Nucleoside and oligonucleotide pyrene conjugates with 1,2,3-triazolyl or ethynyl linkers: synthesis, duplex stability, and fluorescence changes generated by the DNA-dye connector

DNA Strand Displacement with Base Pair Stabilizers: Purine-2,6-Diamine and 8-Aza-7-Bromo-7-Deazapurine-2,6-Diamine Oligonucleotides Invade Canonical DNA and New Fluorescent Pyrene Click Sensors Monitor the Reaction

Purine-2,6-diamine and 8-aza-7-deaza-7-bromopurine-2,6-diamine 2'-deoxyribonucleosides (1 and 2) were implemented in isothermal DNA strand displacement reactions. Nucleoside 1 is a weak stabilizer of dA-dT base pairs, nucleoside 2 evokes strong stabilization. Strand displacement reactions used single-stranded invaders with single and multiple incorporations of stabilizers. Displacement is driven by negative enthalpy changes between target and displaced duplex. Toeholds are not required. Two new environmental sensitive fluorescent pyrene sensors were developed to monitor the progress of displacement reactions. Pyrene was connected to the nucleobase in the invader or to a dendritic linker in the output strand. Both new sensors were constructed by click chemistry; phosphoramidites and oligonucleotides were prepared. Sensors show monomer or excimer emission. Fluorescence intensity changes when the displacement reaction progresses. Our work demonstrates that strand displacement with base pair stabilizers is applicable to DNA, RNA and to related biopolymers with applications in chemical biology, nanotechnology and medicinal diagnostics.

Green synthesis of triazolo-nucleoside conjugates via azide–alkyne C–N bond formation

Modified nucleosides are the core precursors for the synthesis of artificial nucleic acids, and are important in the field of synthetic and medicinal chemistry. In order to synthesize various triazolo-compounds, copper and ruthenium catalysed azide–alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions also known as click reaction have emerged as a facile and efficient tool due to its simplicity and convenient conditions. Introduction of a triazole ring in nucleosides enhances their therapeutic value and various photophysical properties. This review primarily focuses on the plethora of synthetic methodologies being employed to synthesize sugar modified triazolyl nucleosides, their therapeutic importance and various other applications.

Recent Advances in Nucleic Acid Targeting Probes and Supramolecular Constructs Based on Pyrene-Modified Oligonucleotides

In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the use of pyrene-modified oligonucleotides as a platform for functional nucleic acid-based constructs. Pyrene is of special interest for the development of nucleic acid-based tools due to its unique fluorescent properties (sensitivity of fluorescence to the microenvironment, ability to form excimers and exciplexes, long fluorescence lifetime, high quantum yield), ability to intercalate into the nucleic acid duplex, to act as a π-π-stacking (including anchoring) moiety, and others. These properties of pyrene have been used to construct novel sensitive fluorescent probes for the sequence-specific detection of nucleic acids and the discrimination of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), aptamer-based biosensors, agents for binding of double-stranded DNAs, and building blocks for supramolecular complexes. Special attention is paid to the influence of the design of pyrene-modified oligonucleotides on their properties, i.e., the structure-function relationships. The perspectives for the applications of pyrene-modified oligonucleotides in biomolecular studies, diagnostics, and nanotechnology are discussed.

MercuryII-mediated base pairs in DNA: unexpected behavior in metal ion binding and duplex stability induced by 2′-deoxyuridine 5-substituents

DNA accepts small substituents at the 5-position of 2′-deoxyuridine residues within mercury ion mediated dU–Hg^II–dU base pairs, while triple bonds interact with mercury ions and those with space demanding aromatic side chains block metal ion mediated base pair formation.

Donor/acceptor chromophores-decorated triazolyl unnatural nucleosides: synthesis, photophysical properties and study of interaction with BSA

We report the syntheses and photophysical properties of some triazolyl donor/acceptor unnatural nucleosides and studies on the interaction of one of the fluorescent nucleosides with BSA.

Polymerase Synthesis and Restriction Enzyme Cleavage of DNA Containing 7-Substituted 7-Deazaguanine Nucleobases

Previous studies of polymerase synthesis of base-modified DNAs and their cleavage by restriction enzymes have mostly related only to 5-substituted pyrimidine and 7-substituted 7-deazaadenine nucleotides. Here we report the synthesis of a series of 7-substituted 7-deazaguanine 2'-deoxyribonucleoside 5'-O-triphosphates (dG(R) TPs), their use as substrates for polymerase synthesis of modified DNA and the influence of the modification on their cleavage by type II restriction endonucleases (REs). The dG(R) TPs were generally good substrates for polymerases but the PCR products could not be visualised on agarose gels by intercalator staining, due to fluorescence quenching. The presence of 7-substituted 7-deazaguanine residues in recognition sequences of REs in most cases completely blocked the cleavage.

Quarternization of 3-azido-1-propyne oligomers obtained by copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition polymerization

3-Azido-1-propyne oligomer (oligoAP) samples, prepared by copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) polymerization, were quarternized quantitatively with methyl iodide in sulfolane at 60 °C to obtain soluble oligomers. The conformation of the quarternized oligoAP in dilute DMSO-d 6 solution was examined by pulse-field-gradient spin-echo NMR based on the touched bead model.

5-Nitroindole oligonucleotides with alkynyl side chains: universal base pairing, triple bond hydration and properties of pyrene "click" adducts

Oligonucleotides with 3-ethynyl-5-nitroindole and 3-octadiynyl-5-nitroindole 2'-deoxyribonucleosides were prepared by solid-phase synthesis. To this end, nucleoside phosphoramidites with clickable side chains were synthesized. The 3-ethynylated 5-nitroindole nucleoside was hydrated during automatized DNA synthesis to 3-acetyl-5-nitroindole 2'-deoxyribonucleoside. Side product formation was circumvented by triisopropylsilyl protection of the ethynyl side chain and was removed with TBAF after oligonucleotide synthesis. All compounds with a clickable 5-nitroindole skeleton show universal base pairing and can be functionalized with almost any azide in any position of the DNA chain. Functionalization of the side chain with 1-azidomethylpyrene afforded click adducts in which the fluorescence was quenched by the 5-nitroindole moieties. However, fluorescence was slightly recovered during duplex formation. Oligonucleotides with a pyrene residue and a long linker arm are stabilized over those with non-functionalized side chains. From the UV red shift of the pyrene residue in oligonucleotides and modelling studies, pyrene intercalation was established for the long linker adduct showing increased duplex stability over those with a short side chain.

2,4-Bis(4-aryl-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines: synthesis and tuning of optical properties by polar substituents

Novel D–π–A–π–D type chromophores – 2,4-bis(4-aryl-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines were prepared and their photophysical, electrochemical properties in conjunction with quantum chemical calculations were investigated.