Programmable site-selective labeling of oligonucleotides based on carbene catalysis

Nat Commun. 2021 Mar 16;12(1):1681. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-21839-4.

Abstract

Site-selective modification of oligonucleotides serves as an indispensable tool in many fields of research including research of fundamental biological processes, biotechnology, and nanotechnology. Here we report chemo- and regioselective modification of oligonucleotides based on rhodium(I)-carbene catalysis in a programmable fashion. Extensive screening identifies a rhodium(I)-catalyst that displays robust chemoselectivity toward base-unpaired guanosines in single and double-strand oligonucleotides with structurally complex secondary structures. Moreover, high regioselectivity among multiple guanosines in a substrate is achieved by introducing guanosine-bulge loops in a duplex. This approach allows the introduction of multiple unique functional handles in an iterative fashion, the utility of which is exemplified in DNA-protein cross-linking in cell lysates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Carbon-13 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Catalysis
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / metabolism
  • Methane / analogs & derivatives*
  • Methane / chemistry
  • Oligonucleotides / chemistry*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Rhodium / chemistry
  • Staining and Labeling*
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Oligonucleotides
  • Viral Proteins
  • carbene
  • DNA
  • Rhodium
  • bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases
  • Methane