A series of aliphatic and aromatic spacer molecules designed to cap the ends of DNA duplexes have been synthesized. The spacers were converted into dimethoxytrityl protected phosphoramidites as synthons for oligonucleotides synthesis. The effect of the spacers on the stability of short DNA duplexes was assessed by melting temperature studies. Endcaps containing amide groups were found to be less stabilizing than the hexaethylene glycol spacer. Endcaps containing either a terthiophene or a naphthalene tetracarboxylic acid dimide were found to be significantly more stabilizing. The former showed a preference for stacking above an A•T base pair. Spacers containing only methylene (-CH 2 -) and amide (-CONH-) groups interact weakly with DNA and consequently may be optimal for applications that require minimal influence on DNA structure but require a way to hold the ends of double-stranded DNA together.
The syntheses of endcaps for covalently linking the 3' and 5' hydroxyl groups of blunt end double-stranded DNA are described. Endcap diols were converted into DMTr protected phosphoramidites and incorporated between nucleotides 4 and 5 of a self-complementary octamer. The stabilizing effect of the endcaps on duplex DNA was determined by Tm experiments on the self-complementary octamer.
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