Patent ID: 6017700
Filing Date: 2000-01-25
Classification: C07H,C12Q

Abstract:
A composition comprising molecules of an oligonucleotide having at least one cationic internucleoside linkage having the structure (I) ##STR10## wherein: W is selected from the group consisting of O, S and Se;X and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of (i) O, (ii) S, (iii) C(R.sup.4)R.sub.5 where R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are independently selected from the group consisting of H and C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, and (iv) NR.sup.6 where R.sup.6 is H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl;Z is selected from the group consisting of O, S, C .sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkylene, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkenylene, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkynylene and NR.sup.7 where R.sup.7 is H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, with the proviso that when W, X and Y are O, Z is O, S or NR.sup.7 ;R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkylene, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkenylene, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkynylene, monocyclic arylene and a bond;R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl substituted with 1 to 4 NH.sub.2 groups, and monocyclic aryl, or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 may be linked to form a five- or six-membered alkyl or aryl ring or an N-, O- or S-containing heterocycle; andwherein P* represents an asymmetric phosphorus atom capable of existing in two distinct stereoisomeric configurations,and further wherein the linkage is stereouniform among the molecules of the oligonucleotide.