Synthesis and hybridization properties of oligonucleotides containing 2'-O-modified ribonucleotides.

A versatile, general way is described for the introduction of different functional groups into oligonucleotides by means of a simple linker at the 2'-position of the sugar. Nucleotide building blocks carrying lipophilic, intercalating or tertiary amino groups can be placed deliberately at any desired position of oligonucleotides by standard automated oligonucleotide synthesis. Thermal denaturation studies with these oligonucleotides reveal the following general trends: i) Modification with lipophilic n-octyl groups has little if any effect on duplex stability; a destabilizing (lipophilic) substituent is better tolerated at or near the ends than in the middle of the oligo. ii) An intercalating substituent (2-aminoanthraquinone) substantially increases duplex stability. iii) N,N-Dimethyl amino residues also increase duplex stability though to a smaller extent than intercalating residues. iv) Modifications at the 5'-end have a more pronounced influence on the TM than the corresponding 3'-modifications. v) Oligonucleotides modified in such a way show little or no loss in sequence specificity.     

Synthesis and hybridization properties of oligonucleotides containing 6-membered azasugar nucleotides

A modified nucleoside was synthesized with adenine and a 6-membered azasugar, and it was converted to the phosphoramidite which was used for the incorporation into oligonucleotides. The hybridization properties of the modified oligonucleotides with DNA and RNA were studied.     

Synthesis and hybridization properties of inverse oligonucleotides.

The synthesis of adenine and thymine cyclopentylethyl nucleosides is presented. This novel constrained monomeric building block is very difficult to incorporate into oligonucleotides. It was introduced in 13mer oligodeoxynucleotide sequences at a single position using H-phosphonate chemistry. Phosphoramidite chemistry completely failed in this particular case. The H-phosphonate building blocks were obtained starting from the corresponding phosphoramidites. Stability of duplexes with RNA and DNA is significantly reduced.     

Preparation and characterization of spin-labeled oligonucleotides for DNA hybridization.

Sequence-specific spin-labeled oligodeoxynucleotides with conformation-sensitive electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals are synthesized and examined as solution-phase nucleic acid hybridization probes. Either a proxyl or tempo ring linked to the C(5) position of deoxyuridine (dU) by a nonrigid two-atom methylamino tether is incorporated within 15-mers by phosphotriester chemistry yielding stable spin-labeled probes with distinctive EPR specific activity (AEPR) values. The AEPR is greater for a proxyl-labeled than for a tempo-labeled probe and is consistent with EPR data of enzymatically labeled 26-mers [Bobst, A. M., Pauly, G. T., Keyes, R. S., and Bobst, E. V. (1988) FEBS Lett. 228, 33-36], after normalizing for percent labeling. The spectral characteristics of the free probes and the probe/target complexes are similar to those of enzymatically spin-labeled nucleic acids containing a different nonrigid two-atom-tethered spin label [Bobst, A. M., Kao, S.-C., Toppin, R. C., Ireland, J. C., and Thomas, I. E. (1984) J. Mol. Biol. 173, 63-70]. The presence of target DNA is detected in solution by EPR spectroscopy and the assay is based on the characteristic line-shape change associated with hybridization. The EPR spectra of free and bound probe reflect little interference from changes in global dynamics of the probe, and the line-shape change upon complexation results primarily from a change in local base dynamics. The presence or absence of hybridization can be detected in a loop-gap resonator with about 1 pmol of spin-labeled 15-mer within minutes.     

Synthesis and properties of oligonucleotides containing aminodeoxythymidine units.

Procedures are described for synthesis via solid support methodology of oligonucleotide analogues derived in part from 3'-amino-3'-deoxythymidine or 5'-amino-5'-deoxythymidine. Oligothymidylate decamers terminated with a 3'-amino group or containing a 3'-NHP(O)(O-)O-5' internucleoside link are found to form unusually stable complexes with poly(dA), poly(A), and oligo(dA). For related derivatives of 5'-amino-5'-deoxythymidine enhancement is less or absent, and in the case of multiple substitution destabilization of the heteroduplex may be observed. That the effect of the 3'-amino group is general for oligonucleotide derivatives is indicated by enhanced Tm values for heteroduplex complexes of the mixed-base oligomer, d(TATTCAGTCAT(NH2)), and the methyl phosphonate derivatives, TmTmTmTmTmTmTmTmTmT(NH2) and d(TmAmTmTmCmAmGmTmCmAmT(NH2)).     

LNA guanine and 2,6-diaminopurine. Synthesis, characterization and hybridization properties of LNA 2,6-diaminopurine containing oligonucleotides

LNA guanine and 2,6-diaminopurine (D) phosphoramidites have been synthesized as building blocks for antisense oligonucleotides (ON). The effects of incorporating LNA D into ON were investigated. As expected, LNA D containing ON showed increased affinity towards complementary DNA (Delta Tm +1.6 to +3.0 degrees C) and RNA (Delta Tm +2.6 to +4.6 degrees C) ON. To evaluate if LNA D containing ON have an enhanced mismatch sensitivity compared to their complementary LNA A containing ON thermal denaturation experiments towards singly mismatched DNA and RNA ON were undertaken. Replacing one LNA A residue with LNA D, in fully LNA modified ON, resulted in higher mismatch sensitivity towards DNA ON (Delta Delta Tm -4 to >-17 degrees C). The same trend was observed towards singly mismatched RNA ON (Delta Delta Tm D-a = -8.7 degrees C and D-g = -4.5 degrees C) however, the effect was less clearcut and LNA A showed a better mismatch sensitivity than LNA D towards cytosine (Delta Tm +5.5 degrees C).     

Synthesis and properties of oligonucleotides containing 2'-pyrenylalkyluridine.

The synthesis, binding and fluorescence properties of oligonucleotides containing the uridine modified at the 2'-position by a pyrene group using different length of linker arm have been described. It is demonstrated that the oligonucleotides possessing a C3-amide group at the 2'-position display an enhanced signal of the pyrene monomer fluorescence upon binding to DNA segments.     

Modified oligonucleotides containing 1-beta-D-galactopyranosylthymine: synthesis and substrate properties

A convenient method of regioselective introduction of 1-beta-D-galactopyranosylthymine into oligonucleotides was developed and the substrate properties of the modified oligonucleotides were investigated in the enzymic reaction of formation and hydrolysis of internucleotide bonds. The English version of the paper.     

Physical properties of oligonucleotides containing phosphoramidate-modified internucleoside linkages.

Because of their nuclease resistance and ability to form substrates for RNase H, antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) possessing several methoxyethylphosphoramidate linkages at both termini have proven effective at targeting the degradation of specific mRNAs in Xenopus embryos. The efficacy of these compounds subsequently observed in tissue culture focused our attention on the issue of cellular uptake. To investigate the extent to which phosphate backbone modifications may increase the lipophilicity of ODNs, and thereby increase passive uptake by cells, the partitioning of a series of phosphoramidate-modified compounds between aqueous and organic phases was examined. The octanol:water partition coefficient of an unmodified, mixed-sequence 16-mer was 1.75 x 10(-5). The log of the partition coefficient increased in a sigmoidal manner with the number of methoxyethylphosphoramidate internucleoside linkages, indicating a nonlinear free energy relationship. The highest level of partitioning demonstrated was approximately 4 x 10(-3) (a 230-fold increase), attained when 11 of the 15 phosphodiesters were modified. An increase in hydrophobicity was also attained with C8 and C10 alkylamines acting as phase-transfer agents. The melting temperatures of heteroduplexes formed between a phosphoramidate-modified ODN and a complementary unmodified DNA strand decreased by approximately 1.5 degrees C for every phosphate group modification. ODNs can thus be extensively derivatized without substantially compromising duplex formation under physiological conditions.     

Synthesis and properties of oligonucleotides containing 2'-O-methyl-2-thiouridine.

New methods to synthesize 2'-O-methyl-2-thiouridine and its phosphoramidite building block for incorporation into oligonucleotides were developed. Oligonucleotides containing 2'-O-methyl-2-thiouridine were expected to be favorable as antisense agents in several respects, i.e., nuclease resistance, stable RNA duplex formation, and exact base recognition. Therefore, to make them clear, we synthesized oligonucleotides having 2'-O-methyl-2-thiouridine and analyzed their properties in detail.     

Synthesis and properties of oligonucleotides containing 2''-deoxynebularine and 2''-deoxyxanthosine.

The preparation of synthetic oligonucleotides containing 2'-deoxynebularine (dN) and 2'-deoxyxanthosine (dX) is described. The thermal stabilities of duplexes containing dX, dN, and 2'-deoxyinosine (dI) base-paired with the four natural bases have been measured. Xanthine base pairs have stabilities at pH 5.5 that are similar to those of dI-containing duplexes at neutral pH. When xanthine is paired with adenine or cytosine an unusual stabilization of the duplex structure is observed at acid pH. Incorporation of base mispairs opposite template xanthine sites were measured using Drosophila DNA polymerase alpha. The relative nucleoside incorporation rates are in the order: T greater than C much greater than A approximately equal to G. These rates do not correlate with relative thermodynamic stabilities of base mispairs with xanthine obtained from Tm measurements: T greater than G greater than A approximately equal to C. We suggest that DNA polymerase misinsertion rates are greatest when the base mispair can be formed in accordance with Watson-Crick as opposed to other base pairing geometries even though other geometries, e.g. wobble, may result in a more stable final DNA product.     

Synthesis and hybridization properties of the conjugates of oligonucleotides and stabilization agents. Part 3

New compounds having tri- or pentamethylenamine linker functions were synthesized. These derivatives were covalently attached through the 5'-phosphoramide linkage to heptanucleotide pd(CCAAACA). Complementary complexes of the octanucleotide pd(TGTTTGGC) and above oligonucleotide conjugates were tested for their thermodynamic response. The T(m) data and thermodynamic parameters for complex formation confirmed the ability of chromone (gamma-pyrone) derivatives to stabilize strongly the 7-mer/8-mer complementary complex. Moreover, benzochromone (naphthopyrane) and, surprisingly, tetrahydropyrimidinethanone derivatives showed the capacity of stabilizing this 7-mer/8-mer complementary complex. The effect of all these compounds on the stability of the oligonucleotide complexes (DeltaDeltaG at 37 degrees C ranged from -1.2 to -2.0 kcal/mol) was shown to be comparable to the effect of one nucleotide base pair and similar to the effect (DeltaDeltaG at 37 degrees C ranged from -1.5 to -2.0 kcal/mol) found for acridine-oligonucleotide conjugates, which served as a reference in this study.     

Solid-phase synthesis and hybridization properties of DNA containing sulfide-linked dinucleosides.

Oligodeoxyribonucleotides incorporating non-hydrolyzable dialkyl sulfide linked thymidine dimers (TsT) were synthesized chemically by the solid-phase approach. The sulfide dimer TsT was stable to degradation by snake-venom phosphodiesterase, calf spleen phosphodiesterase, Nuclease P1 and Nuclease S1. Thermal denaturation analysis indicated that the incorporation of TsT dimers into DNA weakened, but did not prevent, binding to complementary DNA and RNA over a wide range of salt concentrations (10 mM to 2 M NaCl).     

Synthesis and properties of oligonucleotides containing a cholesterol thymidine monomer

Highly selective base-pair recognition makes DNA a suitable building block for orderly self-assembled structures. For some applications in nanotechnology DNA complexes need to be fixed onto surfaces. To fulfil this requirement on lipid membranes we have synthesised a thymidine monomer modified with a cholesterol moiety. Solution studies show that the melting temperature (Tm) of the duplex, with adjacent cholesterols on each strand, is much higher than that of the unmodified duplex.     

Synthesis and properties of oligonucleotides containing 8-bromo-2'-deoxyguanosine

The preparation of oligonucleotides containing 8-bromo-2'-deoxyguanosine is described. Substitution of G by 8-bromoguanine on an alternating CG decamer stabilizes the Z-form in such a way that the B-form was not observed. Melting temperatures showed that duplexes in which 8-bromo-2'-deoxyguanosine paired with natural bases were much less stable.     

Syntheses and properties of fluorescent labeled oligonucleotides containing deoxyethenoadenosine at 5' end.

The fluorescent labeled oligodeoxyribonucleotides which contain deoxyethenoadenosione (d epsilon A) at their 5' end were prepared by treating CPG bound oligonucleotides with 5'-DMTr-deoxyethenoadenosine-3'-H-phosphonate. The hybrid formation of d epsilon A-oligonucleotide with its complementary DNA was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. The fluorescence of d epsilon A in a single strand was largely quenched by stacking interaction with the base at 3' position. When d epsilon A-oligonucleotides hybridized with their complementary strands, relative fluorescence quantum yields (Qrel) against d epsilon A changed in specific manners. These results suggest that d epsilon A-oligonucleotides are applicable to study the local structure of DNA in solution.     

Synthesis and hybridization properties of RNA containing 8-chloroadenosine

8-Chloroadenosine (8-Cl-Ado) has shown potential as a chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of multiple myeloma and certain leukemias. 8-Cl-Ado treatment leads to a decrease in global RNA levels and incorporation of the analog into cellular RNA in malignant cells. To investigate the effects of 8-Cl-Ado modifications on RNA structure and function, an 8-Cl-Ado phosphoramidite and controlled-pore glass support were synthesized and used to introduce 8-Cl-Ado at internal and 3'- terminal positions, respectively. RNA oligonucleotides containing 8-chloroadenine (8-Cl-A) residues were synthesized and hybridized with complementary RNA strands. Circular dichroism spectroscopy of the resulting RNA duplexes revealed that the modified nucleobase does not perturb the overall A-form helix geometry. The thermal stabilities of 8-Cl-Ado modified duplexes were determined by UV thermal denaturation analysis and were compared with analogous natural duplexes containing standard and mismatched base pairs. The 8-Cl-Ado modification destabilizes RNA duplexes by approximately 5 kcal/mole, approximately as much as a U:U mismatched base pair. The duplex destabilization of 8-Cl-A may result from perturbation of Watson-Crick base pairing induced by conformational preferences of 8-halogenated nucleosides.     

Synthesis and hybridization of a series of biotinylated oligonucleotides.

A series of oligonucleotides containing biotin-11-dUMP at various positions were synthesized and compared in quantitative, colorimetric hybridization-detection studies. A deoxyuridine phosphoramidite containing a protected allylamino sidearm was synthesized and used in standard, automated synthesis cycles to prepare oligonucleotides with allylamino residues at various positions within a standard 17-base sequence. Biotin substituents were subsequently attached to the allylamino sidearms by reaction with N-biotinyl-6-aminocaproic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester. These oligomers were hybridized to target DNA immobilized on microtiter wells (ELISA plates), and were detected with a streptavidin-biotinylated horseradish peroxidase complex using hydrogen peroxide as substrate and o-phenylenediamine as chromogen. We found that the sensitivity of detection of target DNA by biotin-labeled oligonucleotide probes was strongly dependent upon the position of the biotin label. Oligonucleotides containing biotin labels near or off the ends of the hybridizing sequence were more effective probes than oligonucleotides containing internal biotin labels. An additive effect of increasing numbers of biotin-dUMP residues was found for some labeling configurations.     

Synthesis and triplex binding properties of oligonucleotides containing a novel nucleobase

The thiazolo-indole compound 1 bearing the complementary donor-acceptor-donor sites (dad) was designed for specific recognition of an AT inverted base pair in pyrimidine triple helix motif. It was successfully incorporated into 14-mer oligonucleotide using a serinol unit as sugar derivative. The triple helix hybridization studies were examined by means of thermal denaturation experiments with a 26-mer DNA duplex containing the AT inverted base pair.     

Synthesis and hybridization studies of oligonucleotides containing 1-(2-deoxy-2-alpha-C-hydroxymethyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)thymine (2'-alpha-hm-dT)

We report the first investigation of oligoribonucleotides containing a few 1-(2-deoxy-2-alpha-C-hydroxymethyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)thymine units (or 2'-hm-dT, abbreviated in this work as 'H'). Both the 2'-CH2O-phosphoramidite and 3'-O-phosphoramidite derivatives of H were synthesized and incorporated into both 2',5'-RNA and RNA chains. The hybridization properties of the modified oligonucleotides have been studied via thermal denaturation and circular dichroism studies. While 3',5'-linked H was shown previously to significantly destabilize DNA:RNA hybrids and DNA:DNA duplexes (modification in the DNA strand; DeltaT(m) approximately -3 degrees C/insert), we find that 2',5'-linked H have a smaller effect on 2',5'-RNA:RNA and RNA:RNA duplexes (DeltaT(m) = -0.3 degrees C and -1.2 degrees C, respectively). The incorporation of 3',5'-linked H into 2',5'-RNA:RNA and RNA:RNA duplexes was found to be more destabilizing (-0.7 degrees C and -3.6 degrees C, respectively). Significantly, however, the 2',5'-linked H units confer marked stability to RNA hairpins when they are incorporated into a 2',5'-linked tetraloop structure (DeltaT(m) = +1.5 degrees C/insert). These results are rationalized in terms of the compact and extended conformations of nucleotides.