An automated solid phase system for the rapid synthesis of oligoribonucleotides will be developed. it will use the o- nitrobenzyl group for protection of ribonucleoside 2' hydroxyls and a versatile glass-based support incorporating a novel linker mechanism. New analytical methods will be designed for RNA oligomers, to ascertain their purity and confirm their homogeneity with respect to the 3'-5' linkage. The synthetic methods will first be employed to prepare a number of sets of oligonucleotides as models for the study of RNA hairpin structures, using UV and NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. This investigation will focus on the effects of loop sequence and size on hairpin shape and stability. The solid phase system will also be adapted to provide special oligonucleotides that can be joined enzymatically to produce large RNA molecules for the study of more complex secondary structure. The oligonucleotides will carry novel terminal protecting groups to bring about the desired specific ligations. The results of these investigations are expected to contribute to methods for prediction of the secondary structures of ribonucleic acids from their sequences, and should aid studies of structure- function relationships in human RNA viruses.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM019395-19
Application #
3269628
Study Section
Bio-Organic and Natural Products Chemistry Study Section (BNP)
Project Start
1977-05-01
Project End
1992-04-30
Budget Start
1990-05-01
Budget End
1991-04-30
Support Year
19
Fiscal Year
1990
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Purdue University
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
072051394
City
West Lafayette
State
IN
Country
United States
Zip Code
47907