MINI-REVIEW: Regulation of Gene Expression via Triple Helical Formations

V. Karympalis, K. Kalopita, A. Zarros^*, and H. Carageorgiou

Department of Experimental Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias str., 11527 Athens, Greece; fax: 210-7462554; E-mail: azarros@med.uoa.gr

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received December 9, 2003; Revision received February 10, 2004

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Triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) are a challenging and very promising subject in modern biochemistry and molecular genetics. Over the last decade, several studies have stated that TFOs: a) can bind to DNA in a sequence-specific manner; b) can provoke DNA repair and recombination in mammalian cells, and c) can be a very effective biological tool in embryonic and oncogenic research on gene expression pathways. Herein we review the basic modes in which TFOs exist, their gene-regulation properties, as well as the obstacles that should be overcome before they become useful in clinical practice (chemotherapy and/or gene therapy).

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KEY WORDS: triplex DNA, gene regulation, antisense and antigene drugs, chemotherapy

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