bases in a double-helix when one of the DNA-bases has been modified. The overall result is a higher melting point of a DNA double-helix containing LNA-modified nucleic acids and thereby an increased stability. By designing the complementary DNA-strand in a double helix so it consist more or les of LNA-units, it is possible to regulate the rate of transcription - even to block it completely. In this way it is possible to control the expression of genes and thereby the synthesis of selected proteins. The LNA technology is therefore a promising tool in the treatment of diseases which originate from genetic defects.

See also: DNA, the genetic code, RNA and UNA.

Normal nucleic acid units	LNA units
Adenosine unit	LNA Adenosine unit
Guanosine unit	LNA Guanosine unit
Thymidine unit	LNA-Thymdine unit
Cytidine unit	LNA 5-Methylcytidine unit

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