Synthesis of oligodiaminomannoses and analysis of their RNA duplex binding properties and their potential application as siRNA-based drugs.

The synthesis of artificial cationic oligodiaminosaccharides, α-(1 → 4)-linked-2,6-diamino-2,6-dideoxy-d-mannopyranose oligomers (ODAMans), and their interactions with RNA duplexes are described. The monomer through the pentamer, all of which bear unnatural 2,6-diaminomannose moieties, were successfully prepared. UV melting and fluorescence anisotropy analyses revealed that the ODAMans bound and thermodynamically stabilized both 12mer RNA duplexes and an siRNA. Furthermore, it was clearly shown that the siRNA acquired substantial RNase A resistance due to its binding to the ODAMan 4mer.