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Valentini P, Pierattini B, Zacco E, Mangoni D, Espinoza S, Webster NA, Andrews B, Carninci P, Tartaglia GG, Pandolfini L, Gustincich S. Towards SINEUP-based therapeutics: Design of an in vitro synthesized SINEUP RNA. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 27:1092-1102. [PMID: 35228902 PMCID: PMC8857549 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
SINEUPs are a novel class of natural and synthetic non-coding antisense RNA molecules able to increase the translation of a target mRNA. They present a modular organization comprising an unstructured antisense target-specific domain, which sets the specificity of each individual SINEUP, and a structured effector domain, which is responsible for the translation enhancement. In order to design a fully functional in vitro transcribed SINEUP for therapeutics applications, SINEUP RNAs were synthesized in vitro with a variety of chemical modifications and screened for their activity on endogenous target mRNA upon transfection. Three combinations of modified ribonucleotides-2'O methyl-ATP (Am), N6 methyl-ATP (m6A), and pseudo-UTP (ψ)-conferred SINEUP activity to naked RNA. The best combination tested in this study was fully modified with m6A and ψ. Aside from functionality, this combination conferred improved stability upon transfection and higher thermal stability. Common structural determinants of activity were identified by circular dichroisms, defining a core functional structure that is achieved with different combinations of modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Valentini
- Central RNA Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16152 Genova, Italy
| | - Bianca Pierattini
- Central RNA Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16152 Genova, Italy
- Area of Neuroscience, International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Elsa Zacco
- Central RNA Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16152 Genova, Italy
| | - Damiano Mangoni
- Central RNA Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16152 Genova, Italy
| | - Stefano Espinoza
- Central RNA Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16152 Genova, Italy
| | - Natalie A. Webster
- STORM Therapeutics, Babraham Research Campus, Moneta Building, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Byron Andrews
- STORM Therapeutics, Babraham Research Campus, Moneta Building, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Piero Carninci
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | | | - Luca Pandolfini
- Central RNA Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16152 Genova, Italy
| | - Stefano Gustincich
- Central RNA Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16152 Genova, Italy
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Kishimura T, Tomori T, Masaki Y, Seio K. Synthesis of 2'-O-alkylcarbamoylethyl-modified oligonucleotides with enhanced nuclease resistance that form isostable duplexes with complementary RNA. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 35:127779. [PMID: 33434643 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.127779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
To expand the variety of 2'-O-modified oligonucleotides, we synthesized 2'-O-carbamoylethyl-modified oligonucleotides bearing ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, n-pentyl, and n-octyl groups on their nitrogen atoms. The corresponding nucleosides were synthesized using 2'-O-benzyloxycarbonylethylthymidine, which was easily converted into the carboxylic acid through hydrogeneration; subsequent condensation with the appropriate amine gave the desired nucleoside. We evaluated the effect of the 2'-O-alkylcarbamoylethyl modifications on duplex stability by analyzing melting temperature, which revealed the formation of isostable duplexes. In addition, we also revealed that these modifications, especially octylcarbamoylethyl, endowed these oligonucleotides with resistance toward a 3'-exonuclease. These results highlight the usefulness of the 2'-O-alkylcarbamoylethyl modification for various biological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Kishimura
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Takahito Tomori
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Masaki
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan; JST, PRESTO, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan
| | - Kohji Seio
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan.
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Therapeutic oligonucleotides with polyethylene glycol modifications. Future Med Chem 2015; 7:1721-31. [PMID: 26465713 DOI: 10.4155/fmc.15.94] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In the field of oligonucleotide drugs, the attachment of PEG is a well-established strategy to prevent enzymatic degradation and avoid renal elimination. Pegaptanib and other oligonucleotides in clinical development utilize the attachment of linear or branched high molecular weight PEG chains for increase of accumulation and duration of the effect after local or systemic application. The length of PEG chains is decisive for the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects. Longer chains increase circulation times, but generally decrease gene-silencing efficiencies for antisense and siRNA agents and binding affinities for aptamers. Shorter chains are less efficient in preventing renal filtration, but have also less impact on the gene-silencing machinery and binding kinetics.
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Saito Y, Hashimoto Y, Arai M, Tarashima N, Miyazawa T, Miki K, Takahashi M, Furukawa K, Yamazaki N, Matsuda A, Ishida T, Minakawa N. Chemistry, properties, and in vitro and in vivo applications of 2'-O-methoxyethyl-4'-thioRNA, a novel hybrid type of chemically modified RNA. Chembiochem 2014; 15:2535-40. [PMID: 25314258 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201402398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
We report the synthesis, properties, and in vitro and in vivo applications of 2'-O-methoxyethyl-4'-thioRNA (MOE-SRNA), a novel type of hybrid chemically modified RNA. In its hybridization with complementary RNA, MOE-SRNA showed a moderate improvement of Tm value (+3.4 °C relative to an RNA:RNA duplex). However, the results of a comprehensive comparison of the nuclease stability of MOE-SRNA relative to 2'-O-methoxyethylRNA (MOERNA), 2'-O-methyl-4'-thioRNA (Me-SRNA), 2'-O-methylRNA (MeRNA), 4'-thioRNA (SRNA), and natural RNA revealed that MOE-SRNA had the highest stability (t1/2 >48 h in human plasma). Because of the favorable properties of MOE-SRNA, we evaluated its in vitro and in vivo potencies as an anti-microRNA oligonucleotide against miR-21. Although the in vitro potency of MOE-SRNA was moderate, its in vivo potency was significant for the suppression of tumor growth (similar to that of MOERNA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yota Saito
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokushima, 1-78-1 Shomachi, Tokushima 770-8505 (Japan)
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Liu Y, Sha R, Wang R, Ding L, Canary JW, Seeman NC. 2′,2′-Ligation demonstrates the thermal dependence of DNA-directed positional control. Tetrahedron 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2008.05.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Winkler J, Gilbert M, Kocourková A, Stessl M, Noe CR. 2'-O-Lysylaminohexyl oligonucleotides: modifications for antisense and siRNA. ChemMedChem 2008; 3:102-10. [PMID: 17979170 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.200700169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
A novel type of oligonucleotide has been developed, characterized by the attachment of a lysyl moiety to a 2'-O-aminohexyl linker. A protected lysine building block was tethered to 2'-O-aminohexyluridine, and the product was converted into the corresponding phosphoramidite. Up to six modified nucleosides were incorporated in dodecamer DNA and RNA oligonucleotides using standard phosphoramidite chemistry. Each of the building blocks contributes one positive charge to the oligonucleotide instead of the negative charge of a wild-type nucleotide. Thermal denaturation profiles indicated a stabilizing effect of 2'-O-lysylaminohexyl chains that was more pronounced in RNA duplexes. Incubation of the oligonucleotides with 5'-exonuclease revealed an exceptionally high stability against enzymatic degradation. Incorporation of up to three modifications into functional antisense and siRNA oligonucleotides targeted at ICAM-1 showed that the gene-silencing activity was higher with an increasing number of lysylaminohexyl nucleotides. Compared with wild-type antisense or siRNA, compounds with three modifications led to equal or higher ICAM-1 downregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Winkler
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Liu Y, Wang R, Ding L, Sha R, Lukeman PS, Canary JW, Seeman NC. Thermodynamic analysis of nylon nucleic acids. Chembiochem 2008; 9:1641-8. [PMID: 18543259 PMCID: PMC2976662 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.200800032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2008] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The stability and structure of nylon nucleic acid duplexes with complementary DNA and RNA strands was examined. Thermal denaturing studies of a series of oligonucleotides that contained nylon nucleic acids (1-5 amide linkages) revealed that the amide linkage significantly enhanced the binding affinity of nylon nucleic acids towards both complementary DNA (up to 26 degrees C increase in the thermal transition temperature (T(m)) for five linkages) and RNA (around 15 degrees C increase in T(m) for five linkages) compared with nonamide linked precursor strands. For both DNA and RNA complements, increasing derivatization decreased the melting temperatures of uncoupled molecules relative to unmodified strands; by contrast, increasing lengths of coupled copolymer raised T(m) from less to slightly greater than T(m) of unmodified strands. Thermodynamic data extracted from melting curves and CD spectra of nylon nucleic acid duplexes were consistent with loss of stability due to incorporation of pendent groups on the 2'-position of ribose and recovery of stability upon linkage of the side chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- Department of Chemistry New York University 100 Washington Square E., New York, NY 10003 (USA) Fax: (+1) 212-260-7905
| | - Risheng Wang
- Department of Chemistry New York University 100 Washington Square E., New York, NY 10003 (USA) Fax: (+1) 212-260-7905
| | - Liang Ding
- Department of Chemistry New York University 100 Washington Square E., New York, NY 10003 (USA) Fax: (+1) 212-260-7905
| | - Ruojie Sha
- Department of Chemistry New York University 100 Washington Square E., New York, NY 10003 (USA) Fax: (+1) 212-260-7905
| | - Philip S. Lukeman
- Department of Chemistry New York University 100 Washington Square E., New York, NY 10003 (USA) Fax: (+1) 212-260-7905
| | - James W. Canary
- Department of Chemistry New York University 100 Washington Square E., New York, NY 10003 (USA) Fax: (+1) 212-260-7905
| | - Nadrian C. Seeman
- Department of Chemistry New York University 100 Washington Square E., New York, NY 10003 (USA) Fax: (+1) 212-260-7905
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Zatsepin TS, Romanova EA, Oretskaya TS. Synthesis of 2'-O-alkylnucleosides. RUSSIAN CHEMICAL REVIEWS 2007. [DOI: 10.1070/rc2002v071n06abeh000714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Noe CR, Winkler J, Urban E, Gilbert M, Haberhauer G, Brunar H. Zwitterionic oligonucleotides: a study on binding properties of 2'-O-aminohexyl modifications. NUCLEOSIDES NUCLEOTIDES & NUCLEIC ACIDS 2005; 24:1167-85. [PMID: 16270660 DOI: 10.1081/ncn-200067400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
2'-O-Aminohexyl side chains provide excellent conditions for zwitterionic interstrand and intrastrand interactions of oligonucleotides. 2'-O-Aminoalkylated phosphoramidites of adenosine and uridine were synthesized and incorporated in increasing number into homo adenosine and homo uridine/thymidine dodecamers, respectively. CD spectra of these dodecamers with complementary sense DNA exhibited a B-DNA type structure. While duplex stability values of all tested oligonucleotides were lower than those of the native oligonucleotides, they were significantly higher than those of 2'-O-heptyl modified oligonucleotides. The destabilization amounted to 0.9, 1.5, and 2.7 degrees C per modification for 2'-O-aminohexyl adenosine, 2'-O-aminohexyl uridine, and 2'-O-heptyl adenosine substitutions. These findings are pointing to a duplex stabilizing effect of the interaction of side chain amino groups with backbone phosphoric acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian R Noe
- Department für Medizinische/Pharmazeutische Chemie, Universität Wien, Pharmaziezentrum, Althanstrasse 14, Wien 1090, Austria.
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Abstract
A new method for synthesizing oligonucleotide peptide conjugates by an in-line approach is presented. A phosphorothioate oligonucleotide with the sequence of bcl-2 targeted Oblimersen by employing a modified 2'-amino-2'-desoxy-uridine nucleotide bearing a succinyl linker at the 2' position was prepared. The carboxyl group was protected for solid-phase synthesis as the benzyl ester. Ester cleavage was afforded by a phase transfer reaction using palladium nanoparticles as catalyst and cyclohexadiene as hydrogen donor. Short tails of up to three lysyl residues were conjugated to the oligonucleotide by an inverse stepwise peptide synthesis. The conjugates were characterized by HPLC, mass spectrometry, and circular dichroism. Influence of lysyl tails on CD spectra were minimal. Melting profiles revealed only minimal destabilizing effects on duplexes by conjugation of peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Winkler
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Universität Wien, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Wien, Austria
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Urban E, Noe CR. Structural modifications of antisense oligonucleotides. FARMACO (SOCIETA CHIMICA ITALIANA : 1989) 2003; 58:243-58. [PMID: 12620420 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-827x(03)00022-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides are efficient tools for the inhibition of gene expression in a sequence specific way. Natural oligonucleotides are decomposed rapidly in biological systems, which strongly restrict their application. In contrast, artificial oligonucleotides are designed to be more stable against degradation than the target mRNA, which results in a catalytic effect of the drug. Modification of the phosphate linkage has been the first successful strategy for antisense drug developments and Fomivirsene the first antisense drug in therapy. The launch of Fomivirsene has resulted in a revolutionary spin off to antisense research leading to a second generation of antisense oligonucleotides, which are stable against oligonucleotide cleaving enzymes. Among these, oligonucleotides bearing an alkoxy substituent in position 2' were the most successful ones. The third generation of antisense oligonucleotides contains structure elements, which enhance the antisense action. Zwitterionic oligonucleotides show remarkable results, first, because the stability against ribozymes is largely increased, and secondly, because the electrostatic repulsion between the anionic sense and the zwitterionic antisense cords is minimized. Promising new target molecules in antisense research are oligonucleotide chimäres, which enhance the antisense action (chimäres with intercalators, chelators or polyamines) or enable an application as sequence specific detectors (chimäres with biotin, fluorescein or radioligands).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernst Urban
- Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Universität Wien, Pharmaziezentrum, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Wien, Austria
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Martin P. Ein neuer Zugang zu 2′-O-(2-Methoxyethyl)ribonucleosiden ausgehend vonD-Glucose. Helv Chim Acta 2003. [DOI: 10.1002/hlca.200390013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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