Synthesis and characterization of chimeric 2-5A-DNA oligonucleotides.

This unit provides protocols for the synthesis and characterization of 2-5A-antisense nucleic acids. These chimeric oligonucleotides consist of 2',5'-phosphodiester-linked oligoadenylates ligated to 3',5'-deoxyribonucleotides and are readily prepared using phosphoramidite chemistry on CPG solid supports. The 3',5'-deoxyribonucleotide functions as the antisense domain to target a given mRNA sequence, while the 2',5'-phosphodiester-linked oligoadenylate serves to locally activate 2-5A-dependent RNase L, causing the targeted sequence to be cleaved.