SOLID-PHASE SYNTHESIS OF 5'-DIPHOSPHORYLATED OLIGORIBONUCLEOTIDES ANDTHEIR CONVERSION TO CAPPED M(7)GPPP-OLIGORIBONUCLEOTIDES FOR USE AS PRIMERS FOR INFLUENZA-A VIRUS-RNA POLYMERASE IN-VITRO

We have synthesized four different 5'-diphosphorylated oligoribonucleo tides, varying in length from 11 to 13 nucleotides by a new solid phas e method. After deprotection and partial purification the 5'-diphospho rylated oligoribonucleotides could be converted to capped (m(7)Gppp)-o ligoribonucleotides using guanylyl transferase. Radiolabelled capped o ligoribonucleotides acted as primers for the influenza A virus RNA pol ymerase in vitro. The solid phase method described here should also al low the addition of 5'-diphosphates to synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleot ides and be capable of automation.