Hybrid oligonucleotides: synthesis, biophysical properties, stability studies, and biological activity

We have designed and synthesized hybrid oligonucleotides 2-5, as analogues of oligodeoxynucleoside phosphorothioates, in an effort to have agents with improved 'antisense activity' with reduced phosphorothioate content. The hybrid oligonucleotides contain segments of 2'-O-methyl ribonucleoside phosphoric diesters and oligodeoxynucleoside phosphorothioates. Thus, compared with the 'all' phosphorothioate analogues 1 and 6, the analogues 2-5 showed significantly reduced effect on complement activation. In addition, thermal denaturation studies with complementary RNA revealed that the analogues 2-5 had higher Tm compared with that with oligodeoxynucleoside phosphorothioates. Additionally, the RNA component of the oligo/ RNA duplex is efficiently cleaved by RNase H, the site of endonucleolytic cleavage being dictated by the length of the oligodeoxynucleoside phosphorothioate segment.