Oligodeoxynucleotides containing 3′-allylether, 3′-allylsulfide and their saturated derivatives as phosphate mimics

Abstract

A series of novel thymidine-thymidine dimers containing 3′-allylether, 3′-allylsulfide connections and their saturated derivatives have been prepared and incorporated into oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs). The 3′-allylether analog results in only a modest destablization of double helix formation with a complementary ssRNA relative to the phosphodiester linkage. This fact coupled with its facile synthesis may point to an application of this linkage in oligonucleotide-based therapeutics.