ACID STABLE BACKBONE MODIFIED END-BLOCKED NUCLEIC ACIDS AND THERAPEUTIC USES THEREOF

摘要

The present invention provides end-blocked nucleic acids, e.g., 2'-O-R, 2'-O-R-O-R, 3'-O-R, and 3'-O-R-O-R oligonucleotides, that exhibit significant low pH stability, nuclease resistance and optionally antibacterial properties. These low toxicity, highly specific, acid stable, end-blocked nucleic acids represent a novel and improved oligonucleotide structure for therapeutic treatments of diseases. The 3' and 5' acid stable, exonuclease resistant polymers of the invention are shown here to provide antibacterial effects when applied in vivo, e.g., applied topically to skin with actual sites of infection on dogs and humans.