Duplex Stability and Nuclease Resistance

2' 5' Linked Oligonucleotides

Cellular DNA and RNA are made up of ribo- and 2'-deoxyribonucleic acids linked together via 3'-5' phosphodiester linkages and by far comprise the bulk of polynucleic acids found in cells. Much less common are oligonucleotides which have 2'-5' linkages. However, a unique feature of 2'-5' linked oligonucleotides is their ability to bind selectively to complementary RNA (12-13). These features suggest a number of interesting uses for 2'-5' linked oligos such as their use as RNA specific probes or in antisense oligos.