Synthesis and Properties of 2′-Deoxy-1′,2′-seco-D-ribosyl (5′ → 3′)oligonucleotides (= 1′,2′-seco-DNA) containing adenine and thymine

Some 2′-deoxy-1′,2′-seco-D-ribosyl (5′→3′)oligonucleotides (= 1′,2′-seco-DNA), differing from natural DNA only by a bond scission between the centers C(1′) and C(2′), were synthesized and studied in order to compare their structure properties and pairing behavior with those of corresponding natural DNA and homo-DNA oligonucleotides (2′,3′-dideoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl oligonucleotides). Starting from (?)-D-tartaric acid, 2′-deoxy-1′,2′-secoadenosine derivative 9a and 1′,2′-secothymidine ( 9b ) were obtained in pure crystalline form. Using the phosphoramidite variant of the phosphite-triester method, a dinucleotide monophosphate 1′,2′-seco-d(T₂) was synthesized in solution, while oligonucleotides 1′,2′-seco-d(AT)₆], 1′,2′-seco-d(A₁₀) and 1′,2′-seco-d(T₁₀) were prepared on solid phase with either automated or manual techniques. Results of UV- and CD-spectroscopic as well as gel-electrophoretic studies indicated that neither adenine-thymine base pairing (as observed in natural DNA and homo-DNA), nor the adenine-adenine base pairing (as observed in homo-DNA) was effective in 1′,2′-seco-DNA, Furthermore, hybrid pairing was observed neither between 1′.2′-seco-DNA and natural DNA nor between 1′,2′-seco-DNA and homo-DNA.