Enhanced Specificity of Minimally Modified Anti-c-myc Oligonucleotides

Abstract

The sequence-specificity of antisense oligonucleotides (ODN) against c-myc mRNA was tested by Northern blot analysis. Rat smooth muscle cells were treated with antisense or control ODN against c-myc modified by the “minimal protection strategy”. At 0.3 μM concentration the ODN show a very specific reduction in c-myc mRNA levels. Use of the “minimal protection strategy” minimizes nonspecific effects as observed for all-phosphorothioate ODN containing four consecutive guanine residues.     

Backbone Modified Antisense Oligodeoxynucleotides Directed Against the Hepatitis-C-Virus (HCV)-RNA

Abstract

We synthesized (23 mer) ODN with different modifications, directed against nt 326–348 of HCV-RNA. The ODN contains 6 modified nucleotides. The types of modification we tested are nonionic (methylphosphonates, benzylphosphonates) and ionic phosphothioates.     

Histological Localization of Phosphorothioate Oligodeoxynucleotides in Normal Rodent Tissue

Abstract

The distribution of phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (P=S ODN) in rodent tissues was studied in vivo using three histological methods: direct fluorescence microscopy; immunohistochemistry; and autoradiography. All three methods gave essentially the same pattern of oligonucleotide localization in the tissues studied, and the histological results correlate well with those from radiochemical and biochemical studies of P=S ODN distribution.     

Targeted Delivery of Antisense Oligodeoxynucleotides Formulated in a Novel Lipidic Vector

Abstract

A novel lipidic system has been developed to selectively deliver oligo-deoxynucleotides (ODN) to target cells. It involves the complexation of ODN with polylysine, followed by the addition of pH-sensitive liposomes that contain a targeting ligand, folate. The resulting particles, named LPDII, efficiently and selectively deliver ODN to human KB cells which overexpress folate-binding proteins (FBP). When an ODN against epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) was formulated in LPDII, delivery of these particles to KB cells resulted in down-regulation of EGFR and also cell growth inhibition. Free ODN exhibited no inhibitory effect on the growth of KB cells in the same concentration range. An ODN of scrambled sequence, free or formulated in LPDII, also failed to inhibit the growth of KB cells. Finally, the antisense effect of ODN on KB cells was inhibited by an excess amount of free folate, suggesting that the sequence-dependent effect of the ODN was mediated by folate binding protein.     

Convenient Synthesis of Oligodeoxynucleotides Containing 2′-Deoxy-6-thioinosine

Abstract

A facile synthesis of oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) containing 2′-deoxy-6-thioinosine (dI^6S) based on the convertible nucleoside O6-phenyl-2′-deoxyinosine is presented. After standard solid-phase DNA synthesis and removal of the cyanoethyl protecting groups with DBU treatment with aqueous sodium hydrogen sulfide introduces the sulfur functionality, deprotects the other nucleobases and cleaves the ODN from the solid support in a one-pot reaction. In addition, the extinction coefficient of 2′-deoxy-6-thioinosine is determined by enzymatic fragmentation of the resulting ODN in the presence of adenosine deaminase.     

Specifically Designed Polymeric Nanospheres Increase Cellular Uptake of Unmodified Antisense ODNs

Abstract

The cellular uptake and the inhibitory effect of c-myb unmodified antisense oligonucleotides reversibly bound to new polymeric nanoparticles in HL-60 cellular system have been found to increase by 50 folds if compared with the free ODN. An initial single dose (320 nM) of the nanoparticle bound unmodified antimyb ODN has been able to specifically inhibit HL-60 leukemia cell proliferation for at least 8 days.     

Development of a Rapid Screening System to Test Antisense ODN Modifications and Carriers

Abstract

We developed a rapid screening system, using two reporter genes under the control of the same promoter, to identify the biological activity of modified or/and vectorized antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs). The ability of a dendrimeric structure and a monocationic cholesterol derivative to enhance ODN cellular uptake was previously investigated by fluorescence analysis. Then, the assay system was validated through investigating the effect of both vectors on antisense ODN efficiency.     

Solid-Supported Oligonucleotide Systems for Special Biomedical Applications

Abstract

The use of composite beads consisting of a 6 μm polystyrene core with 30 nm surface-bound silica particles to routine automatic oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) synthesis is described.     

Uptake and Intracellular Distribution of Oligonucleotides Vectorized by a PAMAM Dendrimer

Abstract

We studied the uptake and intracellular distribution of an FITC labelled phosphodiester oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) vectorized by a dendrimeric structure in cell culture.     

Oligonucleotide Synthesis on Linear Reactive Polymer Grafted onto Solid Support,Medical Diagnostics Applications

Abstract

A new strategy has been developed to obtain polymer-ODN conjugates. However, free ODN appeared to contaminate synthesis. Various hypotheses are described herein to explain this side reaction.     

Positioning of Functionalities in a Heteroduplex Major Groove: Synthesis of 7-Deaza-2-Amino-2′-deoxyadenosines

Abstract

We have synthesized the 7-iodo-, 7-cyano-and 7-propynyl-7-deaza-2-ainino-2′-deoxyadenosines and incorporated each into several oligonucleotide (ODN) sequences. These oligonucleotides exhibit enhanced binding affinities to RNA complements relative to unmodified sequences.     

Inhibition of 5-α-Reductase (TYPE-II) Expression by Antisense 3′-Deoxy-(2′-5′) Oligonucleotide Chimeras

Abstract

ABSTRACT: 3′-Deoxy-(2′-5′) oligonucleotides bind selectively to complementary RNA but not to DNA. 3′-Deoxy-(2′-5′) phosphorothioate ODN chimeras embedded with a short stretch of 3′-5′ phosphorothioate cassette are potent inhibitors of steroid 5-α-reductasc expression with significantly less non-specific interactions in cell culture.     

Synthesis of Oligodeoxyribonucleotide Bearing 2′-S-Alkyl Residue and its Effect on the Duplex Stability

Abstract

2′-Deoxy-2′-S-hexyluridine derivative was synthesized from 2,2′-anhydrouridine and 1-hexanethiol and incorporated into an oligodeoxyribonucleotide. The thermal stability of the duplexes formed by the 2′-S-hexyl modified ODN with either the complementary DNA or RNA strand was decreased compared to the unmodified counterparts.     

UNUSUAL MONOMOLECULAR DNA QUADRUPLEX STRUCTURES USING BUNCH-OLIGONUCLEOTIDES

The chemical synthesis of several G-rich bunch-oligonucleotides and the structural characterization of the corresponding monomolecular G-quadruplexes (I–IV) have been reported. The synthetic method allow the achievement of monomolecular DNA quadruplex structures having unusual and predeterminable oligodeoxyribonucleotide (ODN) strand orientation.     

SITE-DIRECTED ALKYLATION TO CYTIDINE WITHIN DUPLEX BY THE OLIGONUCLEOTIDES CONTAINING FUNCTIONAL NUCLEOBASES

We have previously described that oligonucleotides (ODN) containing phenylsulfoxide derivative of 2-amino-6-vinylpurine nucleoside analog (1) are activated within duplex to form cross-link toward cytidine selectively at the target site. In this paper, we wish to report the search for more stable precursor susceptible for activation within duplex.     

The “Janus face” of the thrombin binding aptamer: Investigating the anticoagulant and antiproliferative properties through straightforward chemical modifications

BackgroundThe thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) is endowed with both anticoagulant and antiproliferative activities. Its chemico-physical and/or biological properties can be tuned by the site-specific replacement of selected residues.MethodsFour oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) based on the TBA sequence (5′-GGTTGGTGTGGTTGG-3′) and containing 2′-deoxyuridine (U) or 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (B) residues at positions 4 or 13 have been investigated by NMR and CD techniques. Furthermore, their anticoagulant (PT assay) and antiproliferative properties (MTT assay) have been tested and compared with two further ODNs containing 5-hydroxymethyl-2′-deoxyuridine (H) residues in the same positions, previously investigated.ResultsThe CD and NMR data suggest that all the investigated ODNs are able to form G-quadruplexes strictly resembling that of TBA. The introduction of B residues in positions 4 or 13 increases the melting temperature of the modified aptamers by 7 °C. The replacement of thymidines with U in the same positions results in an enhanced anticoagulant activity compared to TBA, also at low ODN concentration. Although all ODNs show antiproliferative properties, only TBA derivatives containing H in the positions 4 and 13 lose the anticoagulant activity and remarkably preserve the antiproliferative one.ConclusionsAll ODNs have shown antiproliferative activities against two cancer cell lines but only those with U and B are endowed with anticoagulant activities similar or improved compared to TBA.General significance:The appropriate site-specific replacement of the residues in the TT loops of TBA with commercially available thymine analogues is a useful strategy either to improve the anticoagulant activity or to preserve the antiproliferative properties by quenching the anticoagulant ones.     

Thermolytic CpG-containing DNA oligonucleotides as potential immunotherapeutic prodrugs

A CpG-containing DNA oligonucleotide functionalized with the 2-(N-formyl-N-methyl)aminoethyl thiophosphate protecting group (CpG ODN fma1555) was prepared from phosphoramidites 1a–d using solid-phase techniques. The oligonucleotide behaved as a prodrug by virtue of its conversion to the well-studied immunomodulatory CpG ODN 1555 through thermolytic cleavage of the 2-(N-formyl-N-methyl)aminoethyl thiophosphate protecting group. Such a conversion occurred at 37°C with a half-time of 73 h. The immunostimulatory properties of CpG ODN fma1555 were evaluated in two in vivo assays, one of which consisted of mice challenged in the ear with live Leishmania major metacyclic promastigotes. Local intradermal administration of CpG ODN fma1555 was as effective as that of CpG ODN 1555 in reducing the size of Leishmania lesions over time. In a different infectious model, CpG ODN 1555 prevented the death of Tacaribe-infected mice (43% survival) when administered between day 0 and 3 post infection. Administration of CpG ODN fma1555 three days before infection resulted in improved immunoprotection (60–70% survival). Moreover, co-administration of CpG ODN fma1555 and CpG ODN 1555 in this model increased the window for therapeutic treatment against Tacaribe virus infection, and thus supports the use of thermolytic oligonucleotides as prodrugs in the effective treatment of infectious diseases.     

A New Odorless Procedure for the Synthesis of 2′-Deoxy-6-Thioguanosine and Its Incorporation into Oligodeoxynucleotides

6-S-[2-[(2-ethylhexyl)oxycarbonyl]ethyl)}-3′,5′-O-bis(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-deoxy-6-thiogua nosine (2) was synthesized in high yield from the corresponding 6-O-mesitylenesulfonyl derivative by the reaction with 2-ethylhexyl 3-mercapto-propionate. The phosphoramidite precursor derived from 2 was successfully applied to an automated DNA synthesizer to produce 2′-deoxy-6-thioguanosine containing ODN. The results showed that 2-ethylhexyl 3-mercaptopropionate is useful as an odor less reagent and also as an S-protecting group of 2′-deoxy-6-thioguanosine.     

RNase H Activation by Stereoregular Boranophosphate Oligonucleotide

Abstract

A stereoregular all-(S _p)-boranophosphate oligodeoxyribonucleotide (BH₃ ^?-ODN) 15-mer was synthesized using an enzymatic approach. The BH₃ ^?-ODN formed a hybrid with the complementary RNA 15-mer and induced RNase H hydrolysis of the RNA strand at ODN concentrations as low as 10 nM at 37°C, but with a lower efficiency than that of its natural phosphodiester analogue.     

Oligonucleotide Labeling: Synthesis of a New Spin-Labeled 2′-Deoxyguanosine Analogue

Abstract

in order to achieve an EPR sensitive probe for DNA, 3-carboxy-Proxyl free radical was linked to O-6 of dG through a five-atoms-tether. The modified base was incorporated into a 30-mer ODN, then annealed to its complementary DNA strand. Hydrodinamic parameters show only a slight destabilization with respect to the equivalent unlabeled hybrid. EPR could monitor the hybrid formation showing a progressive enlargement of the upfield signal in passing from the labeled ss- to the ds-30-mer.