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. 1989 Sep 25;17(18):7253–7262. doi: 10.1093/nar/17.18.7253

Number and distribution of methylphosphonate linkages in oligodeoxynucleotides affect exo- and endonuclease sensitivity and ability to form RNase H substrates.

R S Quartin 1, C L Brakel 1, J G Wetmur 1
PMCID: PMC334805  PMID: 2477796

Abstract

Oligodeoxynucleotides with different arrangements of methylphosphonate linkages were examined for nuclease sensitivity in vitro, stability in tissue culture, and ability to form RNase H-sensitive substrates with complementary RNA. After nuclease treatment, resistance was demonstrated by the ability to alter the electrophoretic mobility of a labeled complementary phosphodiester oligodeoxynucleotide. Both 5'- and 3'-exonuclease activities were retarded by methylphosphonate linkages. Methylphosphonate-containing oligodeoxynucleotides with 1-5 adjacent phosphodiester linkages were tested as substrates for the endonucleases DNase I and DNase II. The results indicated that a span of three or fewer contiguous internal phosphodiester linkages led to the greatest resistance to endonuclease. However, in serum-supplemented culture medium half-lives of these oligodeoxynucleotides were independent of the number of contiguous phosphodiester linkages. Methylphosphonate-containing oligodeoxynucleotides were hybridized to RNA runoff transcripts and tested as substrates for RNase H. The results indicated that a span of three internal phosphodiester linkages in the oligodeoxynucleotide was necessary and sufficient to direct cleavage of the RNA in the duplex.

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Selected References

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