2′- and 3′- Biotin Conjugated Nucleoside Building Blocks: Synthesis of Biotinylated Oligonucleotides

Abstract

The vitamin biotin plays a significant role in biological assays based on its unusually high affinity [K_D=10⁻¹⁵M] to streptavidin and avidin. This assay can be used for monitoring cellular trafficking of antisense oligonucleotides using hiotin conjugation. In addition to the above diagnostic application, biotin conjugation to macromolecules could be used as a vitamin-mediated delivery system for macromolecules into cells. Complexation of avidin to hiotin-oligonucleotides (phosphodiesters or PNA) have been used to enhance the uptake of oligonucleotides¹. Appropiiate placement of biotin in oligonucleotides could also provide increased nuclease resistance.