Alpha are more stable than beta anomer oligonucleotides in 3T3 cellular extracts

We have compared the stability of alpha and beta anomeric oligonucleotides in NIH 3T3 cellular extracts. We had already shown that alpha are much more resistant than beta oligonucleotides towards purified nucleases. This result is confirmed when using cellular extracts although the difference is smaller. When alpha molecules are combined with an intercalating agent binding in the 3' position a synergistic increase of resistance to degradation is observed.