Design, synthesis, and duplex-stabilizing properties of conformationally constrained tricyclic analogues of LNA

The design, synthesis and biophysical evaluation of two highly-constrained tricyclic analogues of locked nucleic acid (LNA), which restrict rotation around the C4′-C5′-exocyclic bond (torsion angle γ ) and enhance hydrophobicity in the minor groove and along the major groove, are reported. A structural model that provides insights into the sugar-phosphate backbone conformations required for efficient hybridization to complementary nucleic acids is also presented. The design, synthesis and biophysical evaluation of two highly-constrained tricyclic analogues of locked nucleic acid (LNA), which restrict rotation around torsion angle γ are reported.