Homogeneous fluorescence assays for RNA diagnosis by pyrene-conjugated 2'-O-methyloligoribonucleotides

Ratiometric sandwich-type assays for RNAs with a point mutation using benzo[a]pyrene-modified probes

Benzo[a]pyrene-modified oligonucleotides were developed for the detection of RNAs with a point mutation. The probes produced two distinct fluorescence signals in response to single nucleotide differences in the RNA sequences, allowing for discrimination between the matched and single base mismatched RNA sequences in colorimetric and ratiometric manners.

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.

Trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate-promoted reductive 2'-O-arylmethylation of ribonucleoside derivatives

Arylmethyl groups such as benzyl, p-methoxybenzyl, and 1-pyrenylmethyl groups were introduced to the 2'-O-position of nucleosides by reductive etherification. Combining corresponding aromatic aldehydes with 2'-O-trimethylsilylnucleoside derivatives in the presence of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf) resulted in moderate to good yields of the 2'-O-arylmethyluridine derivatives, whereas the corresponding cytidine and adenosine derivatives were obtained in low yields. The reaction of ribonucleosides with aliphatic aldehydes did not proceed smoothly. Anomerization of the uridine derivatives by TMSOTf was observed in CH(2)Cl(2), toluene, and CH(3)CN, but was completely suppressed when the reactions were conducted in 1,4-dioxane.