Incorporation of side-chain groups of basic amino acids into oligonucleotides via the 2'-position of uridine

Certain amino acids and short peptides are known to act as enhancers of ribozyme-mediated RNA cleavage at low concentration of magnesium ion. Thus, covalent conjugates of oligonucleotides and some amino acids may have a potential for development as sequence-specific artificial ribonucleases. Here we would like to report an incorporation of basic amino acids, lysine and histidine, into oligonucleotides at the 2′-position of a uridine residue. The approach involves the 2′-<it>O</it>-alkylation and attachment of the corresponding amino acid by the α-amino group through a urethane-type linker.