Synthesis and biophysical properties of 5′-thio-2′,4′-BNA/LNA oligonucleotide

Phosphorothioate modification of oligonucleotides is one of the most promising chemical modifications in nucleic acid therapeutics. Structurally similar 5′-thio or phosphorothiolate-modified nucleotides, in which the 5′-bridging oxygen atom is replaced with a sulfur atom, are attracting attention and gaining importance in oligonucleotide-based research. In our present study, we synthesized 5′-thio-2′,4′-BNA/LNA monomers bearing thymine or 5-methylcytosine nucleobase. The 5′-thio-2′,4′-BNA/LNA monomers were successfully incorporated into target oligonucleotides, and their nuclease stability and binding affinity with complementary strands were evaluated.     

PROMOTION OF TRIPLEX FORMATION BY 2′-O,4′-C-METHYLENE BRIDGED NUCLEIC ACID (2′,4′-BNA) MODIFICATION: THERMODYNAMIC AND KINETIC STUDIES

We analyzed the effect of 2′-O,4′-C-methylene bridged nucleic acid (2′,4′-BNA) modification of triplex-forming oligonucleotide (TFO) on pyrimidine motif triplex formation at neutral pH, a condition where pyrimidine motif triplexes are unstable. The binding constant of the pyrimidine motif triplex formation at pH 6.8 with 2′,4′-BNA modified TFO was about 20 times larger than that observed with unmodified TFO. The observed increase in the binding constant at neutral pH by the 2′,4′-BNA modification resulted from the considerable decrease in the dissociation rate constant.     

Triplex Formation Involving 2′-O,4′-C-Methylene Bridged Nucleic Acid (2′,4′-BNA) with 2-Pyridone Base Analogue: Efficient and Selective Recognition of C:G Interruption

Abstract

For the effective recognition of C:G interruption in homopurine-homopyrimidine duplex DNA, we examined triplex-forming ability and sequence-selectivity of a triplex-forming oligonucleotide (TFO) involving of 2′-O,4′-C-methylene bridged nucleic acid with 2-pyridone base analogue. We found that the modified TFO formed stable triplex with high binding affinity and sequence-selectivity.     

Triplex Formation Involving 2′-O,4′-C-Methylene Bridged Nucleic Acid (2′,4′-BNA) with 1-Is oquinolone Base Analogue: Efficient and Selective Recognition of C:G Interruption

Abstract

For the effective recognition of C ? G interruption in homopurine-homopyrimidine duplex DNA, we examined triplex-forming ability and sequence-selectivity of a triplex-forming oligonucleotide (TFO) involving of 2′-O, 4′-C-methylene bridged nucleic acid with 1-isoquinolone base analogue. We found that the modified TFO formed stable triplex with high binding affinity and sequence-selectivity.     

Synthesis,evaluation of anti-HIV-1 and anti-HCV activity of novel 2′,3′-dideoxy-2′,2′-difluoro-4′-azanucleosides

A series of 2′,3′-dideoxy-2′,2′-difluoro-4′-azanucleosides of both pyrimidine and purine nucleobases were synthesized in an efficient manner starting from commercially available L-pyroglutamic acid via glycosylation of difluorinated pyrrolidine derivative 15. Several 4′-azanucleosides were prepared as a separable mixture of α- and β-anomers. The 6-chloropurine analogue was obtained as a mixture of N⁷ and N⁹ regioisomers and their structures were identified based on NOESY and HMBC spectral data. Among the 4′-azanucleosides tested as HIV-1 inhibitors in primary human lymphocytes, four compounds showed modest activity and the 5-fluorouracil analogue (18d) was found to be the most active compound (EC₅₀ = 36.9 μM) in this series. None of the compounds synthesized in this study demonstrated anti-HCV activity.     

Hydrogenolysis of benzylidene acetals: synthesis of benzyl 2,3,6,2′,3′,4′-hexa-O-benzyl-β-cellobioside, -maltoside,and -lactoside,benzyl 2,3,4,2′,3′,4′-hexa-O-benzyl-β-allolactiside,and benzyl 2,3,6,2′,3′,6′-hexa-O-benzyl-β-lactoside

Hydrogenolysis of benzyl penta-O-benzyl-4′,6′-O-benzylidene-β-cellobioside (4), -maltoside (5), and -allolactoside (16) with LiAlH₄-AlCl₃ gave only the corresponding derivatives having HO-6′ free, in yields of 55, 78, and 90%, respectively. The main product of the hydrogenolysis of benzyl penta-O-benzyl-4′,6′-O-benzylidene-β-lactoside (6) also had HO-6′ free, but the isomer having HO-4′ free was also isolated. The role of the C-1 substituent in the galactose moiety in the direction of benzylidene ring-cleavage is discussed.     

Synthesis and Reactions of Some 3′,4′-Unsaturated 2′,3′-Secouridine Analogues

Abstract

2′,3′-Dibromo-2′,3′-dideoxy-5′-O-trityl-2′,3′-secouridine (8) with sdKF gave the 3′,4′-didehydro-2,2′-anhydro nucleoside 9, which was deprotected to 10. Hydrolysis of 9 gave 3′,4′-didehydro-3′-deoxy-5′-O-trityl-2′,3′-secouridine (11a). Similarly, compound 9 with pyridinium halides gave the corresponding 2′-deoxy-2′-halo nucleosides (11b-d). Compound 11d with azide ion gave 2′-azido analogue 11e. Compound 9 with an excess amount of azide ion gave the 2′-azido triazole (13).     

2′,4′-BNA NC : A Novel Bridged Nucleic Acid Analogue with Excellent Hybridizing and Nuclease Resistance Profiles

Oligonucleotides modified with 2 ′,4 ′-BNA ^NC (N-H)/(N-Me) monomers exhibited excellent hybridizing and nuclease resistance properties. Duplex and triplex thermal stabilities were greatly enhanced by incorporating 2′,4′-BNA ^NC (N-H) and (N-Me) monomers and nuclease resistance was tremendously higher than that of natural oligonucleotide.     

1′, 2′-Seco-2′,3′-Dideoxynucleoside Analogues: Synthesis and Antiviral Evaluation of Racemic Trans-[1′, 5′-Dihydroxy 3′, 4′-methylenylpent-2′-oxy)methyl] Nucleosides

Abstract

Reaction of (±)but-3-en-1,2-diol (3) with ethyl diazoacetate afforded two cyclopropyl compounds (5) and (6). Their relative trans stereochemistry at C-2 and C-3 has been determined by high-field and computational NMR spectroscopy. (±)Trans-1-(1′,5′-dihydroxy-3′,4′-methylenyl-pent-2′-oxy)methyl]thymine (1d) or -cytosine (1b) and (±)trans-9-(1′,5′-dihydroxy-3′,4′-methylenylpent-2′-oxy)-methyl]adenine (la) or -guanine (1c) have been obtained through a regiospecific alkylation procedure and their antiviral evaluation is reported.     

Synthesis of 3′,4′-difluoro-3′-deoxyribonucleosides and its evaluation of the biological activities: Discovery of a novel type of anti-HCV agent 3′,4′-difluorocordycepin

Upon reacting 3′,4′-unsaturated cytosine (8 and 9) and adenine nucleosides (13 and 14) with XeF₂/BF₃·OEt₂, the respective novel 3′,4′-difluoro-3′-deoxyribofuranosyl nucleosides (10–12 and 15–18) could be obtained. Formation of anti-adducts (11, 16 and 18) revealed that the fluorination involved oxonium ions as incipient intermediates. TBDMS-protected 3′,4′-unsaturated adenosine provided the β-face adducts as sole stereoisomers whereas α-face-selectivity was observed with the TBDPS-protected adenosine 14. The evaluation of the novel 3′-deoxy-3′,4′-difluororibofuranosylcytosine-(19–21) and adenine nucleosides (22–25) against antitumor and antiviral activities revealed that 3′,4′-difluorocordycepin (24) was found to possess anti-HCV activity. The SI of 24 was comparable to that of the anti-HCV drug ribavirin. However, sofosbuvir, FDA-approved novel anti-HCV drug, showed better SI value. Our finding revealed that the introduction of the fluoro-substituent into the 4′-position of cordycepin derivatives decreased the cytotoxicity to the host cell with retention of the antiviral activity.     

Synthesis,Anti-Hiv Activity,and Biological Properties of 2′,3′-Didehydro-2′,3′-Dideoxythwidine (d4T)

Abstract

D4T is a thymidine analogue with an in vitro potency against HIV comparable to that of AZT but is less toxic to a variety of cell lines including human hemopoietic progenitor cells.     

Pharmacokinetics of A New Anti-HIV Ageht: 2′,3′-Dideoxy-2′,3′-Didehydrothymidine (d4T)

Abstract

D4T is one of several drugs being considered for antiretroviral therapy in the treatment of AIDS. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that d4T was well absorbed, predominantly eliminated as unchanged drug and able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier.     

Synthesis of 6,1′,6′-tri-O-(mesitylenesulfonyl)sucrose,further examination of “tri-O-tosylsucrose”, and the chemistry of 3,6:1′,4′:3′,6′-trianhydrosucrose

Selective trimolar mesitylenesulfonylation of sucrose resulted in the formation of a highly crystalline trimesitylenesulfonate (1), which was isolated in greater than 50% yield without recourse to chromatography. As anticipated, the sulfonyl groups in 1 were located at the primary positions, as treatment with alkali afforded 3,6:1′,4′:3′,6′-trianhydrosucrose (4) in high yield. Fractionation of “tri-O-tosylsucrose” by high-pressure liquid chromatography effected separation of the minor isomer from the known, preponderant 6,1′,6′-isomer 3. ¹³C-N.m.r. spectroscopy indicated that the minor isomer was 2,6,6′-tri-O-p-tolylsulfonylsucrose (2). The trianhydride 4 was found to be dimorphous and was further characterized as the diacetate (5), the dibenzoate (6), the di-p-toluenesulfonate (7), and the dimethyl ether (8). Considerable differences in the reactivities toward acylation and etherification of the two axial hydroxyl groups in 4 permitted the preparation, in good yields, of the 4-acetate (9) and the 4-methyl ether (12). Several derivatives of methyl 3,6-anhydro-α-d-glucopyranoside (13) were prepared for comparison with corresponding derivatives of 4, and the hydroxyl groups in 13 also showed differences in reactivities analogous with those of 4.     

Effective syntheses of 2′,4′-BNANC monomers bearing adenine,guanine, thymine,and 5-methylcytosine,and the properties of oligonucleotides fully modified with 2′,4′-BNANC

We efficiently synthesized 2′-O,4′-C-aminomethylene-bridged nucleic acid (2′,4′-BNA^NC) monomers bearing the four nucleobases, guanine, adenine, thymine, and 5-methylcytosine and incorporated these monomers into oligonucleotides. Initially, we carried out the transglycosylation reaction on several 2′-O-substituted 5-methyluridines to evaluate the effects of 2′-substitutions on this reaction. Under the optimized conditions, purine nucleobases were successfully introduced, and 2′,4′-BNA^NC monomers bearing adenine or guanine were obtained over several steps. In addition, the improved synthesis of the 2′,4′-BNA^NC monomers bearing thymine or 5-methylcytosine was also achieved. The obtained 2′,4′-BNA^NC monomers were subsequently incorporated into oligonucleotides and the duplex-forming abilities of the modified oligonucleotides were investigated. Duplexes containing 2′,4′-BNA^NC monomers in both or either strands were found to possess excellent thermal stabilities.     

Ceriporia lacerata DMC1106, a new endophytic fungus: Isolation, identification, and optimal medium for 2′,4′-dihydroxy-6′-methoxy-3′,5′-dimethylchalcone production

2′,4′-Dihydroxy-6′-methoxy-3′,5′-dimethylchalcone (DMC), a bioactive flavonoid isolated from Cleistocalyx operculatus (Roxb.) Merr and Perry (Myrtaceae) exhibits significant anti-cancer effects and has received great attention recently. In this work, a new endophytic DMCproducing fungus, Ceriporia lacerata DMC1106, was isolated from the bud of C. operculatus. Its identity was confirmed based on rDNA ITS sequences (ITS1 and ITS2 regions and the intervening 5.8S rDNA region) and phylogenetic analysis. Furthermore, statistical screening designs were applied to identify significant medium variables for DMC production and to find their optimal levels. The difference between the optimized medium and the original medium suggested that L-phenylalanine, magnesium ion and oxalic acid might be attributed to the enhancement of DMC production. Compared with the initial medium, the production of DMC was increased 6-fold in optimum medium. These results demonstrated that the endophytic fungus Ceriporia lacerata DMC1106 has potential applications for DMC production.     

Efficient Transformation of Thymidine into 2′,3′-Didehydro-2′,3′-Dideoxy-Thymidine (D4T) Involving Opening of a 2,3′-Anhydro Derivative by Phenylselenol

Abstract

A new, high-yielding method for introduction of the selenophenyl residue at the 3′-position of thymidine is reported. This reaction avoided any strongly basic or reductive reagent, thus allowing the use of benzoate ester as a protective group at O-5′. Further oxidation-elimination sequence followed by basic deprotection afforded 2′,3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine (D4T) in 67.5% overall yield from thymidine.     

A Convenient Synthesis of N4,O3′, O5′-Triacetyl-2′-Ketocytidine

Abstract

A convenient synthesis of the title compound in four steps from cytidine is reported. Key transformations include differentiation of the 2′ position as N⁴,O^3′,O^5′-triacetyl-2,2′-anhydrocytidine, opening to the arabino derivative, and oxidation of the 2′ position with the Dess-Martin reagent.     

Thermodynamic and Kinetic Characterization of Duplex Formation between 2′-O, 4′-C-Methylene-modified Oligoribonucleotides,DNA and RNA

2′-O,4′-C-methylene-linked ribonucleotide derivatives, named LNA (locked nucleic acid) and BNA (bridged nucleic acid) are nucleic acid analogoues that have shown high-affinity recognition of DNA and RNA, and the employment of LNA oligomers for antisense activity, gene regulation and nucleic acid diagnostics seems promising. Here we show kinetic and thermodynamic results on the interaction of a series of 10 bases long LNA–DNA mixmers, gabmers as well as full length LNA’s with the complementary DNA, RNA and LNA oligonucleotides in the presence and absence of 10 mM Mg²⁺- ions. Our results show no significant differences in the reaction thermodynamics and kinetics between the LNA species, only a tendency to stronger duplex formation with the gabmer and mixmer. Introduction of a few LNA’s thus may be a better strategy, than using full length LNA’s to obtain an oligonucleotide that markedly increases the strength of duplexes formed with the complementary DNA and RNA.     

2′-Fluoro-4′-thio-2′,3′-unsaturated Nucleosides: Anti-HIV Activity,Resistance Profile,and Molecular Modeling Studies

Abstract

Both D- and L-2′-fluoro-4′-thio-2′,3′-unsaturated nucleosides were synthesized and their anti-HIV activity against the drug sensitive virus and lamivudine-resistant mutant (M184V) were evaluated. In vitro antiviral evaluation indicated that the L-isomers are more potent than the D-isomers, but unfortunately all were cross-resistant with 3TC. Molecular modeling studies revealed that the unnatural sugar moiety of the L-nucleosides as well as 4′-sulfur atom of the D-isomer has a steric conflict with the bulky side chain of valine 184, resulting in cross-resistance.