MIRROR-IMAGE RNA THAT BINDS D-ADENOSINE

A 58-mer L-RNA ligand that binds to naturally occurring D-adenosine wi th a dissociation constant of 1.7 mu M in solution was identified from a combinatorial library employing mirror-design. The corresponding D- RNA ligand shows identical binding affinity to L-adenosine. Reciprocal chiral specificity was also evident from ligand discrimination; the b inding affinity of the L-RNA ligand for D-adenosine was 9000-fold grea ter than its affinity for L-adenosine and vice versa, While the D-RNA ligand was rapidly degraded in human serum, the L-RNA ligand displayed an extraordinary stability, This indicates the potential application of specifically designed L-RNA ligands as stable monoclonal antibody a nalogues and the development of highly stable L-ribozymes.