PNAs grafted with (α/γ, R/S)-aminomethylene pendants: Regio and stereo specific effects on DNA binding and improved cell uptake

Abstract

PNAs grafted with cationic aminomethylene (am) pendants on the backbone at the glycyl (α) or ethylenediamine (γ) segments show regio (α/γ) and stereochemistry (R/S) dependent binding with complementary DNA. These are efficiently taken up by cells, with γ(S-am)aeg-PNA being the best in all properties.