Synthesis and characterization of oligodeoxynucleotides containing a novel tetraazabenzo[cd]azulene:naphthyridine base pair

Synthesis and properties of oligonucleotides containing a 2,6-diamino-3-deazapurine:furanopyrimidine base pair

Furanopyrimidine (FPy) and 2,6-diamino-3-deazapurine (DC³Pu) nucleosides with the ability to interact in DDD and AAA H-bonding patterns, respectively, were prepared. The N-1 pK_a value of the DC³Pu nucleoside was estimated to be 6.4, which is due to the lack of a nitrogen atom at the 3-position, suggesting that DC³Pu acts as a base interacting in a DDD H-bonding pattern under near physiological conditions. As DC³Pu and FPy are expected to form a thermally stable DDD:AAA type of base pair in an oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) duplex, they were incorporated into ODNs, and the T_m value of the ODN duplex was determined. However, the ODN duplex containing a DC³Pu:FPy pair has a lower thermal stability than that containing a G:C pair does, although its thermal stability is equal to that of an ODN duplex with an A:T pair even under acidic conditions.

Unnatural Base Pairs for Synthetic Biology

In this review, we have summarized the research effort into the development of unnatural base pairs beyond standard Watson-Crick (WC) base pairs for synthetic biology. Prior to introducing our research results, we present investigations by four outstanding groups in the field. Their research results demonstrate the importance of shape complementarity and stacking ability as well as hydrogen-bonding (H-bonding) patterns for unnatural base pairs. On the basis of this research background, we developed unnatural base pairs consisting of imidazo[5',4':4.5]pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines and 1,8-naphthyridines, i.e., Im : Na pairs. Since Im bases are recognized as ring-expanded purines and Na bases are recognized as ring-expanded pyrimidines, Im : Na pairs are expected to satisfy the criteria of shape complementarity and enhanced stacking ability. In addition, these pairs have four non-canonical H-bonds. Because of these preferable properties, ImN^N : NaO^O, one of the Im : Na pairs, is recognized as a complementary base pair in not only single nucleotide insertion, but also the PCR.

A practical post-modification synthesis of oligodeoxynucleotides containing 4,7-diaminoimidazo[5',4':4,5]pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine nucleoside

We describe herein the practical post-modification synthesis of oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) containing 4,7-diaminoimidazo[5',4':4,5]pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine nucleoside (ImN(N)). Since the ImN(N) nucleoside unit possessing tribenzoyl groups on its exocyclic amino groups as the protecting group was quite unstable under acidic conditions, cleavage of its glycosidic linkage in ODN has been suggested throughout the conditions of solid-phase synthesis. As an alternative approach, we investigated a post-modification synthesis of the desired ODNs containing the ImN(N) unit. Starting with protected 4-amino-7-chloro-1-(2-deoxy-β-D-ribofuranosyl)imidazo[5',4':4,5]pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivative 1, conversion into the corresponding phosphoramidite unit was examined. The p-bromobenzoyl group (p-BrBz) was the best protecting group of 4-amino group of 1 to give the phosphoramidite unit 9 for the post-modification synthesis. After carrying out the ODN synthesis linked to the controlled pore glass (CPG) support, the support was treated with ammonium hydroxide at 55 °C to remove the protecting groups, detach the ODN form the CPG support, and convert the 7-chloro group into a desired amino group. As a result, the desired ODNs containing ImN(N) were obtained in good yield.

New imidazopyridopyrimidine:naphthyridine base-pairing motif, ImN(N):NaO(O), consisting of a DAAD:ADDA hydrogen bonding pattern, markedly stabilize DNA duplexes

The new imidazopyridopyrimidine:naphthyridine base-pairing motifs, ImO(O):NaN(N) and ImN(N):NaO(O), were designed. Among the base pairs examined, DNA duplexes containing ImN(N):NaO(O) pair(s) consisting of a DAAD:ADDA hydrogen bonding pattern (D = donor, A = acceptor) were markedly stabilized thermally and thermodynamically.