Journal: Current Medicinal Chemistry
Guest editor(s):Dr. Katarzyna Kulik
Co-Guest Editor(s): Barbara Nawrot

Introduction

Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in such modified nucleic acid analogues reflects the ongoing exploration of their numerous applications in various scientific disciplines, from fundamental studies on the structure and function of nucleic acids to the development of advanced biotechnological and therapeutic tools. The current thematic issue will summarize the latest data on the chemical synthesis of chalcogen-modified nucleic acids analogues and their potential therapeutic applications. In addition, special attention will be also given to naturally occurring sulfur- and selenium-modified ribonucleosides, including advances in the study of their biological functions and biosynthetic pathways. In this special issue, we would like to provide researchers with a brief summary of recent efforts to develop analytical methods for the detection of sulfur and selenium modifications in nucleic acids. The throughput of detecting chalcogen modifications in nucleic acids plays a crucial role in a deeper understanding of their biological significance and could potentially be used for disease diagnosis.

Keywords

Thionucleosides, Selenonucleosides, Modified ribonucleosides, Drug discovery, Nucleic acids, Oligonucleotides, RNA modifications

Sub-topics

Chemical synthesis of chalcogen modified nucleosides/nucleotides and nucleic acids
Biosynthesis of sulfur- and selenium-containing oligonucleotides
Chalcogen modified analogs of nucleic acids as therapeutic agents
The biological function of chalcogen modifications in RNA
Sulfur and selenium modifications in natural RNA and therapeutic oligonucleotides
Analytical methods for the detection of sulfur and selenium modifications in nucleic acids