Synthesis and biophysical characterization of RNAs containing (R)- and (S)-5'-C-aminopropyl-2'-O-methyluridines.

We designed and synthesized (R)-5'-C-aminopropyl-2'-O-methyluridine and (S)-5'-C-aminopropy1-2'-O-methyluridine, which are applicable to small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). We have evaluated the properties of siRNAs containing (R)-5'-C-aminopropy1-2'-O-methyl and (5)-5'-C-aminopropyl-2'-O-methyl modifications and have compared them to that of the 4'-C-aminopropyl-2'-O-methyl modification. Although these modifications decreased the thermal stability of double -stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) and siRNAs, the dsRNA containing the (S)-5'-C-aminopropy1-2'-O-methyl modification showed the highest melting temperature (T-m) among them. Silencing activity of the modified siRNAs was assessed by a dual luciferase reporter assay using HeLa cells. Incorporation of the (R)-5'-C-aminopropyl-2'-O-methyl and (S)-5'-C-aminopropyl-2'-O-methyl modifications on a passenger and guide strand was found to be tolerated for the silencing activity of siRNAs except for in the seed region on the guide strand. Furthermore, these modifications significantly increased the stability of single -stranded RNAs (ssRNAs) and siRNAs in a buffer containing bovine serum.