Overview
Alternative Backbone Connectivity for RNA and DNA Research
Bio-Synthesis provides custom 2′→5′ linked oligonucleotides containing site-specific RNA or DNA backbone linkages for structure-function research, nuclease recognition, ribozyme studies, 2-5A/RNase L pathway models and prebiotic chemistry investigations.
Natural DNA and RNA primarily use 3′→5′ phosphodiester linkages. A 2′→5′ linkage changes the backbone geometry by connecting the 2′ hydroxyl of one sugar to the 5′ position of the next nucleotide, which can affect hybridization, folding, enzyme recognition and degradation behavior.
2′→5′ linked oligonucleotides are commonly classified as backbone-modified oligonucleotides because the modification changes phosphodiester connectivity rather than the nucleobase itself. Researchers use these constructs to study alternative backbone architectures, enzymatic recognition, RNA structure and nucleic acid evolution.
Bio-Synthesis supports both RNA and DNA 2′→5′ linked building blocks, including 3′-rA, 3′-rG, 3′-rU, 3′-rC and 3′-dA, 3′-dG, 3′-dC, 3′-dT. These can be incorporated into custom oligos as single-site linkages, multiple isolated linkages or modified segments depending on sequence feasibility.
Backbone Geometry Comparison
natural 3′→5′ vs modified 2′→5′ linkage
Natural Connectivity
3′
P
5′
Standard 3′→5′ phosphodiester linkage used by most biological DNA and RNA.
2′→5′ Modified Connectivity
2′
P
5′
Alternative backbone linkage used to probe geometry, folding and enzyme recognition.
The linkage position is small chemically but important structurally. Placement and number of 2′→5′ bonds should be selected around the intended readout.