| abstract |
Oligonucleotides having at least ten nucleosides, at least two of which are selected from the group consisting of A, T, C and G, and at least one nucleoside being a universal nucleoside of the formula: <IMAGE> wherein: each Rn is H, OH, F or OCH3; Z is a member of the group consisting of O, S and CH2; and B is a five-membered, heterocyclic base having at least two double bonds, and further having an electron withdrawing group bonded thereto, said base with electron withdrawing group being represented by the formula: <IMAGE> wherein: said base with electron withdrawing group is bonded at X4 to the sugar portion of the nucleoside; X1, X3 and X5 are each members of the group consisting of N, O, C, S and Se; X2 and X4 are each members of the group consisting of N and C; and W is a member of the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, O, S, OH, SH, NH2, NO2, C(O)H, C(O)NHOH, C(S)NHOH, NO, C(NOCH3)NH2, OCH3, SCH3, SeCH3, ONH2, NHOCH3, N3, CN, C(O)NH2, C(NOH)NH2, CSNH2 and CO2H. |