Template-dependent DNA ligation for the synthesis of modified oligonucleotides

Chemical modification of DNA is a common strategy to improve the properties of oligonucleotides, particularly for therapeutics and nanotechnology. Existing synthetic methods essentially rely on phosphoramidite chemistry or the polymerization of nucleoside triphosphates but are limited in terms of size, scalability, and sustainability. Herein, we report a robust alternative method for the de novo synthesis of modified oligonucleotides using template-dependent DNA ligation of shortmer fragments. Our approach is based on the fast and scaled accessibility of chemically modified shortmer monophosphates as substrates for the T3 DNA ligase. This method has shown high tolerance to chemical modifications, flexibility, and overall efficiency, thereby granting access to a broad range of modified oligonucleotides of different lengths (20 → 120 nucleotides). We have applied this method to the synthesis of clinically relevant antisense drugs and ultramers containing diverse modifications. Furthermore, the designed chemoenzymatic approach has great potential for diverse applications in therapeutics and biotechnology.

Recent progress in non-native nucleic acid modifications

While Nature harnesses RNA and DNA to store, read and write genetic information, the inherent programmability, synthetic accessibility and wide functionality of these nucleic acids make them attractive tools for use in a vast array of applications.

2-Aminopyridine as a Nucleobase Substitute for Adenine in DNA-like Architectures: Synthesis of Alkynyl C-Nucleotides and Their Hybridization Characteristics

Halogenated 2-aminopyridine was attached to the acetylene terminal of ethynyl C-2-deoxy-β-d-ribofuranoside as a nucleobase substitute, and then, the C-nucleoside was incorporated into natural DNAs. The resulting chimeric DNA constructed double helical structures with the complementary chimeric DNA. In the duplex, 2-aminopyridine functioned as an adenine analogue that formed a base pair with a non-natural thymine isostere. Artificial homooligomers were also prepared only from the adenine-type C-nucleoside and proven to form completely artificial double helices with the corresponding artificial thymine-type homooligomers.