SYNTHESES AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CONJUGATES OF NUCLEIC-ACID PROBES AND 6-AMINOGLUCOSE-BASED POLYMERS

Homopolymers based on 6-deoxy-6-methacryloylamido-D-glucpyranose (6-am inoglucose), obtained by radical-initiated polymerization, were used a s reactive polymeric supports to tether oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODN s) in order to make oligonucleotide-polymer conjugates of potential ap plications in diagnostics. The reducing ends of the homopolymers, used as self-protected groups during the radical polymerizations, served I ts reactive groups for the covalent attachment of 5'-amino-modified ol igodeoxyribonucleotides via reductive amination, with sodium borohydri de as a reducing agent. The best coupling conditions used dimethylform amide/20 mM sodium tetraborate as a 90/10 (v/v) mixture at 50 degrees C. The main factors controlling the course of the reaction are electro static repulsive interactions and polymer chain complexation. A low io nic strength was essential for the reaction to occur in a pH range of 7.3 to 9.3. The polymer-ODN conjugates could be aggregated depending o n the extent of polymer chain interactions. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & S ons, Ltd.