Patent ID: 6410721
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: A61K,C12N

Abstract:
A polynucleotide decoy comprising:(a) an internal oligonucleotide (I) having a length of X bases, where X is a number from about 14 to about 40; (b) two cap oligonucleotides (P1 and P2), each having a length of from about 4 to about 8 bases, wherein each of said cap oligonucleotides is comprised of bases which are unable to bind to any other base within the same cap oligonucleotide; (c) a first complementary oligonucleotide (C1) having a length of Q bases, where Q is a number from about 5 to (Xâˆ’5), said C1 having a 3â€² to 5â€² nucleic acid sequence capable of Watson-Crick-type binding to the first Q bases in the 5â€² to 3â€² nucleic acid sequence of said I; and (d) a second complementary oligonucleotide (C2) having a length of Z bases, where Z is a number greater than equal to about 5 and from ((Xâˆ’(Q+about X/8)) to (Xâˆ’Q), said C2 having a 5â€² to 3â€² nucleic acid sequence capable of Watson-Crick-type binding to the first Z bases in the 3â€² to 5â€² nucleic acid sequence of said I; wherein the 3â€² end of said C1 is covalently linked to the 5â€² end of said P1, the 3â€² end of said P1 is covalently linked to the 5â€² end of said I, the 3â€² end of said I is covalently linked to the 5â€² end of said P2, and the 3â€² end of said P2 is covalently linked to the 5â€² end of said C2; wherein at least one of the oligonucleotides selected from the group consisting of said C1, said C2, and said I, comprises at least one of the following sequences: (i) 5â€²Y*NYNRY*3â€² and (ii) 5â€²Y* NNNNAY3â€²wherein: N is any nucleotide; R is a nucleotide comprising a purine, preferably an adenine or guanine deoxyribonucleotide; Y is a nucleotide comprising a pyrimidine, preferably a cytosine or thymidine deoxyribonucleotide; Y* is a nucleotide comprising a 5-methylated pyrimidine, preferably a 5-methyl cytosine or a thymidine deoxyribonucleotide; A is a nucleotide comprising an adenine, preferably an adenine deoxyribonucleotide; and wherein said polynucleotide decoy binds to an RF-X transcription factor.