The conformafion in solution of new modified nucleosides bearing branched-chain sugars used as building blocks for antisense oligonucleotides is investigated by NMR spectroscopy. Within a classical approach to the conformational study of these molecules, a new methodology is adopted, which is capable of exploring all the possibilities, for a given conformational model, that are compatible with the experimental data. The relationship between conformation of the monomers and hyb¡ properties of the corresponding oligonucleotides is examined.
IntroducflonThe field of Nucleic Acids and their chemical and biochemical applications, the development of the so called antisense strategy occupies a well-defined place.Basically, the principle is based on the recognition of complementary sequences through base pair interactions, and the final goal is the inhibition of the expression of a target gene. Therefore, ah antisense fragrnent is a synthetic oligonucleotide carrying a sequence which is complementary (antisense) to a portion of a target m-RNA. This oligonucleotide will hybridize with this RNA molecule and block its translation [1]. This strategy has very important applications not only in molecular biology but also in the development of new therapeutic principles [2].Some features ate characteristic of a sultable antisense fragment. The most important ones are: good up-take by cells, resistance to nucleases, and good hyb¡ properties.In order to obtain stable oligonucleotides with regard to the action of nucleases, it is necessary to introduce chemical modifications. These modifications, though, must not