Stabilization of DNA duplex by 2-substituted adenine as a minor groove modifier

Stereoselective synthesis of 2′-modified nucleosides by using ortho-alkynyl benzoate as a gold(i)-catalyzed removable neighboring participation group

ortho-Alkynyl benzoate was developed as a neighboring participation group in stereoselective synthesis of nucleosides, which could be removed using gold(i)-catalysis to afford 2′-OH nucleosides in high yield and selectivity.

Enhancement of fluorescence quenching and exciplex formation in DNA major groove by double incorporation of modified fluorescent deoxyuridines

5-(1-Naphthalenylethynyl)-2'-deoxyuridine ((N)U) and 5-[(4-cyano-1-naphthalenyl)ethynyl]-2'-deoxyuridine ((CN)U) were synthesized and incorporated into oligodeoxynucleotides. Fluorescence emissions of modified duplexes containing double (N)U were efficiently quenched depending upon the sequence pattern of the naphthalenes in DNA major groove, as compared to the duplex possessing single (N)U. When one of the naphthalene moieties has a cyano substituent, the exciplex emission from the chromophores in DNA major groove was observed at longer wavelength.