Nucleic Acids Research, Vol 24, Issue 5 829-834, Copyright © 1996 by Oxford University Press
JW Jaroszewski, V Clausen, JS Cohen and O Dahl
Duplex formation from the self-complementary 12mer d(CGCGAATTCGCG)
(Dickerson dodecamer) in which all phosphodiester linkages were replaced by
phosphorothioate or phosphorodithioate linkages was studied using
variable-temperature 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopy. Melting temperatures of
the dodecamer, measured spectrophotometrically, showed significant decrease
upon sulfur substitution (Tm 49 degrees C for the phosphorothioate and 21
degrees C for the phosphorodithioate, compared with 68 degrees C for the
unmodified oligomer, in 1 M salt). Hyperchromicity observed upon melting of
the dithioate was surprisingly low. NOESY spectra of the monothioate showed
a cross-peak pattern characteristic for a right-handed duplex. Imino proton
resonances of the duplex, shown by the mono- and the dithioate, were
similar to those of the parent compound. In spite of monophasic melting
curves, temperature dependence of the imino proton resonances and
phosphorus resonances of the phosphorodithioate indicated heterogeneity
with respect to base-pairing, compatible with the presence of a hairpin
loop. Relaxation times (T1) of the imino protons in the phosphorothioate,
determined by the saturation recovery method, were considerably shorter
than in the unmodified oligomer. Base-pair lifetimes in the unmodified
Dickerson dodecamer, determined by catalyst- dependent changes in
relaxation rates of imino protons, were in the range of 2-30 ms at 20
degrees C. Strongly reduced base-pair lifetimes were found in the
phosphorothioate analogue.
ARTICLES
NMR investigations of duplex stability of phosphorothioate and phosphorodithioate DNA analogues modified in both strands
Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Royal Danish School of Pharmacy, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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