CYCLOHEXENE NUCLEIC ACIDS (CeNA) FORM STABLE DUPLEXES WITH RNA AND INDUCE RNASE H ACTIVITY

Abstract

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.