Synthesis, purification and characterization of two peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates as potential artificial nucleases

Two peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates 10a and 10b, containing as their peptide moiety the active site mimic of ribonuclease A (HGH motif) and the Cu (ID complexing metallopeptide (GGH motif) respectively, have been synthesized by original on-line solid phase synthesis using pentafluorophenyl active esters and Boc-His(Tos)-OH. Mild basic conditions for the final deprotection and reversed-phase purification afforded the pure hybrid molecules in good yields. The conjugates have been characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.