Duplex Stability and Nuclease Resistance

Pyrimidine Analogues

C-5 methyl pyrimidine nucleosides are known to stabilize duplexes relative to the non-methylated bases. Therefore, enhanced binding can be achieved using 5-methyl-dC in place of dC, duplex melting temperature being increased by 1.3°. Improved stacking in this case is believed to be brought about by elimination of water molecules from the duplex. 2,6-Diaminopurine 2'-deoxyriboside (2-amino-dA) forms an additional hydrogen bond with Thymidine, thereby leading to duplex stabilization with a melting temperature increase of 3°.