Preparation and stability of the helical form of poly 2'-O-ethyluridylic acid

2′ (3′)-O-ethyl-CMP was prepared by alkylation of CMP with diethylsulphate in alkaline medium and deaminated to give 2′(3′)-O-ethyl-UMP, which was phosphorylated to 2′(3′)-O-ethyl-UDP. About 90% of the product consisted of the 2′ isomer. The 2′(3′)-O-ethyl-UDP was readily polymerized by $\text{E}$. $\text{coli}$ polynucleotide phosphorylase in the presence of Mn⁺⁺, but not Mg⁺⁺. The 3′-isomer did not seriously interfere with polymerization nor did it act as a chain terminator. The resulting poly 2′-O-ethyluridylic acid formed a helical structure with a stability much higher then that of poly (rU) or poly 2′-O-methyluridylic acid. It also complexed readily with poly (rA). Implications with regard to the role of the 2′-hydroxyl in nucleic acid conformation are discussed.