Inhibition of molecular and biological processes using modified oligonucleotides

• Main Authors: Kozyavkin, Sergei A, Malykh, Andrei G, Polouchine, Nikolai N, Slesarev, Alexei I
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 15.04.2003

Oligonucleotides are widely used in DNA technologies. One of the most important properties of an oligonucleotide is its ability to bind to a complementary sequence in other polynucleotides. Robust and specific annealing of an oligonucleotide to its complementary sequence is important for the success of probe hybridization methods that allow detection and quantification of pathogens, genomic mutations and other nucleotide sequences. Unfortunately, some oligonucleotides composed of the naturally occurring nucleotides cannot be used as robust probes. For example, an oligonucleotide containing two segments of sequences that are complementary to each other (e.g., C CAC (SEQ ID NO: 67)) would form an internal structure called a hairpin that would prevent hybridization to its target. A further example is an oligonucleotide that can form a dimer with its second copy (e.g., ACTGAGACT (SEQ ID NO: 68)). Thus, there is a need for a method to inhibit the formation of such undesired structures. A method of inhibiting at least one molecular process in a sample, comprising administering to the sample an oligonucleotide or polynucleotide containing at least one monomeric unit having formula (I):wherein A is an organic moiety, n is at least 1, and each X is independently selected from the group consisting of -NRCOCONu, -NHCOCRCRCONu, -NHCOCR CRCONu, and -NHCOSSCONu, wherein each R independently represents H or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, and Nu represents a nucleophile, or a salt of the compound.