New method to prepare peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates through glyoxylic oxime formation.

A new method to prepare peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates through chemoselective glyoxylic oxime linkage is reported. A novel phosphoramidite reagent, readily accessible from serine, was prepared and used in automated DNA synthesis to prepare oligonucleotides carrying a glyoxylic aldehyde functionality at the 5' terminus. This was efficiently coupled to a peptide functionalized with an aminooxy group. The method could be of general use to prepare a broad range of oligonucleotide conjugates.