Construction of a reduction-responsive oligonucleotide via a post-modification approach utilizing 4-nitrophenyl diazomethane

Herein, we describe the construction of a reduction-responsive oligonucleotide by post-modification of an oligonucleotide with a diazo compound bearing a 4-nitrobenzyl group as a reduction-responsive cleavable moiety. High-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry were used to reveal the introduction of a 4-nitrobenzyl group to the 5'-phosphate group of an oligonucleotide, and the subsequent reduction-triggered recovery of the original oligonucleotide. The protocol used for the preparation of this reduction-responsive oligonucleotide is simple and it will have various applications in the fields of chemical and synthetic biology.

Automated summary

In this study, a reduction-responsive oligonucleotide was constructed by post-modifying an oligonucleotide with a diazo compound bearing a 4-nitrobenzyl group. The introduction of the 4-nitrobenzyl group and the subsequent reduction-triggered recovery of the original oligonucleotide were confirmed using HPLC and mass spectrometry. The protocol for preparing this reduction-responsive oligonucleotide is simple and it holds promise for various applications in the fields of chemical and synthetic biology.