Characterization of Oligonucleotide Sequence Isomers in Mixtures Using HPLC/MS

Abstract

A method is described for the analysis of mixtures containing sequence isomers of oligonucleotides. The approach consists of an electrospray ionization mass spectrometric analysis in direct combination with HPLC separation. Mass spectrometry can provide sequence information based on the fragmentation patterns of oligonucleotides allowing the simultaneous characterization of sequence isomers. An example is shown for the characterization of a mixture of dCAGT, dCGTA, dTCAG, dAGTC and dTCGA.     

Comparison of Complex DNA Mixtures with Generic Oligonucleotide Microchips

Abstract

The reproducibility of melting curves for repeated hybridizations of target DNA with generic oligonucleotide microchips is shown experimentally to depend on the character of matching between fragments of target DNA and immobilized oligonucleotides. The reproducibility of melting curves is higher for the perfect match duplexes and decreases as the number of mismatched pairs within duplexes increases. This effect was applied to the comparative analysis of complex DNA mixtures. We developed a scheme in which we can identify and discriminate between the probe oligonucleotides responsible for the distinctions between target DNA mixtures. A scheme is illustrated by comparing DNA mixtures corresponding to VD-J genes connected with populations of mRNAs CDR3 TCR Vb (T-cell receptor beta complementarity determining region 3) from the thymus and pancreas of NOD mice. Our results demonstrate that generic microchips can be applied efficiently to the analysis of DNA mixtures.     

Improved Synthesis of Trinucleotide Phosphoramidites and Generation of Randomized Oligonucleotide Libraries

A new method to produce a set of 20 high quality trinucleotide phosphoramidites on a 5–10 g scale each was developed. The procedure starts with condensation reactions of P-components with N-acyl nucleosides, bearing the 3 ′-hydroxyl function protected with 2-azidomethylbenzoyl, to give fully protected dinucleoside phosphates 13. Upon cleavage of dimethoxytrityl group from 13, dinucleoside phosphates 16 are initially transformed into trinucleoside diphosphates 19 and then the 2-azidomethylbenzoyl is selectively removed under neutral conditions to generate trinucleoside diphosphates 5 in excellent yield. Subsequent 3 ′-phosphitylation affords target trinucleotide phosphoramidites 7. When mutagenic oligonucleotides are synthesized employing mixtures of building blocks 7 as well as following the new synthetic protocol, representative oligonucleotide libraries are generated in good yields.     

Dynamic Bis-Intercalation of a Homodimeric Thiazole Orange Dye in DNA: Evidence of Intercalator Creeping

Abstract

We have used one and two dimensional exchange ¹H NMR spectroscopy to characterize the dynamics of the binding of a homodimeric thiazole orange dye, 1,1′-(4,4,8,8-tetramethyl-4,8-diaza-undecamethylene)-bis-4-(3-methyl-2,3-dihydro-(benzo-1,3-thiazole)-2-methylidene)-quinolinium tetraiodide (TOTO), to double stranded DNA (dsDNA). The double stranded oligonucleotides used were d-(CGCTAGCG)₂ ( 1 ) and d(CGCTAGCTAGCG)₂ ( 2 ). TOTO binds preferentially to the (5′-CTAG-3′)₂ sites and forms mixtures of 1:1 and 1:2 dsDNA-TOTO complexes with 2 in ratios dependent on the relative amount of TOTO and the oligonucleotide in the sample. The dynamic exchange between preferential binding sites in the case of a 2:1 1 -TOTO mixture is an intermolecular exchange process between two binding sites on different oligonucleotides. In the case of the 1:1 2 -TOTO complex an intramolecular exchange process occur between two different binding sites on the same strand. Both processes were studied. The results demonstrate the ability of TOTO to migrate along a dsDNA strand in an intramolecular exchange process. The migration process (“creeping”) along the DNA strand is 6 times faster than the rate of intermolecular exchange between sites in two different oligonucleotides.     

Elucidation of the Hydrolytical Properties of α-Hydroxybenzylphosphonates as a New Potential Pro-Oligonucleotide Concept

Abstract

The synthesis of Fpmp-protected α-hydroxybenzylphosphonate modified oligonucleotides as potential new pro-oligonucleotides is described. The proposed hydrolytic pathways of the oligonucleotides were studied using two dimers 2 and 4 and the tetramer 6 containing one α-hydroxybenzyl modification as model compounds.     

Comparison of Physicochemical and Biological Properties of (o-Carboran-1-YL)methylphosphonate and Methylphosphonate Oligonucleotides

Abstract

(o-Carboran-1-yl)methylphosphonate (CBMP) oligonucleotides demonstrate advantages in their physicochemical and biological characteristics over the corresponding methylphosphonate oligonucleotides.     

Quantitative One Step Derivatization of Oligonucleotides by a Fluorescent Label Through Abasic Site Formation

Abstract

Reaction of abasic site-containing oligonucleotides with an oxyamino fluorescent label is described. The reaction represents an efficient method to functionalize oligonucleotides at preselected positions.     

Synthesis and Biophysical Studies of Modified Oligonucleotides Containing Acyclic Amino Alcohol Nucleoside Analogs

Abstract

Novel serine derivative of thymine was prepared and incorporated into oligonucleotides. These modified oligonucleotides were studied for their binding affinity with complementary DNA/RNA.     

Specific Inhibition of Hepatitis C Viral Gene Expression by Non-polar (Phenylalkyl)phosphonates

Abstract

Different phenylalkyl backbone modified antisense oligonucleotides complementary to the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA nucleotides 326–342 were synthesized. The lipohilic character of modified oligonucleotides was determined from RP-HPLC retention times. The inhibitory effect of these antisense oligonucleotides on HCV gene expression was analyzed in an in vitro test system.     

Inhibition of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNFα) Expression and Function In Vitro by Modified Antisense Oligonucleotides

Abstract

Antisense oligonucleotides containing C-5 hexynyl/propynyl modified pyrimidines were synthesized using solid phase phosphoramidite chemistry. These modified oligonucleotides were found to have significant inhibitory activity against TNFα production in vitro.     

Synthesis and Properties of 2′-O-Methylribonucleotide Methylphosphonate Containing Chimeric Oligonucleotides

Abstract

2′-O-methylribonucleoside methylphosphonamidites are synthesized and incorporated into oligonucleotides to obtain chimeric antisense oligonucleotides. The resulting oligonucleotide binds to their target RNA/DNA sequences efficiently and stable in a medium containing bovine serum.     

Mixed-Backbone Oligonucleotides Containing Phosphorothioate and Methylphosphonate Linkages as Second Generation Antisense Oligonucleotide

Abstract

Antisense oligonucleotides are being studied as novel therapeutic agents. To further improve the properties of antisense oligonucleotides, we have synthesized phosphorothioate oligonucleotides containing methylphosphonate linkages at the 5′-end, the 3′-end, or in the center, and have evaluated the impact of these linkages on the biophysical properties, biological properties, and some of the safety parameters.     

Biological Activities of Oligonucleotides Linked to Poly(L-Lysine)

Abstract

We have developped a method to couple oligonucleotides to poly(L-lysine). This tool has been tested with anti m-RNA synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotides and 2′-5′(A)_n and allows oligonucleotides to enter intact cells.     

Catalytically Significant Macrochelate Formation in Zn2+Promoted Hydrolysis of Oligoribonucleotides: Model Studies with Chimeric Phosphodiester/Methylphosphonate Oligomers

Abstract

The kinetics of Zn²⁺ promoted hydrolysis of chimeric oligonucleotides Up[Tp(Me)]₃T and UptTp(Me)]₃Tp was studied. The results were compared to those obtained with corresponding phosphodiester oligonucleotides, and discussed in terms of an oligonucleotide-metal ion macrochelate formation.     

Primary structure of Bombyx mori posterior silkgland tRNAPhe

tRNA^Phe was isolated from posterior silkgland from Bombyx mori and hydrolysed to mixtures of oligonucleotides. |³²P|5′ end labelling of the oligonucleotides and sequence study indicates that the major component of Bombyx mori tRNA^Phe is similar to mammalian tRNA^Phe, the minor component differing from the major one by one nucleotide only.     

Evaluation of Oligonucleotides Containing Two Novel 2′-O-Methyl Modified Nucleotide Monomers: A 3′-C-Allyl and a 2′-O-3′-C-Linked Bicyclic Derivative

Abstract

The two ribo-configured nucleosides 1-(3-C-allyl-2–0-methyl-β-D-ribo-pentofuranosyl)thymine 3 and (1S,5R,6R,8R)-5-hydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-1-methoxy-8-(thymin-1-yl)-2,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane 6 have been transformed into their corresponding phosphoramidites, 5 and 8 respectively, and used as building blocks for the synthesis of modified oligonucleotides. The oligonucleotides were shown to hybridize with decreased binding affinity towards complementary single stranded DNA and RNA.     

Boranophosphate Oligonucleotides: New Synthetic Approaches

Abstract

Recently our laboratory reported a new backbone-modified class of oligonucleotides, with a borane (B₃3?) group replacing one of the non-bridging oxygen atoms. Here we present two new approaches to synthesize the boranophosphate oligonucleotides. All-stereoregular boranophosphate oligonucleotides can be prepared by enzymatic template extension reactions using nucleoside a-boranotriphosphates, which are good substrates for a number of polymerases. Larger scale synthesis of boranophosphate oligonucleotides can be carried out by effective chemical synthesis using the H-phosphonate approach, instead of previously used phosphoramidite methodology. The main advantage of H-phosphonate methodology is the ability to carry out one boronation reaction, after oligonucleotide chain elongation has been completed, using mild conditions without base damage and producing the desired boranophosphate oligonucleotides in high yield.     

Synthesis and Enzymatic Studies of Modified Oligonucleotides with Abiological Monomer Units

Abstract

The synthesis and the enzymatic studies of modified oligonucleotides containing a PNA modified PNA-DNA dimer block and a new acyclic racemic serinol nucleoside is described. We show that both, the PNA-DNA dimer block¹ and the modified PNA-spacer (acyclic serinol nucleoside)² can be used as modified templates for the enzymatic generation of single stranded DNA. Degradation studies of the oligonucleotides containing the PNA-DNA dimer block with snake venom phosphodiesterase show that the modified oligonucleotides are stable towards exonucleolytic degradation.     

Synthesis and Antibody Mediated Detection of 2,4-Dinitrophenyl (DNP) Labelled Oligonucleotides

Abstract

Different DNP phosphoramidites based on non-nucleoside and nucleoside backbone molecules are developed and used in the multiple labelling of oligonucleotides during the solid phase synthesis. It is demonstrated that the antibody mediated detection of DNP labelled oligonucleotides is comparable to that of digoxigenin, biotin and fluorescein.     

Oligonucleotide Conjugates Derived from an Electrophilic Site: Conjugation to Baseless Carbohydrate Residue. Synthesis,Hybridization and Modeling Studies

Abstract

Conjugation of electrophiles to oligonucleotides via tethers camying nucleophilic sites well-known. However, for the rever.se reaction, the availahlc methods to generate electrophilic sites in oligonucleotides are not many: (e.g., periodate oxidation of terminal rihose sugar followed by reductive amination).