Novel functionalization of the sugar moiety of nucleic acids for multiple labeling in the minor groove

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(91)80468-L

The sugar ring of adenosine was alkylated at the 2′-O- position using N-(5-bromopentyl) phthalimide and the modified nucleoside was chemically incorporated into oligonucleotide diesters, thioates and RNA analogs. The free amino group, available after oligonucleotide deprotection, is useful for site-specific introduction of reporter groups and therapeutic agents at the 2′-position. This novel methodology permits multiple labeling of nucleic acids in the minor groove.