Solid-phase supports for oligonucleotide synthesis

Functional DNA-Polymer Conjugates

DNA nanotechnology has seen large developments over the last 30 years through the combination of solid phase synthesis and the discovery of DNA nanostructures. Solid phase synthesis has facilitated the availability of short DNA sequences and the expansion of the DNA toolbox to increase the chemical functionalities afforded on DNA, which in turn enabled the conception and synthesis of sophisticated and complex 2D and 3D nanostructures. In parallel, polymer science has developed several polymerization approaches to build di- and triblock copolymers bearing hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and amphiphilic properties. By bringing together these two emerging technologies, complementary properties of both materials have been explored; for example, the synthesis of amphiphilic DNA-polymer conjugates has enabled the production of several nanostructures, such as spherical and rod-like micelles. Through both the DNA and polymer parts, stimuli-responsiveness can be instilled. Nanostructures have consequently been developed with responsive structural changes to physical properties, such as pH and temperature, as well as short DNA through competitive complementary binding. These responsive changes have enabled the application of DNA-polymer conjugates in biomedical applications including drug delivery. This review discusses the progress of DNA-polymer conjugates, exploring the synthetic routes and state-of-the-art applications afforded through the combination of nucleic acids and synthetic polymers.

Synthesis of oligonucleotides carrying amino lipid groups at the 3'-end for RNA interference studies

Novel lipid derivatives carrying amino and triazolyl groups were efficiently synthesized and covalently anchored at the 3'-termini of oligonucleotides. The desired amino-lipid conjugates were fully characterized by reversed-phase HPLC and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The methodology was applied to the synthesis of lipid-siRNA designed to inhibit tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in order to obtain siRNAs with anti-inflammatory properties. The siRNA duplex carrying amino-lipids at the 3'-end of the passenger strand has inhibitory properties similar to those of unmodified RNA duplexes in HeLa cells, indicating that the new lipid derivatives are compatible with the RNA interference machinery.

Solid-phase supports for oligonucleotide synthesis

This unit begins with a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of oligonucleotide synthesis using solid supports. The physical and chemical properties of solid-phase supports are discussed in terms of their suitability for oligonucleotide synthesis. In addition, the unit outlines the properties of linkers used for transient or permanent attachment of properly protected nucleosides to the derivatized support, as well as strategies for coupling nucleosides to linkers and conditions for the release of synthetic oligonucleotides from specific supports.

Attachment of nucleosides to solid-phase supports

Specific step-by-step instructions are given for coupling nucleosides to LCAA-CPG supports (supports consisting of a long-chain alkylamine linked to controlled-pore glass). Protocols are given for a succinic acid linker and a hydroquinone-O,O'-diacetic acid linker. The former is the most widely used linker arm, and the starting materials are widely available. The latter offers greater compatibility with base-sensitive sequence modifications and great synthetic throughput because it can be cleaved under milder and faster conditions. Additional guidelines are given for selecting a linker arm and coupling protocol. Almost any application requiring synthetic oligonucletodies can be satisfied using one of these linker arms.

A fiber optic biosensor for fluorimetric detection of triple-helical DNA

A fiber optic biosensor was used for the fluorimetric detection of T/AT triple-helical DNA formation. The surfaces of two sets of fused silica optical fibers were functionalized with hexaethylene oxide linkers from which decaadenylic acid oligonucleotides were grown in the 3'to 5'and 5'to 3'direction, respectively, using a DNA synthesizer. Fluorescence studies of hybridization showed unequivocal hybridization between oligomers immobilized on the fibers and complementary oligonucleotides from the solution phase, as detected by fluorescence from intercalated ethidium bromide. The complementary oligonucleotide, dT10, which was expected to Watson-Crick hybridize upon cooling the system below the duplex melting temperature ( T m), provided a fluorescence intensity with a negative temperature coefficient. Upon further cooling, to the point where the pyrimidine motif T*AT triple-helix formation occurred, a fluorescence intensity change with a positive temperature coefficient was observed. The reverse-Hoogsteen T.AT triplex, which is known to form with branched nucleic acids, provided a corresponding decrease in fluorescence intensity with decreasing temperature. Full analytical signal evolution was attainable in minutes.

Hydroquinone-O,O'-diacetic acid ('Q-linker') as a replacement for succinyl and oxalyl linker arms in solid phase oligonucleotide synthesis

When hydroquinone-O,Ooffiacetic acid is used as a linker arm in solid phase oligonucleotide synthesis, the time for NH4OH cleavage of oligodeoxy- or oligoribonucleotides is reduced to only 2 min. This allows increased productivity on automated DNA synthesizers without requiring any other modifications to existing reagents or synthesis and deprotection methods. The Q-linker may also be rapidly cleaved by milder reagents such as 5% NH4OH, potassium carbonate, anhydrous ammonia, t-butylamine or fluoride ion. However, the Q-linker is sufficiently stable for long-term storage at room temperature without degradation and no loss of material occurs during synthesis. The linker is also reasonably resistant to 20% piperidine/DMF, 0.5 M DBU/pyridine and 1:1 triethylamine/ethanol. The Q-linker can therefore serve as a general replacement for both succinyl and oxalyl linker arms.

Sequence identity of the n-1 product of a synthetic oligonucleotide

After synthesis and purification of an oligonucleotide, the final product usually contains a low level of n-1 congeneric species. We have sequenced the n-1 population of a 25mer phosphodiester oligonucleotide. The n-1 band was cut from the gel and eluted. Oligonucleotides were tailed with dA and annealed to a dT-tailed plasmid. The recombinant plasmid was ligated and used to transform competent bacteria. Our results show that the n-1 population was heterogeneous. The frequency of truncated nucleotides at the 3'-end was much higher than at the 5'-end of the oligomer. No truncated nucleotides were found in the last four nucleotides at the 5'-end. Our results also show that the chain of oligonucleotides can grow on unreacted sites of a controlled-pore glass support.