Zn(super 2+) -dependent peptide nucleic acids probes

The potential of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) to act as an antisense and antigene agent, makes it similar to a DNA that has excellent binding affinity and sequence specificity toward oligonucleotides. The ability of Zn(super 2+), to increase the binding affinity of terminally modified PNA to DNA targets in vitro, is described for the first time.