| Summary: | The structures of RNAs determine their functions including protein coding, catalysis, and gene regulation. RNAs are emerging as important therapeutic targets and diagnosis biomarkers. Compared to targeting RNAs through duplex formation, targeting the pre-formed dsRNA regions through structure-specific triplex formation provides a complementary RNA probing/targeting strategy. However, triplex formation through Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding for all base pairs at near-physiological conditions is relatively challenging. We have developed a second-generation modified btU PNA monomer derived from uracil, which recognizes the Watson–Crick A-U base pair and shows fluorescence light-up effect upon binding to dsRNAs. In addition, we developed a novel PNA R monomer for the sequence and structure specific recognition of Watson–Crick G-C base pairs in dsRNAs under physiological pH conditions. Our work provides a modular PNA-based platform for the recognition of biomedically important RNAs for applications in diagnosis and therapeutics.
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