Propyl-Modified Nucleoside Derivatives for RNA Selectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hybridization reagents lack high selectivity for RNA, which is essential for detecting RNA intracellularly and at the gene expression level, particularly for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and existing nucleoside derivatives either destabilize RNA-DNA hybrids or fail to provide base specificity.

Innovation Solution

Development of nucleoside derivatives with a propyl group replacing deoxyribose to reduce phosphate spacing and introduce a tricyclic base structure, enhancing RNA selectivity and thermal stability while maintaining base discrimination ability, and incorporating fluorescence for real-time detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional nucleoside derivatives (PNA, BNA, open sugar ring-type) are used to increase binding affinity for RNA, then thermal stability of the hybrid increases, but base specificity and selectivity for RNA over DNA deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stability of hybridVSAvoidbase specificity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by modifying only the sugar portion of the nucleoside (introducing a propyl group at the 2' position) while keeping the base and phosphate backbone unchanged. This localized modification achieves the dual goal of enhancing thermal stability through reduced phosphate spacing while preserving base-specific hydrogen bonding capabilities that enable RNA selectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameter of phosphate spacing by introducing a propyl group that reduces the distance between adjacent phosphate groups. This parameter change increases electrostatic attraction and thermal stability while the modified sugar conformation maintains compatibility with RNA base pairing, thereby achieving both stability and specificity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If probes are designed to detect RNA with high selectivity, then RNA detection capability improves, but detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) becomes difficult due to insufficient base discrimination

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRNA detection capabilityVSAvoidSNP detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by modifying only the sugar portion of the nucleoside (introducing a propyl group at the 2' position) while keeping the base and phosphate backbone unchanged. This localized modification achieves the dual goal of enhancing thermal stability through reduced phosphate spacing while preserving base-specific hydrogen bonding capabilities that enable RNA selectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameter of phosphate spacing by introducing a propyl group that reduces the distance between adjacent phosphate groups. This parameter change increases electrostatic attraction and thermal stability while the modified sugar conformation maintains compatibility with RNA base pairing, thereby achieving both stability and specificity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If existing hybridization reagents are used for intracellular RNA detection, then general RNA detection is possible, but real-time monitoring with high selectivity cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintracellular detection capabilityVSAvoidreal-time detection selectivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates fluorescent labels on the nucleoside derivatives, enabling optical detection. The fluorescent properties allow real-time monitoring of hybridization events within cells, and the enhanced thermal stability and base specificity of the modified nucleosides ensure that only specific RNA targets are detected, achieving both ease of operation and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The nucleoside derivatives exhibit high RNA selectivity, thermal stability, and base discrimination, enabling efficient detection of RNA and gene polymorphisms, particularly SNPs, with enhanced fluorescence for real-time monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

a nucleic acid derivative having a high affinity for RNA and a high base selectivity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHybridization: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

incorporating fluorescence for real-time detection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP2270015B1RNA-selective hybridization reagent and utilization of the same
Publication Date: 2013.07.10 THE JAPAN SCI & TECH AGENCY
  • EP2270015B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2270015B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2270015B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a nucleoside derivative which has a high affinity for RNA. Use is made of a nucleoside derivative represented by either formula (1) or formula (2). (In formulae (1) and (2), Z represents a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom; R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl-protecting group; and R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a phosphodiester group).