Here we describe the properties of a novel class of oligonucleotide probes capable of sensitive hybridization-triggered fluorescence. These fluorogenic probes, known commercially as MGB Eclipse probes, are characterized by having a conjugated minor groove binder (MGB) ligand at the 5'-end and a fluorophore at the 3'-end. Additionally, they have an efficient quencher moiety at the 5'-end that is useful with a wide variety of fluorescent dyes. Fluorescence of the single-stranded MGB Eclipse probe is efficiently quenched by the interaction of the terminal dye and quencher groups when not hybridized. Upon hybridization to a complementary target, the MGB molecule folds into duplex and hyper-stabilizes it, allowing the use of shorter, more specific probe sequences. The 5'-MGB-quencher group also prevents nuclease digestion by Taq DNA polymerase during PCR. Because of the hybridization-triggered fluorescence and the excellent specificity imparted by the MGB, these 5'-MGB Eclipse probes have great versatility for real-time PCR applications. The high sensitivity and specificity are illustrated using single nucleotide polymorphism detection, viral load determination, and gene expression analysis.

New solid supports are described which allow the direct synthesis of oligonucleotides bearing either cholesterol or acridine at the 3'-terminus. A stereochemically defined amino diol was prepared by reduction of N-Cbz-hydroxy-L-proline. This linker molecule was first acylated with the desired conjugate molecule, then protected as the dimethoxytrityl ether. The remaining secondary hydroxyl group was succinylated and immobilized on a controlled-pore glass support. 3'-Modified oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) were prepared from these supports by using standard phosphoramidite coupling and deprotection conditions. A cholesterol-modified support was prepared from cholesterol chloroformate and the amino diol linker. Two types of acridine-modified solid supports were prepared from acridine tetrafluorophenyl esters with linker arms of different length. In an alternative synthesis of 3'-derivatized ODNs, these active esters were also utilized for acylation of a 3'-amine-modified ODN. A thermal denaturation study was done to determine the effect of the different linker arms on hybridization to a complementary ODN target. Facile synthesis and purification of the 3'-modified ODNs makes these functionalized solid supports especially useful for preparation of oligonucleotides bearing these and other modifications.

A new controlled-pore glass (CPG) support is described that allows for the direct synthesis of oligonucleotides bearing a 3'-aminohexyl tail. This solid support (AH-CPG) exhibits superior performance as compared to a commercially available 3'-amine CPG. The AH-CPG is prepared from 6-aminohexan-1-ol with a unique protecting group for the amine that also functions as the site of attachment to the CPG. A 3'-amine-tailed oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) was prepared from this support using standard phosphoramidite coupling and deprotection conditions. The 3'-amine-tailed ODN was subsequently modified with an acridinylpropionic acid tetrafluorophenyl ester. Facile synthesis of the AH-CPG and the stability of the deprotected product makes this functionalized solid support especially useful for preparation of oligonucleotides bearing 3'-amine tails and other modifications.

The tripeptide 1,2-dihydro-(3 H )-pyrrolo[3,2- e ]indole-7-carboxylate (CDPI3) binds to the minor groove of DNA with high affinity. When this minor groove binder is conjugated to the 5'-end of short oligonucleotides the conjugates form unusually stable hybrids with complementary DNA and thus may have useful diagnostic and/or therapeutic applications. In order to gain an understanding of the structural interactions between the CDPI3minor groove binding moiety and the DNA, we have determined and compared the solution structure of a duplex consisting of oligodeoxyribonucleotide 5'-TGATTATCTG-3' conjugated at the 5'-end to CDPI3 and its complementary strand to an unmodified control duplex of the same sequence using nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. Thermal denaturation studies indicated that the hybrid of this conjugate with its complementary strand had a melting temperature that was 30 degrees C higher compared with the unmodified control duplex. Following restrained molecular dynamics and relaxation matrix refinement, the solution structure of the CDPI3-conjugated DNA duplex demonstrated that the overall shape of the duplex was that of a straight B-type helix and that the CDPI3moiety was bound snugly in the minor groove, where it was stabilized by extensive van der Waal's interactions.

A rapid and efficient method for the synthesis of 125I-labeled oligodeoxynucleotides ([125I]ODNs) is described. The key intermediates are tributylstannylbenzamide-modified ODNs (Sn-ODNs). Reaction conditions are described for the preparation of 5'-modified Sn-ODNs. Treatment with NaI and chloramine T gave conversion to the desired I-ODN, which was easily isolated by reversed phase chromatography. Thermal denaturation (Tm) studies showed that hybridization properties were not disturbed by the 4-iodobenzamide modification. An [125I]ODN was prepared and characterized by hybridization to 32P-labeled DNA targets. Sequence specific cleavage of the target DNA strand by 125I was measured.