Fluorescent markers for computer modeled antisense peptide nucleic acids against Simian virus 40 large T-antigen

Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNA's) are DNA analogues which have had the traditional phosphodiester backbone replaced by an uncharged peptide backbone. PNA's have shown promise as possible antisense inhibitors of gene expression (Hanvey et al. 1992). The study of the antisense effects of a PNA is demonstrable using microinjection to deliver the PNA into a cell's nucleus along with a gene marker of microinjection efficiency, beta galactosidase (betagal), and target gene Simian Virus 40 large T antigen (SV40 TAg). Expression of SV40 TAg in comparison to marker betagal expression is assayed by dual immunofluorescence. For this thesis, an antisense PNA was targeted against SV40 TAg, and a novel reporter system was devised. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).