Reading And Writing Genetic Information With Boranophosphate (Borane Phosphate) Mimics Of Nucleotides, Dna, And Rna

The P-boranophosphates are isoelectronic mimics of natural nucleotide phosphate esters found in molecules like AMP, ATP, RNA, and DNA. A P-boranophosphate contains an isoelectronic borane (-BH3) in place of a non-bridging oxygen atom in the phosphate mono-or diester. Relative to natural nucleic acids, the borane-containing DNA and RNA analogues demonstrate increased lipophilicity and resistance to endo- and exonucleases, yet they retain a negative charge, similar spatial geometry, and ability to serve as templates in replication, transcription and reverse transcription. Fully-substituted boranophosphate DNA can activate the RNase H cleavage of RNA in RNA:DNA hybrids. The alpha-P-borane (Rp isomer) analogues of nucleoside triphosphosphates (NTP and dNTP) are very good substrates for RNA and DNA polymerases and allow ready synthesis of RNA and DNA with P-boranophosphate linkages. Thus, the boranophosphates are efficient and near perfect mimics of natural nucleic acids in permitting reading and writing of genetic information with high yield and accuracy. These properties make boranophosphates promising candidates for diagnostics, aptamer selection, and antiviral, antisense and RNAi therapeutics.