Design and Hybridization Properties of Acyclic Xeno Nucleic Acid Oligomers

Xeno nucleic acids (XNAs) are analogues of DNA and RNA that have a non-ribose artificial scaffold. XNAs are possible prebiotic genetic carriers as well as alternative genetic systems in artificial life. In addition, XNA oligomers can be used as biological tools. Acyclic XNAs, which do not have cyclic scaffolds, are attractive due to facile their synthesis and remarkably high nuclease resistance. To maximize the performance of XNAs, a negatively charged backbone is preferable to provide sufficient water solubility; however, acyclic XNAs containing polyanionic backbones suffer from high entropy cost upon duplex formation, because of the high flexibility of the acyclic nature. Herein, we review the relationships between the structure and duplex hybridization properties of various acyclic XNA oligomers with polyanion backbones.

Automated summary

Xeno nucleic acids (XNAs) are analogues of DNA and RNA with non-ribose scaffolds, potentially serving as prebiotic genetic carriers or alternative genetic systems in artificial life, and as biological tools. Acyclic XNAs, lacking cyclic scaffolds, are attractive for their easy synthesis and high nuclease resistance. However, acyclic XNAs with polyanionic backbones face challenges due to high entropy cost during duplex formation.