Synthesis of 5-Hydroxymethylcytidine- and 5-Hydroxymethyl-uridine-Modified RNA.

We report on the syntheses of 5-hydroxymethyl-uridine [5hm(rU)] and -cytidine [5hm(rC)] phosphoramidites and their incorporation into RNA by solid-phase synthesis. Deprotection of the oligonucleotides is accomplished in a straightforward manner using standard conditions, confirming the appropriateness of the acetyl protection used for the pseudobenzylic alcohol moieties. The approach provides robust access to 5hm(rC/U)-modified RNAs that await applications in pull-down experiments to identify potential modification enzymes. They will also serve as synthetic probes for the development of high-throughput-sequencing methods in native RNAs. 1Introduction2Protection Strategies Reported for the Synthesis of 5hm(dC)-Modified DNA3Synthesis of 5-Hydroxymethylpyrimidine-Modified RNA3.1Synthesis of 5hm(rC) Phosphoramidite3.2Synthesis of 5hm(rU) Phosphoramidite3.3Synthesis of 5hm(rC)- and 5hm(rU)-Modified RNA4Conclusions.