LNAzymes:  Incorporation of LNA-Type Monomers into DNAzymes Markedly Increases RNA Cleavage

Incorporation of two alpha-L-LNA/LNA nucleotides into each of the two binding arms of a "10-23" DNAzyme has been accomplished and the RNA cleavage with these novel LNAzymes studied. In comparison with the unmodified DNAzyme, the LNAzymes show significantly improved cleavage of the phosphodiester backbone at the target nucleotide in a small RNA substrate (58n RNA) under single-turnover conditions. The LNAzymes show efficient multiple turnover. With the LNAzymes, efficient cleavage was accomplished also of a naturally occurring ribosomal RNA at a target site within a highly structured region. The reference DNAzyme was ineffective at cleaving the ribosomal RNA target.