Synthesis of cationic glucosamino nucleic acids for stabilizing oligonucleotides.

Glucosamino nucleic acids (GANAs) bearing a β-N-glycoside bond between carbon 1 of the glucosamine and the nucleobase nitrogen were synthesized and incorporated into oligonucleotides (4',6'-GANA and 3',6'-GANA). The thermal stability of oligonucleotide duplexes containing the GANA zwitterionic nucleotides was also investigated.