Synthesis of 5′-GalNAc-Conjugated Oligonucleotides: A Comparison of Solid and Solution-Phase Conjugation Strategies

Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) conjugated to triantennary N-acetyl galactosamine (GalNAc) ligands represent an emerging approach to antisense therapy. Our current generation of GalNAc-ASO conjugates link the GalNAc to the 5′-terminus of the ASO. The conjugation reaction can be accomplished using...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Isaiah Cedillo, Dana Chreng, Elyse Engle, Lijian Chen, Andrew K. McPherson, Andrew A. Rodriguez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2017-08-01
Series:Molecules
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/22/8/1356
Description
Summary:Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) conjugated to triantennary N-acetyl galactosamine (GalNAc) ligands represent an emerging approach to antisense therapy. Our current generation of GalNAc-ASO conjugates link the GalNAc to the 5′-terminus of the ASO. The conjugation reaction can be accomplished using solution-phase or solid-phase techniques. Here we show a direct comparison of a solution-phase and a solid-phase conjugation strategy. The solution-phase approach, using amine-pentafluorophenyl (PFP) ester coupling, is higher yielding and gives material of slightly higher purity, but requires several additional unit operations and longer production time. The solid-phase approach, using a protected GalNAc ligand phosphoramidite, is more expedient, but results in lower yield and purity. Both strategies efficiently deliver conjugated material in excellent purity.
ISSN:1420-3049