This book spans diverse aspects of modified nucleic acids, from chemical synthesis and spectroscopy to in vivo applications, and highlights studies on chemical modifications of the backbone and nucleobases. Topics discussed include fluorescent pyrimidine and purine analogs, enzymatic approaches to the preparation of modified nucleic acids, emission and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy for studying nucleic acid structure and dynamics, non-covalent binding of low- and high-MW ligands to nucleic acids and the design of unnatural base pairs. This unique book addresses new developments and is designed for graduate level and professional research purposes.

This volume is comprised of 18 chapters, covering various aspects of DNA modification and RNA modified bases. It also discusses in detail circular RNA, therapeutic oligonucleotides and their different properties. The chemical nature of DNA, RNA, protein and lipids makes these macromolecules easily modifiable, but they are also susceptible to damage from both endogenous and exogenous agents. Alkylation and oxidation show a potential to disrupt the cellular redox equilibrium and cause cellular damage leading to inflammation and even chronic disease. Furthermore, DNA damage can drive mutagenesis and the resulting DNA sequence changes can induce carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Modified nucleosides can occur as a result of oxidative DNA damage and RNA turnover, and are used as markers for various diseases. To function properly some RNA needs to be chemically modified post-transcriptionally. Dysregulation of the RNA-modification pattern or of the levels of the enzymes that catalyze these modifications alters RNA functionality and can result in complex phenotypes, likely due to defects in protein translation. While modifications are best characterized in noncoding ribonucleic acids like tRNA and rRNA, coding mRNAs have also been found to contain modified nucleosides. This book is a valuable resource, not only for graduate students but also researchers in the fields of molecular medicine and molecular biology.

Palladium-Catalyzed Modification of Nucleosides, Nucleotides and Oligonucleotides describes the procedures and protocols related to the modification of nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides via Pd-mediated cross-coupling processes. The book highlights the growing area of nucleic acid modification and how Pd-mediated coupling reactions can assist this development. Users will find key synthetic protocols for these reactions in this latest volume in the Latest Trends in Palladium Chemistry series. As most of the research in the field of antiviral agents has centered on the use of modified nucleosides that have exhibited promising activity, this book provides an up-to-date reference for both professionals in industry and other interested parties. - Provides synthetic routes for useful nucleoside molecules, information otherwise found only through time-consuming literature searches - Covers metal-mediated and metal-catalyzed cross coupling processes of nucleosides and related compounds - Includes Suzuki-Miyaura, Stille and Sonogashira reactions, as well as C-H bond functionalization - Highlights the growing area of nucleic acid modification and how Pd-mediated coupling reactions can assist

This book compiles recent research on the modification of nucleic acids. It covers backbone modifications and conjugation of lipids, peptides and proteins to oligonucleotides and their therapeutic use. Synthesis and application in biomedicine and nanotechnology of aptamers, fluorescent and xeno nucleic acids, DNA repair and artificial DNA are discussed as well.

A review of innovative tools for creative nucleic acid chemists that open the door to novel probes and therapeutic agents Nucleic acids continue to gain importance as novel diagnostic and therapeutic agents. With contributions from noted scientists and scholars, Enzymatic and Chemical Synthesis of Nucleic Acid Derivatives is a practical reference that includes a wide range of approaches for the synthesis of designer nucleic acids and their derivatives. The book covers enzymatic (including chemo-enzymatic) methods, with a focus on the synthesis and incorporation of modified nucleosides. The authors also offer a review of innovative approaches for the non-enzymatic chemical synthesis of nucleic acids and their analogs and derivatives, highlighting especially challenging species. The book offers a concise review of the methods that prepare novel and heavily modified polynucleotides in sufficient amount and purity for most clinical and research applications. This important book: -Presents a timely and topical guide to the synthesis of designer nucleic acids and their derivatives -Addresses the growing market for nucleotide-derived pharmaceuticals used as anti-infectives and chemotherapeutic agents, as well as fungicides and other agrochemicals. -Covers novel methods and the most recent trends in the field -Contains contributions from an international panel of noted scientistics Written for biochemists, medicinal chemists, natural products chemists, organic chemists, and biotechnologists, Enzymatic and Chemical Synthesis of Nucleic Acid Derivatives is a practice-oriented guide that reviews innovative methods for the enzymatic as well as non-enzymatic synthesis of nucleic acid species.

Good methods must be reliable, well-tested, and honed to minimize the time and expense required to achieve the desired results. CPNC provides a continuously growing and evolving set of protocols that allows researchers to benefit from the experience of other researchers around the world. The core manual provides a comprehensive set of protocols that have been compiled, revised, and streamlined over the last 6 years. Quarterly updates provide new protocols in emerging areas of research as well as continued advances and new applications for fundamental methods. The book is designed to grow and change with the field of nucleic acid chemistry. Fundamental nucleoside chemistry methods include sugar-base condensation, phosphorylation, and nucleoside protection. Methods for oligonucleotide synthesis include H-phosphonate and phosphoramidite approaches, solid-phase and solution-phase synthesis, large-scale synthesis, synthesis for modified and unmodified oligonucleotides, conjugation of oligonucleotides, synthesis without base protection, and synthesis on microarrays. More specialized synthetic methods include synthesis of biologically active nucleosides and prodrugs. Purification and characterization methods are detailed. Advanced methods include biophysical analysis, combinatorial methods, and nanotechnology. Each protocol includes rationale for choosing appropriate methods, step-by-step procedures, complete recipes, anticipated results, characterization data, and troubleshooting, as well as background and recommended reading. The level of procedural detail is far beyond that found in the research literature, and tips and comments from authors are geared towards ensuring reliable duplication in the laboratory.

Naturally occurring RNA always contains numerous biochemically altered nucleotides. They are formed by enzymatic modification of the primary transcripts during the complex RNA maturation process designated RNA modification. A large number of enzymes catalyzing the formation of these modified nucleosides or converting one canonical base into another at the posttranscriptional level have been studied for many years, but only recently have systematic and comparative studies begun. The functions of individual enzymes and/or the modified/edited nucleosides in RNA, however, have remained largely ignored. This book provides advance information on RNA modification, including the associated editing machinery, while offering the reader some perspective on the significance of such modifications in fine-tuning the structure and functions of mature RNA molecules and hence the ability to influence the efficiency and accuracy of genetic expression. Outstanding scientists who are actively working on RNA modification/editing processes have provided up-to-date information on these intriguing cellular processes that have been generated over the course of millions of years in all living organisms. Each review has been written and illustrated for a large audience of readers, not only specialists in the field, but also for advanced students or researchers who want to learn more about recent progress in RNA modification and editing.

This volume provides protocol references covering recent developments in the aptamer field. Within the last decade, aptamers have become more and more popular, and their sophisticated biophysical properties together with their ability to be easily modified and, thus, adapted to various regimens makes them a very promising class of compounds. Divided into three sections, the book covers selection, a series of analytical methods to assess biophysical properties of aptamer-target interactions, as well as various applications of aptamers. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Practical and easy to follow, Nucleic Acid Aptamers: Selection, Characterization, and Application provides a state-of-the-art summary of recent developments in the aptamer field and will be a helpful resource for scientists in the life sciences working with aptamers as tools to elucidate biological systems.

This volume is a timely and comprehensive description of the many facets of DNA and RNA modification-editing processes and to some extent repair mechanisms. Each chapter offers fundamental principles as well as up to date information on recent advances in the field (up to end 2008). They ended by a shortconclusion and future prospect' section and

This book presents the latest knowledge on a broad range of topics relating to the synthesis of natural and artificial oligonucleotides with therapeutic potential. Nucleic acid-based therapeutics are attracting much attention, and numerous therapeutic oligonucleotides, such as antisense oligonucleotides, siRNAs, splice-switching oligonucleotides, and nucleic acid aptamers, are being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Synthesis of Therapeutic Oligonucleotides covers a broad range of topics in the field that are of high relevance to researchers, including the synthesis of natural and chemically modified oligonucleotides, the development of novel nucleic acid analogs, industrial scale synthesis and purification of oligonucleotides, and important aspects of chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC). The aim is to provide new insights and inspire fresh ideas in nucleic acid chemistry that may ultimately lead to novel concepts and techniques and the discovery of more effective nucleic acid drugs. The book will be of high value for both established researchers in the field and students intending to specialize in nucleic acid chemistry research.