As one of the most popular antisense agents, morpholino oligomers (MOs) have been shown to be an efficient gene knock-down reagent in the study of gene function. Additionally, MOs are considered to be potential gene therapy drugs. However, MOs that cause lethality in early embryos may lead to failure of assigning gene function in later stages. In order to regulate MO activity in a temporal fashion, our lab installed photo labile protection groups on different bases of MOs to enable the light-activation of MOs spatially and temporally in vivo. Here we present the synthesis of photo-caged morpholino monomers, including thymine-MO and guanine-MO, which are the building blocks fundamental to the regulation of MO activities. In addition, light-activation of MO function in cell culture and aquatic embryos will be shown.

Light-activated morpholino oligomers

244th National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.