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Biomedical subjects

M J Gait

Publications and source records attributed to M J Gait.

98 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

New phosphoramidite reagents for the synthesis of oligonucleotides containing a cysteine residue useful in peptide conjugation.

The preparation is described of four 2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropyl phosphoramidites of N-alpha-Fmoc-S-protected cysteine hydroxyalkyl amides. The phosphoramidites were used in solid-phase synthesis of 5'-cysteinyl oligonucleotides, useful intermediates in the preparation of peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates through reaction with a maleimide peptide or with a peptide thioester via "native ligation".

Base Sequence↗

Oligonucleotide analogue interference with the HIV-1 Tat protein-TAR RNA interaction.

The HIV-1 Tat protein interaction with its RNA recognition sequence TAR is an important drug target and model system for the development of specific RNA-protein inhibitors. 2'-O-methyl oligoribonucleotides complementary to the TAR apical stem-loop effectively block Tat binding in vitro. Substitution by 5-propynylC or 5-methylC LNA monomeric units into a 12-mer 2'-O-methyl oligoribonucleotide leads to stronger inhibition, as does a 12-mer PNA. 10-16 mer 2'-O-methyl oligoribonucleotides give sequence- and dose-dependent inhibition of Tat-dependent transcription of an HIV DNA template in HeLa cell nuclear extract. Inhibition is maintained for the substituted 12-mer analogues but is poorer for PNA and is not correlated with TAR binding strength.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

A new "native ligation" procedure for peptide-oligonucleotide conjugation.

"Native ligation", a powerful method of joining peptide fragments, has been applied successfully to peptide-oligonucleotide conjugation. Novel reagents are described for the solid-phase synthesis of peptide N-terminal thioesters and 5'-cysteinyl oligonucleotides suitable for ligation reactions.

Cysteine↗

Synthesis of 2'-modified oligonucleotides containing aldehyde or ethylenediamine groups.

Oligonucleotides carrying 2'-aldehyde groups were synthesized and coupled to peptides containing an N-terminal cysteine, aminooxy or hydrazide group to give peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates in good yield. The synthesis of a novel phosphoramidite reagent for the incorporation of 2'-O-(2,3-diaminopropyl)uridine into oligonucleotides was also described. Resultant 2'-diaminooligonucleotides may be useful intermediates in further peptide conjugation studies.

Aldehydes↗

Cloning and expression in E. coli of a synthetic gene for the bacteriocidal protein caltrin/seminalplasmin.

A synthetic gene coding for the bacteriocidal protein caltrin/seminalplasmin was constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion with beta-galactosidase. The gene was designed with a recognition site for the plasma protease, Factor Xa, coded for immediately prior to the N-terminus of caltrin. The beta-galactosidase-caltrin fusion protein was cleaved with Factor Xa to give caltrin, which was identified by its size on SDS-PAGE, its ability to react with an antiserum raised to the N-terminal nonapeptide of caltrin and its N-terminal amino acid sequence. After partial purification, synthetic caltrin was found to be active in an assay involving inhibition of growth of E.coli.

Antineoplastic Agents↗