What is the advantage of using LNA™ in a microRNA real-time PCR assay?
The incorporation of Locked Nucleic Acids (LNA™) into an oligonucleotide increases the binding affinity of that oligonucleotide (primer) to its target (the microRNA template). The increased binding affinity obtained from LNA™-enhanced primers means that very short and yet highly specific primers can be designed for any microRNA sequence, including AT-rich sequences. Compared to DNA-based real-time PCR assays, the LNA™ enhanced primers improve, and in some cases even rescue, an otherwise poorly performing assay. In addition, the incorporation of LNA™ nucleotides makes it possible to make primers with minimal to no sequence overlap, thereby minimizing the risk of primer-dimer formation.
