RNA modified with acyclic threoninol nucleic acids for RNA interference

Abstract

Although synthetic small interfering RNA (siRNA) has been extensively used to downregulate any protein-coding mRNA, several key issues still remain unsolved. The acyclic threoninol nucleic acid (aTNA), placed at certain siRNA positions, is a useful modification to reduce the oligonucleotides vulnerability towards nucleases. In addition, it can be exploited to avoid several OFF-target effects that limit the biological safety of the RNAi-based agents.