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18 F-Labeled [60]fullerene-based molecular spherical nucleic acids (MSNAs), consisting of a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) mRNA antisense oligonucleotide sequence with a native phosphodiester and phosphorothioate backbone, were synthesized, site-specifically labeled with a positron emitting fluorine-18 and intravenously administrated via tail vein to HER2 expressing HCC1954 tumor-bearing mice. The biodistribution of the MSNAs was monitored in vivo by positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging. MSNA with a native phosphodiester backbone (MSNA-PO) was prone to rapid nuclease-mediated degradation, whereas the corresponding phosphorothioate analogue (MSNA-PS) with improved enzymatic stability showed an interesting biodistribution profile in vivo . One hour after the injection, majority of the radioactivity was observed in spleen and liver but also in blood with an average tumor-to-muscle ratio of 2. The prolonged radioactivity in blood circulation may open possibilities to the targeted delivery of the MSNAs.

Starting from two acridine compounds identified in a high-throughput screening campaign (1 and 2, Table 1), a series of 4-aminoquinolines was synthesized and tested for their properties on the human alpha(2)-adrenoceptor subtypes (alpha(2A), alpha(2B), and alpha(2C)). A number of compounds with good antagonist potencies against the alpha(2C)-adrenoceptor and excellent subtype selectivities over the other two subtypes were discovered. For example, (R)-{4-[4-(3,4-dimethylpiperazin-1-yl)phenylamino]quinolin-3-yl}methanol 6j had an antagonist potency of 8.5 nM against, and a subtype selectivity of more than 200-fold for, the alpha(2C)-adrenoceptor. Investigation of the structure-activity relationship identified a number of structural features, the most critical of which was an absolute need for a substituent in the 3-position of the quinoline ring. The 3-position on the piperazine ring was also found to play an appreciable role, as substitutions in that position exerted a significant and stereospecific beneficial effect on the alpha(2C)-adrenoceptor affinity and potency. Replacing the piperazine ring proved difficult, with 1,4-diazepanes representing the only viable alternative.

Three novel phosphoramidites, each bearing a phthaloyl-protected aminooxy tail, were prepared and applied in automated oligonucleotide synthesis. After chain assembly, the phthaloyl protection was removed with hydrazinium acetate. Normal succinyl linker turned to be stable under these conditions, and hence the support-bound oligonucleotide could be converted to a pyrene oxime conjugates by reacting with pyrene carbaldehyde or cis-retinal. Standard ammonolytic deprotection then released the deprotected conjugate in solution. Alternatively, the crude aminooxy-tethered oligonucleotide was immobilized to microscopic polymer particles by reacting the aminooxy function with the particle-bound aldehyde or epoxide groups. These immobilized oligonuceotides were shown to serve properly as probes in a mixed phase hybridization assay.

Several new disulfide-tethered solid supports (S1-S5) were synthesized, and their resistance against ammonolysis was tested. Among these supports, only the one bearing an N-[15-[(4, 4'-dimethoxytrityl)oxy]-12,13-dithiapentadecanoyl] linker (S4b) tolerated ammonolysis and exhibited properties compatible with the oligonucleotide synthesis by phosphoramidite strategy. The applicability of this disulfide linker structure in postsynthetic oligonucleotide labeling on the support was demonstrated by introduction of two photoluminescent lanthanide chelates or two dansyl groups to the N4-(6-aminohexyl) amino-modified cytosine residues at the 5' end of the oligonucleotide sequence. Subsequent release of the resulting conjugates as their 3'-phosphates was achieved by reductive cleavage of the disulfide bond and precipitation of the conjugate from the solution with ethanol. The fluorescently tagged oligomer obtained showed hybridization properties similar to those of oligonucleotides labeled in solution.

Synthesis of new non-nucleosidic phosphoramidites 1 and 2 derived from achiral precursors containing two reporter groups or amino functions is described. Among them, only phosphoramidites 1a-c allow multiple derivatization of synthetic oligonucleotides. The usefulness of building blocks 1a-c is demonstrated by introduction of several amino functions or fluorescent dansyl reporters at the 3'- and 5'-termini of synthetic oligonucleotides and their phosphorothioate analogues. It is demonstrated that multilabeled non-nucleosidic tether has no or only minor influence on the hybridization properties of the oligonucleotides.