Sequence-Specific Free Energy Changes in DNA/RNA Induced by a Single LNA-T Modification in Antisense Oligonucleotides.

2',4'-methylene bridged nucleic acid/locked nucleic acid (2',4'-BNA/LNA; LNA) is a modified nucleic acid that improves the function of antisense oligonucleotide therapeutics. In particular, LNA in the DNA strand increases its binding affinity for the target RNA. Predicting the binding affinities of LNA-containing antisense oligonucleotides and RNA duplexes is useful for designing antisense oligonucleotides.