Oligonucleotides as therapeutic agents

Oligodeoxynucleotides can act as antisense complements to target sequences of mRNAs to selectively regulate gene expression. Chemically modified analogs that are nuclease-resistant enable this antisense strategy to be utilized in practice. Studies with oligodeoxynucleotide analogs in cell free systems, and their cellular uptake will be described. Certain analogs have been found to regulate viral and cellular gene expression. However, some also inhibit in a non-specific manner, that may be traced to their selective inhibition of viral and cellular polymerases. A chemically modified oligodeoxynucleotide analog can be regarded as an informational drug.