Structural basis for the synergy of 4'- and 2'-modifications on siRNA nuclease resistance, thermal stability and RNAi activity.

ABSTRACT: Chemical modification is a prerequisite of oligonucleotide therapeutics for improved metabolic stability, uptake and activity, irrespective of their mode of action, i.e. antisense, RNAi or aptamer. Phosphate moiety and ribose C2'/O2' atoms are the most common sites for modification. Compared to 2'-O-substituents, ribose 4'-C-substituents lie in proximity of both the 3'- and 5'-adjacent phosphates. To investigate potentially beneficial effects on nuclease resistance we combined 2'-F and 2'-OMe with 4'-Cα- and 4'-Cβ-OMe, and 2'-F with 4'-Cα-methyl modification. The α- and β-epimers of 4'-C-OMe-uridine and the α-epimer of 4'-C-Me-uridine monomers were synthesized and incorporated into siRNAs. The 4'α-epimers affect thermal stability only minimally and show increased nuclease stability irrespe

SUBMITTER: Harp JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6144868 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature