Prolinol-based nucleoside phosphonic acids: synthesis and properties.

Commercially available trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline has been used as a starting material for the synthesis of prolinol-based nucleotide analogues with N-phosphonomethyl moiety attached to the nitrogen atom of prolinol ring. The synthetic methodology based on the inversion of configuration at both 1- and 4- positions led, in result, to all diastereoisomeric O-protected 4-mesyloxyprolinol-N-methylphosphonates. Alkylation of nucleobases using the synthons afforded the nucleotide analogues corresponding to alpha- and beta-nucleotides in both L- and D-series. The NMR-based conformational study of alpha- and beta-nucleotides in aqueous solution performed at two different pH values securing either N-fully protonated or deprotonated forms revealed in both cases occurrence of the same mostly populated conformer. All final prolinol-based nucleoside phosphonic acids were tested for cytotoxic and antiviral properties, but no significant activity was found.

Chiral phosphonate internucleotide linkage: a promising modification for chimeric oligonucleotides?

We have synthesized two different groups of oligonucleotides containing chiral isopolar nonisosteric phosphonate internucleotide linkages, and studied their properties in combination with natural phosphodiester ones. The improved synthetic procedures for the monomers preparation are also reported.