A triazole linkage that mimics the DNA phosphodiester group in living systems

We describe the development of a chemical process based on the CuAAC reaction (click chemistry) to ligate DNA strands and produce an unnatural triazole backbone linkage. The chemical reaction is templated by a complementary DNA splint which accelerates the reaction and provides the required specificity. The resultant 1,4-triazole linkage is read through by DNA and RNA polymerases and is biocompatible in bacterial and human cells. This work has implications for the synthesis of chemically modified genes and other large modified DNA and RNA constructs.

Triazole-linked analogues of DNA and RNA ((TL)DNA and (TL)RNA): synthesis and functions

Click chemistry has provided us with access to DNA and RNA analogues with non-natural triazole internucleoside linkages. The bond periodicity of the oligonucleotides was designed to enforce duplex formation with natural congeners, and the non-cleavable linkages protect the oligomers against nuclease digestion. This account reviews the progress of the triazole-linked analogues over the past five years. Reinforced by their synthetic robustness, these analogues may find various utilities as tools for exploratory research.