Synthesis of 5-aza-7-deazaguanine nucleoside derivatives as potential anti-flavivirus agents.

Coupling suitable sugars (D- or L-ribofuranose, 2' or 3-deoxysugar, branched sugars) with 2-aminoimidazo[1,2-a]-s-triazin-4-one was carried out using the different reaction conditions: 1) condensation in the presence of sodium hydride; or 2) condensation using Vorbrüggen's methods. The 5-aza- 7-deazaguanine nucleoside analogues obtained were evaluated in cell culture experiments for the inhibition of the replication of a number of RNA viruses, including BVDV, YFV, and WNV.

Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine nucleic acids: adjustment of the dA-dT to the dG-dC base pair stability.

The pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4,6-diamine nucleosides 2b-d stabilize the dA-dT base pair significantly when the dA-residue is replaced. Oligonucleotide duplexes incorporating 2b-d show a 4-6 degrees C Tm increase per modification. The 7-bromo compound 2b harmonizes the stability of the dA-dT vs. the dG-dC pair. According to this the stability of such duplexes depends no longer on the base pair composition of a DNA molecule.

Oligonucleotides incorporating 7-(aminoalkyn-1-yl)-7-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosines: duplex stability and phosphodiester hydrolysis by exonucleases.

Self-complementary [[5'-d(G-C)4]2] and non-selfcomplementary oligonucleotides [5'-d(TAG GTC AAT ACT) x 3'-d(ATC CAG TTA TGA)] containing 7-(omega-aminoalkyn-1-yl)-7-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosines (1a-c) (1) and 7-deaza-2'-deoxyguanosine instead of dG were studied regarding their thermal stability as well as their phosphodiester hydrolysis by either 3' --> 5'- or 5' --> 3'-phosphodiesterase studied by MALDI-TOF MS.

Synthesis and properties of halogenated 7-deaza-2'-deoxyxanthosine and protected derivatives for oligonucleotide synthesis.

The 7-bromo- (4a) and 7-iodo- (4b) derivatives of 7-deaza-2'-deoxyxanthosine (5) are prepared. Furthermore, the building blocks 6-8 of 7-deaza-2'-deoxyxanthosine (5) are synthesized and tested for their usage in oligonucleotide synthesis.

Oligonucleotides incorporating N7-(2'-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)isoguanine.

The H-phosphonate and the phosphoramidite of N7-2'-deoxyisoguanosine (2) were prepared and incorporated into oligonucleotide duplexes. Their base pairing properties were investigated and compared with those of the parent purine nucleosides.

Quadruplex and pentaplex self-assemblies of oligonucleotides containing short runs of 8-aza-7-deaza-2'-deoxyisoguanosine or 2'-deoxyisoguanosine.

Oligonucleotides containing 8-aza-7-deaza-2'-deoxyisoguanosine (4) were investigated regarding their self-assembly in aqueous solution. The aggregation of 4 was compared with that of oligonucleotides containing 2'-deoxyisoguanosine (2b) and 2'-deoxyguanosine (1b). For this purpose the phosphoramidite of 4 was synthesized which was protected by a dibutylaminomethylidene residue at the amino group and a diphenylcarbamoyl residue at the 2-oxo function. Solid-phase synthesis furnished oligonucleotide containing short runs of the nucleoside 4. The self-assembly of the oligonucleotide 5'-d(T(4)4(4)T2) was studied by ion-exchange chromatography. The formation of a pentaplex was observed in the presence of Cs+, while a tetraplex is formed when the counter ion is Na+ or Rb+. The cation selectivity of the oligonucleotide 5'-d(T(4)4(4)T2) was found to be different from the parent 5'-d(T(4)isoG(4)T2) which was forming the tetraplex as well as a pentaplex in aq RbCl solution.

Synthesis and base pairing properties of 9-deazapurine N7-nucleosides in oligonucleotide duplexes and triplexes.

The 9-deazaguanine N7-2'-deoxyribofuranoside (3) as well as the bromo and iodo derivatives 4a,b were synthesized and incorporated in oligonucleotide duplexes and triplexes. Their base pairing properties were investigated and compared with those of the parent purine N7-2'-deoxyribofuanosides.

Parallel DNA containing pyrazolo[3,4-D]pyrimidine analogues of isoguanine.

The phosphoramidites of 8-aza-7-deaza-2'-deoxyisoguanosine (1a) and its bromo derivative 1b as well as of 6-aza-2'-deoxyisocytidine and its 5-methyl derivative (3a,b) were synthesized. Parallel-stranded duplexes containing the nucleosides 1a,b show a significantly enhanced duplex stability compared to those containing 2'-deoxyisoguanosine.

Phosphoramidites and oligonucleotides containing 7-deazapurines and pyrimidines carrying aminopropargyl side chains.

The synthesis of phosphoramidites containing 7-deazaguanine, 7-deazaadenine, uracil and cytosine carrying aminopropargyl chains is described. The corresponding oligonucleotides are stabilized in duplexes thermally as well as against degradation by exonucleases.

8-aza-7-deazaadenine and 7-deazaguanine: synthesis and properties of nucleosides and oligonucleotides with nucleobases linked at position-8.

The 8-aza-7-deazaadenine (pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-amine) N8-(2'-deoxyribonucleoside) (2) and the 7-deazaguanine (pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-2-amin-(3H)-4-one) C8-(2'-deoxyribonucleoside) (4) were synthesized and incorporated in oligonucleotides employing phosphoramidite chemistry. Oligonucleotides carrying compound 2 are able to form base pairs with the four canonical DNA constituents without significant structural discrimination. The nucleoside 4 was obtained from the corresponding ribonucleoside by deoxygenation. Oligonucleotides containing compound 4 showed similar base pairing properties as those with 2'-deoxyisoguanosine.

Cyclohexene nucleic acids (CeNA) form stable duplexes with RNA and induce RNase H activity.

Cyclohexene nucleic acids (CeNA) were synthesized using classical phosporamidite chemistry. Incorporation of a cyclohexene nucleo-side in a DNA chain leads to an increase in stability of the DNA/RNA duplex. CeNA is stable against degradation in serum. A CeNA/RNA hybrid is able to activate E. Coli RNase H. resulting in cleavage of the RNA strand.

The high-anti conformation of 8-aza-1,3-dideaza-2'-deoxyadenosine.

In the title compound, 4-amino-1-(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-1H-benzotriazole, C11H14N4O3, the conformation of the N-glycosidic bond is in the high-anti range [chi = -77.1 (4) degrees ] and the 2'-deoxyribofuranose moiety adopts a 2'-endo ((2)E) sugar puckering. The 5'-hydroxyl group is disordered and has conformations ap with gamma = 171.1 (3) degrees [occupation of 61.4 (3)%] and +sc with gamma = 52.4 (6) degrees [occupation of 38.6 (3)%]. The nucleobases are stacked in the crystal state.

The C(8)-(2'-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranoside) of 7-deazaguanine: synthesis and base pairing of oligonucleotides with unusually linked nucleobases.

The 7-deazaguanine (2-aminopyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one) C(8)-(2'-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranoside) (6b), which possesses an unusual glycosylation site, was synthesized and incorporated in oligonucleotides. The oligonucleotides were prepared by solid-phase synthesis using phosphoramidite chemistry and were hybridized to form duplex DNA. Compound 6b is able to form base pairs with 2'-deoxy-5-methylisocytidine (m(5)isoC(d)) in oligonucleotide duplexes with antiparallel chain orientation and with dC in parallel duplex DNA. Thus, the C(8)-nucleoside 6b shows a similar base recognition as 2'-deoxyisoguanosine but not as 2'-deoxyguanosine. This indicates that the nucleic acid recognition not only depends on the donor-acceptor pattern of the nucleobase but is influenced by the glycosylation site. Base pairs of compound 6b formed with canonical and modified nucleosides are proposed.

Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine nucleic acids: adjustment of dA-dT to dG-dC base pair stability.

Oligonucleotides incorporating 8-aza-7-deazapurin-2,6-diamine (pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4,6-diamine) nucleoside 2a or its 7-bromo derivative 2b show enhanced duplex stability compared to those containing dA. While incorporation of 2a opposite dT increases the T(m) value only slightly, the 7-bromo compound 2b forms a very stable base pair which is as strong as the dG-dC pair. Compound 2b shows a similar base discrimination in duplex DNA as dA. The base-modified nucleosides 2a,b have a significantly more stable N-glycosylic bond than the rather labile purin-2,6-diamine 2'-deoxyribonucleoside 1. Base protection with acyl groups, with which we had difficulties in the case of purine nucleoside 1, was effective with pyrazolo[3,4-d]-pyrimidine nucleosides 2a,b. Oligonucleotides containing 2a,b were obtained by solid phase synthesis employing phosphoramidite chemistry. Compound 2b harmonizes the stability of DNA duplexes. Their stability is no longer dependent on the base pair composition while they still maintain their sequence specificity. Thus, they have the potential to reduce the number of mispairs when hybridized in solution or immobilized on arrays.

Fluorescent DNA: the development of 7-deazapurine nucleoside triphosphates applicable for sequencing at the single molecule level.

7-Deaza-2'-deoxyadenosine and -guanosine phosphoramidite building blocks as well as corresponding 5'-triphosphate derivatives are described carrying in position 7 substituents such as iodo, hexyn-1-yl or 5-aminopentyn-1-yl residues. The phosphoramidites were used to synthesize a series of modified oligodeoxynucleotides. A systematic study of the thermal stabilities of these oligonucleotide duplexes demonstrated that the 7-substituents are well accommodated in the major groove of B-DNA. The 7-(aminoalkyn-1-yl)-7-deazapurine 2'-deoxynucleoside triphosphates were labeled with bulky fluorophores such as Rhodamine Green(R) or tetramethylrhodamine.

Alpha-homo-DNA and RNA form a parallel oriented non-A, non-B-type double helical structure.

Cross-talking between nucleic acids is a prerequisite for information transfer. The absence of observed base pairing interactions between pyranose and furanose nucleic acids has excluded considering the former type as a (potential) direct precursor of contemporary RNA and DNA. We observed that alpha-pyranose oligonucleotides (alpha-homo-DNA) are able to hybridize with RNA and that both nucleic acid strands are parallel oriented. Hybrids between alpha-homo-DNA and DNA are less stable. During the synthesis of alpha-homo-DNA we observed extensive conversion of N6-benzoyl-5-methylcytosine into thymine under the usual deprotection conditions of oligonucleotide synthesis. Alpha-homo-DNA:RNA represents the first hybridization system between pyranose and furanose nucleic acids. The duplex formed between alpha-homo-DNA and RNA was investigated using CD, NMR spectroscopy, and molecular modeling. The general rule that orthogonal orientation of base pairs prevents hybridization is infringed. NMR experiments demonstrate that the base moieties of alpha-homo-DNA in its complex with RNA, are equatorially oriented and that the base moieties of the parallel RNA strand are pseudoaxially oriented. Modeling experiments demonstrate that the duplex formed is different from the classical A- or B-type double stranded DNA. We observed 15 base pairs in a full helical turn. The average interphosphate distance in the RNA strand is 6.2 A and in the alpha-homo-DNA strand is 6.9 A. The interstrand P-P distance is much larger than found in the typical A- and B-DNA. Most helical parameters are different from those of natural duplexes.

The N(8)-(2'-deoxyribofuranoside) of 8-aza-7-deazaadenine: a universal nucleoside forming specific hydrogen bonds with the four canonical DNA constituents.

The 8-aza-7-deazaadenine (pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-amine) N(8)-(2'-deoxyribonucleoside) (2) which has an unusual glycosylation position was introduced as a universal nucleoside in oligonucleotide duplexes. These oligonucleotides were prepared by solid-phase synthesis employing phosphoramidite chemistry. Oligonucleotides incorporating the universal nucleoside 2 are capable of forming base pairs with the four normal DNA nucleosides without significant structural discrimination. The thermal stabilities of those duplexes are very similar and are only moderately reduced compared to those with regular Watson-Crick base pairs. The universal nucleoside 2 belongs to a new class of compounds that form bidentate base pairs with all four natural DNA constituents through hydrogen bonding. The base pair motifs follow the Watson-Crick or the Hoogsteen mode. Also an uncommon motif is suggested for the base pair of 2 and dG. All of the new base pairs have a different shape compared to those of the natural DNA but fit well into the DNA duplex as the distance of the anomeric carbons approximates those of the common DNA base pairs.

2'-Deoxy-5-methylisocytidine.

In the title compound, 2-amino-1-(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-5-methylpyrimidin++ +-4 (1H)-one, C(10)H(15)N(3)O(4), the conformation of the N-glycosidic bond is syn and the 2-deoxyribofuranose moiety adopts an unusual (O)T(1) sugar pucker. The orientation of the exocyclic C4'-C5' bond is +sc (+gauche).

Pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine nucleosides: synthesis and antitumor activity of 7-substituted 7-deaza-2'-deoxyadenosines.

A one step synthesis, using the nucleoside 7-iodo-2'-deoxytubercidin (2b) in a Pd(0)/Cu(I)-catalyzed cross coupling reaction furnished a series of 7-alkynyl-2'-deoxytubercidin derivatives. The 7-iodo-, 7-chloro- or 7-bromo 2'-deoxytubercidins 2b-d as well as certain 7-alkynyl derivatives show significant activity against several tumor cell lines, with 7-iodo-2'-deoxytubercidin (2b) as the most effective compound.