The introduction of hydrophobic (lipophilic) residues into oligonucleotides with a view to improving their penetration into cells has met with some success.⁽¹⁾

Cholesteryl-conjugated oligonucleotides have in particular been the subject of substantial interest in antisense and other studies due to the lipophilicity and good availability of cholesterol.

Of similar application to cholesterol, but comparatively less studied to date, is the incorporation of the palmitoyl moiety into oligonucleotides. One such use employs an oligonucleotide conjugate with a 5'-palmitoyl group attached through an amide bond.⁽²⁾ This has been used to modify GRN163, a thio-phosphoramidate oligonucleotide, to enhance the potency of telomerase inhibition. We offer both 5'-Palmitate-C6-CE Phosphoramidite and 3'-Palmitate CPG for direct incorporation of a palmitoyl group during oligo synthesis, at the 5’ and 3’ end respectively.

Ref:

1. See for example: Cholesterol conjugated oligonucleotide and LNA: A comparison of cellular and nuclear uptake by Hep2 cells enhanced by Streptolysin-O, Š. Holasová, M. Mojžíšek, M. Bunček, D. Vokurková, H. Radilová, M. Šafářová, M. Červinka and R. Haluza, Molecular and Cellular Biochem., 276, 61-69, 2005.
2. Lipid modification of GNR163, an N3’ P5’ thio-phosphoramidate oligonucleotide, enhances the potency of telomerase inhibition, B.-S. Herbert, G.C. Gellert, A. Hochreiter, K. Pongracz, W.E. Wright, D. Zielinska, A.C. Chin, C.B. Harley, J.W. Shay and S.M. Gryaznov, Oncogene, 24, 5262-5268, 2005.