Modification of end phosphate groups in mono- and oligonucleotides.

A method is described for selective activation of phosphomonoester end groups of oligonucleotides and nucleosidedi-(tri) phosphates via mixed anhydrides with mesitoic acid. Mixed anhydrides are synthesized in high yield and isolated by paper or DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. The ability of such anhydrides to phosphorylate different nucleophilic agents was used for synthesis of amidates, imidazolidates, esters, thioesters and pyrophosphates of mono- and oligonucleotides. Mixed anhydrides mono-, oligonucleotides and nucleosidedi-(tri)phosphates and mesitoic acid were also applied to achieve immobilization of the mono- and oligonucleotides via their end groups on hexamethylenediamine - Sepharose support. Mixed anhydrides studied may be efficiently used for affinity labeling of proteins and nucleic acids and also as material for preparating reagents for template reactions.