Association of 2' - 5' oligoribonucleotides

Abstract

Oligoribonucleotides with 2' -5' linkages have been synthesized on solid support. UV melting and CD experiments indicate complementary strands associate to give complexes with melting temperatures 30 to 40°C lower than for duplexes formed by 3'-5' oligoribonucleotides with the same sequence. UV melting and imino proton NMR spectra and NOEs for (2' -5') CGGCGCCG are consistent with formation of an antiparallel duplex. The results suggest greater duplex stability was one factor favoring 3' -5' over 2' -5' linkages in evolution. © 1992 Oxford University Press.