Methylphosphonate Modified DNA Hairpin Loops

Abstract

We synthesized and analyzed DNA hairpin molecules with methylphosphonate linkages of defined stereochemistry in the loop region. Dinucleotide building blocks ApA and TpT (p indicating methylphosphonate linkage with either Rp or Sp configuration) were synthesized, separated into the diastereomers, and incorporated at three positions of the tetraloops 5′-CGCAAAAGCG-3′ and 5′-CGCTTTTGCG-3′. The oligonucleotides were analyzed for their melting behavior. With a Tm of 67.5°C the molecule 5′-CGCAAApAGCG-3′ with a Sp configurated methylphosphonate is distinctly more stable than the Rp configurated one (Tm = 60.5 °C) and the unmodified oligonucleotide (Tm = 64.5 °C). In contrast to double helical DNA where the substitution of a phosphorodiester by a Sp configurated methylphosphonate results in a lower Tm, in DNA hairpin the introduction of Sp and Rp methylphosphonates at specific positions can lead to a stabilization of the structure.