Substrate Specificity of T7 RNA Polymerase toward Hypophosphoric Analogues of ATP.

Modified nucleotides are commonly used in molecular biology as substrates or inhibitors for several enzymes but also as tools for the synthesis of modified DNA and RNA fragments. Introduction of modification into RNA, such as phosphorothioate (PS), has been demonstrated to provide higher stability, more effective transport, and enhanced activity of potential therapeutic molecules. Hence, in order to achieve widespread use of RNA molecules in medicine, it is crucial to continuously refine the techniques that enable the effective introduction of modifications into RNA strands.

Modified Nucleotides for Chemical and Enzymatic Synthesis of Therapeutic RNA.

In recent years, RNA has emerged as a medium with a broad spectrum of therapeutic potential, however, for years, a group of short RNA fragments was studied and considered therapeutic molecules. In nature, RNA plays both functions, with coding and non-coding potential. For RNA, like any other therapeutic, to be used clinically, certain barriers must be crossed.

Gold Nanoparticles as Carriers for Functional RNA Nanostructures.

Conjugates of gold nanoparticles and ribonucleic acid are particularly interesting for biological applications to serve as therapeutics or biosensors. In this paper we present, for the first time, a conjugate of gold nanoparticles and structural RNA (tectoRNA), which serves as a tool for gene expression regulation. The tectoRNA trimer was modified to facilitate the introduction of a thiol linker, which aids the formation of stable RNA:AuNP conjugates.