The Effects of FANA Modifications on Non-canonical Nucleic Acid Structures

Abstract

Initially explored for its antiviral applications, the 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoroarabino nucleoside is now widely incorporated into oligonucleotides for applications in structure elucidation, synthetic genetics, and therapeutics, among others. This chapter explores the use of 2′-fluoroarabino nucleic acids (FANA) in the context of noncanonical nucleic acid structures, namely triple helices, G-quadruplexes, and i-motifs. For the last three decades, FANA has been utilized to understand biophysical properties associated with these structures and to stabilize certain conformers or even manipulate their topology. Owing to its DNA-like character and the flexibility of its sugar pucker, FANA has also been explored in biochemical contexts, including its interactions with thrombin and human telomerase. Despite years of research, novel properties of FANA are still being uncovered today; indeed, FANA promises to consistently serve as an exemplary tool for chemists and molecular biologists investigating nucleic acid phenomena.