MIRROR-DESIGN OF L-OLIGONUCLEOTIDE LIGANDS BINDING TO L-ARGININE

The high affinity and selectivity of nucleic acid ligands have clearly demonstrated that RNA can be targeted to a variety of molecules. In p ractice, however, the use of unmodified aptamers is impeded by the low stability of RNA in biological fluids, Here we describe the mirror-de sign of a stable 38-mer L-oligoribonucleotide ligand that binds to L-a rginine. This L-RNA ligand was also able to bind to a short peptide co ntaining the basic region of the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 T at-protein, The L-RNA ligand displayed the expected stability in human serum, These findings may contribute to the identification of novel d iagnostics and pharmaceuticals.