Oligodeoxyribonucleoside methylphosphonates. NMR and UV spectroscopic studies of Rp-Rp and Sp-Sp methylphosphonate (Me) modified duplexes of (d[GGAATTCC])2

Stereocontrolled synthesis of oligonucleotide analogs containing chiral internucleotidic phosphorus atoms

Oligonucleotides, in which one of the two nonbridging oxygen atoms of internucleotidic phosphates is replaced by a different type of atom or a substituent, are useful as therapeutic agents and probes to elucidate mechanisms of enzymatic reactions. The internucleotidic phosphorus atoms of these oligonucleotides are chiral, and the properties of these oligonucleotides are affected by the absolute configuration of the chiral phosphorus atoms. In order to address the issue of chirality, various methods have been developed to synthesize these P-chiral oligonucleotide analogs in a stereocontrolled manner. This critical review focuses on the recent progress in this field (123 references).

The effect of a single boranophosphate substitution with defined configuration on the thermal stability and conformation of a DNA duplex

Substitution of one non-bridging oxygen in a natural phosphodiester internucleotide linkage with a borano (-BH3) group results in a chiral phosphorus center in boranophosphate. UV thermal melting profiles were recorded for DNA duplexes formed between a DNA 9-mer with either an Sp or a Rp boranophosphate linkage in the middle and the complementary DNA 9-mer, as well as for their unmodified parent duplex. The thermal stability of the DNA duplexes was in the order of normal > Sp borano > Rp borano. CD spectra of all three duplexes exhibited typical B-DNA profile, which closely resembled each other.

Stereospecific effects determine the structure of a four-way DNA junction

Conversion of a centrally located phosphate group to an electrically neutral methyl phosphonate in a four-way DNA junction can exert a major influence on its conformation. However, the effect is strongly dependent on stereochemistry. Substitution of the proR oxygen atom by methyl leads to conformational transition to the stacking conformer that places this phosphate at the point of strand exchange. By contrast, corresponding modification of the proS oxygen destabilizes this conformation of the junction. Single-molecule analysis shows that both molecules are in a dynamic equilibrium between alternative stacking conformers, but the configuration of the methyl phosphonate determines the bias of the conformational equilibrium. It is likely that the stereochemical environment of the methyl group affects the interaction with metal ions in the center of the junction.

Determination of the absolute P-configuration of a phthalidyl-phosphonate thymidine-thymidine dimer

Phthalidyl modified oligonucleotide thymidine-thymidine dimer building blocks were synthesized via the H-phosphonate-method. The compounds which are diastereomeric at the phosphorus atom were separated by chromatography and the absolute configuration at the phosphorus atoms was determined using ROE-experiments using the corresponding methyl-phosphonates.

Interactions of hairpin oligo-2'-O-methylribonucleotides containing methylphosphonate linkages with HIV TAR RNA

Methylphosphonate-modified oligo-2'-O-methylribonucleotides 15-20 nucleotides (nt) in length were prepared whose sequences are complementary to the 5' and 3' sides of the upper hairpin of HIV trans-acting response element (TAR) RNA. These anti-TAR oligonucleotides (ODNs) form stable hairpins whose melting temperatures (Tm) range from 55 degrees C to 80 degrees C. Despite their rather high thermal stabilities, the hairpin oligo-2'-O-methylribonucleotides formed very stable complexes with TAR RNA, with dissociation constants in the nanomolar concentration range at 37 degrees C. The affinities of the hairpin oligomers for TAR RNA were influenced by the positions of the methylphosphonate linkages. The binding affinity was reduced approximately 17-fold by the presence of two methylphosphonate linkages in the TAR loop complementary region (TLCR) of the oligomer, whereas methylphosphonate linkages outside this region increased binding affinity approximately 3-fold. The configurations of the methylphosphonate linkages in the TLCR also affected binding affinity, with the RpRp isomer showing significantly higher binding than the SpSp isomer. In addition to serving as probes of the interactions between the oligomer and TAR RNA, the presence of the methylphosphonate linkages in combination with the hairpin structure increases the resistance of these oligomers to degradation by exonucleases found in mammalian serum. The combination of high binding affinity and nuclease resistance of the hairpin ODNs containing methylphosphonate linkages suggests their potential utility as antisense compounds.

Effect of a neutralized phosphate backbone on the minor groove of B-DNA: molecular dynamics simulation studies

Alternative models have been presented to provide explanations for the sequence-dependent variation of the DNA minor groove width. In a structural model groove narrowing in A-tracts results from direct, short-range interactions among DNA bases. In an electrostatic model, the narrow minor groove of A-tracts is proposed to respond to sequence-dependent localization of water and cations. Molecular dynamics simulations on partially methylphosphonate substituted helical chains of d(TATAGGCCTATA) and d(CGCGAATTCGCG) duplexes have been carried out to help evaluate the effects of neutralizing DNA phosphate groups on the minor groove width. The results show that the time-average minor groove width of the GGCC duplex becomes significantly more narrow on neutralizing the phosphate backbone with methylphosphonates. The minor groove of the AATT sequence is normally narrow and the methylphosphonate substitutions have a smaller but measurable affect on this sequence. These results and models provide a system that can be tested by experiment and they support the hypothesis that the electrostatic environment around the minor groove affects the groove width in a sequence-dependent dynamic and time-average manner.

Sequence specific hybridization properties of methylphosphonate oligodeoxynucleotides

Methylphosphonate oligodeoxynucleotides (MPO's) with isomerically pure Rp-configurated methylphosphonates (MP's) were synthesized by block coupling of ApT and TpA dinucleoside methylphosphonates (DMP's, p indicating MP-linkage). Oligonucleotide duplexes (20 mers) with these Rp-MP's showed almost the same melting temperatures (Tm) as those with phosphorodiester bonds. Further a dependence of the duplex stability from the nucleosides (bases) adjacent to the MP moiety was observed. For the first time thermodynamic parameters for the duplex to coil transition of isomerically pure MP's were determined from the concentration dependence of the Tm. CD-spectra of the duplexes show structural changes which can be associated with the transition to a compact helix with higher helix winding angle.

Anomeric inversion (from beta to alpha) in methylphosphonate oligonucleosides enhances their affinity for DNA and RNA

Here we report that the poor binding of methylphosphonate oligodeoxynucleosides (MP-ODNs) to their nucleic acid targets can be improved by additional inversion of the anomeric configuration (from beta to alpha) in the sugar moieties to give a new class of analogs, MP alpha-oligonucleosides. MP alpha-dT12and MP 5' alpha-d(TCTTAACCCACA) 3' were synthesized and their ability to form hybrids with complementary single stranded (ss)DNA and ssRNA, as well as with double stranded (ds)DNA, was evaluated. The thermal stability of hybrids formed with MP alpha-analogs was compared with the affinity of phosphodiester (PO) and phosphorothioate (PS) beta- and alpha-oligomers for their targets. Non-ionic MP alpha-oligonucleosides bound to their complementary DNA and RNA strands more tightly than their homologues with natural beta-anomeric configuration did. With DNA target, MP alpha-oligomers formed duplexes more stable than the corresponding natural PO beta-oligomer did. MP alpha-heteropolymer hybridized to RNA target better than PS beta-oligonucleotide did but the hybrid was less stable (DeltaTm-0.5 degrees C per mod.) than the hybrid formed with the natural PO beta-oligomer. Only MP alpha-dT12 bound to dsDNA target at low salt concentration (0.1 M NaCl).

Effects of phosphate neutralization on the shape of the AP-1 transcription factor binding site in duplex DNA

Previous electrophoretic experiments suggest that the AP-1 site in duplex DNA bends in response to the pattern of amino acid charges distal to the basic region in bound bZIP proteins. The extent and direction of apparent DNA bending are consistent with the prediction that DNA will collapse locally upon asymmetric phosphate charge neutralization. To prove that asymmetric phosphate neutralization could produce the observed degree of DNA bending, the present experiments partially substitute anionic phosphate diesters in the AP-1 site with various numbers of neutral methylphosphonate linkages. DNA bending is induced toward the neutralized face of DNA. The degree of DNA bending induced by methylphosphonate substitution (approximately 3.5 degrees per neutralized phosphate) is comparable to that induced by GCN4 variants carrying increasing numbers of additional basic amino acids. It is plausible, therefore, that asymmetric phosphate neutralization is the cause of DNA bending in such complexes.

A molecular dynamics computer simulation study of nucleotide analogues. Comparison of the hydration pattern of dithymidine phosphate with those of the dithymidine methylphosphonate diastereomers

The hydration pattern of thymidyl(3'->5') thymidine 1 and those of Rp and Sp diastereomers of the corresponding methylphosphonate analogue 2, have been studied using Molecular Dynamics (MD) computer simulation. It was found that the methylphosphonate modification leads to significant changes in the coordination of water molecules around the internucleotidic linkage and these, in turn, affect the hydration pattern of other parts of the molecule. The most notable differences between Rp and Sp diastereomers 2a and 2b were found to occur at the deoxyribose moieties of the nucleosid-5'-yl units.

FTIR study on nucleotide analogues. 1. Spectral characterization of dinucleoside methylphosphonates and dinucleoside 5'-methylenephosphonates in solution and in solid phase

Some conformational feature of dithymidine nucleotides containing natural 3'-->5' phosphodiester, methylphosphonate, or 5'-methylenephosphonate internucleotidic linkages were probed in solution and in solid phase using FTIR spectroscopy. A high similarity of the IR spectra in the region of 1800-1250 cm-1 indicates that all the investigated compounds have similar glycosidic torsion angels and the preferred conformation of the deoxyribose rings. However, small but significant differences between the Rp and Sp diastereomers of methylphosphonate analogue 5 may suggest that the association or the hydration mode of these compounds may vary.

Electrostatics and hydration at the homeodomain-DNA interface: chemical probes of an interfacial water cavity

Electrostatics and hydration of a homeodomain-DNA complex are dissected by chemical modification. Selective neutralization of phosphate charges by methylphosphonate substitution demonstrates the differential importance of short- and long-range electrostatic interactions. Whereas the footprint of direct contacts is in accord with crystal structures, interference is also observed at non-contacted sites. Such sites adjoin a novel interfacial water cavity in the major groove. Non-contacted phosphodiester groups in the cavity are proposed to contribute to long-range ordering of an extended protein-water-DNA interface. Use of isolated S(p) and R(p) methylphosphonate diastereomers demonstrates that interference at this extended interface is stereoselective and charge-independent. Attenuation of protein binding presumably reflects groove-specific reorganization of bound water. Surprisingly, such attenuation can exceed that due to neutralization of a direct phosphate-side-chain salt bridge. These results support the hypothesis that hydration of an interfacial cavity functions as a non-covalent extension of the DNA surface. Stereo-specific interrogation of bound water by chemical synthesis provides a general method to assess the coupling between solvation and DNA recognition.

Conformational studies of dithymidine boranomonophosphate diastereoisomers

The boranophosphate ester nucleotides are a new class of nucleic acid analogues that are isoelectronic and isostructural to normal phosphodiester nucleic acids and that maintain the anionic charge of the nucleic acid backbone. The two P-diastereoisomers of dithymidine boranomonophosphates were separated using reverse phase HPLC; the faster and slower eluting isomers are designated as d(TpBT)-1 and d(TpBT)-2, respectively. Conformations of the isomers were studied using-circular dichroism (CD) and NMR, and compared to the analogous phosphate diester, d(TpT). This comparison allowed the effects of the borane group and chirality of the boranophosphate linkage on sugar and base conformations to be assessed. The CD spectra of the diastereoisomers are consistent with both having a B-type conformation. Analysis of the 1H-1H and 1H-31P coupling constants showed that these conformations are similar to those of the unmodified parent dimer; specifically, the 2'-deoxyribose rings prefer the S (C2'-endo) conformation, and the C4'-C5' and C5'-O5' rotamers are primarily in the gamma + and beta + conformations, respectively. Conformational differences between the diastereoisomers and between the modified and unmodified dimers are manifested by differences in the preferences of the 3'-residues to adopt S sugar pucker and beta + conformations. There is reduced preference for the S sugar pucker of the 3'-residue in d(TpBT)-1 relative to d(TpBT)-2, which is similar to d(TpT). There is less preference for the beta + conformation of the 3'-residue in d(TpBT)-2 relative to d(TpBT)-1 and d(TpT). Based on the CD results, the temperature dependences of the thymidine H6 chemical shifts, and the derived sugar ring and backbone conformational parameters, we conclude that the borane group exerts a minimal influence on the sugar conformations and base stacking interactions. Preliminary assignment of the absolute configuration of the pair of SP and RP diastereoisomers to d(TpBT)-1 and d(TpBT)-2, respectively, is made on the basis of enzyme selectivity and NOE difference experiments.

Boron-containing oligodeoxyribonucleotide 14mer duplexes: enzymatic synthesis and melting studies

A set of three 14mer oligodeoxyribonucleotides of sequence d(5'-CTATGGCCTCAG*CT-3'/3'-GATACCGGAGTCGA-5') containing G* variants either as 2'-deoxyguanosine phosphate (unmodified), N7-cyanoborane 2'-deoxyguanosine phosphate (base-modified) or 2'-deoxyguanosine boranophosphate (backbone-modified) were synthesized by template-directed primer extension. Both the N7-cyanoborane 2'-deoxyguanosine triphosphate and 2'-deoxyguanosine alpha-boranotriphosphate nucleotides are good substrates for Sequenase. We infer that a single Sp boranophosphate linkage (which has a stereochemistry equivalent to the corresponding Rp thiophosphate analog) is formed in the backbone-modified 14mer. Thermally induced helix-coil transitions were monitored for the hybridized duplexes using UV and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The CD spectra of the two types of boron-modified hybrids closely resemble the unmodified parent duplex, forming B-type helices in 150 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, 10 mM phosphate, pH 7.4, buffer. UV melting results indicate that both hybrids have stabilities comparable with the parent duplex as measured by Tm or delta G degree 25. These studies indicate that singly modified base- or backbone-boronated DNA are good analogs of normal DNA.

DNA bending by asymmetric phosphate neutralization

DNA is often bent when complexed with proteins. Understanding the forces responsible for DNA bending would be of fundamental value in exploring the interplay of these macromolecules. A series of experiments was devised to test the hypothesis that proteins with cationic surfaces can induce substantial DNA bending by neutralizing phosphates on one DNA face. Repulsions between phosphates in the remaining anionic helix are predicted to result in an unbalanced compression force acting to deform the DNA toward the protein. This hypothesis is supported by the results of electrophoretic experiments in which DNA spontaneously bends when one helical face is partially modified by incorporation of neutral phosphate analogs. Phasing with respect to a site of intrinsic DNA curvature (hexadeoxyadenylate tract) permits estimation of the electrostatic bend angle, and demonstrates that such modified DNAs are deformed toward the neutralized surface, as predicted. Similar model systems may be useful in exploring the extent to which phosphate neutralization can account for DNA bending by particular proteins.

Interactions of oligonucleotide analogs containing methylphosphonate internucleotide linkages and 2'-O-methylribonucleosides

The interactions of oligonucleotide analogs, 12-mers, which contain deoxyribo- or 2'-O-methylribose sugars and methylphosphonate internucleotide linkages with complementary 12-mer DNA and RNA targets and the effect of chirality of the methylphosphonate linkage on oligomer-target interactions was studied. Oligomers containing a single Rp or Sp methylphosphonate linkage (type 1) or oligomers containing a single phosphodiester linkage at the 5'-end followed by 10 contiguous methylphosphonate linkages of random chirality (type 2) were prepared. The deoxyribo- and 2'-O-methylribo- type 1 12-mers formed stable duplexes with both the RNA and DNA as determined by UV melting experiments. The melting temperatures, Tms, of the 2'-O-methylribo-12-mer/RNA duplexes (49-53 degrees C) were higher than those of the deoxyribo-12mer/RNA duplexes (31-36 degrees C). The Tms of the duplexes formed by the Rp isomers of these oligomers were approximately 3-5 degrees C higher than those formed by the corresponding Sp isomers. The deoxyribo type 2 12-mer formed a stable duplex, Tm 34 degrees C, with the DNA target and a much less stable duplex with the RNA target, Tm < 5 degrees C. In contrast, the 2'-O-methylribo type 2 12-mer formed a stable duplex with the RNA target, Tm 20 degrees C, and a duplex of lower stability with the DNA target, Tm < 5 degrees C. These results show that the previously observed greater stability of oligo-2'-O-methylribonucleotide/RNA duplexes versus oligodeoxyribonucleotide/RNA duplexes extends to oligomers containing methylphosphonate linkages and that the configuration of the methylphosphonate linkage strongly influences the stability of the duplexes.

Endonuclease V from bacteriophage T4 interacts with its substrate in the minor groove

The binding of bacteriophage T4 endonuclease V to its substrate has been studied using synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotide duplexes containing a cis-syn thymine dimer. Substrate analogues containing a methylphosphonate linkage with a defined configuration at the thymine dimer site were prepared, and the binding of the enzyme to each diastereomer was analyzed by the filter-binding method. The duplex containing a methylphosphonate with the SP configuration formed a complex with the enzyme, although the dissociation constant for this substrate analogue was about 8 times larger than that for the 12-mer substrate containing a phosphodiester linkage at this site. In contrast, no binding was observed when a duplex containing the RP-methylphosphonate linkage was used. The glycosyl bond of the thymine dimer in the SP isomer was cleaved by the enzyme, while no incision was detected in the case of the RP isomer, even after alkali treatment. Another substrate analogue containing a sulfur atom in place of the 3'-oxygen of the 5'-component at the thymine dimer site showed a reduced affinity for the enzyme. These results suggest that T4 endonuclease V interacts with its substrate in the minor groove. This mode of binding was confirmed by methylation protection experiments.

Interactions of psoralen-derivatized oligodeoxyribonucleoside methylphosphonates with vesicular stomatitis virus messenger RNA

The ability of oligonucleotides to interact selectively with their targets is an important consideration in the design of antisense oligonucleotides. This is especially important in the case of antisense oligomers, such as psoralen-derivatized oligomers, which can irreversibly bind to their targets. We have studied the interactions of a series of psoralen-derivatized antisense oligonucleoside methylphosphonates with the mRNAs of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), mRNAs that have a high degree of sequence homology. Cross-linking reactions were carried out under conditions of low ionic strength in order to reduce mRNA secondary structure. A 12-mer, whose sequence was complementary to VSV M-mRNA and partially complementary to sequences found in N, NS, and G mRNA cross-linked extensively to N-message. On the other hand, 16-mers whose sequences were uniquely complementary to binding sites on N- or M-mRNA specifically and efficiently cross-linked to their targeted mRNAs over the temperature range 0 degree to 37 degrees C. A reverse transcriptase-catalyzed primer extension assay was used to show that one of the N-specific oligomers cross-linked at the expected site on N-mRNA and to estimate the extent of cross-linking. The results demonstrate that psoralen-derivatized oligonucleoside methylphosphonates can cross-link in a sequence-specific manner if the sequences of these oligomers are chosen carefully so as to avoid extensive partial complementarity with other mRNA sequences.

Preparation of trimers and tetramers of mixed sequence oligodeoxynucleoside methylphosphonates and assignment of configurations at the chiral phosphorus

Synthesis of stereoregular DNA methylphosphonates has been accomplished for homo-oligomers, but remains a formidable problem for oligomers of a defined antisense target sequence. In this work, four trimer and tetramer deoxynucleoside methylphosphonates of mixed sequence (dACA, dCCAA, dAGGG, and dGCAT) were prepared by block coupling of diastereomerically pure dimers with either monomers or other diastereomerically pure dimers. These oligomers were separated chromatographically into individual diastereomers, and the configurations of the chiral methylphosphonate linkages were assigned. Three types of methods were used to assign configuration of a new methylphosphonate linkage: preparation of the same diastereomer through multiple synthetic pathways, base hydrolysis, and acid hydrolysis. Hydrolysis of the diastereomerically pure oligomers into component dimers and monomers was followed by chromatographic comparison with control dimers of known configuration. In all cases studied, oligomers with R configurations displayed faster elution from silica gel than did oligomers with the respective S configuration. NMR spectra of individual diastereomers of dACA were studied, revealing characteristic differences in chemical shifts which may prove useful in configurational assignments of longer oligomers. Thus, these data provide a methodological basis for synthesis and configurational assignment of longer methylphosphonate oligomers to use as antisense probes.

Molecular and crystal structure of Sp-thymidin-3'-yl 4-thiothymidin-5'-yl methylphosphonate

The molecular structure of one diastereomer of the dinucleoside methylphosphonate Tp(Me)sT (1) has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The crystal asymmetric unit contains one molecule of 1 and one methanol in an orthorhombic unit cell of dimensions a = 13.241(4), b = 13.844(3), c = 14.944(7) A, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1). Both pyrimidine bases in 1 are oriented anti relative to the 2'-deoxyribose rings, and the sugar conformations are 2E and 2(3)T in the 4-thiothymidine and thymidine moieties, respectively. The deoxyribose-phosphonate backbone has an extended conformation with the bases completely unstacked and almost parallel. The absolute configuration at the phosphorus center in 1 is Sp.

Stereochemical effects of methylphosphonate in B- and Z-DNA helices: variation in hydrophobicity and effective widths of grooves

Stereochemical effects of methylphosphonate (MP) in B-DNA and Z-DNA duplexes are studied through molecular mechanics approach. Duplexes of different lengths, tetramers, hexamers, dodecamers are examined to assess the interstrand and intrastrand electrostatic effects due to MPs vis-a-vis phosphates. A variety of models which include duplexes with alternating S-MP and R-MP, alternating phosphate and MP and, duplexes possessing MPs in only one of the strands, are examined by considering both the S- and R-stereoisomers. Majority of the calculations are performed with CG sequences to delineate factors responsible for the stability of B- and Z-DNA, as well as B-->Z-DNA transition under nonionic conditions. The results show that both B- and Z-DNA duplexes are energetically favoured in the presence of MP due to overwhelming reduction in intrastrand as well as interstrand electrostatic repulsive interactions. The effect is distinct in oligomers longer than tetramers. Comparison of energetics of MP B- and Z-DNA duplexes suggests that an oligodeoxynucleotide such as d(CG)6 with all phosphates replaced by MPs may favour equally both B- and Z-DNA conformations. The analysis further provides an estimate of electrostatic interactions, operating at the grooves under a variety of conditions. Several specific and localised effects due to S-MP and R-MP are seen at CG and GC steps in various B-DNA and Z-DNA models. S-MP in B-DNA reduces the effective major groove width by nearly 3 A hence denying access to the functional groups of endonucleases thereby enhancing the resistance of MP-DNA to enzymatic digestion. Further, methyl groups of MP render the surface of the DNA helix to be significantly hydrophobic which may explain higher permeability of MP-DNA in membranes as well as its less soluble nature in aqueous media.

Molecular mechanics studies of dinucleoside methylphosphonates: influence of methylphosphonate and its chirality on the phosphodiester conformation

Molecular mechanics studies are performed on single stranded as well as base paired forms of dinucleoside methylphosphonates comprising different base sequences for both the S- and R-isomers of methylphosphonate (MP). S-MP produces noticeable distortions in the geometry, locally at the phosphate center, and this enables the stereochemical feasibility of compact g- g- phosphodiester. Besides, it tends to perturb the conformations around the P-O3' and glycosyl bonds, causing minor variations in stacking interactions. In single stranded dinucleosides, the gain in adjacent base stacking interaction energies seems to be sufficient to overcome the barrier to P-O3' bond rotation arising due to S-MP...sugar interaction, and this results in transition to a compact phosphodiester (BI-type) from an initial extended phosphodiester (BII-type) conformation. Such a thing seems rather difficult in base pair constrained duplexes. Dinucleosides with R-MP behave analogous to normal phosphate duplexes as the methyl group is away from the sugar. It is found that dinucleoside methylphosphonates are energetically less favoured than the corresponding dinucleoside phosphates mainly due to the depletion of contributions from electrostatic attractive interactions involving the base and sugar with the methylphosphonate consequent to the nonionic nature of the latter. Neither S-MP nor R-MP seem to significantly alter the stereochemistry of duplex structure.

Stereochemical effects of non-ionic methylphosphonates on nucleotide conformations

The preferred conformations of deoxyribo and ribonucleoside 3'-methylphosphonates are analysed by minimizing the conformational energy as a function of all the major parameters including the sugar ring for both the S- and R-isomers. The results show that neither the substitution nor the nature of the diastereomer affects significantly the preferred conformations compared to the naturally occurring nucleoside 3'-phosphates. The preferred range of C3'-O3' bond torsions or the phase angles of pseudorotation (P) of the sugar are unaffected. The chiral substitution on the phosphate always adopts a conformation distal to the secondary C3' carbon atom in the minimum energy conformational state. Further, it introduces certain restrictions on the preferred range of P-O3' torsions depending on the methylphosphonate configuration. Methylphosphonate, especially the S-isomer, renders the normal gauche- range of P-O3' bond torsions responsible for the stacked helical duplexes to be energetically unfavourable besides introducing a high energy barrier between trans and gauche conformations. Therefore it is suggested that duplexes with S-methylphosphonate may favour extended phosphodiester conformations. These factors explain the observed lower melting temperature as well as the downfield shifts in the 31P signals in duplexes containing the S-isomer.

Duplex stabilities of phosphorothioate, methylphosphonate, and RNA analogs of two DNA 14-mers

The duplex stabilities of various phosphorothioate, methylphosphonate, RNA and 2'-OCH3 RNA analogs of two self-complementary DNA 14-mers are compared. Phosphorothioate and/or methylphosphonate analogs of the two sequences d(TAATTAATTAATTA) [D1] and d(TAGCTAATTAGCTA) [D2] differ in the number, position, or chirality (at the 5' terminal linkage) of the modified phosphates. Phosphorothioate derivatives of D1 are found to be less destabilized when the linkage modified is between adenines rather than between thymines. Surprisingly, no base sequence effect on duplex stabilization is observed for any methylphosphonate derivatives of D1 or D2. Highly modified phosphorothioates or methylphosphonates are less stable than their partially modified counterparts which are less stable than the unmodified parent compounds. The 'normal' (2'-OH) RNA analog of duplex D1 is slightly destabilized, whereas the 2'-OCH3 RNA derivative is significantly stabilized relative to the unmodified DNA. For the D1 sequence, at approximately physiological salt concentration, the order of duplex stability is 2'-OCH3 RNA greater than unmodified DNA greater than 'normal' RNA greater than methylphosphonate DNA greater than phosphorothioate DNA. D2 and the various D2 methylphosphonate analogs investigated all formed hairpin conformations at low salt concentrations.

DNA probes: applications of the principles of nucleic acid hybridization

Nucleic acid hybridization with a labeled probe is the only practical way to detect a complementary target sequence in a complex nucleic acid mixture. The first section of this article covers quantitative aspects of nucleic acid hybridization thermodynamics and kinetics. The probes considered are oligonucleotides or polynucleotides, DNA or RNA, single- or double-stranded, and natural or modified, either in the nucleotide bases or in the backbone. The hybridization products are duplexes or triplexes formed with targets in solution or on solid supports. Additional topics include hybridization acceleration and reactions involving branch migration. The second section deals with synthesis or biosynthesis and detection of labeled probes, with a discussion of their sensitivity and specificity limits. Direct labeling is illustrated with radioactive probes. The discussion of indirect labels begins with biotinylated probes as prototypes. Reporter groups considered include radioactive, fluorescent, and chemiluminescent nucleotides, as well as enzymes with colorimetric, fluorescent, and luminescent substrates.

Synthesis and characterization of a substrate for T4 endonuclease V containing a phosphorodithioate linkage at the thymine dimer site

A dodecadeoxyribonucleotide containing a cis-syn thymine dimer with a phosphorodithioate linkage was synthesized on a solid support using a dinucleotide coupling unit prepared by UV-irradiation of dithymidine monophosphorodithioate followed by S- and 5'-O-protection and 3'-phosphitylation. A photodimer-containing dodecamer without phosphate modification was also synthesized. The dodecamers were hybridized to the complementary sequence, and the duplexes used as substrates for T4 endonuclease V. This enzyme cleaved the phosphate-modified substrate more slowly than the unmodified duplex with the same dissociation constant.

Enzymic synthesis of oligonucleotides containing methylphosphonate internucleotide linkages

Thymidine 5'-O-(pyrophosphoryl methylphosphonate) (dTTP alpha CH3) has been chemically synthesized by condensation of thymidine 5'-O-(methylphosphonate) with pyrophosphate. This novel nucleotide, which contained an alpha-phosphorus atom as methylphosphonate, was used as a substrate of terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase (TDTase) in the presence of oligonucleotide (5'-GCTGTATCGTCAAGGCACTC-3') as an initiator. The reaction products were separated into two components by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). These products were, after purification, digested with nuclease P1 and alkaline phosphatase followed by separation of digested products by RP-HPLC. The result showed the presence of one of the isomers of 2'-deoxycytidyl-3'-methylphosphonyl-5'-thymidine (dCpCH3T) and 2'-deoxycytidyl-3'-methylphosphonyl-5'-thymidyl-3'-methyl phosphonyl-5'-thymidin e (dCpCH3TpCH3T), respectively. Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry of these products further supported identification of the dinucleotide and the trinucleotide. These results indicated that dTTP alpha CH3 was used as a substrate of TDTase, resulting in methylphosphonate linkages. Produced oligomers were resistant to hydrolysis by snake venom phosphodiesterase I.

Diastereomeric dinucleoside-methylphosphonates: determination of configuration with the 2-D NMR ROESY technique

The determination of configuration at phosphorus in diastereomeric dinucleoside-methylphosphonates having the -O-P(= O)(-CH3)-O- internucleotide linkage with the NOE derived ROESY NMR technique is described for ApT, TpT, ApA, TpA and CpG. For this purpose ROE's from the P-CH3 group to the protons in the nearest neighbourhood were measured. These ROE's are different within diastereomeric pairs of a dimer enabling us to deduce the individual configuration. The validity of the method is proven in comparison with dimers of known configuration (ApT, TpT). Together with a recently published diastereoselective synthesis method a more homogeneous picture between physical properties and the corresponding configuration is provided. There is an improvement in our knowledge about the stereochemistry of these substances which could not be deduced from the data known before.

Sequence dependent effects in methylphosphonate deoxyribonucleotide double and triple helical complexes

Deoxyribooligonucleotides containing 19 repeating bases of A, T or U were prepared with normal phosphodiester (dA19, dT19, dU19) or methylphosphonate (dA*19, dT*19, dU*19) linkages. Complexes of these strands have been investigated at 1:1 and 1:2 molar ratios (purine:pyrimidine) by thermal melting and gel electrophoresis. There are dramatic sequence dependent differences in stabilities of complexes containing methylphosphonate strands. Duplexes of dA*19 with dT19 or dU19 have sharp melting curves, increased Tm values, and slopes of Tm versus log (sodium ion activity) plots reduced by about one half relative to their unmodified 'parent' duplexes. Duplexes of dA19 with either dT*19 or dU*19, however, have broader melting curves, reduced Tm values at most salt concentrations and slopes of less than one tenth the values for the unmodified duplexes. Duplex stabilization due to reduced phosphate charge repulsion is offset in the pyrimidine methylphosphonate complexes by steric and other substituent effects. Triple helical complexes with dA19 + 2dT19 and dA19 + 2dU19, which can be detected by biphasic melting curves and gel electrophoresis, are stable at increased Na+ or Mg+2 concentrations. Surprisingly, however, no triple helix forms, even at very high salt concentrations, when any normal strand(s) is replaced by a methylphosphonate strand. Since triple helical complexes with methylphosphonates have been reported for shorter oligomers, inhibition with larger oligomers may vary due to their length and extent of substitution.

Octa(thymidine methanephosphonates) of partially defined stereochemistry: synthesis and effect of chirality at phosphorus on binding to pentadecadeoxyriboadenylic acid

Block condensation of MePOCI2 or MeP(NEt2)2 with appropriately protected tetra(thymidine methanephosphonates) of predetermined sense of chirality at asymmetric phosphonate centres gave two pairs of diastereomeric mixtures, namely (SpSpSpSpSpSpSp + SpSpSpRpSpSpSp) 5a and (RpRpRpRpRpRpRp + RpRpRpSpRpRpRp) 5b. A comparison of the CD spectra of 5a and 5b with those of octathymidylic acid (7) and a random mixture of diastereomers of octa(thymidine methanephosphonate) (6), and also a comparison of the Tm of complexes formed between 5a, 5b, 6 or 7, and pentadecadeoxyriboadenylic acid (8), indicates that octamer 5b and its complex with its complementary oligonucleotide has a well-ordered structure due to the 'outward' or 'pseudoequatorial' orientation of the methyl group of each internucleotide methanephosphonate function of Rp configuration. Results presented in this report clearly indicate that the stability of hybrids formed between octa(thymidine methanephosphonate) and pentadecadeoxyriboadenylic acid depends on the stereochemistry of each internucleotide methanephosphonate function and strongly suggests that stereoselective synthesis of P-chiral oligonucleotide analogues is an important goal.

Number and distribution of methylphosphonate linkages in oligodeoxynucleotides affect exo- and endonuclease sensitivity and ability to form RNase H substrates

Oligodeoxynucleotides with different arrangements of methylphosphonate linkages were examined for nuclease sensitivity in vitro, stability in tissue culture, and ability to form RNase H-sensitive substrates with complementary RNA. After nuclease treatment, resistance was demonstrated by the ability to alter the electrophoretic mobility of a labeled complementary phosphodiester oligodeoxynucleotide. Both 5'- and 3'-exonuclease activities were retarded by methylphosphonate linkages. Methylphosphonate-containing oligodeoxynucleotides with 1-5 adjacent phosphodiester linkages were tested as substrates for the endonucleases DNase I and DNase II. The results indicated that a span of three or fewer contiguous internal phosphodiester linkages led to the greatest resistance to endonuclease. However, in serum-supplemented culture medium half-lives of these oligodeoxynucleotides were independent of the number of contiguous phosphodiester linkages. Methylphosphonate-containing oligodeoxynucleotides were hybridized to RNA runoff transcripts and tested as substrates for RNase H. The results indicated that a span of three internal phosphodiester linkages in the oligodeoxynucleotide was necessary and sufficient to direct cleavage of the RNA in the duplex.

Oligothymidylates covalently linked to an acridine derivative and with modified phosphodiester backbone: circular dichroism studies of their interactions with complementary sequences

Oligothymidylates involving alternating alkyl phosphotriester-phosphodiester or methylphosphonate-phosphodiester backbones and covalently linked to an acridine derivative have been studied using circular dichroism. Two isomers with the same diastereoisomeric configuration for all the phosphotriesters (ethyl triester and neopentyl triester) or the methylphosphonate linkages were studied. These six compounds were compared to the parent oligonucleotide with unmodified phosphodiester bonds. Intramolecular interactions between the acridine and the bases of the oligonucleotides were revealed by the induced circular dichroism of the acridine dye. Binding to poly(rA) and poly(dA) induced large changes in the circular dichroism signal. All oligothymidylates formed double-stranded complexes with poly(rA). Substitution of phosphotriesters and methylphosphonates to phosphates allowed both double- and triple-stranded structures to be formed with with poly(dA). The double-stranded structures formed with poly(rA) and poly(dA) were characterized by different environments of the acridine dye. The circular dichroism spectra of the complexes with poly(dA) and the thermal stabilities of the complexes formed with both poly(rA) and poly(dA) were drastically dependent of the diastereoisomeric configuration of the phosphate modification. For the complexes formed with the pseudoequatorial stereoisomer the modification of the phosphate groups increased the stability of the complexes as compared with the oligothymidylate containing only phosphodiester linkages whereas it decreased it for pseudoaxial modifications.