Nucleic acid molecules with novel chemical compositions capable of modulating gene expression

This invention relates to novel chemically-modified nucleic acid molecules having specific formulae that exhibit increased resistance to nucleases and increased binding affinity to target nucleic acid molecules. The invention further relates to methods of modulating gene expression using the novel chemically modified nucleic acid molecules, and compositions and cells comprising said molecules.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to novel chemically modified nucleic acid molecules that are capable of modulating gene expression through a variety of mechanisms. Specifically, the invention concerns novel combinations of chemical modifications in an oligonucleotide which enhance nuclease resistance, binding affinity, and/or potency.

The following is a discussion of relevant art, none of which is admitted to be prior art to the present invention.

Since the discovery of the mechanisms underlying gene expression, specifically nucleic acid based transcription and translation, a great deal of effort has been placed on blocking or altering these processes for a variety of purposes, such as understanding biology, gene function, disease processes, and identifying novel therapeutic targets. Approaches involving nucleic acid molecules for modulating gene expression have gained popularity in recent years. For example, nucleic acid molecules have been designed which are capable of binding to specific mRNA sequences by Watson-Crick base pairing interaction and blocking translation (Crooke, 1996, Medicinal Res. Rev. 16, 319-344). Another approach involves complexation of DNA with triplex forming oligonucleotides to prevent transcription of bound DNA sequences thereby inhibiting gene expression (Kim et al., 1998, Biochemistry. 37, 2299-2304). The interaction of antisense oligonucleotides, 2-5A antisense chimera, or ribozymes with target RNA have been used to prevent gene expression. All of these nucleic acid molecules are highly specific to their matching target sequences and therefore can offer lower toxicity compared to traditional approaches such as chemotherapy.

The use of oligonucleotides for modulation of gene expression generally requires stabilization of oligonucleotides from degradation by nucleases that are present in biological systems. Cellular efficacy can be effected if the nucleic acid molecule is degraded before it reaches its desired target. Chemical modifications of nucleic acid molecules have been found to be advantageous in making them inaccessible to degradation by cellular nucleases. Uhlmann and Peyman, 1990, Chem. Reviews 90, 543, review the use of nucleoside modifications to stabilize antisense oligonucleotides. Besides improved stability, chemical modifications have also been shown to increase binding affinity, improve cellular penetration, and enhanced target specificity (Monia et al., 1993, J. Biol. Chem. 268, 14514-14522; Wu-Pong, 1994, BioPharm, 22-33).

One of the most studied and utilized chemical alteration in oligonucleotides has been backbone modifications such as phosphorothioates. Phosphorothioate oligonucleotides are nucleic acid molecules whose phosphodiester linkage has been modified by substituting a sulfur atom in place of an oxygen atom. In addition to increased nuclease resistance, phosphorothioate oligonucleotides are substrates for ribonuclease H (RNase H) (Monia, supra; Crooke et al., 1995, Biochem. J. 3112, 599-608). RNase H is an endonuclease which catalyzes the degradation of RNA in an RNA-DNA heteroduplex (Hostomsky et al., 1993 in Nucleases, Linn et al., eds., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, NY, 341-376). RNA/DNA heteroduplexes, called Okazaki fragments, are formed naturally during DNA replication. Therefore, the normal function of RNase H is to degrade the RNA portion of the heteroduplex to complete DNA replication. In experiments with E. coli RNase H, the phosphorothioate oligonucleotide activated the enzyme more efficiently (2-5 fold) compared to a standard phosphodiester containing oligonucleotide (Crooke, 1995, supra).

Binding of DNA to RNA is not as thermodynamically favorable as an RNA to RNA interaction (Altmann et al., 1996, Chimia 50, 168-176). Inoe & Ohtsuka, 1987, Nucleic Acids Research 115, 6131, first proposed an oligonucleotide with a central region consisting of oligodeoxynucleotides flanked by 2 -O-methyl modified nucleotide regions. The region of oligodeoxynucleotides in such a chimeric molecule is recognized by RNase H when bound to target RNA; and facilitates cleavage of target RNA by RNase H. (Inoe & Ohtsuka, 1987, FEBS Lett. 215, 327; Shibahara & Morisava, 1987, Nucleic Acids Res. 15, 4403). Such chimeric oligonucleotides were proposed to interact with target RNA more stably than an all DNA oligonucleotide.

Agrawal et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,652,355, describe a phosphorothioate-containing nucleic acid molecule with at least two 2 -O-methyl modifications on the 5 and 3 ends.

Agrawal, U.S. Pat. No. 5,652,356, describes an oligonucleotide which consists of a region of 2 -O-substituted oligonucleotide located between two oligodeoxyribonucleotide regions. The DNA regions of this nucleic acid molecule consists of phosphorothioate modifications at every position.

Cook et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,065, describe the use of a nucleic acid molecule which contains an RNase H cleavable region flanked by certain specifically modified nucleotides, for inhibition of gene expression of a ras gene.

Cook et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,587,362, describe a nucleic acid molecule having substantially chirally pure inter-sugar linkages , for modulation of gene expression.

Ohtsuka et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,830, describe mixed oligomers having a DNA region and a 2 -O-methyl modified region, useful for modulation of gene expression.

Cohen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,019, and Cohen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,423 describe the use of oligodeoxynucleotides of no more than 32 nucleotides in length, containing at least one phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage which are capable of preventing foreign nucleic acid replication.

Cohen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,717, describe an oligodeoxyribonucleotide with at least one phosphorothioate modification capable of inhibiting oncogenes.

Crooke et al., 1996, Exp. Opin. Ther. Patents 6, 855, list and discuss various patents and PCT publications in the field of antisense technology.

Usman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,652,094, describe enzymatic nucleic acid molecules which include nucleic acid analogues or deoxyribonucleotides.

Joyce, International Publication No. WO 96/17086, describes a DNA enzyme capable of cleaving RNA.

Rossi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,019, describe chimeric hammerhead ribozymes with the binding arms and stem II region modified with deoxyribonucleotides.

Tullis, U.S. Pat. No. 5,919,619, describes methods for inhibiting target protein expression with specific antisense nucleic acid molecules.

Walder et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,019, describe the use of specific oligodeoxynucleotides modified at the 3 -terminal internucleotide link as therapeutic agents by a method of hybridizing the modified oligonucleotide to a complementary sequence within a targeted mRNA and cleaving the mRNA within the RNA-DNA helix by the enzyme RNaseH to block the expression of the corresponding gene.

Crooke et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,653, describe the use of specific antisense oligonucleotides that that bind to a target RNA molecule and cleave the RNA via RNAse H mediated activity.

Molecules have also been devised which include non-nucleotides capable of binding to nucleic acid. These peptide nucleic acid (PNA) molecules bind by Watson-Crick base-pairing and can also function through an antisense mechanism. These molecules have been used to augment hammerhead ribozyme activity by altering the structure of target RNAs and increasing accessibility of cleavage sites (Jankowsky et al., 1997, Nucleic Acids Research 25, 2690-2693).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to novel nucleic acid molecules which are useful for modulation of gene expression. The nucleic acid molecule of the instant invention are distinct from other nucleic acid molecules known in the art. Specifically, the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention have novel combinations of chemical modifications and are capable of binding to RNA or DNA to facilitate modulation of gene expression. These novel combinations of chemical modifications can be used to form antisense oligonucleotides, triplex forming oligonucleotides, 2-5A antisense chimera, and enzymatic nucleic acid molecules.

In one embodiment, the invention features a nucleic acid molecule having the following formulae: Formula I:

In a another embodiment, the invention features an enzymatic nucleic acid molecule having the formula:

Formula VII

In each of the above formula (I-VII), X represents independently a nucleotide which can be same or different; where m and o are integers independently greater than or equal to 4 and preferably less than about 100, more specifically 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, or 20; r is an integer greater than or equal to four, more specifically 5, 6, 7, 10, 15, or 20; the nucleic acid molecule can be symmetric (m equal to O) or asymmetric (m not equal to O); (X) m , (X) o , and (X) q are oligonucleotides which are of sufficient length to stably interact independently with a target nucleic acid molecule (the target can be an RNA, DNA or RNA/DNA mixed polymers); Y represents independently a deoxyribonucleotide which can be same or different; n is an integer greater than or equal to 4, specifically 5, 6 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12; Z represents an oligonucleotide including nucleotides capable of facilitating the cleavage of a target sequence; p is of length greater than or equal to 4 but less than 100, preferably 5, between 10-20, specifically 25-55, specifically between 30-45, more specifically 35-50; q is an integer greater than or equal to 0, preferably 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 15, 20; _represents a chemical linkage (e.g. a phosphate ester linkage, amide linkage or others known in the art); and each (X) m , (X) o , (X) r , (X) q , and/or (Y) n independently comprise phosphorothioate linkages, more specifically each (X) m , (X) o , (X) r , (X) q , and/or (Y) n independently comprise at least one phosphodiester linkage and/or one phosphorothioate linkage or a mixture thereof; each C and C independently represents a cap structure which can independently be present or absent; and (Z) p can optionally include a phosphorothioate linkage. The nucleotides in the each of the formula I-VII are unmodified or modified at the sugar, base, and/or phosphate as known in the art.

In another embodiment, each of X represents independently a nucleotide which can be same or different; where m and o are integers independently greater than or equal to 5; (X) m and (X) o are oligonucleotides which are of sufficient length to stably interact independently with a target nucleic acid molecule; each (X) r comprises independently at least one phosphodiester linkage and/or one phosphorothioate linkage; Y represents independently a deoxyribonucleotide which can be same or different; (Y) n is an oligonucleotide which is of sufficient length to stably interact independently with a target nucleic acid molecule; n is an integer greater than or equal to 4; each (X) m , and (X) o comprise independently at least one phosphodiester linkage and/or one phosphorothioate linkage or a mixture thereof; (Y) n comprises a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodithioate linkage or a 5 -S-phosphorothioate, or 5 -S-phosphorodithioate, or a 3 S phosphorothioate or a 3 -S-phosphorodithioate linkage or a mixture thereof; and each C and C independently represents a cap structure which can independently be present or absent.

In one embodiment, Z in the above formulae IV-VII comprises a hammerhead, inozyme, G-cleaver, zinzyme, DNAzyme, or amberzyme enzymatic nucleic acid molecule.

In another embodiment, the invention features a nucleic acid molecule having the following formulae:

r s r s r s r p r p r p r p D s D s D s D s D s D s D s D s D s r p r p r p r s r s r s D

r s r s r s r p r p r p r p D s D s D s D s D s D s D s D s D s r p r p r p r s r s r s r-iB

iB-r p r p r p r p r p r p r p D s D s D s D s D s D s D s D s D s r p r p r p r p r p r p r-iB

x p x p x p x p x p x p x p D s D s D s D s D s D s D s D s D s x p x p x p x p x p x p x

In one embodiment, a nucleic acid molecule of the invention is an antisense nucleic acid molecule.

In another embodiment, a nucleic acid molecule of the invention further comprises a 2-5A antisense chimera.

The present invention also features a method of modulating the expression of a gene in a cell, for example a mammalian cell or human cell, comprising the step of administering to the cell a nucleic acid molecule of the invention under conditions suitable for the down regulation of said gene.

In one embodiment, the invention features a pharmaceutical composition comprising a nucleic acid molecule of the invention in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In another embodiment, the invention features a method of administering to a cell a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, comprising contacting the cell, for example a mammalian cell or human cell, with the nucleic acid molecule under conditions suitable for the administration. The administration can be in the presence of a delivery reagent, for example, a lipid, cationic lipid, or liposome.

The term nucleotide as used herein, refers to a heterocyclic nitrogenous base in N-glycosidic linkage with a phosphorylated sugar. Nucleotides are recognized in the art to include natural bases (standard), and modified bases well known in the art. Such bases are generally located at the 1 position of a nucleotide sugar moiety. Nucleotides generally comprise a base, sugar and a phosphate group. The nucleotides can be unmodified or modified at the sugar, phosphate and/or base moiety, (also referred to interchangeably as nucleotide analogs, modified nucleotides, non-natural nucleotides, non-standard nucleotides and other; see for example, Usman and McSwiggen, supra; Eckstein et al., International PCT Publication No. WO 92/07065; Usman et al., International PCT Publication No. WO 93/15187; Uhlman & Peyman, supra all are hereby incorporated by reference herein). There are several examples of modified nucleic acid bases known in the art as summarized by Limbach et al., 1994, Nucleic Acids Res. 22, 2183. Some of the non-limiting examples of chemically modified and other natural nucleic acid bases that can be introduced into nucleic acids include, for example, inosine, purine, pyridin-4-one, pyridin-2-one, phenyl, pseudouracil, 2, 4, 6-trimethoxy benzene, 3-methyl uracil, dihydrouridine, naphthyl, aminophenyl, 5-alkylcytidines (e.g., 5-methylcytidine), 5-alkyluridines (e.g., ribothymidine), 5-halouridine (e.g., 5-bromouridine) or 6-azapyrimidines or 6-alkylpyrimidines (e.g. 6-methyluridine), propyne, quesosine, 2-thiouridine, 4-thiouridine, wybutosine, wybutoxosine, 4-acetylcytidine, 5-(carboxyhydroxymethyl)uridine, 5 -carboxymethylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyluridine, beta-D-galactosylqueosine, 1-methyladenosine, 1-methylinosine, 2,2-dimethylguanosine, 3-methylcytidine, 2-methyladenosine, 2-methylguanosine, N6-methyladenosine, 7-methylguanosine, 5-methoxyaminomethyl-2-thiouridine, 5-methylaminomethyluridine, 5-methylcarbonylmethyluridine, 5-methyloxyuridine, 5-methyl-2-thiouridine, 2-methylthio-N6-isopentenyladenosine, beta-D-mannosylqueosine, uridine-5-oxyacetic acid, 2-thiocytidine, threonine derivatives and others (Burgin et al., 1996, Biochemistry, 35, 14090; Uhlman & Peyman, supra). By modified bases in this aspect is meant nucleotide bases other than adenine, guanine, cytosine and uracil at 1 position or their equivalents; such bases can be used at any position, for example, within the catalytic core of an enzymatic nucleic acid molecule and/or in the substrate-binding regions of the nucleic acid molecule.

The term 2 -arabinofluoro nucleotide as used herein, refers to a nucleotide comprising a 2 -fluoro group in an arabinofuranosyl configuration.

The term unmodified nucleotide as used herein, refers to a nucleotide with one of the bases adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine, uracil joined to the 1 carbon of -D-ribo-furanose.

The term modified nucleotide as used herein, refers to a nucleotide which contains a modification in the chemical structure of an unmodified nucleotide base, sugar and/or phosphate.

The term sufficient length as used herein, refers to an oligonucleotide of greater than or equal to 3 nucleotides that is of a length great enough to provide the intended function under the expected condition. For example, sufficient length means that the binding sequence of an antisense nucleic acid is long enough to provide stable binding to a target site under the expected binding conditions.

The term stably interact as used herein, refers to the interaction of nucleic acid molecules of the invention with a target nucleic acid (e.g., by forming hydrogen bonds with complementary nucleotides in the target under physiological conditions). The interaction is stable either alone or in conjunction with (Y) n and (Z) p where applicable.

The term chimeric nucleic acid molecule or chimeric oligonucleotide as used herein, refers to a nucleic acid molecule that can be comprised of both modified or unmodified DNA or RNA.

In another embodiment, the invention features a nucleic acid molecule of any of formula I-VII, where each X and/or Z, independently include a nucleotide modification having formula IX:

Wherein, each B is independently a modified or an unmodified nucleic acid base; R1 is independently a fluoroalkyl or an alkylthiofluoroalkyl; E is independently a phosphorus-containing group; and D is independently an O, blocking group or a phosphorus-containing group.

In another embodiment, the invention features a nucleic acid molecule of any of formula I-VII, where each X and/or Z, independently include a nucleotide modification having formula X:

Wherein, each B is independently a modified or an unmodified nucleic acid base; R1 is independently an aklyl, an alkylthioalkyl, a fluoroalkyl or an alkylthiofluoroalkyl; E is independently a phosphorus-containing group; and D is independently an O, blocking group or a phosphorus-containing group.

The term alkyl as used herein refers to a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon, including straight-chain, branched-chain isoalkyl , and cyclic alkyl groups. The term alkyl also comprises alkoxy, alkyl-thio, alkyl-thio-alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylamino, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl, C1-C6 hydrocarbyl, aryl or substituted aryl groups. Preferably, the alkyl group has 1 to 12 carbons. More preferably it is a lower alkyl of from about 1 to 7 carbons, more preferably about 1 to 4 carbons. The alkyl group can be substituted or unsubstituted. When substituted the substituted group(s) preferably comprise hydroxy, oxy, thio, amino, nitro, cyano, alkoxy, alkyl-thio, alkyl-thio-alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylamino, silyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl, C1-C6 hydrocarbyl, aryl or substituted aryl groups. The term alkyl also includes alkenyl groups containing at least one carbon carbon double bond, including straight-chain, branched-chain, and cyclic groups. Preferably, the alkenyl group has about 2 to 12 carbons. More preferably it is a lower alkenyl of from about 2 to 7 carbons, more preferably about 2 to 4 carbons. The alkenyl group can be substituted or unsubstituted. When substituted the substituted group(s) preferably comprise hydroxy, oxy, thio, amino, nitro, cyano, alkoxy, alkyl-thio, alkyl-thio-alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylamino, silyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl, C1-C6 hydrocarbyl, aryl or substituted aryl groups. The term alkyl also includes alkynyl groups containing at least one carbon carbon triple bond, including straight-chain, branched-chain, and cyclic groups. Preferably, the alkynyl group has about 2 to 12 carbons. More preferably it is a lower alkynyl of from about 2 to 7 carbons, more preferably about 2 to 4 carbons. The alkynyl group can be substituted or unsubstituted. When substituted the substituted group(s) preferably comprise hydroxy, oxy, thio, amino, nitro, cyano, alkoxy, alkyl-thio, alkyl-thio-alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylamino, silyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl, C1-C6 hydrocarbyl, aryl or substituted aryl groups. Alkyl groups or moieties of the invention can also include aryl, alkylaryl, carbocyclic aryl, heterocyclic aryl, amide and ester groups. The preferred substituent(s) of aryl groups are halogen, trihalomethyl, hydroxyl, SH, OH, cyano, alkoxy, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and amino groups. An alkylaryl group refers to an alkyl group (as described above) covalently joined to an aryl group (as described above). Carbocyclic aryl groups are groups wherein the ring atoms on the aromatic ring are all carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are optionally substituted. Heterocyclic aryl groups are groups having from about 1 to 3 heteroatoms as ring atoms in the aromatic ring and the remainder of the ring atoms are carbon atoms. Suitable heteroatoms include oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen, and include furanyl, thienyl, pyridyl, pyrrolyl, N-lower alkyl pyrrolo, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, imidazolyl and the like, all optionally substituted. An amide refers to an C(O) NH R, where R is either alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or hydrogen. An ester refers to an C(O) OR , where R is either alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or hydrogen.

The term alkoxyalkyl as used herein refers to an alkyl-O-alkyl ether, for example methoxyethyl or ethoxymethyl.

The term alkyl-thio-alkyl as used herein refers to an alkyl-S-alkyl thioether, for example methylthiomethyl or methylthioethyl.

The term amino as used herein refers to a nitrogen containing group as is known in the art derived from ammonia by the replacement of one or more hydrogen radicals by organic radicals. For example, the terms aminoacyl and aminoalkyl refer to specific N-substituted organic radicals with acyl and alkyl substituent groups respectively.

The term amination as used herein refers to a process in which an amino group or substituted amine is introduced into an organic molecule.

The term exocyclic amine protecting moiety as used herein refers to a nucleobase amino protecting group compatible with oligonucleotide synthesis, for example an acyl or amide group.

The term alkenyl as used herein refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon of a designed number of carbon atoms containing at least one carbon carbon double bond. Examples of alkenyl include vinyl, allyl, and 2-methyl-3-heptene.

The term alkoxy as used herein refers to an alkyl group of indicated number of carbon atoms attached to the parent molecular moiety through an oxygen bridge. Examples of alkoxy groups include, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy and isopropoxy.

The term alkynyl as used herein refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon of a designed number of carbon atoms containing at least one carbon carbon triple bond. Examples of alkynyl include propargyl, propyne, and 3-hexyne.

The term aryl as used herein refers to an aromatic hydrocarbon ring system containing at least one aromatic ring. The aromatic ring can optionally be fused or otherwise attached to other aromatic hydrocarbon rings or non-aromatic hydrocarbon rings. Examples of aryl groups include, for example, phenyl, naphthyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene and biphenyl. Preferred examples of aryl groups include phenyl and naphthyl.

The term cycloalkenyl as used herein refers to a C3-C8 cyclic hydrocarbon containing at least one carbon carbon double bond. Examples of cycloalkenyl include cyclopropenyl, cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclopentadiene, cyclohexenyl, 1,3-cyclohexadiene, cycloheptenyl, cycloheptatrienyl, and cyclooctenyl.

The term cycloalkyl as used herein refers to a C3-C8 cyclic hydrocarbon. Examples of cycloalkyl include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl and cyclooctyl.

The term cycloalkylalkyl, as used herein, refers to a C3-C7 cycloalkyl group attached to the parent molecular moiety through an alkyl group, as defined above. Examples of cycloalkylalkyl groups include cyclopropylmethyl and cyclopentylethyl.

The terms halogen or halo as used herein refers to indicate fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine.

The term heterocycloalkyl, as used herein refers to a non-aromatic ring system containing at least one heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. The heterocycloalkyl ring can be optionally fused to or otherwise attached to other heterocycloalkyl rings and/or non-aromatic hydrocarbon rings. Preferred heterocycloalkyl groups have from 3 to 7 members. Examples of heterocycloalkyl groups include, for example, piperazine, morpholine, piperidine, tetrahydrofuran, pyrrolidine, and pyrazole. Preferred heterocycloalkyl groups include piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, and pyrolidinyl.

The term heteroaryl as used herein refers to an aromatic ring system containing at least one heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. The heteroaryl ring can be fused or otherwise attached to one or more heteroaryl rings, aromatic or non-aromatic hydrocarbon rings or heterocycloalkyl rings. Examples of heteroaryl groups include, for example, pyridine, furan, thiophene, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroisoquinoline and pyrimidine. Preferred examples of heteroaryl groups include thienyl, benzothienyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl, imidazolyl, benzimidazolyl, furanyl, benzofuranyl, thiazolyl, benzothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, pyrazolyl, and benzopyrazolyl.

The term C1-C6 hydrocarbyl as used herein refers to straight, branched, or cyclic alkyl groups having 1-6 carbon atoms, optionally containing one or more carbon carbon double or triple bonds. Examples of hydrocarbyl groups include, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, 2-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, 2-hexyl, 3-hexyl, 3-methylpentyl, vinyl, 2-pentene, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopropyl, cyclohexylmethyl, cyclohexyl and propargyl. When reference is made herein to C1-C6 hydrocarbyl containing one or two double or triple bonds it is understood that at least two carbons are present in the alkyl for one double or triple bond, and at least four carbons for two double or triple bonds.

A blocking group is a group which is able to be removed after polynucleotide synthesis and/or which is compatible with solid phase polynucleotide synthesis.

A phosphorus containing group can include phosphorus in forms such as dithioates, phosphoramidites and/or as part of an oligonucleotide.

The term abasic as used herein, refers to moieties lacking a base or having other chemical groups in place of a base at the 1 position, for example a 3 ,3 -linked or 5 ,5 -linked deoxyabasic ribose derivative (for more details see Wincott et al., International PCT publication No. WO 97/26270).

In another embodiment (Z) p includes a non-nucleotide linker. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the invention features an enzymatic nucleic acid molecule having one or more non-nucleotide moieties, and having enzymatic activity to cleave an RNA or DNA molecule. Non-nucleotides as can include abasic nucleotide, polyether, polyamine, polyamide, peptide, carbohydrate, lipid, or polyhydrocarbon compounds. Specific examples include those described by Seela and Kaiser, Nucleic Acids Res. 1990, 18:6353 and Nucleic Acids Res. 1987, 15:3113; Cload and Schepartz, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1991, 113:6324; Richardson and Schepartz, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1991, 113:5109; Ma et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 1993, 21:2585 and Biochemistry 1993, 32:1751; Durand et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 1990, 18:6353; McCurdy et al., Nucleosides & Nucleotides 1991, 10:287; Jschke et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 1993, 34:301; Ono et al., Biochemistry 1991, 30:9914; Arnold et al., International Publication No. WO 89/02439; Usman et al., International Publication No. WO 95/06731; Dudycz et al., International Publication No. WO 95/11910 and Ferentz and Verdine, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1991, 113:4000, all hereby incorporated by reference herein. A non-nucleotide further means any group or compound which can be incorporated into a nucleic acid chain in the place of one or more nucleotide units, including either sugar and/or phosphate substitutions, and allows the remaining bases to exhibit their enzymatic activity. The group or compound can be abasic in that it does not contain a commonly recognized nucleotide base, such as adenosine, guanine, cytosine, uracil or thymine. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the invention features an enzymatic nucleic acid molecule having one or more non-nucleotide moieties, and having enzymatic activity to cleave an RNA or DNA molecule.

The term enzymatic nucleic acid molecule as used herein, refers to a nucleic acid molecule which has complementarity in a substrate binding region to a specified gene target, and also has an enzymatic activity which is active to specifically cleave target RNA. That is, the enzymatic nucleic acid molecule is able to intermolecularly cleave RNA and thereby inactivate a target RNA molecule. These complementary regions (e.g. (X) m , (X) o , (X) q and (Y) n in formulae IV-VII) allow sufficient hybridization of the enzymatic nucleic acid molecule to the target RNA and thus permit cleavage. One hundred percent complementarity is preferred, but complementarity as low as 50-75% can also be useful in this invention (see for example Werner and Uhlenbeck, 1995 , Nucleic Acids Research, 23, 2092-2096; Hammann et al., 1999 , Antisense and Nucleic Acid Drug Dev., 9, 25-31). The nucleic acids can be modified at the base, sugar, and/or phosphate groups. The term enzymatic nucleic acid is used interchangeably with phrases such as ribozymes, catalytic RNA, enzymatic RNA, catalytic DNA, aptazyme or aptamer-binding ribozyme, regulatable ribozyme, catalytic oligonucleotides, nucleozyme, DNAzyme, RNA enzyme, endoribonuclease, endonuclease, minizyme, leadzyme, oligozyme or DNA enzyme. All of these terminologies describe nucleic acid molecules with enzymatic activity. The specific enzymatic nucleic acid molecules described in the instant application are not limiting in the invention and those skilled in the art will recognize that all that is important in an enzymatic nucleic acid molecule of this invention is that it has a specific substrate binding site which is complementary to one or more of the target nucleic acid regions, and that it have nucleotide sequences within or surrounding that substrate binding site which impart a nucleic acid cleaving and/or ligation activity to the molecule (Cech et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,071; Cech et al., 1988, 260 JAMA 3030).

The term complementarity as used herein, refers to the ability of a nucleic acid to form hydrogen bond(s) with another RNA sequence by either traditional Watson-Crick or other non-traditional types. In reference to the nucleic molecules of the present invention, the binding free energy for a nucleic acid molecule with its target or complementary sequence is sufficient to allow the relevant function of the nucleic acid to proceed, e.g., enzymatic nucleic acid cleavage, antisense or triple helix inhibition. Determination of binding free energies for nucleic acid molecules is well known in the art (see, e.g., Turner et al., 1987 , CSH Symp. Quant. Biol. LII pp.123-133; Frier et al., 1986 , Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 83:9373-9377; Turner et al., 1987 , J. Am. Chem. Soc. 109:3783-3785). A percent complementarity indicates the percentage of contiguous residues in a nucleic acid molecule which can form hydrogen bonds (e.g., Watson-Crick base pairing) with a second nucleic acid sequence (e.g., 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 out of 10 being 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% complementary). Perfectly complementary means that all the contiguous residues of a nucleic acid sequence will hydrogen bond with the same number of contiguous residues in a second nucleic acid sequence.

The term oligonucleotide as used herein, refers to a molecule comprising two or more nucleotides.

The term enzymatic portion as used herein, refers to that part of the enzymatic nucleic acid molecule essential for cleavage of a nucleic acid substrate.

The terms substrate binding region , substrate binding arm or substrate binding domain as used herein, refers to that portion/region of a nucleic acid, for example an antisense nucleic acid or enzymatic nucleic acid molecule, which is able to interact, for example via complementarity (i.e., able to base-pair with), with a portion of its substrate. Preferably, such complementarity is 100%, but can be less if desired. For example, as few as 10 bases out of 14 can be base-paired (see for example Werner and Uhlenbeck, 1995 , Nucleic Acids Research, 23, 2092-2096; Hammann et al., 1999 , Antisense and Nucleic Acid Drug Dev., 9, 25-31). Examples of such arms are shown generally in FIGS. 1-4 . That is, these arms contain sequences within a enzymatic nucleic acid which are intended to bring enzymatic nucleic acid and target RNA together through complementary base-pairing interactions. The enzymatic nucleic acid of the invention can have binding arms that are contiguous or non-contiguous and can be of varying lengths. The length of the binding arm(s) are preferably greater than or equal to three nucleotides and of sufficient length to stably interact with the target RNA; preferably 12-100 nucleotides; more preferably 14-24 nucleotides long (see for example Werner and Uhlenbeck, supra; Hamman et al., supra; Hampel et al., EP0360257; Berzal-Herranz et al., 1993 , EMBO J., 12, 2567-73). If two binding arms are chosen, the design is such that the length of the binding arms are symmetrical (i.e., each of the binding arms is of the same length; e.g., five and five nucleotides, or six and six nucleotides, or seven and seven nucleotides long) or asymmetrical (i.e., the binding arms are of different length; e.g., six and three nucleotides; three and six nucleotides long; four and five nucleotides long; four and six nucleotides long; four and seven nucleotides long; and the like).

The term RNA as used herein, refers to a molecule comprising at least one ribonucleotide residue. By ribonucleotide or 2 -OH is meant a nucleotide with a hydroxyl group at the 2 position of a -D-ribo-furanose moiety.

The term Inozyme or NCH motif or configuration as used herein, refers to an enzymatic nucleic acid molecule comprising a motif as is generally described as NCH Rz in FIG. 1 . Inozymes possess endonuclease activity to cleave RNA substrates having a cleavage triplet NCH/, where N is a nucleotide, C is cytidine and H is adenosine, uridine or cytidine, and / represents the cleavage site. H is used interchangeably with X. Inozymes can also possess endonuclease activity to cleave RNA substrates having a cleavage triplet NCN/, where N is a nucleotide, C is cytidine, and / represents the cleavage site. I in FIG. 1 represents an Inosine nucleotide, preferably a ribo-Ino sine or xylo-Ino sine nucleoside.

The term G-cleaver motif or configuration as used herein, refers to an enzymatic nucleic acid molecule comprising a motif as is generally described as G-cleaver Rz in FIG. 1 . G-cleavers possess endonuclease activity to cleave RNA substrates having a cleavage triplet NYN/, where N is a nucleotide, Y is uridine or cytidine and / represents the cleavage site. G-cleavers can be chemically modified as is generally shown in FIG. 1 .

The term amberzyme motif or configuration as used herein, refers to an enzymatic nucleic acid molecule comprising a motif as is generally described in FIG. 2 . Amberzymes possess endonuclease activity to cleave RNA substrates having a cleavage triplet NG/N, where N is a nucleotide, G is guanosine, and / represents the cleavage site. Amberzymes can be chemically modified to increase nuclease stability through substitutions as are generally shown in FIG. 2 . In addition, differing nucleoside and/or non-nucleoside linkers can be used to substitute the 5 -gaaa-3 loops shown in the figure. Amberzymes represent a non-limiting example of an enzymatic nucleic acid molecule that does not require a ribonucleotide (2 -OH) group within its own nucleic acid sequence for activity.

The term zinzyme motif or configuration as used herein, refers to an enzymatic nucleic acid molecule comprising a motif as is generally described in FIG. 3 . Zinzymes possess endonuclease activity to cleave RNA substrates having a cleavage triplet including but not limited to YG/Y, where Y is uridine or cytidine, and G is guanosine and / represents the cleavage site. Zinzymes can be chemically modified to increase nuclease stability through substitutions as are generally shown in FIG. 3 , including substituting 2 -O-methyl guanosine nucleotides for guanosine nucleotides. In addition, differing nucleotide and/or non-nucleotide linkers can be used to substitute the 5 -gaaa-2 loop shown in the figure. Zinzymes represent a non-limiting example of an enzymatic nucleic acid molecule that does not require a ribonucleotide (2 -OH) group within its own nucleic acid sequence for activity.

By DNAzyme is meant, an enzymatic nucleic acid molecule that does not require the presence of a 2 -OH group within its own nucleic acid sequence for activity. In particular embodiments the enzymatic nucleic acid molecule can have an attached linker(s) or other attached or associated groups, moieties, or chains containing one or more nucleotides with 2 OH groups. DNAzymes can be synthesized chemically or expressed endogenously in vivo, by means of a single stranded DNA vector or equivalent thereof. An example of a DNAzyme is shown in FIG. 4 and is generally reviewed in Usman et al., U.S. Pat. No., 6,159,714; Chartrand et al., 1995 , NAR 23, 4092; Breaker et al., 1995 , Chem. Bio. 2, 655; Santoro et al., 1997 , PNAS 94, 4262; Breaker, 1999 , Nature Biotechnology, 17, 422-423; and Santoro et. al., 2000 , J. Am. Chem. Soc., 122, 2433-39. Additional DNAzyme motifs can be selected for using techniques similar to those described in these references, and hence, are within the scope of the present invention.

The term nucleic acid molecule as used herein, refers to a molecule having nucleotides. The nucleic acid can be single, double, or multiple stranded and can comprise modified or unmodified nucleotides or non-nucleotides or various mixtures and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention is conjugated with another moiety including but not limited to abasic nucleotides, polyether, polyamine, polyamides, peptides, carbohydrates, lipid, or polyhydrocarbon compounds. Those skilled in the art will recognize that these molecules can be linked to one or more of any nucleotides comprising the nucleic acid molecule at several positions on the sugar, base or phosphate group.

In another embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention can form structures including but not limited to antisense, triplexes, 2-5A chimera antisense, or enzymatic nucleic acid (ribozymes).

The term antisense nucleic acid , as used herein, refers to a non-enzymatic nucleic acid molecule that binds to target RNA by means of RNA RNA or RNA-DNA or RNA-PNA (protein nucleic acid; Egholm et al., 1993 Nature 365, 566) interactions and alters the activity of the target RNA (for a review, see Stein and Cheng, 1993 Science 261, 1004 and Woolf et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,849,902). Typically, antisense molecules are complementary to a target sequence along a single contiguous sequence of the antisense molecule. However, in certain embodiments, an antisense molecule can bind to substrate such that the substrate molecule forms a loop, and/or an antisense molecule can bind such that the antisense molecule forms a loop. Thus, the antisense molecule can be complementary to two (or even more) non-contiguous substrate sequences or two (or even more) non-contiguous sequence portions of an antisense molecule can be complementary to a target sequence or both. For a review of current antisense strategies, see Schmajuk et al., 1999 , J Biol. Chem., 274, 21783-21789, Delihas et al., 1997 , Nature, 15, 751-753, Stein et al., 1997 , Antisense N. A. Drug Dev., 7, 151, Crooke, 2000 , Methods Enzymol., 313, 3-45; Crooke, 1998 , Biotech. Genet. Eng. Rev., 15, 121-157, Crooke, 1997 , Ad. Pharmacol., 40, 1-49. In addition, antisense DNA can be used to target RNA by means of DNA-RNA interactions, thereby activating RNase H, which digests the target RNA in the duplex. The antisense oligonucleotides can comprise one or more RNAse H activating region, which is capable of activating RNAse H cleavage of a target RNA. Antisense DNA can be synthesized chemically or expressed via the use of a single stranded DNA expression vector or equivalent thereof.

The term RNase H activating region as used herein, refers to a region (generally greater than or equal to 4-25 nucleotides in length, preferably from 5-11 nucleotides in length) of a nucleic acid molecule capable of binding to a target RNA to form a non-covalent complex that is recognized by cellular RNase H enzyme (see for example Arrow et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,849,902; Arrow et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,989,912). The RNase H enzyme binds to the nucleic acid molecule-target RNA complex and cleaves the target RNA sequence. The RNase H activating region comprises, for example, phosphodiester, phosphorothioate (preferably at least four of the nucleotides are phosphorothiote substitutions; more specifically, 4-11 of the nucleotides are phosphorothiote substitutions); phosphorodithioate, 5 -thiophosphate, or methylphosphonate backbone chemistry or a combination thereof. In addition to one or more backbone chemistries described above, the RNase H activating region can also comprise a variety of sugar chemistries. For example, the RNase H activating region can comprise deoxyribose, arabino, fluoroarabino or a combination thereof, nucleotide sugar chemistry. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the foregoing are non-limiting examples and that any combination of phosphate, sugar and base chemistry of a nucleic acid that supports the activity of RNase H enzyme is within the scope of the definition of the RNase H activating region and the instant invention.

The term triplex forming oligonucleotides or triplex DNA as used herein, refers to an oligonucleotide that can bind to a double-stranded DNA in a sequence-specific manner to form a triple-strand helix. Formation of such triple helix structure has been shown to inhibit transcription of the targeted gene (Duval-Valentin et al., 1992 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89, 504; Fox, 2000 , Curr. Med. Chem., 7, 17-37; Praseuth et. al., 2000 , Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1489, 181-206).

The term gene as used herein, refers to a nucleic acid that encodes an RNA, for example, nucleic acid sequences including but not limited to structural genes encoding a polypeptide.

In another embodiment, the invention features an antisense oligonucleotide which is capable of interacting with the target RNA and sterically blocking translation, where the oligonucleotide has a 5 and a 3 Cap structure and the oligonucleotide can include modifications at the base, sugar or the phosphate groups.

The nucleic acid molecules of the instant invention are also referred to as GeneBloc reagents, which are essentially nucleic acid molecules (eg; ribozymes, antisense) capable of down-regulating gene expression.

SYNTHESIS OF NUCLEIC ACID MOLECULES

Synthesis of nucleic acids greater than 100 nucleotides in length can be difficult using automated methods, and the therapeutic cost of such molecules can be prohibitive. In this invention, small nucleic acid motifs ( small refers to nucleic acid motifs less than about 100 nucleotides in length, preferably less than about 80 nucleotides in length, and more preferably less than about 50 nucleotides in length; e.g., antisense oligonucleotides, hammerhead or the NCH ribozymes) are preferably used for exogenous delivery. The simple structure of these molecules increases the ability of the nucleic acid to invade targeted regions of RNA structure. Exemplary molecules of the instant invention are chemically synthesized, and others can similarly be synthesized.

Oligonucleotides (eg; antisense, GeneBlocs) are synthesized using protocols known in the art as described in Caruthers et al, 1992 , Methods in Enzymology 211, 3-19, Thompson et al., International PCT Publication No. WO 99/54459, Wincott et al., 1995 , Nucleic Acids Res. 23, 2677-2684, Wincott et al., 1997 , Methods Mol. Bio., 74, 59, Brennan et al., 1998 , Biotechnol Bioeng., 61, 33-45, and Brennan, U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,311. All of these references are incorporated herein by reference. The synthesis of oligonucleotides makes use of common nucleic acid protecting and coupling groups, such as dimethoxytrityl at the 5 -end, and phosphoramidites at the 3 -end. In a non-limiting example, small scale syntheses are conducted on a 394 Applied Biosystems, Inc. synthesizer using a 0.2 mol scale protocol with a 2.5 min coupling step for 2 -O-methylated nucleotides and a 45 sec coupling step for 2 -deoxy nucleotides. Table II outlines the amounts and the contact times of the reagents used in the synthesis cycle. Alternatively, syntheses at the 0.2 mol scale can be performed on a 96-well plate synthesizer, such as the instrument produced by Protogene (Palo Alto, Calif.) with minimal modification to the cycle. A 33-fold excess (60 L of 0.11 M 6.6 mol) of 2 -O-methyl phosphoramidite and a 105-fold excess of S-ethyl tetrazole (60 L of 0.25 M 15 mol) can be used in each coupling cycle of 2 -O-methyl residues relative to polymer-bound 5 -hydroxyl. A 22-fold excess (40 L of 0.11 M 4.4 mol) of deoxy phosphoramidite and a 70-fold excess of S-ethyl tetrazole (40 L of 0.25 M 10 mol) can be used in each coupling cycle of deoxy residues relative to polymer-bound 5 -hydroxyl. Average coupling yields on the 394 Applied Biosystems, Inc. synthesizer, determined by calorimetric quantitation of the trityl fractions, are typically 97.5-99%. Other oligonucleotide synthesis reagents for the 394 Applied Biosystems, Inc. synthesizer include; detritylation solution is 3% TCA in methylene chloride (ABI); capping is performed with 16% N-methyl imidazole in THF (ABI) and 10% acetic anhydride/10% 2,6-lutidine in THF (ABI); and oxidation solution is 16.9 mM I 2 , 49 mM pyridine, 9% water in THF (PERSEPTIVE ). Burdick & Jackson Synthesis Grade acetonitrile is used directly from the reagent bottle. S-Ethyltetrazole solution (0.25 M in acetonitrile) is made up from the solid obtained from American International Chemical, Inc. Alternately, for the introduction of phosphorothioate linkages, Beaucage reagent (3H-1,2-Benzodithiol-3-one 1,1-dioxide, 0.05 M in acetonitrile) is used.

Deprotection of the antisense oligonucleotides is performed as follows: the polymer-bound trityl-on oligoribonucleotide is transferred to a 4 mL glass screw top vial and suspended in a solution of 40% aq. methylamine (1 mL) at 65 C. for 10 min. After cooling to 20 C., the supernatant is removed from the polymer support. The support is washed three times with 1.0 mL of EtOH:MeCN:H2O/3:1:1, vortexed and the supernatant is then added to the first supernatant. The combined supernatants, containing the oligoribonucleotide, are dried to a white powder.

The method of synthesis used for RNA and chemically modified RNA including certain enzymatic nucleic acid molecules follows the procedure as described in Usman et al., 1987 , J. Am. Chem. Soc., 109, 7845; Scaringe et al., 1990 , Nucleic Acids Res., 18, 5433; and Wincott et al., 1995 , Nucleic Acids Res. 23, 2677-2684 Wincott et al., 1997 , Methods Mol. Bio., 74, 59, and makes use of common nucleic acid protecting and coupling groups, such as dimethoxytrityl at the 5 -end, and phosphoramidites at the 3 -end. In a non-limiting example, small scale syntheses are conducted on a 394 Applied Biosystems, Inc. synthesizer using a 0.2 mol scale protocol with a 7.5 min coupling step for alkylsilyl protected nucleotides and a 2.5 min coupling step for 2 -O-methylated nucleotides. Table II outlines the amounts and the contact times of the reagents used in the synthesis cycle. Alternatively, syntheses at the 0.2 mol scale can be done on a 96-well plate synthesizer, such as the instrument produced by Protogene (Palo Alto, Calif.) with minimal modification to the cycle. A 33-fold excess (60 L of 0.11 M 6.6 mol) of 2 -O-methyl phosphoramidite and a 75-fold excess of S-ethyl tetrazole (60 L of 0.25 M 15 mol) can be used in each coupling cycle of 2 -O-methyl residues relative to polymer-bound 5 -hydroxyl. A 66-fold excess (120 L of 0.11 M 13.2 mol) of alkylsilyl (ribo) protected phosphoramidite and a 150-fold excess of S-ethyl tetrazole (120 L of 0.25 M 30 mol) can be used in each coupling cycle of ribo residues relative to polymer-bound 5 -hydroxyl. Average coupling yields on the 394 Applied Biosystems, Inc. synthesizer, determined by colorimetric quantitation of the trityl fractions, are typically 97.5-99%. Other oligonucleotide synthesis reagents for the 394 Applied Biosystems, Inc. synthesizer include; detritylation solution is 3% TCA in methylene chloride (ABI); capping is performed with 16% N-methyl imidazole in THF (ABI) and 10% acetic anhydride/10% 2,6-lutidine in THF (ABI); oxidation solution is 16.9 mM I 2 , 49 mM pyridine, 9% water in THF (PERSEPTIVE ). Burdick & Jackson Synthesis Grade acetonitrile is used directly from the reagent bottle. S-Ethyltetrazole solution (0.25 M in acetonitrile) is made up from the solid obtained from American International Chemical, Inc.

Alternately, for the introduction of phosphorothioate linkages, Beaucage reagent (3H-1,2-Benzodithiol-3-one 1,1-dioxide 0.05 M in acetonitrile) is used.

Deprotection of the RNA is performed using either a two-pot or one-pot protocol. For the two-pot protocol, the polymer-bound trityl-on oligoribonucleotide is transferred to a 4 mL glass screw top vial and suspended in a solution of 40% aq. methylamine (1 mL) at 65 C. for 10 min. After cooling to 20 C., the supernatant is removed from the polymer support. The support is washed three times with 1.0 mL of EtOH:MeCN:H20/3:1:1, vortexed and the supernatant is then added to the first supernatant. The combined supernatants, containing the oligoribonucleotide, are dried to a white powder. The base deprotected oligoribonucleotide is resuspended in anhydrous TEA/HF/NMP solution (300 L of a solution of 1.5 mL N-methylpyrrolidinone, 750 L TEA and 1 mL TEA 3HF to provide a 1.4 M HF concentration) and heated to 65 C. After 1.5 h, the oligomer is quenched with 1.5 M NH 4 HCO 3 .

Alternatively, for the one-pot protocol, the polymer-bound trityl-on oligoribonucleotide is transferred to a 4 mL glass screw top vial and suspended in a solution of 33% ethanolic methylamine/DMSO: 1/1 (0.8 mL) at 65 C. for 15 min. The vial is brought to r.t. TEA 3HF (0.1 mL) is added and the vial is heated at 65 C. for 15 min. The sample is cooled at 20 C. and then quenched with 1.5 M NH 4 HCO 3 .

For purification of the trityl-on oligomers, the quenched NH 4 HCO 3 solution is loaded onto a C-18 containing cartridge that had been prewashed with acetonitrile followed by 50 mM TEAA. After washing the loaded cartridge with water, the RNA is detritylated with 0.5% TFA for 13 min. The cartridge is then washed again with water, salt exchanged with 1 M NaCl and washed with water again. The oligonucleotide is then eluted with 30% acetonitrile.

Inactive hammerhead ribozymes or binding attenuated control (BAC) oligonucleotides can be synthesized by substituting a U for G 5 and a U for A 14 (numbering from Hertel, K. J., et al., 1992 , Nucleic Acids Res., 20, 3252). Similarly, one or more nucleotide substitutions can be introduced in other enzymatic nucleic acid molecules to inactivate the molecule and such molecules can serve as a negative control.

The average stepwise coupling yields are typically >98% (Wincott et al., 1995 Nucleic Acids Res. 23, 2677-2684). Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the scale of synthesis can be adapted to be larger or smaller than the example described above including but not limited to 96 well format, with the ratio of chemicals being used in the reaction adjusted accordingly.

The nucleic acid molecules of the present invention are modified extensively to enhance stability by modification with nuclease resistant groups, for example, 2 -amino, 2 -C-allyl, 2 flouro, 2 -O-methyl, 2 -H (for a review see Usman and Cedergren, 1992 , TIBS 17, 34; Usman et al., 1994 , Nucleic Acids Symp. Ser. 31, 163). Ribozymes are purified by gel electrophoresis using general methods or are purified by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC; See Wincott et al., Supra, the totality of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference) and are re-suspended in water.

Administration of Nucleic Acid Molecules

Methods for the delivery of nucleic acid molecules are described in Akhtar et al., 1992 , Trends Cell Bio., 2, 139; and Delivery Strategies for Antisense Oligonucleotide Therapeutics , ed. Akhtar, 1995 which are both incorporated herein by reference. Sullivan et al., PCT WO 94/02595, further describes the general methods for delivery of enzymatic RNA molecules. These protocols can be utilized for the delivery of virtually any nucleic acid molecule. Nucleic acid molecules can be administered to cells by a variety of methods known to those familiar to the art, including, but not restricted to, encapsulation in liposomes, by iontophoresis, or by incorporation into other vehicles, such as hydrogels, cyclodextrins, biodegradable nanocapsules, and bioadhesive microspheres. Alternatively, the nucleic acid/vehicle combination is locally delivered by direct injection or by use of an infusion pump. Other routes of delivery include, but are not limited to oral (tablet or pill form) and/or intrathecal delivery (Gold, 1997 , Neuroscience, 76, 1153-1158). Other approaches include the use of various transport and carrier systems, for example, through the use of conjugates and biodegradable polymers. For a comprehensive review on drug delivery strategies including CNS delivery, see Ho et al., 1999 , Curr. Opin. Mol. Ther., 1, 336-343 and Jain, Drug Delivery Systems: Technologies and Commercial Opportunities, Decision Resources, 1998 and Groothuis et al., 1997 , J. NeuroVirol., 3, 387-400. More detailed descriptions of nucleic acid delivery and administration are provided in Sullivan et al., supra, Draper et al., PCT WO93/23569, Beigelman et al., PCT WO99/05094, and Klimuk et al., PCT WO99/04819 all of which have been incorporated by reference herein.

The molecules of the instant invention can be used as pharmaceutical agents. Pharmaceutical agents prevent, inhibit the occurrence, or treat (alleviate a symptom to some extent, preferably all of the symptoms) of a disease state in a patient.

The negatively charged polynucleotides of the invention can be administered (e.g., RNA, DNA or protein) and introduced into a patient by any standard means, with or without stabilizers, buffers, and the like, to form a pharmaceutical composition. When it is desired to use a liposome delivery mechanism, standard protocols for formation of liposomes can be followed. The compositions of the present invention can also be formulated and used as tablets, capsules or elixirs for oral administration; suppositories for rectal administration; sterile solutions; suspensions for injectable administration; and the other compositions known in the art.

The present invention also includes pharmaceutically acceptable formulations of the compounds described. These formulations include salts of the above compounds, e.g., acid addition salts, for example, salts of hydrochloric, hydrobromic, acetic acid, and benzene sulfonic acid.

A pharmacological composition or formulation refers to a composition or formulation in a form suitable for administration, e.g., systemic administration, into a cell or patient, preferably a human. Suitable forms, in part, depend upon the use or the route of entry, for example oral, transdermal, or by injection. Such forms should not prevent the composition or formulation from reaching a target cell (i.e., a cell to which the negatively charged polymer is desired to be delivered to). For example, pharmacological compositions injected into the blood stream should be soluble. Other factors are known in the art, and include considerations such as toxicity and forms which prevent the composition or formulation from exerting its effect.

The term systemic administration as used herein, refers to in vivo systemic absorption or accumulation of drugs in the blood stream followed by distribution throughout the entire body. Administration routes which lead to systemic absorption include, without limitations: intravenous, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, inhalation, oral, intrapulmonary and intramuscular. Each of these administration routes expose the desired negatively charged polymers, e.g., nucleic acids, to an accessible diseased tissue. The rate of entry of a drug into the circulation has been shown to be a function of molecular weight or size. The use of a liposome or other drug carrier comprising the compounds of the instant invention can potentially localize the drug, for example, in certain tissue types, such as the tissues of the reticular endothelial system (RES). A liposome formulation which can facilitate the association of drug with the surface of cells, such as, lymphocytes and macrophages is also useful. This approach can provide enhanced delivery of the drug to target cells by taking advantage of the specificity of macrophage and lymphocyte immune recognition of abnormal cells, such as cancer cells.

The terms pharmaceutically acceptable formulation or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier as used herein, refers to a composition or formulation that allows for the effective distribution of the nucleic acid molecules of the instant invention in the physical location most suitable for their desired activity. Non-limiting examples of agents suitable for formulation with the nucleic acid molecules of the instant invention include: PEG conjugated nucleic acids, phospholipid conjugated nucleic acids, nucleic acids containing lipophilic moieties, phosphorothioates, P-glycoprotein inhibitors (such as Pluronic P85) which can enhance entry of drugs into various tissues, for example the CNS (Jolliet-Riant and Tillement, 1999, Fundam. Clin. Pharmacol., 13, 16-26); biodegradable polymers, such as poly (DL-lactide-coglycolide) microspheres for sustained release delivery after implantation (Emerich, D F et al, 1999, Cell Transplant, 8, 47-58) Alkermes, Inc. Cambridge, Mass.; and loaded nanoparticles, such as those made of polybutylcyanoacrylate, which can deliver drugs across the blood brain barrier and can alter neuronal uptake mechanisms (Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry, 23, 941-949, 1999). Other non-limiting examples of delivery strategies, including CNS delivery of the nucleic acid molecules of the instant invention include material described in Boado et al., 1998, J. Pharm. Sci., 87, 1308-1315; Tyler et al., 1999, FEBS Lett., 421, 280-284; Pardridge et al., 1995, PNAS USA., 92, 5592-5596; Boado, 1995, Adv. Drug Delivery Rev., 15, 73-107; Aldrian-Herrada et al., 1998, Nucleic Acids Res., 26, 4910-4916; and Tyler et al., 1999, PNAS USA., 96, 7053-7058. All these references are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The invention also features the use of the composition comprising surface-modified liposomes containing poly (ethylene glycol) lipids (PEG-modified, or long-circulating liposomes or stealth liposomes). Nucleic acid molecules of the invention can also comprise covalently attached PEG molecules of various molecular weights. These formulations offer a method for increasing the accumulation of drugs in target tissues. This class of drug carriers resists opsonization and elimination by the mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS or RES), thereby enabling longer blood circulation times and enhanced tissue exposure for the encapsulated drug (Lasic et al. Chem. Rev. 1995, 95, 2601-2627; Ishiwata et al., Chem. Pharm. Bull. 1995, 43, 1005-1011). Such liposomes have been shown to accumulate selectively in tumors, presumably by extravasation and capture in the neovascularized target tissues (Lasic et al., Science 1995, 267, 1275-1276; Oku et al., 1995 , Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1238, 86-90). The long-circulating liposomes enhance the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of DNA and RNA, particularly compared to conventional cationic liposomes which are known to accumulate in tissues of the MPS (Liu et al., J. Biol. Chem. 1995, 42, 24864-24870; Choi et al., International PCT Publication No. WO 96/10391; Ansell et al., International PCT Publication No. WO 96/10390; Holland et al., International PCT Publication No. WO 96/10392; all of which are incorporated by reference herein). Long-circulating liposomes are also likely to protect drugs from nuclease degradation to a greater extent compared to cationic liposomes, based on their ability to avoid accumulation in metabolically aggressive MPS tissues such as the liver and spleen. All of these references are incorporated by reference herein.

The present invention also includes compositions prepared for storage or administration which include a pharmaceutically effective amount of the desired compounds in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. Acceptable carriers or diluents for therapeutic use are well known in the pharmaceutical art, and are described, for example, in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co. (A. R. Gennaro edit. 1985) hereby incorporated by reference herein. For example, preservatives, stabilizers, dyes and flavoring agents can be provided. These include sodium benzoate, sorbic acid and esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. In addition, antioxidants and suspending agents can be used.

A pharmaceutically effective dose is that dose required to prevent, inhibit the occurrence, or treat (alleviate a symptom to some extent, preferably all of the symptoms) of a disease state. The pharmaceutically effective dose depends on the type of disease, the composition used, the route of administration, the type of mammal being treated, the physical characteristics of the specific mammal under consideration, concurrent medication, and other factors which those skilled in the medical arts will recognize. Generally, an amount between 0.1 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg body weight/day of active ingredients is administered dependent upon potency of the negatively charged polymer.

The nucleic acid molecules of the invention and formulations thereof can be administered orally, topically, parenterally, by inhalation or spray or rectally in dosage unit formulations containing conventional non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants and vehicles. The term parenteral as used herein includes percutaneous, subcutaneous, intravascular (e.g., intravenous), intramuscular, or intrathecal injection or infusion techniques and the like. In addition, there is provided a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. One or more nucleic acid molecules of the invention can be present in association with one or more non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or diluents and/or adjuvants, and if desired other active ingredients. The pharmaceutical compositions containing nucleic acid molecules of the invention can be in a form suitable for oral use, for example, as tablets, troches, lozenges, aqueous or oily suspensions, dispersible powders or granules, emulsion, hard or soft capsules, or syrups or elixirs.

Compositions intended for oral use can be prepared according to any method known to the art for the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions and such compositions can contain one or more such sweetening agents, flavoring agents, coloring agents or preservative agents in order to provide pharmaceutically elegant and palatable preparations. Tablets contain the active ingredient in admixture with non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable excipients that are suitable for the manufacture of tablets. These excipients can be for example, inert diluents, such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, lactose, calcium phosphate or sodium phosphate; granulating and disintegrating agents, for example, corn starch, or alginic acid; binding agents, for example starch, gelatin or acacia, and lubricating agents, for example magnesium stearate, stearic acid or talc. The tablets can be uncoated or they can be coated by known techniques. In some cases such coatings can be prepared by known techniques to delay disintegration and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and thereby provide a sustained action over a longer period. For example, a time delay material such as glyceryl monosterate or glyceryl distearate can be employed.

Oily suspensions can be formulated by suspending the active ingredients in a vegetable oil, for example arachis oil, olive oil, sesame oil or coconut oil, or in a mineral oil such as liquid paraffin. The oily suspensions can contain a thickening agent, for example beeswax, hard paraffin or cetyl alcohol. Sweetening agents and flavoring agents can be added to provide palatable oral preparations. These compositions can be preserved by the addition of an anti-oxidant such as ascorbic acid.

Dispersible powders and granules suitable for preparation of an aqueous suspension by the addition of water provide the active ingredient in admixture with a dispersing or wetting agent, suspending agent and one or more preservatives. Suitable dispersing or wetting agents or suspending agents are exemplified by those already mentioned above. Additional excipients, for example sweetening, flavoring and coloring agents, can also be present.

Nucleic acid molecules of the invention can be administered parenterally in a sterile medium. The drug, depending on the vehicle and concentration used, can either be suspended or dissolved in the vehicle. Advantageously, adjuvants such as local anesthetics, preservatives and buffering agents can be dissolved in the vehicle.

Dosage levels of the order of from about 0.1 mg to about 140 mg per kilogram of body weight per day are useful in the treatment of the above-indicated conditions (about 0.5 mg to about 7 g per patient per day). The amount of active ingredient that can be combined with the carrier materials to produce a single dosage form varies depending upon the host treated and the particular mode of administration. Dosage unit forms generally contain between from about 1 mg to about 500 mg of an active ingredient.

It is understood that the specific dose level for any particular patient depends upon a variety of factors including the activity of the specific compound employed, the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, time of administration, route of administration, and rate of excretion, drug combination and the severity of the particular disease undergoing therapy.

For administration to non-human animals, the composition can also be added to the animal feed or drinking water. It can be convenient to formulate the animal feed and drinking water compositions so that the animal takes in a therapeutically appropriate quantity of the composition along with its diet. It can also be convenient to present the composition as a premix for addition to the feed or drinking water.

The nucleic acid molecules of the present invention can also be administered to a patient in combination with other therapeutic compounds to increase the overall therapeutic effect. The use of multiple compounds to treat an indication can increase the beneficial effects while reducing the presence of side effects.

In yet another aspect the invention features an expression vector comprising nucleic acid sequence encoding at least one of the catalytic nucleic acid molecule of the invention, in a manner which allows expression of that nucleic acid molecule. The expression vector comprises in one embodiment; a) a transcription initiation region; b) a transcription termination region; c) a gene encoding at least one said nucleic acid molecule; and wherein said gene is operably linked to said initiation region and said termination region, in a manner which allows expression and/or delivery of said nucleic acid molecule. In another preferred embodiment the expression vector comprises: a) a transcription initiation region; b) a transcription termination region; c) an open reading frame; d) a gene encoding at least one said nucleic acid molecule, wherein said gene is operably linked to the 3 -end of said open reading frame; and wherein said gene is operably linked to said initiation region, said open reading frame and said termination region, in a manner which allows expression and/or delivery of said nucleic acid molecule. In yet another embodiment the expression vector comprises: a) a transcription initiation region; b) a transcription termination region; c) an intron; d) a gene encoding at least one said nucleic acid molecule; and wherein said gene is operably linked to said initiation region, said intron and said termination region, in a manner which allows expression and/or delivery of said nucleic acid molecule. In another embodiment, the expression vector comprises: a) a transcription initiation region; b) a transcription termination region; c) an intron; d) an open reading frame; e) a gene encoding at least one said nucleic acid molecule, wherein said gene is operably linked to the 3 -end of said open reading frame; and wherein said gene is operably linked to said initiation region, said intron, said open reading frame and said termination region, in a manner which allows expression and/or delivery of said nucleic acid molecule.

Mechanism of Action of Nucleic Acid Molecules of the Invention

Antisense molecules can be modified or unmodified RNA, DNA, or mixed polymer oligonucleotides and primarily function by specifically binding to matching sequences resulting in inhibition of peptide synthesis (Wu-Pong, Nov 1994 , BioPharm, 20-33). The antisense oligonucleotide binds to target RNA by Watson Crick base-pairing and blocks gene expression by preventing ribosomal translation of the bound sequences either by steric blocking or by activating RNase H enzyme. Antisense molecules can also alter protein synthesis by interfering with RNA processing or transport from the nucleus into the cytoplasm (Mukhopadhyay & Roth, 1996 , Crit. Rev. in Oncogenesis 7, 151-190).

In addition, binding of single stranded DNA to RNA can result in nuclease degradation of the heteroduplex (Wu-Pong, supra; Crooke, supra). To date, the only backbone modified DNA chemistry which will act as substrates for RNase H are phosphorothioates, phosphorodithioates, and borontrifluoridates. Recently it has been reported that 2 -arabino and 2 -fluoro arabino-containing oligos can also activate RNase H activity.

A number of antisense molecules have been described that utilize novel configurations of chemically modified nucleotides, secondary structure, and/or RNase H substrate domains (Woolf et al., International PCT Publication No. WO 98/13526; Thompson et al., International PCT Publication No. WO 99/54459; Hartmann et al., U.S. Ser. No. 60/101,174 which was filed on Sep. 21, 1998) all of these are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

In addition, antisense deoxyoligoribonucleotides can be used to target RNA by means of DNA-RNA interactions, thereby activating RNase H, which digests the target RNA in the duplex. Antisense DNA can be expressed via the use of a single stranded DNA intracellular expression vector or equivalents and variations thereof.

Single stranded DNA can be designed to bind to genomic DNA in a sequence specific manner. TFOs are comprised of pyrimidine-rich oligonucleotides which bind DNA helices through Hoogsteen Base-pairing (Wu-Pong, supra). The resulting triple helix composed of the DNA sense, DNA antisense, and TFO disrupts RNA synthesis by RNA polymerase. The TFO mechanism can result in gene expression or cell death since binding can be irreversible (Mukhopadhyay & Roth, supra).

The 2-5A system is an interferon mediated mechanism for RNA degradation found in higher vertebrates (Mitra et al., 1996 , Proc Nat Acad Sci USA 93, 6780-6785). Two types of enzymes, 2-5A synthetase and RNase L, are required for RNA cleavage. The 2-5A synthetases require double stranded RNA to form 2 -5 oligoadenylates (2-5A). 2-5A then acts as an allosteric effector for utilizing RNase L which has the ability to cleave single stranded RNA. The ability to form 2-5A structures with double stranded RNA makes this system particularly useful for inhibition of viral replication.

(2 -5 ) oligoadenylate structures can be covalently linked to antisense molecules to form chimeric oligonucleotides capable of RNA cleavage (Torrence, supra). These molecules putatively bind and activate a 2-5A dependent RNase, the oligonucleotide/enzyme complex then binds to a target RNA molecule which can then be cleaved by the RNase enzyme.

The enzymatic nature of an enzymatic nucleic acid molecule can allow the concentration of enzymatic nucleic acid molecule necessary to affect a therapeutic treatment to be lower. This reflects the ability of the enzymatic nucleic acid molecule to act enzymatically. Thus, a single enzymatic nucleic acid molecule is able to cleave many molecules of target RNA. In addition, the enzymatic nucleic acid molecule is a highly specific inhibitor, with the specificity of inhibition depending not only on the base-pairing mechanism of binding to the target RNA, but also on the mechanism of target RNA cleavage. Single mismatches, or base-substitutions, near the site of cleavage can be chosen to greatly attenuate the catalytic activity of a enzymatic nucleic acid molecule.

Because of their sequence specificity, trans-cleaving enzymatic nucleic acid molecules can be used as therapeutic agents for human disease (Usman & McSwiggen, 1995 Ann. Rep. Med. Chem. 30, 285-294; Christoffersen and Marr, 1995 J. Med. Chem. 38, 2023-2037). Enzymatic nucleic acid molecules can be designed to cleave specific RNA targets within the background of cellular RNA. Such a cleavage event renders the RNA non-functional and abrogates protein expression from that RNA. In this manner, synthesis of a protein associated with a disease state can be selectively inhibited (Warashina et al., 1999 , Chemistry and Biology, 6, 237-250).

Optimizing Nucleic Acid Activity

Chemically synthesizing nucleic acid molecules with modifications (base, sugar and/or phosphate) that prevent their degradation by serum ribonucleases can increase their potency (see e.g., Eckstein et al., International Publication No. WO 92/07065; Perrault et al., 1990 Nature 344, 565; Pieken et al., 1991 , Science 253, 314; Usman and Cedergren, 1992 , Trends in Biochem. Sci. 17, 334; Usman et al., International Publication No. WO 93/15187; and Rossi et al., International Publication No. WO 91/03162; Sproat, U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,711; and Burgin et al., supra; all of these describe various chemical modifications that can be made to the base, phosphate and/or sugar moieties of the nucleic acid molecules herein). Modifications which enhance their efficacy in cells, and removal of bases from nucleic acid molecules to shorten oligonucleotide synthesis times and reduce chemical requirements are desired. (All these publications are hereby incorporated by reference herein).

There are several examples in the art describing sugar, base and phosphate modifications that can be introduced into nucleic acid molecules with significant enhancement in their nuclease stability and efficacy. For example, oligonucleotides are modified to enhance stability and/or enhance biological activity by modification with nuclease resistant groups, for example, 2 -amino, 2 -C-allyl, 2 -flouro, 2 -O-methyl, 2 -H, nucleotide base modifications (for a review see Usman and Cedergren, 1992 , TIBS. 17, 34; Usman et al., 1994 , Nucleic Acids Symp. Ser. 31, 163; Burgin et al, 1996 , Biochemistry, 35, 14090). Sugar modification of nucleic acid molecules have been extensively described in the art (see Eckstein et al., International Publication PCT No. WO 92/07065; Perrault et al. Nature, 1990, 344, 565-568; Pieken et al. Science, 1991, 253, 314-317; Usman and Cedergren, Trends in Biochem. Sci., 1992, 17, 334-339; Usman et al. International Publication PCT No. WO 93/15187; Sproat, U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,711 and Beigelman et al., 1995 , J Biol. Chem., 270, 25702; Beigelman et al., International PCT publication No. WO 97/26270; Beigelman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,824; Usman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,053; Woolf et al., International PCT Publication No. WO 98/13526; Thompson et al., U.S. Ser. No. 60/082,404 which was filed on Apr. 20, 1998; Karpeisky et al., 1998 , Tetrahedron Lett., 39, 1131; Earnshaw and Gait, 1998 , Biopolymers ( Nucleic acid Sciences ), 48, 39-55; Verma and Eckstein, 1998 , Annu. Rev. Biochem., 67, 99-134; and Burlina et al., 1997 , Bioorg. Med. Chem., 5, 1999-2010; all of the references are hereby incorporated in their totality by reference herein). Such publications describe general methods and strategies to determine the location of incorporation of sugar, base and/or phosphate modifications and the like into ribozymes without inhibiting catalysis, and are incorporated by reference herein. In view of such teachings, similar modifications can be used as described herein to modify the nucleic acid molecules of the instant invention.

While chemical modification of oligonucleotide internucleotide linkages with phosphorothioate, phosphorothioate, and/or 5 -methylphosphonate linkages improves stability, too many of these modifications can cause some toxicity. Therefore when designing nucleic acid molecules the amount of these internucleotide linkages should be minimized. The reduction in the concentration of these linkages should lower toxicity resulting in increased efficacy and higher specificity of these molecules.

Nucleic acid molecules having chemical modifications that maintain or enhance activity are provided. Such nucleic acid is also generally more resistant to nucleases than unmodified nucleic acid. Thus, in a cell and/or in vivo the activity can not be significantly lowered. Therapeutic nucleic acid molecules delivered exogenously are optimally stable within cells until translation of the target RNA has been inhibited long enough to reduce the levels of the undesirable protein. This period of time varies between hours to days depending upon the disease state. Nucleic acid molecules are preferably resistant to nucleases in order to function as effective intracellular therapeutic agents. Improvements in the chemical synthesis of RNA and DNA (Wincott et al., 1995 Nucleic Acids Res. 23, 2677; Caruthers et al., 1992 , Methods in Enzymology 211,3-19 (incorporated by reference herein) have expanded the ability to modify nucleic acid molecules by introducing nucleotide modifications to enhance their nuclease stability as described above.

Use of the nucleic acid-based molecules of the invention can lead to better treatment of the disease progression by affording the possibility of combination therapies (e.g., multiple antisense or enzymatic nucleic acid molecules targeted to different genes, nucleic acid molecules coupled with known small molecule inhibitors, or intermittent treatment with combinations of molecules (including different motifs) and/or other chemical or biological molecules). The treatment of patients with nucleic acid molecules can also include combinations of different types of nucleic acid molecules.

Therapeutic nucleic acid molecules (e.g., enzymatic nucleic acid molecules and antisense nucleic acid molecules) delivered exogenously are optimally stable within cells until translation of the target RNA has been inhibited long enough to reduce the levels of the undesirable protein. This period of time varies between hours to days depending upon the disease state. These nucleic acid molecules should be resistant to nucleases in order to function as effective intracellular therapeutic agents. Improvements in the chemical synthesis of nucleic acid molecules described in the instant invention and in the art have expanded the ability to modify nucleic acid molecules by introducing nucleotide modifications to enhance their nuclease stability as described above.

In one embodiment, nucleic acid catalysts having chemical modifications that maintain or enhance enzymatic activity are provided. Such nucleic acids are also generally more resistant to nucleases than unmodified nucleic acid. Thus, in a cell and/or in vivo the activity of the nucleic acid can not be significantly lowered. As exemplified herein such enzymatic nucleic acids are useful in a cell and/or in vivo even if activity over all is reduced about 10 fold (Burgin et al., 1996 , Biochemistry, 35, 14090). Such enzymatic nucleic acids herein are said to maintain the enzymatic activity of an all RNA ribozyme or all DNA DNAzyme.

By enhanced enzymatic activity is meant to include activity measured in cells and/or in vivo where the activity is a reflection of both catalytic activity and ribozyme stability. In this invention, the product of these properties is increased or not significantly (less that 10 fold) decreased in vivo compared to an all RNA ribozyme.

Target Validation

One of the most challenging tasks in drug discovery is the choice of a therapeutic target. Historically, traditional biochemical and other studies have offered limited information in this regard. However, recent advances in genomics offer the potential to revolutionize both the speed and certainty of therapeutic target identification. Progress in characterizing the genes in the human genome has been very rapid, and it is now estimated that the entire complement of genes in the human genome can be sequenced before the end of this century. However, this mass of information is coming to the scientific world without a road map. Converting pure gene sequence information into a functional understanding of their role in human disease is proving to be a much more difficult problem. Even after a group of genes is associated with a particular disease, the process of validating which genes are appropriate for use as therapeutic targets is often slow and costly. Most companies with genomics activities now have access to myriad partial or full sequences, but do not possess adequate technologies to determine which of those sequences is an appropriate therapeutic target. As a result, only a few genes have been unequivocally identified as the causative agent for a specific disease.

The nucleic acid molecules of the present invention can inhibit gene expression in a highly specific manner by binding to and causing the cleavage of the mRNA corresponding to the gene of interest, and thereby prevent production of the gene product (Christoffersen, Nature Biotech, 1997, 2, 483-484). Appropriate delivery vehicles can be combined with these nucleic acid molecules (including polymers, cationic lipids, liposomes and the like) and delivered to appropriate cell culture or in vivo animal disease models as described above. By monitoring inhibition of gene expression and correlation with phenotypic results, the relative importance of the particular gene sequence to disease pathology can be established. The process can be both fast and highly selective, and allow for the process to be used at any point in the development of the organism. The novel chemical composition of these nucleic acid molecules can allow for added stability and therefore increased efficacy.

EXAMPLES

The following are non-limiting examples demonstrating the utility of the nucleic acid molecules of the instant invention. Those in the art will recognize that certain experimental conditions such as temperatures, reaction times, media conditions, transfection reagents and RNA assays are not meant to be limiting and can be readily modified without significantly altering the protocols.

Administration of GeneBlocs in vivo.

GeneBlocs (SEQ ID NOS: 1-4, Table III) were designed, synthesized, and were tested in the rat corneal model of VEGF-induced angiogenesis (Nucleic Acid Res., vol. 27: 2569, 1999). Briefly, a filter paper disk soaked in VEGF (1 l of a 30 M solution in 82 mM Tris-HCl, pH 6.9) was implanted in a stromal pocket in the eye of an anesthesized male Sprague-Dawley rat, 1 mm from the edge of the corneal limbus. After implantation of the disk, vehicle control (600 nl sterile water), mismatch control (SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 4) (10 g in 600 nl sterile water), or active GeneBloc (SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 3) (10 g in 600 nl sterile water) was administered by intraconjunctival injection adjacent to the disk implant site, 1 mm from the edge of the corneal limbus. Further control treatments included implantation of Tris-soaked disks and injection of vehicle, and for specificity control basic FGF-soaked disks and injection of active GeneBloc. Five days after surgical implantation of the disks, animals were euthanized and cornea were digitally imaged for quantitation of neovascular surface area using computerized morphometry.

Animal Guidelines and Anesthesia.

Animal housing and experimentation adhered to standards outlined in the 1996 Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (National Research Council). Male Sprague Dawley rats (250-300 g) were anesthetized with ketamine (50 mg/kg), xylazine (10 mg/kg), and acepromazine (0.5 mg/kg) administered intramuscularly (im). The level of anesthesia was monitored every 2-3 min by applying hind limb paw pressure and examining for limb withdrawal. Atropine (0.4 mg/kg, im) was also administered to prevent potential corneal reflex-induced bradycardia.

Preparation of VEGF Soaked Disk.

For corneal implantation, 0.57 mm diameter nitrocellulose disks, prepared from 0.45 m pore diameter nitrocellulose filter membranes (Millipore Corporation), were soaked for 30 min in 1 L of 30 M VEGF 165 in 82 mM Tris HCl (pH 6.9) in covered petri dishes on ice.

The rat corneal model used in this study was a modified from Koch et al. Supra and Pandey et al., supra. Briefly, corneas were irrigated with 0.5% povidone iodine solution followed by normal saline and two drops of 2% lidocaine. Under a dissecting microscope (Leica MZ-6), a stromal pocket was created and a presoaked filter disk (see above) was inserted into the pocket such that its edge was 1 mm from the corneal limbus.

Intraconjunctival Injection of Test Solutions.

Immediately after disk insertion, the tip of a 40-50 m OD injector was inserted within the conjunctival tissue 1 mm away from the edge of the corneal limbus that was directly adjacent to the VEGF-soaked filter disk. Six hundred nanoliters of test solution (ribozyme, attenuated control or sterile water vehicle) were dispensed at a rate of 1.2 L/min using a syringe pump (Kd Scientific). The injector was then removed, serially rinsed in 70% ethanol and sterile water and immersed in sterile water between each injection. Once the test solution was injected, closure of the eyelid was maintained using microaneurism clips until the animal began to recover gross motor activity. Following treatment, animals were warmed on a heating pad at 37 C.

Diagnostic Uses

Nucleic acid molecules of this invention can be used as diagnostic tools to examine genetic drift and mutations within diseased cells or to detect the presence of specific RNAs in a cell. The close relationship between for example ribozyme activity and the structure of the target RNA allows the detection of mutations in any region of the molecule which alters the base-pairing and three-dimensional structure of the target RNA. By using multiple ribozymes described in this invention, one can map nucleotide changes which are important to RNA structure and function in vitro, as well as in cells and tissues. Cleavage of target RNAs with ribozymes can be used to inhibit gene expression and define the role (essentially) of specified gene products in the progression of disease. In this manner, other genetic targets can be defined as important mediators of the disease. These experiments will lead to better treatment of the disease progression by affording the possibility of combinational therapies (e.g., multiple nucleic acid molecules targeted to different genes, nucleic acid molecules coupled with known small molecule inhibitors, or intermittent treatment with combinations of nucleic acid molecules and/or other chemical or biological molecules). Other in vitro uses of nucleic acid molecules of this invention are well known in the art, and include detection of the presence of RNAs related to various conditions. Such RNA is detected by determining the presence of a cleavage product after treatment with for example, an enzymatic nucleic acid molecule using standard methodology.

In a specific example, ribozymes which can cleave only wild-type or mutant forms of the target RNA are used for the assay. The first ribozyme is used to identify wild-type RNA present in the sample and the second ribozyme will be used to identify mutant RNA in the sample. As reaction controls, synthetic substrates of both wild-type and mutant RNA will be cleaved by both ribozymes to demonstrate the relative ribozyme efficiencies in the reactions and the absence of cleavage of the non-targeted RNA species. The cleavage products from the synthetic substrates will also serve to generate size markers for the analysis of wild-type and mutant RNAs in the sample population. Thus each analysis will require two ribozymes, two substrates and one unknown sample which will be combined into six reactions. The presence of cleavage products will be determined using an RNAse protection assay so that full-length and cleavage fragments of each RNA can be analyzed in one lane of a polyacrylamide gel. It is not absolutely required to quantify the results to gain insight into the expression of mutant RNAs and putative risk of the desired phenotypic changes in target cells. The expression of mRNA whose protein product is implicated in the development of a phenotype is adequate to establish risk. If probes of comparable specific activity are used for both transcripts, then a qualitative comparison of RNA levels will be adequate and will decrease the cost of the initial diagnosis. Higher mutant form to wild-type ratios will be correlated with higher risk whether RNA levels are compared qualitatively or quantitatively.

Additional Uses

Potential uses of sequence-specific enzymatic nucleic acid molecules of the instant invention can have many of the same applications for the study of RNA that DNA restriction endonucleases have for the study of DNA (Nathans et al., 1975 Ann. Rev. Biochem. 44:273). For example, the pattern of restriction fragments can be used to establish sequence relationships between two related RNAs, and large RNAs can be specifically cleaved to fragments of a size more useful for study. The ability to engineer sequence specificity of the enzymatic nucleic acid molecule is ideal for cleavage of RNAs of unknown sequence. Applicant has described the use of nucleic acid molecules to down-regulate gene expression of target genes in bacterial, microbial, fungal, viral, and eukaryotic systems including plant, or mammalian cells.

All patents and publications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the levels of skill of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All references cited in this disclosure are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference had been incorporated by reference in its entirety individually.

It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that varying substitutions and modifications can be made to the invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Thus, such additional embodiments are within the scope of the present invention and the following claims.

Other embodiments are within the claims that follow.