Morpholino-based antisense agent

Abstract

Morpholino-based oligomers suitable as antisense agent comprising modifications of phosphorodiamidate backbone or modification with 5-substituted pyrimidines of morpholino compound that is soluble in culture medium and sufficient for cell penetration thereby eliminating the need for injecting into the cells. Monomers comprising the said oligomers and its method of manufacture, method of manufacture of the said oligomers and its dye, fluorophore, drug, biomolecule conjugate wherein the said oligomers find different end use but not limited to regulation of gene expression, tissue culture with improved transfection efficiency and related studies on cellular transfection.

Claims

1. Morpholino based oligomers suitable as antisense agents comprising: one or more cationic backbone having phosphorodiamidate linkage and further guanidinium linkage as replacement of some of said phosphorodiamidate linkage wherein a purine and/or pyrimidine base of the morpholino unit in said cationic backbone contains one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of alkynyl, trifluoroacetylamide, alkylamine, and guanidinium.

2. The morpholino based oligomers according to claim 1 wherein the oligomer is soluble in culture medium and sufficient for cell penetration on its own.

3. The morpholino based oligomers according to claim 1 wherein (i) said oligomers having guanidinium linkage are synthesized from monomers selected from the group consisting of: ##STR00017## ##STR00018## ii) said oligomers having phosphorodiamidate linkage are synthesized from monomers selected from the group consisting of: ##STR00019## ##STR00020## ##STR00021## ##STR00022## ##STR00023##

4. The morpholino based oligomers suitable as antisense agents according to claim 1 wherein the length of the said oligomers is up to 25-mers that does not affect the Watson-Crick base pairing, has target specificity and selectivity and avoids the need of conjugation with arginine rich peptides.

5. The morpholino based oligomers suitable as antisense agents according to claim 1 wherein said oligomer is conjugated at the 4 end and/or the 7 end of the morpholino backbone selectively with biomolecules, drugs, or dyes selected from fluorophores adapted to facilitate cellular transfection properties and monitoring of transfection efficiency.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1: illustrates phosphorodiamidate backbone of morpholino compound.

(2) FIG. 2: illustrates the structure of the said cationic morpholino-based antisense agent with modification of phosphorodiamidate backbone by guanidinium linkage with 7-azido moiety.

(3) FIG. 3: illustrates the structure of the said cationic morpholino-based antisense agent conjugated with fluorophore at 7-end via click reaction.

(4) FIG. 4: illustrates the structure of the said cationic morpholino-based antisense agent with 7-azido and 4-conjugated fluorophore moiety.

(5) FIG. 5: illustrates the structure of the partially cationic morpholino-oligomer (Type 1) and 4-conjugated with fluorophore moiety.

(6) FIG. 6: illustrates the structure of the 7-azido cationic morpholino-oligomer (Type 2) with modification of pyrimidine and purine bases with guanidinium (R) or amino (R) group at 5- and 7-position, respectively. It includes the alkynyl- or alkyl-substituted pyrimidine bases for better neutral morpholino, when R=CH2CH3.

(7) FIG. 7: illustrates the structure of the 7-azido and 4-fluorophore-conjugated cationic morpholino-oligomer (Type 2) with the incorporation of cationic charges at 5-position of pyrimidine bases. It includes the 7-azido and 4-fluorophore-conjugated neutral morpholino with incorporation of alkynyl- or alkyl-group at 5-position of pyrimidine bases.

(8) FIG. 8: illustrates the morpholino monomers.

(9) FIG. 9: illustrates the 7-activated morpholino monomers for the synthesis of neutral (phosphorodiamidate) morpholino.

(10) FIG. 10: illustrates the 7-amino-modified morpholino monomers.

(11) FIG. 11: illustrates the 7-activated monomers for the synthesis of cationic morpholino.

(12) FIG. 12: illustrates 7-activated (chlorophosphoramidate) morpholino monomers of 5-substituted pyrimidine bases with alkynyl and alkyl moieties (where R=ethyl or NHCOCF.sub.3).

(13) FIG. 13: illustrates the 5-iodo pyrimidines.

(14) FIG. 14: Microscopy images of HeLa cells cultured in the presence of Morpholino 20 (1500 nM concentration); I), II) & III) represents images of different sections of the cells; Bar represents 50 m.

(15) FIG. 15: illustrates the synthesis of morpholino monomers.

(16) FIG. 16: illustrates the synthesis of 7-amino-modified morpholino monomers.

(17) FIG. 17: illustrates the synthesis of cationic morpholino with the incorporation of guanidinium linkages in place of phosphorodiamidate linkages.

(18) FIG. 18: illustrates the synthesis of 7-fluorophore-conjugated cationic morpholino.

(19) FIG. 19: illustrates the synthesis of 7-azido-4-fluorophore-conjugated cationic morpholino.

(20) FIG. 20: illustrates the synthesis of T.sub.8-morpholino oligos according to the procedure reported by U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,444, Gene Tools LLC and Nature Chemical Biology 2007, 3, 650 by Chen et. al.

(21) FIG. 21: illustrates the synthesis of partially cationic morpholino oligos, Type-1.

(22) FIG. 22: illustrates the synthesis of 5-iodo and 5-substituted pyrimidines of morpholino monomers.

(23) FIG. 23: illustrates the synthesis of 7-activated (chlorophosphoramidate) morpholino monomers of 5-substituted pyrimidines with alkynyl and alkyl moieties (where R=CH.sub.3CH.sub.2 or NHCOCF.sub.3).

(24) FIG. 24: illustrates the synthesis of cationic morpholino oligos (Type 2) with the incorporation of 5-substituted pyrimidines. It also includes the modified neutral morpholino oligos (Type 3).

(25) FIG. 25: illustrates the synthesis of cationic morpholino (Type 2) with the incorporation of 5-substituted uridine and 4-conjugated-fluorophore.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(26) As already disclosed herein before, the present invention provides for new variety of morpholino-based antisense agent including partially cationic/completely neutral morpholino-based antisense agents. More specifically the partially cationic based antisense agent comprises of partially modified backbone or incorporation of side-chain-substituted cationic bases while the completely neutral antisense agent comprises of alkynyl and alkyl-substituted bases attached to a conventional morpholino unit to achieve better antisense efficiency and solubility in culture medium. The conventional morpholino based oligomer with phosphorodiamidate linkage is illustrated in FIG. 1.

(27) Thus in one aspect of the present invention there is provided a Type 1 partially cationic and fully cationic backbone based morpholino oligomer as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 comprising introduction of cationic charge into the morpholino backbone by partially replacing some of the phosphorodiamidate linkage with guanidinium linkage by covalently linking the guanidinium group to morpholino unit wherein the said cationic (positive) charges on the backbone is directed to give rise to cell membrane permeability through electrostatic attraction of the morpholinos to the negatively charged phosphate groups of the cell surface. The agent of the invention does not require to be injected like regular morpholino and just solubilization in culture medium is sufficient for cell penetration. The above Type 1 cationic/partially cationic morpholino oligomers include further modifications by the incorporation of alkynyl and alkyl groups into the purine, pyrimidine bases contained therein.

(28) In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a Type 2 partially cationic morpholino oligomer comprising cationic charges introduced intermittently through a NH.sub.2 group or a guanidinium group into the purine, pyrimidine bases attached to the conventional morpholino unit of neutral backbone with conventional phosphorodiamidate linkage as illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

(29) In yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a Type 3 neutral backbone based morpholino oligomer which has total neutral characteristics comprising the incorporation of alkynyl and alkyl groups into the purine, pyrimidine bases attached to the conventional morpholino unit with the phosphorodiamidate backbone for achieving better antisense properties of the said oligomer as illustrated in FIG. 6.

(30) Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to providing partially cationic morpholino-conjugates of dyes, fluorophore and drug molecules as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 and its method of synthesis to further aid their cellular transfection properties.

(31) In yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided monomers and activated functionalized monomers of the type illustrated in FIGS. 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 and new synthetic methodology towards the synthesis of morpholino monomers.

(32) In accordance with a basic aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for the synthesis of new and improved partially cationic morpholino based oligomer antisense agent of Type 1 with or without the incorporation of alkynyl and alkyl groups into the purine, pyrimidine bases contained therein.

(33) In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for the synthesis of partially cationic morpholino-based antisense agent of Type 2.

(34) In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for the synthesis of the new and improved completely neutral morpholino oligomers of Type 3 that includes the 5-alkynyl- or 5-alkyl-substitution pyrimidines.

(35) In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention there is provided a synthetic method for the synthesis of cationic morpholino-conjugates of dyes, fluorophore and drug to further aid in the cellular transfection properties of the said antisense agents.

(36) Advantageously enough, the present invention also features a new synthetic methodology for the synthesis of morpholino monomers.

(37) Advantageously, the said synthetic method of the present invention for the synthesis of improved morpholino-based oligomers facilitates the antisense properties of the said oligomers in-vivo involving zebrafish embryos that might facilitate the inhibition of several endogenous zebrafish genes.

(38) In another embodiment of the present invention, the method of synthesizing the partially cationic morpholino based antisense agent comprises the steps of substitution with guanidinium or free amino groups at 5- or 7-position of pyrimidine or purine bases respectively.

(39) The said cationic antisense agent solves the long standing problem of transfection associated with neutral morpholinos in tissue culture and aides the cellular transfection of cationic morpholino in conjugation with dye, fluorophore, drugs.

(40) Advantageously, the solubilization of the said antisense agent of the present invention in culture medium such as in embryo culture medium might be sufficient for embryo penetration and discards the need to be injected like regular morpholino.

(41) In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the synthetic methodology of the present invention leading to the modification achieved through the base substitution reaction does not affect the Watson-Crick base pairing, thus resulting in more specific gene regulation.

(42) More specifically, it is possible to synthesize the antisense agent involving the simple step of incorporating guanidinium group directly to the morpholino oligos to make partially cationic morpholinos (FIG. 2) as compared to the neutral morpholino oligos (FIG. 1) that binds more strongly with DNA or RNA because of their positive charge. The above process of the invention discards the need to conjugate morpholino with peptide separately. The said cationic antisense agent is found to solve the long standing problem of transfection associated with neutral morpholinos in tissue culture as the same did not require to be injected like regular morpholinos and just solubilization in culture medium was sufficient for penetration of the said new morpholinos into the cells. FIG. 14 illustrates the microscopy images of HeLa cells cultured in the presence of fluorophore-conjugated cationic morpholino that goes to prove that it is sufficient for cellular transfection.

(43) It was thus possible by way of the invention to provide for new synthetic method by which the cationic charges could be added partially to the morpholino oligos by replacing some of the phosphorodiamidate linkages to guanidinium linkages. In another embodiment of the present invention, the said cationic morpholino-based antisense agent is also alternatively prepared by the incorporation of the guanidinium group at 5- or 7-position of pyrimidine or purine bases attached to the morpholino unit respectively through substitution reaction without the modification of the backbone in this instance and by such modifications Watson-Crick base pair is not affected.

(44) Type 1: Introduction of cationic charge to the morpholino backbone:

(45) ##STR00014##

(46) Type 2: Introduction of cationic charge to the purine, pyrimidine bases:

(47) ##STR00015## ##STR00016##

(48) The positive charges of the backbone give rise to cell membrane permeability through electrostatic attraction of the morpholinos to the negatively charged phosphate groups of the cell surface. These agent does not need injection like regular morpholino, just solubilization in embryo culture medium may be sufficient for embryo penetration.

(49) The following examples are discussed by the way of illustration to the present invention and should not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1

Synthesis of Morpholino Monomers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 in FIG. 8 (FIG. 15)

(50) The synthetic route is different from the previously reported (U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,444, Gene Tools LLC and Nature Chemical Biology. 2007, 3, 650 by Chen et. al.).

(51) The unprotected ribonucleosides (A, G, C, T & I) were first converted to the 5OTBDPS (tert-butyl-diphenylsilyl-) protected nucleosides and then used for morpholino synthesis.

7-O-TBDPS-N-trityl morpholino thymine (1)

(52) To a stirred solution of 5-methyl uridine (7.75 mmol) in dry DMF (8 ml) were added imidazole (19.33 mmol) and TBDPSCI (9.79 mmol) dropwise under Ar. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 h. After the disappearance of the starting material (TLC), 2 ml of MeOH was added to the mixture, and was stirred at room temperature for 10 min. The solvent was removed in reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc (50 ml) and washed thoroughly with water (20 ml3) and brine (20 ml). This was dried over Na.sub.2SO.sub.4 and concentrated under reduced pressure to give the crude product which upon trituration with ether obtained the product as white solid (3.57 g, 93%) along with 3-4% of the di-protected nucleoside (Tetrahedron 1998, 54, 11151 by Magdalena Endovl et. al.). This was used in the next step without further purification.

(53) The 5 protected nucleoside (above) (5.03 mmol) was dissolved in 40 ml of methanol by slight heating in water bath. It was cooled to room temperature and were added sodium meta-periodate (5.54 mmol), ammonium biborate tetrahydrate (6.53 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for two hours when the starting material was consumed and an envelope of very closely spaced ninhydrin active spots was generated. The reaction mixture was filtered through a pad of celite and were added activated powdered 4 molecular sieves (1.51 g, 300 mg/mmol) followed by sodium cyanoborohydride (10.06 mmol) and glacial acetic acid (10.06 mmol) dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred for another 2.5 hours when the intermediate product was completely reduced. This was again filtered through celite and evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc (50 ml) and washed with water (15 ml2) and brine (25 ml). The solvent was dried and removed under reduced pressure. Chromatographic purification (SiO.sub.2, elution with 1-5% methanol in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2) afforded 1.12 g (overall 45% yield from 5-methyl uridine) of the title compound as a white solid. Alternatively this crude can be used in the next step without purification.

(54) The above morpholino (1.88 mmol) was dissolved in dry dimethylformamide (6 ml) and cooled to 0 C. Triethylamine (3.95 mmol) was added to this followed by trityl chloride (2.06 mmol) portion wise. After one hour the reaction was quenched with methanol and concentrated in reduced pressure. This was diluted with EtOAc (50 ml) and washed with water (20 ml3) and brine (30 ml). Solvent was removed in vacuo, and the residue was purified by triethylamine treated SiO.sub.2 column chromatography (0-2% MeOH/CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2) to give the product 1 as a white solid (1.2 g, 89%).

(55) .sup.1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 0.88 (s, 9H), 1.28 (t, 1H, J=10.0 Hz), 1.44 (t, 1H, J=11.0 Hz), 1.67 (s, 3H), 3.18 (d, 1H, J=12.0 Hz), 3.24 (dd, 1H, J=11.5, 2.0 Hz), 3.52 (dd, 1H, J=10.8, 5.8 Hz), 3.65 (dd, 1H, J=10.8, 4.3 Hz), 4.15-4.18 (m, 1H), 6.01 (dd, 1H, J=9.3, 2.3 Hz), 6.85 (s, 1H), 7.11-7.50 (m, 25H), 7.95 (br s, 1H);

(56) .sup.13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 12.4, 19.2, 26.7, 49.8, 52.1, 64.5, 76.8, 77.1, 80.5, 110.3, 126.5, 127.7, 127.9, 129.2, 129.7, 129.8, 133.1, 133.3, 135.5, 135.5, 135.6, 149.8, 163.6;

(57) IR (KBr): v 3188, 3034, 2930, 1692, 1464, 1265, 1109, 708 cm.sup.1.

(58) HRMS (ESI) calcd for C.sub.45H.sub.47N.sub.3O.sub.4SiNa (M+Na) 744.3234, found 744.3233.

7-OHN-trityl morpholino thymine (1a)

(59) To a stirred solution of 1 (above) (1.11 mmol) in dry THF was added dropwise a solution of 1 M TBAF in THF (2.22 ml, 2.22 mmol) and stirred for 1.5 h at room temperature. The reaction mixture was concentrated and diluted with EtOAc (45 ml), washed with water (220 ml) and brine (30 ml), dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4), concentrated and purified over silica gel (20% EtOAc in petroleum ether and then 5% MeOH in DCM) to afford a white solid 1a (507 mg, 97%) (FIG. 15).

(60) .sup.1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 1.34 (t, 2H, J=10.8 Hz), 1.70 (s, 3H), 1.93 (br s, 1H), 2.97 (d, 1H, J=11.9 Hz), 3.22 (d, 1H, J=11.2 Hz), 3.49 (br s, 2H), 4.16 (br s, 1H), 6.05 (d, 1H, J=9.6 Hz), 6.88 (s, 1H), 7.08 (d, 3H, J=6.8 Hz), 7.18 (m, 6H), 7.34 (br s, 6H), 8.42 (br s, 1H);

(61) .sup.13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 12.5, 48.9, 52.1, 63.8, 76.9, 77.8, 80.6, 110.7, 126.7, 128.1, 129.3, 135.6, 149.8, 163.5;

(62) IR (KBr): v 3410, 3190, 3057, 2885, 1692, 1447, 1265, 1105, 712 cm.sup.1.

(63) HRMS (ESI) calcd for C.sub.29H.sub.29N.sub.3O.sub.4Na (M+Na).sup.+ 506.2056, found 506.2059.

7-O-TBDPS-N-trityl morpholino adenosine (2)

(64) 5-OH of adenosine was protected with TBDPS group according to the procedure reported in Helv chim acta 2003, 86, 703 by Lei Zhang et. al. and obtained 97% yield.

(65) Morpholino synthesis was done according to the procedure mentioned for 1.

(66) .sup.1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 0.94 (s, 9H), 1.59 (t, 1H, J=11.0 Hz), 1.59, (t, 1H, J=10.5 Hz), 3.34 (d, 1H, J=12.0 Hz), 3.41 (d, 1H, J=11.5 Hz), 3.58 (dd, 1H, J=11.0, 6.0 Hz), 3.75 (dd, 1H, J=9.8, 4.3 Hz), 4.32-4.34 (m, 1H), 5.91-5.96 (m, 2H), 6.30 (d, 1H, J=9.5 Hz), 7.18 (t, 3H, J=6.8 Hz), 7.26-7.56 (m, 22H), 7.62 (s, 1H), 8.35 (s, 1H);

(67) .sup.13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 19.3, 26.8, 50.0, 53.3, 64.6, 77.0, 77.1, 79.9, 119.2, 126.5, 127.7, 127.9, 129.3, 129.7, 129.8, 133.2, 133.4, 135.6, 138.1, 149.4, 153.3, 155.5;

(68) IR (KBr): v 3327, 3055, 2928, 1676, 1636, 1595, 1471, 1105, 709 cm.sup.1.

(69) HRMS (ESI) calcd for C.sub.45H.sub.46N.sub.6O.sub.2SiNa (M+Na).sup.+ 753.3349, found 753.3347.

N6-Benzoyl-7-O-TBDPS-N-trityl morpholino adenosine (2a)

(70) The compound 2 (150 mg, 0.21 mmol) was co-evaporated with pyridine twice. To a stirred solution of this in dry pyridine (3 ml) at 0 C. was added benzoyl chloride (0.12 ml, 0.96 mmol) dropwise. After 18 hours of stirring at room temperature, the diprotection was found to be completed. The mixture was again cooled to 0 C. and 0.5 ml of 30% aqueous ammonia was added and the mixture was stirred at this temperature for 1 h 45 min. The reaction mixture was then evaporated to near dryness and the residue was dissolved in 25 ml of chloroform. This solution was washed with saturated NaHCO.sub.3 (15 ml) and then with saturated NaCl (15 ml), dried over Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, and evaporated to dryness. The residue was purified by column chromatography using 0-2% MeOH in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 as the eluant to produce 2a as a white'solid (133 mg) (FIG. 15).

N6-Benzoyl-7-OHN-trityl morpholino adenosine (2b)

(71) Silyl deprotection from 2a (100 mg, 0.119 mmol) with 1M TBAF in THF (238 L, 0.238 mmol) for 2 h furnished the product 2b as a white solid (59.6 mg, 85%) (FIG. 15).

(72) .sup.1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 1.53 (t, 1H, J=11.3 Hz), 1.74 (t, 1H, J=10.8 Hz), 3.05 (d, 1H, J=12.0 Hz), 3.29 (br s, 1H), 3.42 (d, 1H, J=11.5 Hz), 3.46-3.55 (m, 2H), 4.24-4.26 (m, 1H), 6.29 (d, 1H, J=9.5 Hz), 7.11 (t, 3H, J=7 Hz), 7.22 (t, 7H J=7.5 Hz), 7.40-7.44 (m, 8H), 7.51 (t, 1H, J=7.3 Hz), 7.81 (s, 1H), 7.96 (d, 2H, J=7.0 Hz), 8.71 (s, 1H), 9.38 (br s, 1H);

(73) .sup.13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl.sub.3):

(74) 48.9, 53.1, 63.5, 76.9, 77.6, 80.4, 122.4, 126.7, 128.0, 128.03, 128.8, 129.2, 132.7, 133.8, 140.3, 149.6, 151.1, 152.9, 164.9;

(75) IR (KBr): v 3404, 3057, 2886, 1691, 1608, 1450, 1251, 1103, 712 cm.sup.1.

(76) HRMS (ESI) calcd for C.sub.36H.sub.32N.sub.6O.sub.3SiNa (M+Na).sup.+ 619.2434, found 619.2432.

7-O-TBDPS-N-trityl morpholino cytidine (3)

(77) 5-OH of cytosine was protected with TBDPS group according to the procedure reported in Can. J. Chem. 1975, 53, 2975 by Stephenh Anessia et. al. and obtained in 94% yield.

(78) Morpholino synthesis was done according to the procedure mentioned for 1.

(79) .sup.1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 0.87 (s, 9H), 1.11 (t, 1H, J=10.3 Hz), 1.38 (t, 1H, J=11.0 Hz), 3.17 (d, 1H, J=11.5 Hz), 3.31 (d, 1H, J=11.0 Hz), 3.48 (dd, 1H, J=10.5, 6.0 Hz), 3.65 (dd, 1H, J=10.5, 4.5 Hz), 4.13-4.15 (m, 1H), 5.42 (d, 1H, J=7.0 Hz), 6.09 (dd, 1H, J=7.0, 1.5 Hz), 7.01 (d, 1H, J=7.0 Hz), 7.07-7.44 (m, 24H), 7.49 (d, 2H, J=7.0 Hz), 7.95 (s, 1H).

(80) .sup.13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 19.2, 26.7, 50.0, 52.8, 64.7, 76.8, 76.9, 81.4, 93.8, 126.3, 126.9, 127.2, 127.6, 127.7, 127.8, 127.9, 128.0, 128.8, 129.3, 129.6, 129.8, 133.1, 133.5, 135.5, 135.55, 141.2, 155.1, 162.5, 165.5;

(81) IR (KBr): v 3333, 3068, 2930, 2857, 1645, 1489, 1109, 706 cm.sup.1.

(82) HRMS (ESI) calcd for C.sub.44H.sub.46N.sub.4O.sub.3SiNa (M+Na).sup.+ 729.3237, found 729.3239.

N4-Acetyl-7-O-TBDPS-N-trityl morpholino cytidine (3a)

(83) To a stirred solution of 3 (200 mg, 0.28 mmol) in dry THF (5 ml) were added Et.sub.3N (0.18 ml, 1.29 mmol) and acetic anhydride (60 L, 0.65 mmol) drop wise at 0 C. After stirring at room temperature for overnight, the solvent was evaporated at reduced pressure. Usual work up and chromatographic purification (0-2.5% MeOH in DCM) afforded the product as a white solid (170 mg, 80%) (FIG. 15).

N4-Acetyl-7-OHN-trityl morpholino cytidine (3b)

(84) Silyl deprotection 3a was done by 1M TBAF and yield was 75% (FIG. 15).

(85) .sup.1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 1.24-1.29 (m, 1H), 1.47 (t, 1H, J=11.3 Hz), 1.93 (br s, 1H), 2.20 (s, 3H), 3.10 (dd, 1H, J=10.5, 2.0 Hz), 3.50 (dd, 1H, J=8.3, 2.3 Hz), 3.59-3.63 (m, 2H), 4.29-4.32 (m, 1H), 6.28 (dd, 1H, J=9.0, 2.0 Hz), 7.17 (t, 3H, J=7.0 Hz), 7.26-7.30 (m, 8H), 7.46 (br s, 5H), 7.62 (d, 1H, J=7.5 Hz), 8.80 (br s, 1H);

(86) .sup.13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 25.0, 49.1, 53.0, 63.8, 77.0, 78.0, 82.2, 96.7, 126.6, 128.0, 128.1, 129.3, 130.0, 144.5, 154.5, 162.7;

(87) IR (KBr): v 3424, 3244, 2926, 1720, 1657, 1560, 1491, 1312, 709 cm.sup.1.

(88) HRMS (ESI) calcd for C.sub.30H.sub.30N.sub.4O.sub.4SiNa (M+Na).sup.+ 533.2165, found 533.2165.

7-O-TBDPS-N-trityl morpholino guanosine (4)

(89) 5-OH of guanosine was protected with TBDPS group according to the procedure reported in Bioorg. Med. Chem. 1993, 1, 369 by Scott A. Van Arman et. al. and obtained in 95% yield.

(90) Morpholino synthesis was done according to the procedure mentioned for 1.

(91) .sup.1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 0.87 (s, 9H), 1.47 (t, 1H, J=10.5 Hz), 1.57 (t, 1H, J=10.5 Hz), 3.23 (d, 1H, J 11.0 Hz), 3.32 (d, 1H, J=11.0 Hz), 3.50 (dd, 1H, J=10.5, 6.0 Hz), 3.68 (dd, 1H, J=10.5, 4.0 Hz), 4.21-4.22 (m, 1H), 5.94 (d, 1H, J=9.5 Hz), 6.17 (br s, 2H), 7.05-7.57 (m, 26H), 11.80 (br s, 1H);

(92) .sup.13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 18.2, 25.9, 49.0, 52.0, 63.6, 75.9, 79.2, 117.0, 125.5, 126.6, 126.7, 126.8, 127.0, 128.3, 128.66, 128.72, 128.9, 132.2, 132.3, 134.0, 134.3, 134.4, 134.5, 150.0, 152.6, 158.1;

(93) IR (KBr): v 3331, 3066, 2929, 1692, 1626, 1361, 1109, 704 cm.sup.1.

(94) HRMS (ESI) calcd for C.sub.45H.sub.46N.sub.6O.sub.3SiNa (M+Na).sup.+ 769.3298, found 769.3297.

N2-Isobutyryl-7-O-TBDPS-N-trityl morpholino guanosine (4a)

(95) To a stirred solution 4 (100 mg, 0.134 mmol) in dry DMF were added isobutyryl anhydride (44 L, 0.268 mmol) and triethylamine (56 L, 0.402 mmol). After heating at 140 C. for 3 h, another batch of isobutyryl anhydride (44 L, 0.268 mmol) and triethylamine (75 L, 0.536 mmol) was added and again heated for 2 h. The mixture was concentrated at reduced pressure, diluted with chloroform (25 ml), washed with water (310 ml), saturated NaHCO.sub.3 (10 ml) and then with saturated NaCl (15 ml). This was dried over Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, and evaporated to dryness. Chromatographic purification (SiO.sub.2, 0-2% MeOH in DCM) furnished a solid, yellowish white product 4a in 71% yield (FIG. 15).

N2-Isobutyryl-7-OHN-trityl morpholino guanosine (4b)

(96) The fully morpholino nucleoside 4a was reacted with 1M TBAF in THF to obtain the product 4b as a white solid in 94% yield (FIG. 15).

(97) .sup.1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 1.26 (d, 6H, J=7.0 Hz) 1.52 (t, 1H, J=11.0 Hz), 1.78 (t, 1H, J=10.5 Hz), 2.73 (sept, 1H, J=6.8 Hz), 3.10 (d, 1H, J=12.0 Hz), 3.35 (d, 1H, J=12.0 Hz), 3.53-3.60 (m, 2H), 4.27-4.30 (m, 1H), 5.97 (dd, 1H, J=10.0, 2 Hz), 7.16 (m, 3H), 7.26-7.51 (m, 13H);

(98) .sup.13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 18.9, 19.2, 36.5, 48.9, 52.5, 63.6, 77.0, 77.8, 80.6, 120.8, 126.7, 128.0, 129.4, 136.5, 147.8, 155.8, 177.8.

(99) IR (KBr): 3408, 3186, 2972, 1682, 1607, 1406, 1024, 712 cm.sup.1.

(100) HRMS (ESI) calcd for C.sub.33H.sub.34N.sub.6O.sub.4Na (M+Na).sup.+ 601.2539, found 601.2535.

7-O-TBDPS-N-trityl morpholino inosine (5)

(101) The 5-OH of inosine was protected with TBDPS group according to the following procedure.

(102) To a suspension of inosine (750 mg, 2.79 mmol) and imidazole (470 mg, 6.98 mmol) in DMF (8 ml) was added TBDPSCI dropwise under Ar. The mixture was stirred for 6 h when a clear solution was obtained. The reaction was quenched with methanol and solvent was evaporated off. This was diluted with chloroform (60 ml), washed with water and brine, dried and concentrated to obtain the product as a white solid (1.38 g, 98%). This was used in the next step without further purification.

(103) Morpholino synthesis was done according to the procedure mentioned for 1.

(104) .sup.1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 0.97 (s, 9H), 1.61 (t, 1H, J=11.3 Hz), 1.74 (t, 1H, J=10.5 Hz), 3.34 (d, 1H, J=12.0 Hz), 3.42 (d, 1H, J=11.0 Hz), 3.61 (dd, 1H, J=10.8, 5.7 Hz), 3.77 (dd, 1H, J=10.8, 4.7 Hz), 4.32-4.34 (m, 1H), 6.25 (dd, 1H, J=10.0, 2.0 Hz), 7.19-7.58 (m, 25H), 7.66 (s, 1H), 8.23 (s, 1H).

(105) .sup.13C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 19.2, 26.8, 49.9, 53.4, 64.6, 76.9, 77.2, 80.3, 126.6, 127.7, 127.9, 129.2, 129.7, 129.8, 133.3, 135.5, 137.8, 148.3, 159.3.

(106) IR (KBr): v 3055, 2876, 1699, 1587, 1510, 1109, 708 cm.sup.1.

(107) HRMS (ESI) calcd for C.sub.45H.sub.45N.sub.5O.sub.3SiNa (M+Na).sup.+ 754.3189, found 754.3188.

7-OHN-trityl morpholino inosine (5a)

(108) TBDPS was deprotected with 1M TBAF and yield was 81% (FIG. 15).

(109) .sup.1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl.sub.3) 1.61 (t, 1H, J=11.3 Hz), 1.85 (t, 1H, J=10.5 Hz), 3.16 (d, 1H, J=11.5 Hz), 3.43 (d, 1H, J=11.0 Hz), 3.59 (dd, 1H, J=12.0, 6.0 Hz), 3.65 (dd, 1H, J=10.3, 3.8 Hz), 4.33-4.37 (m, 1H), 6.27 (dd, 1H, J=10.0, 2.0 Hz), 7.19 (t, 3H, J=7.3 Hz), 7.30 (t, 6H, J=7.5 Hz), 7.48 (m, 6H), 7.78 (s, 1H), 8.07 (s, 1H);

(110) .sup.13C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO-d.sub.6):

(111) 50.0, 525, 62.4, 76.9, 77.2, 80.4, 124.5, 126.9, 128.4, 129.4, 138.4, 146.5, 148.0, 157.0.

(112) IR (KBr): v 3385, 3084, 2874, 1694, 1587, 1213, 709 cm.sup.1.

(113) HRMS (ESI) calcd for C.sub.29H.sub.27N.sub.5O.sub.3Na (M+Na).sup.+ 516.2012, found 516.2012.

7-O-TBDPS-N-benzylmorpholino thymine (6), 7-O-TBDPS-N-(phenylalanine methyl ester)morpholino thymine (7) and 7-O-TBDPS-N-propargyl-morpholino thymine (8)

(114) These compounds were synthesized according to the procedure mentioned for 1 and amines were used such as benzylamine, methyl ester phenyl alanine and propargyl amine, respectively instead of ammonium biborate (FIG. 15).

7-O-TBDPS-N-benzylmorpholino thymine (6)

(115) Overall yield 62% from starting material.

(116) .sup.1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 1.03 (s, 9H), 1.87 (s, 3H), 1.97 (t, 1H, J=10.3 Hz), 2.05 (t, 1H, J=11.0 Hz), 2.87 (d, 1H, J=11.5 Hz), 2.97 (d, 1H, J=10.5 Hz), 3.58 (dd, 2H, J=20.3, 13.3 Hz), 3.69 (dd, 1H, J=11.0, 5.0 Hz), 3.74 (dd, 1H, J=11.0, 4.5 Hz), 3.93-3.95 (m, 1H), 5.82 (dd, 1H, J=9.8, 2.8 Hz), 7.20 (s, 1H), 7.27-7.37 (m, 9H), 7.40-7.45 (m, 4H), 7.61-7.64 (m, 4H), 7.95 (br s, 1H);

(117) .sup.13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 12.6, 19.4, 26.9, 53.9, 56.4, 62.8, 64.8, 79.8, 110.8, 127.7, 127.8, 128.6, 129.2, 129.9, 133.3, 135.67, 135.69, 135.9, 149.9, 163.6;

(118) IR (KBr): v 3165, 3047, 2928, 1710, 1666, 1263, 1093, 700 cm.sup.1.

(119) HRMS (ESI) calcd for C.sub.33H.sub.41N.sub.3O.sub.4Si (M+H).sup.+ 570.2788, found 570.2783.

7-O-TBDPS-N-(phenylalanine methyl ester) morpholino thymine (7)

(120) Overall yield 78% from starting material.

(121) .sup.1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 0.97 (s, 9H), 1.81 (s, 3H), 2.27 (t, 1H, J=10.3 Hz), 2.44 (t, 1H, J=11.0 Hz), 2.74 (d, 1H, J=11.5 Hz), 2.88 (dd, 1H, J=13.3, 6.3 Hz), 2.98 (dd, 1H, J=13.0, 9.0 Hz), 3.11 (d, 1H, J=10.5 Hz), 3.48 (t, 1H, J=7.0 Hz), 3.55 (s, 3H), 3.64 (ddd, 2H, J=19.5, 11.0, 4.7 Hz), 3.78-3.80 (m, 1H), 5.62 (d, 1H, J=9.5 Hz), 7.11-7.15 (m, 3H), 7.16 (s, 1H), 7.22 (t, 2H, J=7.5 Hz), 7.27-7.30 (m, 4H), 7.33-7.35 (m, 2H), 7.56 (t, 4H, J=9.0 Hz), 8.88 (br s, 1H);

(122) .sup.13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 12.6, 19.4, 27.1, 35.7, 50.7, 51.4, 53.3, 64.7, 68.9, 77.0, 80.3, 110.8, 126.8, 127.87, 127.89, 128.1, 128.2, 128.7, 129.2, 130.0, 130.5, 133.29, 133.33, 135.2, 135.6, 135.7, 135.9, 137.6, 149.99, 150.05, 163.8, 171.6;

(123) IR (KBr): v 3068, 2929, 1691, 1465, 1267, 1111, 702 cm.sup.1.

(124) HRMS (ESI) calcd for C.sub.36H.sub.44N.sub.3O.sub.6Si (M+H).sup.+ 642.2999, found 642.2968.

7-O-TBDPS-N-propargyl-morpholino thymine (8)

(125) Overall yield 71% from starting material.

(126) .sup.1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 0.99 (s, 9H), 1.81 (s, 3H), 2.15 (t, 1H, J=10.5 Hz), 2.23 (t, 1H, J=2.5 Hz), 2.32 (t, 1H, J=11.0 Hz), 2.75 (d, 1H, J=11.5 Hz), 2.85 (d, 1H, J=10.5 Hz), 3.35 (d, 2H, J=1.5 Hz), 3.67 (dd, 1H, J=11.0, 5.0 Hz), 3.71 (dd, 1H, J=10.5, 4.5 Hz), 3.88-3.90 (m, 1H), 5.82 (dd, 1H, J=9.8, 2.8 Hz), 7.14 (s, 1H), 7.28-7.38 (m, 4H), 7.34-7.38 (m, 2H), 7.59 (td, 4H, J=8.3, 2.3 Hz), 8.75 (br s, 1H);

(127) .sup.13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl.sub.3): 12.5, 19.3, 26.8, 29.7, 46.5, 52.4, 54.7, 64.7, 74.3, 76.6, 77.4, 79.7, 110.77, 127.8, 129.9, 133.2, 133.3, 135.6, 135.7, 149.9, 163.6;

(128) IR (KBr): v 3284, 3070, 2930, 1693, 1462, 1105, 702 cm.sup.1.

EXAMPLE 2

Synthesis of 7-Activated Monomers 9a, 9b, 9c & 9d in FIG. 9 and morpholino Oligomers 23 with Neutral Backbone in FIG. 1:

(129) The 7-activated monomers (FIG. 9) and morpholino oligomers (FIG. 1) were synthesized according to the procedure reported by Gene-Tools U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,444, 1993 and Chen, et. al. in Nature Chemical Biology. 2007, 3, 650 (FIG. 20).

EXAMPLE 3

Synthesis of 7-amino Morpholino Monomers 10a, 11a, 12a & 13a in FIG. 10 which are Used for the Synthesis of Cationic-Morpholino-Oligomers

(130) The monomers 1a, 2b, 3b and 4b (reported in FIG. 8) (0.50 mmol) were treated with mesylchloride (0.60 mmol) in pyridine (10 ml) and the mesylated product was converted to the 7-azido-unit in the presence of NaN.sub.3 (1 mmol), DMF (10 ml) and NH.sub.4Cl (1 mmol). The azide was converted to the corresponding amine (10a, 11a, 12a & 13a) by the reduction with 10% Pd/C/H.sub.2 (60 psi) (FIG. 16). The overall yield was from 34-45% in this process.

EXAMPLE 4

Synthesis of 7-Activated Morpholino Monomer 14 (FIG. 11) and Synthesis of Cationic Morpholino (FIG. 2) with the Incorporation of Gaunidinium Linkages (FIG. 17)

(131) The solution of 7-amino monomer 10a (150 mg, 0.311 mmol) (see FIG. 16) in dichloromethane (DCM) was treated with benzoyl isothiocyanate (52 mg, 0.317 mmol). After 30 min, the solvent was evaporated and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to obtain the activated monomer 14 (140 mg) in 70% yield and used in the next step for oligomer synthesis according to T. C. Bruice's method Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 1994, 91, 7864.

(132) The trityl group of monomer 10 (15 mg, 30 mol) was deprotected with 10% HOAc in TFE. The reaction was monitored by TLC. After deprotection, the solvent was evaporated and the residue was dissolved in DMF. The activated monomer 14 (19 mg, 34 mol) and freshly dried diisopropylethylamine (DIEA) (13 L, 75 mol) were then added and the solution was cooled to 0 C. A solution of HgCl.sub.2 (10 mg, 38 mol) in dry DMF was added drop wise and an instant cloudy white precipitate appeared. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1.5 h and diluted with a small amount of MeOH and was filtered through a short pad of celite and evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc, washed with water and brine, dried and concentrated. After purification by silica gel column chromatography, the product 15 (17 mg) was obtained in 68% yield.

(133) Using the same reaction sequence (deprotection and coupling), the trimer 17 and tetramer 18 were synthesized, respectively. The product was purified by silica gel column chromatography and characterized by ESI mass spectroscopy (FIG. 17).

EXAMPLE 5

Synthesis of 7-fluorophore-Conjugated Cationic Morpholino 20 (FIG. 3, FIG. 18)

(134) To a solution of propargyl amine containing FITC (1.3 mg, 3.3 mol) and tetramer 18 (2.7 mg, 1.7 mol) was added 5 L a solution of (1 mM TBTA-CuSO.sub.4, 10 L in DMSO and Na-ascorbate 10 L in water) and was stirred for 15 hrs. The solvent was removed and purified by preparative TLC.

(135) The trityl group was deprotected with 10% HOAc in TFE (100 L) for 4 hrs. After removing the solvent, the free 4-NH was protected with acetyl group using acetic anhydride (5.1 mol) and triethylamine (5.1 mol).

(136) The benzoyl groups were removed by K.sub.2CO.sub.3, MeOH and water (1:1) for three hours. The product 20 was purified by RP-HPLC (C18 column, elution with 3% aq. HOAc in acetonitrile). The compound (31% yield) was characterized by ESI mass spectroscopy (FIG. 18).

EXAMPLE 6

Synthesis of 7-azido-4-fluorophore-Conjugated Cationic Morpholino 22 (FIG. 4, FIG. 19):

(137) The trityl group of 18 (2 mg, 1.23 mol) was removed by 10% HOAc in TFE and the solvent was removed. The residue was dissolved in DMF and coupled with N-trifluoroacetyl aminocaproic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (1.2 mg, 3.7 mol) in the presence of Et.sub.3N. The compound 21 was purified by preparative TLC and the benzoyl and trifluoroacetyl groups were removed by 5% K.sub.2CO.sub.3 in MeOH and water (1:1). The same solution was used for the coupling with FITC. The compound 22 was purified by HPLC (C18 column, elution with 3% HOAc in acetonitrile). The compound (33% yield) was characterized by ESI mass spectroscopy (FIG. 19).

EXAMPLE 7

Synthesis of Partially Cationic Morpholino 25 by the Conjugation of Cationic Morpholino with Neutral Morpholino (FIG. 5, FIG. 21)

(138) The compound 23 (T.sub.8-morpholino) (10 mg, 3.8 mol) obtained in FIG. 20 was treated with N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of hexynoic acid (12 mol) in the presence of Et.sub.3N in DMF to obtain the compound 24 which was triturated with ether and ethylacetate to remove unwanted reagents. This was then conjugated with 7-azido-fluorophore-conjugated morpholino 22 by click reaction. The partially cationic morpholino 25 (Type 1) was then dried and triturated with MeOH. After trituration, the residue was dissolved in aq. NH.sub.4OH to pH 8 and loaded in cation exchange resin column (Dowex resin) and washed with water, MeOH then elution with 50% aq. NH.sub.4OH, in MeOH. The yellowish green color solution was then loaded into Q-Sepharose fast flow column and elution was with 2% HOAc in water. The solvent was removed in reduced pressure and dissolved in 10% aq. NH.sub.4OH solution. The compound 25 was obtained in 55% yield calculated based on a UV-VIS spectrometer (=493 nm, =93,000 cm-.sup.1 M.sup.1) and was characterized by ESI mass spectroscopy (FIG. 21).

EXAMPLE 8

Synthesis of 5-iodo-N-trit-U-morpholino Monomer (27) (FIG. 22)

(139) The N-trit-U-morpholino 26 was treated with ICl in MeOH and the reaction was monitored by TLC. The solvent was removed and dissolved in dichloromethane (DCM), washed with 5% aq. sodium bicarbonate, sodium thiosulfate and brine. The solvent was removed and dissolved in dry DCM and treated with Et.sub.3N (1.5 equiv) and the iodo compound 27 was purified by column chromatography and characterized.

EXAMPLE 9

Synthesis of 7-TBDPS-5-iodo-N-trit-C(N4-Ac)-morpholino Monomer (30) (FIG. 22)

(140) The compound 28 was treated with I.sub.2, iodic acid in CCl.sub.4 and HOAc (1:1) and stirred at room temperature for 40 hrs. The compound 29 was extracted in dichloromethane and dried. It was then protected with trityl group in the presence of trityl chloride and Et.sub.3N in DMF. The compound 30 was then purified by column chromatography and characterized.

EXAMPLE 10

Alkynylation and Alkylation for the Preparation of Compounds 28a, 28b, 29a, 29b, 31a, 31b, 32a, 32b (FIG. 22)

(141) The alkynylation was done according to the procedure reported by Hobbs, F. W. J. Org. Chem. 1989, 54, 3420 and the alkyne group was reduced in the presence of 10% Pd/C/H.sub.2 in 1 atm pressure. All these compounds were purified by column chromatography on silica gel and characterized.

EXAMPLE 11

Synthesis of 7-Activated Morpholino Monomers of 5-Substituted Pyrimidines 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b, 35a, 35b, 36a, 36b (FIG. 12, FIG. 23) and the Morpholino Oligos, Type 2 and Type 3 (FIG. 6 and FIG. 24)

(142) The 7-activated monomers (FIG. 12) and the morpholino oligos were synthesized according to the procedure reported by Gene-Tools U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,444, 1993 and Chen, et. al. in Nature Chemical Biology. 2007, 3, 650 (FIG. 23 and 24).

(143) The morpholino oligomers (pentamer, 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d and 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d) were purified by preparative TLC and obtained in pure form.

(144) Detritylation of 39c, 39d and 40c, 40d by 4% HOAc in TFE followed by acetylation by acetic anhydride/Et.sub.3N and deprotection of trifluoroacetyl groups by K.sub.2CO.sub.3, MeOH, H.sub.2O (1:1) gave the oligos such as: 41a, 41b and 42a, 42b, respectively and purified by passing through cation exchange resin (Dowex). The compound was eluted with 20% NH.sub.4OH in methanol and fractions were analyzed with a UV-VIS spectrometer (=260 nm) and characterized by ESI-MS (FIG. 24).

EXAMPLE 12

Synthesis of Type 2 Cationic Morpholinos: Introduction of Cationic Charge by Guanidinium Groups to the Pyrimidine Bases and Conjugated with Fluorophore at 4-End (FIG. 25)

(145) The pentamer 39c or 39d (5 mol) was treated with K.sub.2CO.sub.3 in MeOH/H.sub.2O (1:1). The free amine containing morpholinos was then converted to the guanidinium groups using the methodology reported by Wender, P. et. al. Org. Lett. 2001, 3, 3232 to obtain 43 or 44. The solvent was removed and the dry mass was washed with acetonitrile and dried. The compound 44 was then treated with 4% HOAc/TFE to remove trityl group. It was dried and washed with acetonitrile and the dry mass was dissolved in DMF/Et.sub.3N mixture and treated with N-trifluoroacetyl-amino caproic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (10 mol). After 14 hrs, the solvent was removed and washed with acetonitrile. The residue was then dissolved in MeOH/H.sub.2O mixture in the presence of Na.sub.2CO.sub.3 and treated with FITC and the fluorophore-conjugated material was purified by cation exchange resin (Dowex), elution was with 50% NH.sub.4OH in MeOH to obtain 45. The compound 45 was obtained in 40% yield calculated based on a UV-VIS spectrometer (=493 nm, =93,000 cm-.sup.1 M.sup.1) and was characterized by ESI mass spectroscopy (FIG. 25).

EXAMPLE 13

Cellular Transfection Properties of Fluorophore-Conjugated Cationic Morpholinos in Hela Cell

(146) Tissue culture was carried out at 37 C. in a humidified atmosphere of 5% carbon dioxide and 95% air.

(147) HeLa cells were grown in 210-cm dishes, each of which contained 9 mL of 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS)-supplemented Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM). After two days, cells were trypsinized and made a pellet and the cells were dispersed in 24 mL same media and subcultured in 24-well plate (1 mL/well). After 15 hrs, the fluorophore-conjugated morpholino 20 was added in varying concentrations (7.5, 15, 37.5, 75, 150, 375, 750 and 1500 nM) and cells were incubated at 37 C. for 15 hrs until 40% confluency. After removal of medium, the cells were Washed twice with 1 mL phosphate buffered saline at pH 7.4 (PBS) and were observed under fluorescence microscopy, OLYMPUS IX-51.

EXAMPLE 14

In Vivo Testing of the Compounds Using Zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a Model Organism

(148) The morpholinos of the present invention is tested in whole embryo assays in zebrafish wherein the fertilized eggs are transferred into water containing morpholino oligos in effective concentrations and observed its transfection properties during development (24 hpf, hr post fertilization).

(149) It is thus possible by way of the present invention to provide for new and improved highly stable partially cationic/completely neutral morpholino-based antisense agent might be having higher activity and selectivity with regard to better transfection efficiency and more specific gene regulation and its method of synthesis. As discussed hereinbefore the said method of synthesis to achieve the product of the invention is easy, fast, cost-effective in involving lesser number of ingredients in the said synthetic steps. The improved partially cationic morpholino-based antisense agent of the present invention is advantageously soluble in culture medium and is sufficient for cell penetration thus eliminating the need for injecting the antisense agents into the cells. Also, it is possible by way of the present invention to achieve the synthesis of the new cationic morpholino-based antisense agents that are conjugated to dyes, fluorophore and drug molecules to facilitate the study of their cellular transfection properties and open up avenues for new synthetic methodology for the synthesis of morpholino monomers.