Base Modified Oligodeoxynucleotides. II. Increase of Stability to Nucleases by 5-Alkyl-, 5-(1-Alkenyl)-, and 5-(1-Alkynyl)-pyrimidines

Abstract

The effect of pyrimidine base substitution on the sensitivity of oligonucleotides to nucleases has been studied with two series of self complementary deoxyoligonucleotides containing n-alkyl, n-(1-alkenyl) or n-(1-alkynyl) groups at C5 of pyrimidines, (dA-r⁵dU)₁₀ and (dG-r^sdC)₆. The rate of hydrolysis by snake venom phosphodiesterase and in human serum decreased with increasing length and unsaturation of the substituent.     

On the hydrolysis of the Dysprosium(III) ion

Abstract

The hydrolysis of the Dysprosium (III) (Dy³⁺⁾ ion has been investigated at 25°C in 1, 2 and 3 molal (Na)ClO₄ medium through a combined potentiometric-coulometric methodology. At each perchlorate concentration the formation constants of the complexes DyOH²⁺, Dy₂(OH)₂⁴⁺ and Dy₅(OH)₉⁶⁺ have been determined. The values have then been extrapolated to zero ionic strength by using the Specific Interaction Theory. Analogies with the hydrolysis mechanism of other lanthanides are pointed out.

This paper is just the first to be reported of a series of studies undertaken with the aim to prove that a single mechanism of hydrolysis applies to all the trivalent lanthanides and probably to the corresponding actinides, too radioactive to be investigated directly.     

Active Species for Ce(IV)-Induced Hydrolysis of Phosphodiester Linkage in cAMP AND DNA

The hydrolysis of cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate and 2′-deoxythymidylyl(3′-5′)2′-deoxythymidine by Ce(NH₄)₂(NO₃)₆ was kinetically studied. The rate of hydrolysis was fairly proportional to the concentration of [Ce ^IV ₂ (OH)₄]⁴⁺, showing that this is the catalytically active species. According to quantum-chemical calculation, the two Ce(IV) ions in this [Ce^IV ₂(OH)₄]⁴⁺ cluster are bridged by two OH residues. Upon the complex formation with H₂ PO₄ ^? (a model compound for the phosphodiesters), these two Ce(IV) ions bind the two oxygen atoms of the substrate and enhance the electrophilicity of the phosphorus atom. The catalytic mechanism of Ce(IV)-induced hydrolysis of phosphodiesters has been proposed on the basis these results.     

Hydrolysis of some mRNA 5′-Cap Analogs Catalyzed by the Human Fhit Protein - and Lupin ApppA Hydrolases

Abstract

Hydrolysis of the following four cap analogs: m⁷G(5′)ppp(5′)A, m⁷G(5′)ppp(5′)m⁶A, m⁷G(5′)ppp(5′)m^2′OG and m⁷G(5′)ppp(5′)2′dG catalyzed by homogeneous human Fhit protein and yellow lupin Ap₃A hydrolase has been investigated. The hydrolysis products were identified by HPLC analysis and the K_m and V_max values calculated based on the data obtained by the fluorimetric method.     

3D-QSAR studies of triazolopyrimidine derivatives of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plasmodium falciparum</Emphasis> dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitors using a combination of molecular dynamics,docking, and genetic algorithm-based methods

A series of 35 triazolopyrimidine analogues reported as Plasmodium falciparum dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (PfDHODH) inhibitors were optimized using quantum mechanics methods, and their binding conformations were studied by docking and 3D quantitative structure–activity relationship studies. Genetic algorithm-based criteria was adopted for selection of training and test sets while maintaining structural diversity of training and test sets, which is also very crucial for model development and validation. Both the comparative molecular field analyses ( q_\textLOO² = 0.841 q_{\text{LOO}}^2 = 0.{841} , r_\textncv² = 0.99 r_{\text{ncv}}^2 = 0.{99} ) and comparative molecular similarity indices analyses ( q_\textLOO² = 0.757 q_{\text{LOO}}^2 = 0.{757} , r_\textncv² = 0.943 r_{\text{ncv}}^2 = 0.{943} ) show excellent correlation and high predictive power. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations were performed to explore the binding mode of the two of the most active compounds of the series, 10 and 14. Harmonization in the two simulation results validate the analysis and therefore applicability of docking parameters based on crystallographic conformation of compound 14 bound to receptor molecule. This work provides useful information about the inhibition mechanism of this class of molecules and will assist in the design of more potent inhibitors of PfDHODH.     

Design and synthesis of (5-amino-1, 2, 4-triazin-6-yl)(2-(benzo[d] isoxazol-3-yl) pyrrolidin-1-yl)methanone derivatives as sodium channel blocker and anticonvulsant agents

Abstract

A series of novel (5-amino-3-substituted-1, 2, 4-triazin-6-yl) (2-(6-halo-substituted benzo[d]isoxazol-3-yl) pyrrolidin-1-yl) methanone 5a–5r was synthesized. Their anticonvulsant activities were evaluated by the maximal electroshock (MES) test and neurotoxicity was evaluated by the rotorod test. The MES test showed that (5-amino-3-phenyl-1, 2, 4-triazin-6-yl)(2-(6-fluorobenzo[d]isoxazol-3-yl) pyrrolidin-1-yl) methanone 5c was found to be the most potent compound with ED₅₀ value of 6.20?mg/kg (oral/rat) and a protective index (PI?=?ED₅₀/TD₅₀) value of >48.38, which was much higher than the PI of the reference drug phenytoin. To explain the possible mechanism of action of selected derivatives 5b, 5c, 5i and 5o, their influence on sodium channel was evaluated in vitro.     

Chelation of copper(II) by daunomycin and 5-iminodaunomycin and interaction of the complexes with mononucleotides: An ESR study

Coordination of copper(II) ions by daunomycin and 5-iminodaunomycin has been studied by electron spin resonance spectroscopy, at various values of pH and r, the anthracycline-to-Cu(II) molar ratio. At r = 1–5, polymeric complexes are formed in the case of daunomycin. At r = 5, a mononuclear complex is predominant and at r = 10, this is the only one formed with the ⁶³Cu and ⁶⁵Cu hyperfine interaction being clearly defined in the g_∥ region (g_∥ = 2.26, ⁶³A_∥ = 175; ⁶⁵A_∥ = 190 G). For 5-iminodaunomycin both chelation sites are involved in the coordination and a polymeric structure (in which exchange interactions between Cu(II) centers operate) is stable in the range r = 1–3. At r = 3, the triplet state of a dinuclear Cu(II) complex is observed and 5-iminodaunomycin behaves as both a bridging and a terminal ligand. For r = 5–10, the dinuclear complex coexists with the mononuclear one. In the presence of mononucleotides dGMP, dAMP, dCMP and thymidine, no ternary complex such as mononucleotide/Cu(II)/anthracycline was observed.     

Institutional Diagnostic Reference Levels and Peak Skin Doses in selected diagnostic and therapeutic interventional radiology procedures

PurposeInstitutional (local) Diagnostic Reference Levels for Cerebral Angiography (CA), Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography (PTC), Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) and Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage (PTBD) are reported in this study.Materials and methodsData for air kerma-area product (P_KA), air kerma at the patient entrance reference point (K_a,r), fluoroscopy time (FT) and number of images (NI) as well as estimates of Peak Skin Dose (PSD) were collected for 142 patients. Therapeutic procedure complexity was also evaluated, in an attempt to incorporate it into the DRL analysis.ResultsLocal P_KA DRL values were 70, 34, 189 and 54 Gy.cm² for CA, PTC, TACE and PTBD respectively. The corresponding DRL values for K_a,r were 494, 194, 1186 and 400 mGy, for FT they were 9.2, 14.2, 27.5 and 22.9 min, for the NI they were 844, 32, 602 and 13 and for PSD they were 254, 256, 1598 and 540 mGy respectively. P_KA for medium complexity PTBD procedures was 2.5 times higher than for simple procedures. For TACE, the corresponding ratio was 1.6. PSD was estimated to be roughly 50% of recorded K_a,r for procedures in the head/neck region and 10% higher than recorded K_a,r for procedures in the body region. In only 5 cases the 2 Gy dose alarm threshold for skin deterministic effects was exceeded.ConclusionProcedure complexity can differentiate DRLs in Interventional Radiology procedures. PSD could be deduced with reasonable accuracy from values of K_a,r that are reported in every angiography system.     

Purification and characterization of endoglucanase and exoglucanase components from Trichoderma viride

Major cellulase components—four endoglucanases (Endo I, II, III and IV) and one exoglucanase (Exo II)—were isolated from a commercial cellulase preparation derived from Trichoderma viride by a series of chromatographic procedures. The average molecular weights were determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Endos I, III and IV, with M_rs of 52,000, 42,000 and 38,000, respectively, exhibited a more random hydrolytic mode on carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) than Endo II, which has an M_r of 60,000. Endo II showed low activity towards CMC, but out of the four purified endoglucanases this enzyme had the highest specific activity against Avicel. In the hydrolysis of H₃PO₄-swollen cellulose by Endos I, III and IV, cellobiose was the major product, but equimolar amounts of glucose and cellobiose were formed by Endo II. Exo II, with an M_r of 62,000, released cellobiose as the main product in the hydrolysis of H₃PO₄-swollen cellulose, but glucose was negligible. The combination of Endo I, II, III or IV with Exo II resulted in a synergistic effect in the degradation of Avicel at various combination ratios of these enzymes; the specific optimum ratio of endoglucanase to exoglucanase was largely dependent upon the random hydrolytic mode of the endoglucanase. On the other hand, adsorption of cellulase components was found apparently to obey the Langmuir isotherm, and the thermodynamic parameter (ΔH) was calculated from the adsorption equilibrium constant (K). The enthalpies of adsorption of the endoglucanases were in the range of −2.6–−7.2 KJmol⁻¹, much smaller than that of Exo II (−19.4 KJmol⁻¹). This suggest that Exo II shows stronger preferential adsorption than endoglucanases, and that the enthalpy of adsorption will be effective in distinguishing endoglucanase from exoglucanase.     

Feasibility of setting up generic alert levels for maximum skin dose in fluoroscopically guided procedures

PurposeThe feasibility of setting-up generic, hospital-independent dose alert levels to initiate vigilance on possible skin injuries in interventional procedures was studied for three high-dose procedures (chemoembolization (TACE) of the liver, neuro-embolization (NE) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)) in 9 European countries.MethodsGafchromic® films and thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) were used to determine the Maximum Skin Dose (MSD). Correlation of the online dose indicators (fluoroscopy time, kerma- or dose-area product (KAP or DAP) and cumulative air kerma at interventional reference point (K_a,r)) with MSD was evaluated and used to establish the alert levels corresponding to a MSD of 2 Gy and 5 Gy. The uncertainties of alert levels in terms of DAP and K_a,r, and uncertainty of MSD were calculated.ResultsAbout 20–30% of all MSD values exceeded 2 Gy while only 2–6% exceeded 5 Gy. The correlations suggest that both DAP and K_a,r can be used as a dose indicator for alert levels (Pearson correlation coefficient p mostly >0.8), while fluoroscopy time is not suitable (p mostly <0.6). Generic alert levels based on DAP (Gy cm²) were suggested for MSD of both 2 Gy and 5 Gy (for 5 Gy: TACE 750, PCI 250 and NE 400). The suggested levels are close to the lowest values published in several other studies. The uncertainty of the MSD was estimated to be around 10–15% and of hospital-specific skin dose alert levels about 20–30% (with coverage factor k = 1).ConclusionsThe generic alert levels are feasible for some cases but should be used with caution, only as the first approximation, while hospital-specific alert levels are preferred as the final approach.     

CoMFA and CoMSIA analyses on 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-b]indole and benzimidazole derivatives as selective CB2 receptor agonists

Novel classes of cannabinoid 2 receptor (CB2) agonists based on 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-b]indole and benzimidazole scaffolds have shown high binding affinity toward CB2 receptor and good selectivity over cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1). A computational study of comparative molecular fields analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) was performed, initially on each series of agonists, and subsequently on all compounds together, in order to identify the key structural features impacting their binding affinity. The final CoMSIA model resulted to be the more predictive, showing cross-validated r² (r_cv ²) = 0.680, non cross-validated r² (r_ncv ²) = 0.97 and test set r²( r_pred² ) = 0.93 {{\hbox{r}}^2}\left( {{\hbox{r}}_{\rm{pred}}^2} \right) = 0.{93} . The study provides useful suggestions for the design of new analogues with improved affinity.     

Effect of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate on isolated subcellular fractions of rat pancreas

Summary We have previously shown that inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP₃) releases Ca²⁺ from an intracellular calcium store in permeabilized acinar cells of rat pancreas (H. Streb et al., 1983,Nature (London) 306:67–69). This observation suggests that IP₃ might provide the missing link between activation of the muscarinic receptor and Ca²⁺ release from intracellular stores during stimulation. In order to localize the intracellular IP₃-sensitive calcium pool, IP₃-induced Ca²⁺ release was measured in isolated subcellular fractions. A total homogenate was prepared from acinar cells which had been isolated by a collagenase digestion method. Endoplasmic reticulum was separated from mitochondria, zymogen granules and nuclei by differential centrifugation. Plasma membranes and endoplasmic reticulum were separated by centrifugation on a sucrose step gradient or by precipitation with high concentrations of MgCl₂. IP₃-induced Ca²⁺ release per mg protein in the total homogenate was the same as in leaky cells and was sufficiently stable to make short separation procedures possible. In fractions obtained by either differential centrifugation at 7000×g, sucrose-density centrifugation, or MgCl₂ precipitation there was a close correlation of IP₃-induced Ca²⁺ release with the endoplasmic reticulum markers ribonucleic acid (r=0.96, 1.00, 0.91, respectively) and NADPH cytochromec reductase (r=0.63, 0.98, 090, respectively). In contrast, there was a clear negative correlation with the mitochondrial markers cytochromec oxidase (r=–0.64) and glutamate dehydrogenase (r=–0.75) and with the plasma membrane markers (Na⁺+K⁺)-ATPase (r=–0.81) and alkaline phosphatase (r=–0.77) in all fractions analyzed. IP₃-induced Ca²⁺ release was distributed independently of zymogen granule or nuclei content of the fractions as assessed by electron microscopy. The data suggest that inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate releases Ca²⁺ from endoplasmic reticulum in pancreatic acinar cells.     

The effect of protonation on [Mn(IV)(μ2-O)]2 complexes

The series of complexes [Mn(IV)(X-SALPN)(₂-O)]₂, 1: X=5-OCH₃; 2: X=H; 3: X=5-Cl; 4: X=3,5-diCl; 5: X=5-NO₂, contain [Mn₂O₂]⁴⁺ cores with Mn-Mn separations of 2.7 . These molecules can be protonated to form [Mn(IV)(X-SALPN)(₂-O,OH)]₂ ⁺ in which a bridging oxide is protonated. The pK_a values for the series of [Mn(IV)(X-SALPN)(₂-O,OH)]₂ ⁺ track linearly versus the shift in redox potential with a slope of 84 mV/pKa. This observation suggests that the [Mn₂O₂]⁴⁺ core can be considered as a unit in which the free energy of protonation is directly related to the ability to reduce the Mn(IV) ion. The marked sensitivity of the reduction potential to the presence of protons presents a mechanism in which an enzyme can control the oxidizing capacity of an oxo manganese cluster by the degree and timing of oxo bridge protonation.Abbreviations AnH⁺CF₃SO₃ ^- anilinium triflate - DMA N,N-dimethyl acetamide - H₂SALPN 1,3-bis(salicylideneiminato)propane - H₂(5-Cl-SALPN) 1,3-bis(5-chlorosalicylideneiminato)propane; - H₂(3,5-diCl-SALPN) 1,3-bis(3,5-dichlorosalicylideneiminato)propane - H₂(5-NO₂-SALPN) 1,3-bis(5-nitorosalicylideneiminato)propane - H₂(5-OMe-SALPN) 1,3-bis(5-methoxysalicylideneiminato)propane - LuH⁺CF₃SO₃ ^- 2,4-lutidinium triflate - ME₃NH⁺Ph₄B^- trimethylammonium tetraphenylborate - OEC oxygen evolving complex - PyH⁺ClO₄ ^- pyridinium perchlorate - SCE saturated calomel electrode     

Theoretical Conformational Analysis in the Determination of Productive Conformations of Substrates for Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase

All the equilibrium conformations of 34 analogues of acetylcholine (ACh) with the general formula R-C(O)O-Alk-N⁺(CH₃)₃ are calculated by the method of molecular mechanics. In the series R-C(O)O-(CH₂)₂-N⁺(CH₃)₃, a reliable correlation is found between the molecular volume of the substrate and the rate of its hydrolysis by acetylcholinesterase (AChE); the absence of such a correlation is demonstrated for butyryl-cholinesterase (BChE). Theoretical conformational analysis confirms that the completely extended tt conformation of ACh is productive for the hydrolysis by AChE, which agrees with the results of X-ray analysis of AChE. AChE is shown to hydrolyze only those substrates that form equilibrium conformers compatible in the mutual arrangement of trimethylammonium group, carbonyl carbon, and carbonyl oxygen with the tt conformation of ACh; in this case, the rate of substrate hydrolysis depends on the total population of these conformers. A reliable correlation was found between the population of the semifolded (tg^?) conformation of the choline moiety of substrate molecules and rate of their BChE hydrolysis. In a series of CH₃-C(O)O-Alk-N⁺(CH₃)₃, the rate of BChE hydrolysis is demonstrated to depend on the total population of conformations compatible in the mutual arrangement of functionally important atoms with the tg^? conformation of ACh. The tg^? conformation of ACh is concluded to be productive for BChE hydrolysis. Similar orientations of the substrate molecules relative to the catalytic triads of both AChE and BChE are proven to coincide upon the substrate productive sorption in their active sites. It is hypothesized that the sorption stage is rate-limiting in cholinesterase hydrolysis and the enzyme hydrolyzes the ACh molecule in its energetically favorable conformation.     

Octanuclear iron(III) complexes supported by Kemp’s tricarboxylate ligands

Reactions of FeCl₂·4H₂O and diimino ligand (L) with H₃kta (cis,cis-1,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid) in the presence of [ⁿBu₄N][OH] afforded a series of octanuclear iron(III) complexes formulated as [Fe₈O₅(kta)₂(Hkta)₄(L)₂] (L = bpy (1), 5,5′-Me₂bpy (2), 4,4′-Me₂bpy (3), phen (4), 4-Mephen (5), 4,7-Me₂phen (6), and 3,4,7,8-Me₄phen (7)). The structure of 4 was determined by X-ray crystallography to consist of a planar {Fe₈(μ₄-O)(μ₃-O)₄}¹⁴⁺ core supported by two kta³⁻ tricarboxylates, where the inner four Fe^III ions form a {Fe₄O₅} square plane, of which apex μ-oxo atoms are further connected to the outer four Fe^III ions. The peripheral part of the Fe₈ core is bridged by four Hkta²⁻ ligands and chelated by two phen ligands. ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra of 2 at 290 K and 77 K indicated the presence of high-spin octahedral Fe(III) ions, and the temperature dependent dc magnetic susceptibility data for 1, 2, and 4 showed strong antiferromagnetic exchange in the {Fe₈O₅} moiety.     

Studies on octylphenoxy surfactants: IX. Effect of oxyethylene chain length on GA3 absorption by sour cherry leaves

The effect of a homologous series of octylphenoxy surfactants, α-[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenyl]-ω-hydroxypoly-(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), condensed with 5, 7–8, 9–10, 16, and 30 oxyethylene (EO) units on enhancement of gibberellic acid (GA₃) absorption by leaves ofPrunus cerasus cv. Montmorency was studied. Increasing EO chain length (5–30 EO) increased surface tension (27.5–35.3 mN m^?1) and contact angles on adaxial (21–36°) and abaxial (28–49°) leaf surfaces. With increasing EO content, the form of GA₃ deposits from droplets on the leaf surface changed from an annulus shape (5 and 7–8 EO) to globular forms covering increasingly smaller interface areas (9–10 to 30 EO). The surfactants increased GA₃ uptake, the magnitude decreased with an increase in oxyethylene chain length. Similar trends were found for both the adaxial and abaxial surfaces. Penetration through the abaxial surface was linearly related to the logarithm of the oxyethylene content of the surfactant molecule (r ²=0.934^**) and to the hydrophilic: lipophilic balance (r ²=0.926^**). Absorption by the abaxial surface was approximately one order of magnitude greater than by the adaxial surface.     

Design,synthesis, antimicrobial activity and anti-HIV activity evaluation of novel hybrid quinazoline–triazine derivatives

Abstract

A series of novel hybrid quinazoline–triazine derivatives was designed and synthesized from cyanuric chloride and anthranilic acid through sequential reactions, which contain different pharmacophores like quinazoline and substituted diaryl triazine (DATA) linked with ethylene diamine. All the newly synthesized compounds were characterized by infrared, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, MS and elemental analysis. Further, we evaluated the in vitro anti-HIV activity of the newly synthesized compounds against HIV-1 (III_B) and HIV-2 (ROD) viral strains and as well as in vitro antimicrobial activity against four bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae) and two fungi (Aspergillus clavatus, Candida albicans) using the paper agar streak dilution method. The bioassay results indicate that four compounds namely 7d, 7n, 7r and 7s could be considered as possible potential agents.     

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis promoted by cobalt(III).Participation of polynuclear metal complexes

Complex formation between ATP (adenosine 5′-triphosphate) and tn₂CO^III(aq) (tn = trimethylenediamine) and resulting hydrolysis of the ATP to ADP (adenosine 5′-diphosphate), AMP (adenosine 5′-monophosphate), PP_i (pyrophosphate), and P_i (orthophosphate) have been examined by means of ³¹P nmr. With ATP ～0.1 M and tn₂Co^III(aq) up to 0.3 M, complex formation was promoted by equilibrating solutions for a period at pH 4, after which hydrolysis was allowed to proceed at each of several pHs in the range 5 to 9 prior to quenching by addition of strong base. With ATP 0.01 M and tn₂Co^III(aq) up to 0.08 M, the above procedure was followed in some cases; in other experiments the pH of each ATP/tn₂Co^III(aq) solution was adjusted immediately to a value in the range 5 to 9 with the remainder of the procedure as before. In most cases the hydrolysis was at 25°C, but temperature dependence was also examined. The integrals for the β-phosphorus resonance have been used to analyze for ATP in the quenched solutions; independent measurements of ATP by an enzyme/spectrophotometric method (Bergmeyer) gave similar results. Cobalt to ATP molar ratios up to 1 produce tn₂Co^IIIATP as the predominant ATP complex; this 1:1 complex shows no detectable acceleration in hydrolysis compared to free ATP. Cobalt to ATP molar ratios of ?1 lead to complexes of type (tn₂Co^III)₂ATP and (tn₂Co^III)₃ATP, which exhibit greatly enhanced reactivity towards ATP hydrolysis. At a 2:1 molar ratio (0.1 or 0.01 M ATP), the enhancement is rate is ～10⁵ at pH 7 where the rate is a maximum (comparison for 25°C); at higher molar ratios the rate enhancements are even greater. The results support the view that effective metal ion catalysis of ATP hydrolysis requires formation of reactive species involving more than one metal ion per ATP.     

PNA-DNA Chimeras Containing 5-Alkynyl-pyrimidine PNA Units. Synthesis,Binding Properties,and Enzymatic Stability

Abstract

Three chimeric dimer synthons (oeg_t^NHT, oeg_up^NHT and oeg_uh^NHT) containing thymine (t), 5-(l-propynyl)-uracil (up) and 5-(1-hexyn-1-yl)-uracil (uh) PNA units with N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine (oeg) backbone were synthesized in solution and incorporated into T₂₀ oligonucleotide analogues, using standard P-amidite chemistry. Insertion of dimer blocks led to destabilization of duplexes with dA₂₀ target. The smallest T _m drops were found for chimeras containing oeg_up^NHT dimers. Incorporation of the chimeric synthons into the 3′-end of T₂₀ brought about growing resistance to 3′-exonucleolytic (SV PDE) cleavage in the order of oeg_t^NHT < oeg_up^NHT < oeg_uh^NHT. Due to different endonuclease activities of 3′- and 5′-exonucleases applied, placing of five consecutive dimers at the 5′-terminus resulted in a relatively smaller, but also side-chain dependent, stabilization towards the hydrolysis by 5′-exonuclease (BS PDE). Neither exonucleases (SV and BS PDE) nor an endonuclease (Nuclease P₁) could hydrolyse the unnatural phosphodiester bond linking the 3′-OH of thymidine to the terminal OH of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine PNA backbone.