Conformational Conversion Enhances Cellular Uptake of F Base Double-Strand-Conjugated Oligonucleotides

Anal Chem. 2020 Aug 4;92(15):10375-10380. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c00614. Epub 2020 Jul 13.

Abstract

Artificial bases have emerged as a useful tool to expand genetic alphabets and biomedical applications of oligonucleotides. Herein, we reported that the conformation conversion enhances cellular uptake of hydrophobic 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene (F) base double-strand-conjugated oligonucleotides. The formation of the F base double-strand caged the hydrophobic F base in the duplex strand, thus preventing F base from interacting with cells to some extent. However, upon conversion of F base double-strand-conjugated oligonucleotide to F base single-strand-conjugated oligonucleotide, F bases then were allowed to interact with cells by stronger hydrophobic interactions, followed by cellular uptake. The results were concluded as a pairing-induced cage effect of F base and have the potential for the construction of stimuli-responsive cellular uptake of functional nucleic acids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biological Transport
  • Carbohydrate Conformation
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Oligonucleotides / chemistry*
  • Oligonucleotides / metabolism*
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / chemical synthesis
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / chemistry

Substances

  • Oligonucleotides
  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • phosphoramidite