A new solid-phase support for oligonucleotide synthesis.

An alternative solid support for oligonucleotide synthesis was developed by coupling a polymer colloid to a modified polyethylene filter disc. The functions on the polymer colloid not used for attachment to the surface were derivatized with a Jeffamine diamine and loaded with appropriate deoxynucleoside succinates. The performance of this support system was evaluated and compared to existing resins.     

Novel photocleavable universal support for oligonucleotide synthesis

A novel photocleavable universal support for the automated solid phase synthesis of oligonucleotides is described. The linker between the growing oligonucleotide chain and CPG support contains a nucleophilic amine protected with a photocleavable group. On exposure to UV light, this group is detached and the free amine affords cleavage of the oligonucleotide from the support. The use of long wavelength UV light avoids damage to the DNA.     

Extended in vitro selection for synthesis of novel catalytic oligonucleotide derivatives.

A new catalyst, which is composed of nonnatural ribonucleotides, was synthesized by the in vitro selection method. Nonnatural RNAs that bound to N-methylmesoporphyrin were selected from a pool of random-sequence RNAs containing 2'-amino cytidine 5'-triphosphate (2'-amino CTP) instead of CTP. The selected RNAs not only bound to the ligand, N-methylmesoporphyrin (NMM), but also catalyzed metalation reaction of porphyrin.     

New reagents and solid support for automated oligonucleotide synthesis

The optimal system for the rapid, efficient, convenient, and economical synthesis and purification of synthetic oligonucleotides has been advancing. By recognizing the very rapid reaction kinetics and taking advantage of an efficient, low volume delivery system, cycle times have decreased to about 5.5 minutes, without compromising synthesis performance. A new set of base protecting groups for cyanoethylphosphoramidite nucleoside monomers have been developed, which decreases the post-synthesis time requirements. A particular form of polystyrene has also been developed as a solid support for automated oligonucleotide synthesis. Typical sequencing or PCR primers (20mers) now require less than 2 hours for synthesis and 2 hours for cleavage and deprotection.     

Extended in vitro selection for synthesis of novel molecular recognition oligonucleotide derivatives.

In vitro selection of RNA aptamer containing biotin-carrying nucleotide was carried out used for development of a new type of molecular sensor. Cytidine 5'-triphosphate (CTP) carrying biotinyl group at the N6-position was used in this technique. A pool of biotin-containing RNAs, which binds specifically to adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), was obtained and used for competitive binding assay of ATP. The selected nonnatural RNA possesses many biotinyl groups to render it a high sensitivity toward ATP.     

A novel solid support for synthesis of oligonucleotide 3'-phosphorothioate monoesters

A new reagent immobilized on solid support allowing for solid-phase synthesis of oligonucleotides with a 3'-terminal phosphorothioate monoester is described. The support is compatible with phosphoramidite chemistry for automated oligonucleotide synthesis. Final deprotection with ammonia under standard conditions leads to oligonucleotide 3'-terminal phosphorothioate.     

Sulfonium derivatives of thioxanthenone,a new class of photodetritylating agents for microarray oligonucleotide synthesis

The usability of a new class of photo acids, namely, sulfonium hexaphosphates based on thioxanthenone, for the removal of the dimethoxytrityl protective group in the process of oligonucleotide synthesis has been studied in order to search for new detritylating agents for microarray oligodeoxyribonucleotide synthesis. 2,4-Diethyl-9-oxo-10-(4-heptyloxyphenyl)-9H-thioxanthenium hexafluorophosphate has been successfully used for the solid-phase synthesis of (dT)₁₀.     

An evaluation of selective deprotection conditions for the synthesis of RNA on a light labile solid support

We have investigated the cleavage rates of various protecting groups for the exocyclic amine of cytosine, adenine, and guanine bases. Specifically, deprotection of N-benzoyl (Bz), N-acetyl (Ac), N-isobutyryl (iBu), N-phenoxyacetyl (PAC) and N-tert-butylphenoxyacetyl (tBPAC) groups from 2′-deoxyribonucleosides was effected under various cleavage conditions and the rates of cleavage (half-lives) were determined. Aqueous methylamine cleaves all of the examined protecting groups from the exocyclic amine the fastest among the six methods used. Ethanolic ammonia showed the highest selectivity between standard protecting groups (Ac, Bz, iBu) and fast-deprotecting groups (PAC, tBPAC). Under ammonia conditions, it was possible to cleave PAC and tBPAC rapidly and selectively in 2 h, while still retaining the large majority of the acetyl, benzoyl and isobutyryl groups. The results of this study allowed us to perform mild and complete deprotection of an oligoribonucleotide while still attached to the support with a light labile linker. This procedure simplifies and speeds up post-synthesis processing of the RNA chain and offers a new route to the synthesis of sensitive oligonucleotide derivatives on solid supports.     

One-pot synthesis of fluorescent oligonucleotide Ag nanoclusters for specific and sensitive detection of DNA

In this study, we prepared fluorescent, functional oligonucleotide-stabilized silver nanoclusters (FFDNA-Ag NCs) through one-pot synthesis and then employed them as probes for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The FFDNA-Ag NCs were obtained through the NaBH(4)-mediated reduction of AgNO(3) in the presence of a DNA strand having the sequence 5'-C(12)-CCAGATACTCACCGG-3'. The specific DNA scaffold combines a fluorescent base motif (C(12)) and a specific sequence (CCAGATACTCACCGG) that recognizes a gene for fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH). The sensing mechanism of our new probe is based on the FFDNA-Ag NCs having different stabilities (fluorescence intensities) in solutions containing 150 mM NaCl in the absence and presence of perfect match DNA (DNA(pmt)). Under the optimal conditions (150 mM NaCl, 20 mM phosphate solution, pH 7.0), the fluorescence ratios of the FFDNA-Ag NC probes in the presence and absence of DNA(pmt), plotted against the concentration of DNA(pmt), was linear over the range 25-1000 nM (R(2)=0.98), with a limit of detection (S/N=3) of 14 nM. This cost-effective and simple FFDNA-Ag NC probe is sensitive and selective for SNPs of a gene for FAH.     

OligoPrep PVA support for oligonucleotide synthesis in columns on a scale up to 10 micromol

OligoPrep is a macroporous polyvinylacetate (PVA) biodegradable support that has been designed for cost-effective automated synthesis of oligonucleotides using standard phosphoramidite chemistry. Originally developed for large-scale oligonucleotide synthesis in beds and reactors, we present here its utility for medium-scale work of 1-10 micromol in column syntheses on standard DNA synthesizers. We show how an increase in scale, and, therefore, yield, can be achieved without significant increase in reagent quantity. Additional deblock and oxidation cycles can provide high coupling yields, and the use of concentrated ammonia in aqueous methylamine (AMA) for oligonucleotide cleavage and deprotection results in excellent recovery.     

Modification of H-phosphonate method of oligonucleotide synthesis on polymer support

The mechanism of the internucleotide condensation and side-reactions in H-phosphonate approach has been investigated with the help of NMR-spectroscopy. On the basis of the results obtained a modification minimizing side-reactions in the course of the nucleotide component preactivation has been developed. It includes the use of acetonitrile--quinoline (4:1) mixture as the solvent in coupling reactions. The efficiency of the method is illustrated by the synthesis of oligodeoxynucleotides.     

Further improvement in protecting method for the oligonucleotide synthesis in terms of a cellulose acetate derivative as a polymer support.

For further improvement in the investigation to utilize a cellulose acetate derivative as a novel type of polymer-support for the synthesis of oligonucleotides, the investigations on utilizing another spacer; on protecting groups for O6-position of guanosine unit, ribothymidine, and pseudouridine; and on a novel protecting group for the introduction of phosphate function at 5'-terminal position, targeting the syntheses of 13-mer, ApApGpGpApApApApUpUpApUpG, 11-mer, pCpUpCpGpUpCpCpApCpCpA, and 12-mer, UpCpCpGpGprTp- psipCpGpApUpU, found in the partial structures of a yeast tRNA(Ala), will be described in detail.     

The final deprotection step in oligonucleotide synthesis is reduced to a mild and rapid ammonia treatment by using labile base-protecting groups.

Phenoxyacetyl (pac) and methoxyacetyl (mac) for adenine and guanine, isobutyryl for cytosine, were successfully applied as amino protecting groups both in phosphotriester and phosphoramidite approaches. As shown by N.M.R. and H.P.L.C. analysis, they are completely deblocked in less than four hours in 29% ammonia at room temperature allowing the preparation of modified DNA containing alkali labile bases such as saturated pyrimidines. The stability of N6-phenoxyacetyl-deoxyadenosine versus depurination in acidic conditions used in the detritylation step was favorably compared with that of the classic N6-benzoyl protected adenine.     

HELP (high efficiency liquid phase) new oligonucleotide synthesis on soluble polymeric support.

A simple, rapid and high-yielding method for the synthesis of oligonucleotides by the phosphotriesters approach is described. The use of polyethylene glycol (PEG) as soluble polymeric support preserves some convenient features of the solid-phase synthesis with new interesting advantages. Short oligonucleotides in hundred milligrams scale can be obtained from few grams of functionalized PEG.     

On the synthesis of a 32P-labelled Edman reagent for the sensitive identification of amino-acid derivatives

A phosphorus-32 containing derivative of phenylisothiocyanate was prepared to increase the sensitivity of amino-acid sequence determination. The respective compound 2-(4-isothiocyanatophenoxy)-1,3,2-dioxaphosphinane 2-oxide showed about the same reactivity, stability, and polarity as the Edman reagent itself. A repetitive yield of 94% was obtained in the stepwise degradation of insulin B chain using a solid phase sequencer. The synthesis of this radioactive reagent was achieved within 5 h but with a specific activity of 1 Ci/mol. Eight amino acids were reacted with the 32P-labelled reagent and identified by autoradiography after two dimensional thin-layer chromatography.     

Trityl mass-tags for encoding in combinatorial oligonucleotide synthesis.

Combinatorial libraries of oligonucleotides on beads were synthesised by a split-and-mix strategy using 5'-DMTr- or 5'-Fmoc- nucleoside phosphoramidites. Trityl moieties with different masses were used to encode for the bases coupled at each step in the synthesis of oligonucleotides selected by hybridisation from the libraries. Tags orthogonal to the nucleotides added were produced by coupling amines of different MW to an activated carboxyl group(s) on the trityl moiety. Tags can be released from the support by laser irradiation and measured directly by TOF without matrix. Alternatively, they may be released by an acidic treatment and then analysed by (MA)LDI-TOF.     

2'-Pyrene modified oligonucleotide provides a highly sensitive fluorescent probe of RNA.

Oligonucleotide 9mers containing 2'-O-(1-pyrenylmethyl)uridine [U(pyr)] at the center position were synthesized by using a protected U(pyr) phosphoramidite. The UV melting behaviors indicate that the pyrene-modified oligonucleotides can bind to both their complementary DNA and RNA in aqueous solution. When compared with the unmodified oligonucleotides, the pyrene-modified oligonucleotides showed higher affinity for DNA while exhibiting lower affinity for RNA. The pyrene-modified oligonucleotides in diluted solution exhibited fluorescence typical of pyrene monomer emission [lambdamax 378 (band I) and 391 nm (band III)]. When these oligomers bound to DNA, the fluorescence intensity ratio of band III/band I was increased. With this fluorescence change, a new broad emission (lambdamax 450 nm) due to exciplex between the pyrene and an adjacent nucleobase appeared. In contrast, addition of RNA to the pyrene oligonucleotides resulted in enhancement of the pyrene monomer emission with decrease in the fluorescence band ratio. The extent of the emission enhancement was found to be highly dependent on the nucleobase adjacent to the U(pyr) in the pyrene oligomers. The pyrene oligonucleotide containing dC at the 3'-site of the modification showed remarkable increase (approximately 250 times) in fluorescence (375 nm) upon binding to complementary RNA. The present findings would open the way to the design of a highly sensitive fluorescent probe of RNA.     

Synthesis and properties of halogenated 7-deaza-2'-deoxyxanthosine and protected derivatives for oligonucleotide synthesis

The 7-bromo- (4a) and 7-iodo- (4b) derivatives of 7-deaza-2'-deoxyxanthosine (5) are prepared. Furthermore, the building blocks 6-8 of 7-deaza-2'-deoxyxanthosine (5) are synthesized and tested for their usage in oligonucleotide synthesis.