Therapeutic UNA oligomers and uses thereof

Abstract
This invention provides UNA oligomers for regulating the expression of a target gene. The UNA oligomers contain UNA monomer linkers, and may contain one or more nucleotides modified with a 2′-O-methyl group, one or more nucleotides modified with a 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro group, and one or more phosphorothioate or chiral phosphorothioate intermonomer linkages. UNA oligomers can be used as active agents for preventing or treating disease.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the fields of biopharmaceuticals and therapeutics composed of oligomers for gene silencing. More particularly, this invention relates to methods, structures and compositions for oligomers that are stable, long acting agents for gene regulation.


SEQUENCE LISTING

This application includes a Sequence Listing submitted electronically as an ASCII file, named ARC1321WO_SL.txt, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A problem for RNA interference methodologies has been to provide structures having long lifetimes in vivo for longer acting therapeutic agents. One challenge is to develop delivery agents that maintain the active agent in the circulation for longer periods, or in other biological environments.


Conventional approaches to the problem include incorporating modifications into the nucleotides of a siRNA or other nucleic acid agent to enhance its longevity. However, these methods must avoid a significant trade-off of activity for stability.


Another drawback of conventional methods is the limited availability of structural modifications that can be incorporated into nucleotides.


Moreover, nucleotides with structural modifications have so far provided only marginal improvement in the properties of gene silencing and RNA agents.


What is needed are structures and compositions that provide stable, long acting pharmaceutical ingredients for gene silencing and therapeutic strategies.


There is a continuing need for molecules that are active in RNA interference, as well as other modalities, with structures that provide long lifetimes in vivo for longer acting galenic agents.


BRIEF SUMMARY

This invention provides oligomer structures for therapeutic agents that are long acting in their effect on gene regulation and modulation when used in vitro or administered in vivo.


The oligomeric structures of this invention can contain one or more UNA monomers.


This invention provides structures, methods and compositions for UNA-containing oligomeric agents that incorporate UNA monomers. The UNA oligomeric molecules of this invention can be used as active agents in formulations for gene silencing therapeutics.


Among other things, this invention provides unique oligomer structures that incorporate novel combinations of UNA monomers with certain natural nucleotides, non-natural nucleotides, modified nucleotides, or chemically-modified nucleotides.


Aspects of this disclosure include UNA Oligomers that are pharmacologically active molecules. The UNA Oligomers of this invention can be used as single-stranded or double-stranded active pharmaceutical ingredients for regulating or modulating gene expression, and in RNA interference methods, as well as antisense strategies.


Embodiments of this disclosure provide a wide range of novel UNA oligomer molecules, which incorporate one or more UNA monomers.


In some aspects, this invention provides long acting UNA oligomers having structures that incorporate novel combinations of UNA monomers with certain natural nucleotides, non-natural nucleotides, modified nucleotides, or chemically-modified nucleotides.


In further aspects, this invention provides therapeutics for preventing, ameliorating, or treating a disease.


In additional aspects, a compound of this invention may be used in the manufacture of a medicament for, or in the prevention or treatment of a viral infection including hepatitis, amyloidosis and related diseases, a cancer, a metabolic disease, an inflammatory disease, a liver disease, a heart disease, a skin disease, or a bone disease.


Embodiments of this invention include the following:


A UNA oligomer having a first strand and a second strand, each of the strands being 19-29 monomers in length, the monomers comprising UNA monomers and nucleic acid monomers, wherein the oligomer has a duplex structure of from 14 to 29 monomers in length, wherein the second strand is a guide strand for RNA interference and the first strand is a passenger strand for RNA interference, and wherein the UNA oligomer reduces expression of a target gene.


A UNA oligomer can have one or more chemical modifications of one or more of the nucleic acid monomers in each strand. In some embodiments, a oligomer can contain one or more nucleotides modified with a 2′-O-methyl group, or from one to nine nucleotides modified with a 2′-O-methyl group, or one or more nucleotides modified with a 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro group, or one or more of the intermonomer linkages in either strand being a phosphorothioate or chiral phosphorothioate linkage.


A UNA oligomer can be targeted to any human, bacterial or viral target gene, including a viral gene of Hepatitis B virus, TTR, APOB, PCSK9, and APOC3, among others.


In some embodiments, a UNA oligomer can have long lasting activity in vitro.


In certain embodiments, a UNA oligomer can have long lasting potency in vivo.


Embodiments of this invention include pharmaceutical compositions having one or more UNA oligomers and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent, or adjuvant.


Uses of a UNA oligomer include to regulate expression of a target gene.


In some aspects, a use of a UNA oligomer can include preventing or treating Hepatitis B infection, amyloid neuropathy, amyloidosis, amyloidosis related to transthyretin, hypercholesterolemia, cholesterol disorder, hypertriglyceridemia, or lipoprotein disorder in a subject in need thereof.


In certain embodiments, a use of a UNA oligomer can include the preparation of a medicament for a therapeutic target.


In certain aspects, a use of a UNA oligomer can include the preparation of a medicament for decreasing expression level of a target mRNA in a cell.







DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides oligomer structures for therapeutic agents that are long acting in their effect on gene regulation when used in vitro or administered in vivo. The oligomeric structures of this invention contain one or more UNA monomers.


This invention provides structures, methods and compositions for UNA monomer-containing oligomeric agents that incorporate UNA monomers. The UNA oligomeric molecules of this invention can be used as active agents in formulations for gene silencing therapeutics.


Among other things, this invention provides unique oligomer structures that incorporate novel combinations of UNA monomers with certain natural nucleotides, non-natural nucleotides, modified nucleotides, or chemically-modified nucleotides.


Aspects of this disclosure include UNA monomer-containing oligomers that are pharmacologically active molecules. The UNA Oligomers of this invention can be used as active pharmaceutical ingredients for regulating or modulating gene expression, RNA interference methods, as well as antisense strategies.


Embodiments of this disclosure provide a wide range of novel UNA oligomer molecules, which incorporate one or more UNA monomer linkers.


In some aspects, this invention provides long acting UNA Oligomers having structures that incorporate novel combinations of UNA Monomers with certain natural nucleotides, non-natural nucleotides, modified nucleotides, or chemically-modified nucleotides.


In some aspects, this invention provides long acting properties for gene silencing drugs, and can reduce the dose levels required for efficacious therapy.


In certain aspects, this invention can provide UNA oligomers having increased activity in vitro.


In some embodiments, this invention can provide UNA oligomers having increased potency in vivo.


In additional embodiments, this invention can provide UNA oligomers having longer functional half-life.


In certain embodiments, this invention can provide UNA oligomers having long lasting activity in vitro.


In particular embodiments, this invention can provide UNA oligomers having long lasting potency in vivo.


Embodiments of this invention may further provide UNA oligomers having increased enzymatic stability.


UNA oligomers of this disclosure can provide enhanced stability, in vitro and in vivo, for modulating gene expression.


In further aspects of this invention, UNA oligomers can exhibit reduced side effects as agents for treatment of a disease or condition. In some embodiments, a UNA oligomer can exhibit reduced off target effects as an agent for treating a disease, or in vitro.


UNA Monomers


UNA monomers are small organic molecules based on a propane-1,2,3-tri-yl-trisoxy structure as shown below:




embedded image



where R1 and R2 are H, and R1 and R2 can be phosphodiester linkages, Base can be a nucleobase, and R3 is a functional group described below.


In another view, the UNA monomer main atoms can be drawn in IUPAC notation as follows:




embedded image



where the direction of progress of the oligomer chain is from the 1-end to the 3-end of the propane residue.


Examples of a nucleobase include uracil, thymine, cytosine, 5-methylcytosine, adenine, guanine, inosine, and natural and non-natural nucleobase analogues.


In general, because the UNA monomers are not nucleotides, they can exhibit at least four forms in an oligomer. First, a UNA monomer can be an internal monomer in an oligomer, where the UNA monomer is flanked by other monomers on both sides. In this form, the UNA monomer can participate in base pairing when the oligomer is a duplex, for example, and there are other monomers with nucleobases in the duplex.


Examples of UNA monomer as internal monomers flanked at both the propane-1-yl position and the propane-3-yl position, where R3 is —OH, are shown below.




embedded image


embedded image


Second, a UNA monomer can be a monomer in an overhang of an oligomer duplex, where the UNA monomer is flanked by other monomers on both sides. In this form, the UNA monomer does not participate in base pairing. Because the UNA monomers are flexible organic structures, unlike nucleotides, the overhang containing a UNA monomer will be a flexible terminator for the oligomer.


A UNA monomer can be a terminal monomer in an overhang of an oligomer, where the UNA monomer is attached to only one monomer at either the propane-1-yl position or the propane-3-yl position. In this form, the UNA monomer does not participate in base pairing. Because the UNA monomers are flexible organic structures, unlike nucleotides, the overhang containing a UNA monomer can be a flexible terminator for the oligomer.


Examples of a UNA monomer as a terminal monomer attached at the propane-3-yl position are shown below.




embedded image


Because a UNA monomer can be a flexible molecule, a UNA monomer as a terminal monomer can assume widely differing conformations. An example of an energy minimized UNA monomer conformation as a terminal monomer attached at the propane-3-yl position is shown below.




embedded image



Thus, UNA oligomers having a terminal UNA monomer are significantly different in structure from conventional nucleic acid agents, such as siRNAs. For example, siRNAs may require that terminal monomers or overhangs in a duplex be stabilized. In contrast, the conformability of a terminal UNA monomer can provide UNA oligomers with different properties.


Among other things, the structure of the UNA monomer allows it to be attached to naturally-occurring nucleotides. A UNA oligomer can be a chain composed of UNA monomers, as well as various nucleotides that may be based on naturally-occurring nucleosides.


In some embodiments, the functional group R3 of a UNA monomer can be —OR4, —SR4, —NR42, —NH(C═O)R4, morpholino, morpholin-1-yl, piperazin-1-yl, or 4-alkanoyl-piperazin-1-yl, where R4 is the same or different for each occurrence, and can be H, alkyl, a cholesterol, a lipid molecule, a polyamine, an amino acid, or a polypeptide.


The UNA monomers are organic molecules. UNA monomers are not nucleic acid monomers or nucleotides, nor are they naturally-occurring nucleosides or modified naturally-occurring nucleosides.


A UNA oligomer of this invention is a synthetic chain molecule. A UNA oligomer of this invention is not a nucleic acid, nor an oligonucleotide.


In some embodiments, as shown above, a UNA monomer can be UNA-A (designated Ã), UNA-U (designated Ũ), UNA-C (designated Č), and UNA-G (designated Ğ).


Designations that may be used herein include mA, mG, mC, and mU, which refer to the 2′-O-methyl modified ribonucleotides.


Designations that may be used herein include lower case c and u, which refer to the 2′-O-methyl modified ribonucleotides.


Designations that may be used herein include dT, which refers to a 2′-deoxy T nucleotide.


Designations that may be used herein include *, which refers to a phosphorothioate linkage.


Monomers for UNA Oligomers


As used herein, in the context of oligomer sequences, the symbol X represents a UNA monomer.


As used herein, in the context of oligomer sequences, the symbol N represents any natural nucleotide monomer, or a modified nucleotide monomer.


As used herein, in the context of oligomer sequences, the symbol Q represents a non-natural, modified, or chemically-modified nucleotide monomer.


When a Q monomer appears in one strand of the oligomer, and is unpaired with the other strand, the monomer can have any base attached. When a Q monomer appears in one strand of the oligomer, and is paired with a monomer in the other strand, the Q monomer can have any base attached that would be complementary to the monomer in the corresponding paired position in the other strand.


Examples of nucleic acid monomers include non-natural, modified, and chemically-modified nucleotides, including any such nucleotides known in the art.


Examples of non-natural, modified, and chemically-modified nucleotide monomers include 2′-O-methyl ribonucleotides, 2′-O-methyl purine nucleotides, 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro ribonucleotides, 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro pyrimidine nucleotides, 2′-deoxy ribonucleotides, 2′-deoxy purine nucleotides, universal base nucleotides, 5-C-methyl-nucleotides, and inverted deoxyabasic monomer residues.


Examples of non-natural, modified, and chemically-modified nucleotide monomers include 3′-end stabilized nucleotides, 3′-glyceryl nucleotides, 3′-inverted abasic nucleotides, and 3′-inverted thymidine.


Examples of non-natural, modified, and chemically-modified nucleotide monomers include locked nucleic acid nucleotides (LNA), 2′-O, 4′-C-methylene-(D-ribofuranosyl) nucleotides, 2′-methoxyethoxy (MOE) nucleotides, 2′-methyl-thio-ethyl, 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro nucleotides, and 2′-O-methyl nucleotides.


Examples of non-natural, modified, and chemically-modified nucleotide monomers include 2′,4′-Constrained 2′-O-Methoxyethyl (cMOE) and 2′-O-Ethyl (cEt) modified DNAs.


Examples of non-natural, modified, and chemically-modified nucleotide monomers include 2′-amino nucleotides, 2′-O-amino nucleotides, 2′-C-allyl nucleotides, and 2′-O-allyl nucleotides.


Examples of non-natural, modified, and chemically-modified nucleotide monomers include N6-methyladenosine nucleotides.


Examples of non-natural, modified, and chemically-modified nucleotide monomers include nucleotide monomers with modified bases 5-(3-amino)propyluridine, 5-(2-mercapto)ethyluridine, 5-bromouridine; 8-bromoguanosine, or 7-deazaadenosine.


Examples of non-natural, modified, and chemically-modified nucleotide monomers include 2′-O-aminopropyl substituted nucleotides.


Examples of non-natural, modified, and chemically-modified nucleotide monomers include replacing the 2′-OH group of a nucleotide with a 2′-R, a 2′-OR, a 2′-halogen, a 2′-SR, or a 2′-amino, where R can be H, alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl.


Some examples of modified nucleotides are given in Saenger, Principles of Nucleic Acid Structure, Springer-Verlag, 1984.


UNA Oligomeric Compounds Containing UNA Monomer Linkers


Aspects of this invention can provide structures and compositions for UNA-containing oligomeric compounds. The oligomeric agents may incorporate one or more UNA monomers. Oligomeric molecules of this invention can be used as active agents in formulations for gene regulating or gene silencing therapeutics.


An oligomer can be single stranded, or double stranded, or may have additional strands or non-strand structures.


In some embodiments, this invention provides oligomeric compounds having a structure that incorporates novel combinations of UNA monomers with certain natural nucleotides, non-natural nucleotides, modified nucleotides, or chemically-modified nucleotides.


In further aspects, the oligomeric compounds can be pharmacologically active molecules. A UNA oligomer of this invention can be used as an active pharmaceutical ingredient for regulating or modulating gene expression, and in RNA interference methods, as well as antisense, RNA blocking, and micro-RNA strategies.


A UNA oligomer of this invention can have the structure of Formula I




embedded image



wherein L1 is a linkage, n is from 19 to 29, and for each occurrence L2 is a UNA linker group having the formula —C1—C2—C3—, where R is attached to C2 and has the formula —OCH(CH2R3)R5, where R3 is —OR4, —SR4, —NR42, —NH(C═O)R4, morpholino, morpholin-1-yl, piperazin-1-yl, or 4-alkanoyl-piperazin-1-yl, where R4 is the same or different for each occurrence and is H, alkyl, a cholesterol, a lipid molecule, a polyamine, an amino acid, or a polypeptide, and where R5 is a nucleobase, or L2(R) is a sugar such as a ribose and R is a nucleobase, or L2 is a modified sugar such as a modified ribose and R is a nucleobase. In certain embodiments, a nucleobase can be a modified nucleobase. L1 can be a phosphodiester linkage.


A UNA oligomer of this invention can be a short chain molecule. A UNA oligomer can be a duplex pair. Thus, a UNA oligomer can have a first strand of the duplex and a second strand of the duplex, which is complementary to the first strand, with respect to the nucleobases, although up to three mismatches can occur. A UNA oligomer duplex can have overhangs.


In some embodiments, a 3′ overhang can be present on both strands, which can be 2 monomers in length. For example, a 3′ overhang can be TT or uu.


Some UNA oligomers are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,314,227, as well as US Patent Publication No. 20110313020 A1.


The target of a UNA oligomer can be a target nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the target can be any mRNA of a subject. A UNA oligomer can be active for gene silencing in RNA interference.


A UNA oligomer may comprise two strands that together provide a duplex. The duplex may be composed of a first strand, which may also be referred to as a passenger strand or sense strand, and a second strand, which may also be referred to as a guide strand or antisense strand.


In some aspects, a UNA oligomer of this invention can have any number of phosphorothioate intermonomer linkages in any position in any strand, or in both strands of a duplex structure.


In some embodiments, any one or more of the intermonomer linkages of a UNA oligomer can be a phosphodiester, a phosphorothioate including dithioates, a chiral phosphorothioate, and other chemically modified forms.


Examples of UNA oligomers of this invention include duplex pairs, which are in general complementary. Thus, for example, SEQ ID NO:1 can represent a first strand of a duplex and SEQ ID NO:2 can represent a second strand of the duplex, which is complementary to the first strand.


For example, the symbol “N” in the first strand can represent any nucleotide that is complementary to the monomer in the corresponding position in the second strand. Example UNA oligomers of this disclosure are shown with 2-monomer length overhangs, although overhangs of from 1 to 8 monomers, or longer, can be used.


The symbol “X” in a strand or oligomer represents a UNA monomer.


When a UNA monomer appears in one strand of the oligomer, and is unpaired with the other strand, the monomer can have any base attached. When a UNA monomer appears in one strand of the oligomer, and is paired with a monomer in the other strand, the UNA monomer can have any base attached that would be complementary to the monomer in the corresponding paired position in the other strand.


Further, when the oligomer terminates in a UNA monomer, the terminal position has a 1-end, according to the positional numbering shown above, instead of a 5′-end as for a nucleotide, or the terminal position has a 3-end, according to the positional numbering shown above, instead of a 3′-end as for a nucleotide. For example, the UNA oligomer









SEQ ID NO: 1


1-X·N·N·N·N·N·N·N·N·N·N·N·N·N·N·N·N·N·N·N-X·X-3





SEQ ID NO: 2


3-X·X·N·N·N·N·N·N·N·N·N·N·N·X·X·X·X·X·X·X·N-5′










has a UNA monomer 1-end on the first strand, a UNA monomer 3-end on the first strand, a UNA monomer 3-end on the second strand, and a nucleotide 5′-end on the second strand.


In some embodiments, a UNA oligomer of this invention can have one or more UNA monomers at the 1-end of the first strand, and one or more UNA monomers at the 3-end of the first strand.


In further embodiments, a UNA oligomer of this invention can have one or more UNA monomers at the 3-end of the second strand.


In certain embodiments, a duplex UNA oligomer of this invention can have one or more UNA monomers at the 1-end of the first strand, one or more UNA monomers at the 3-end of the first strand, and one or more UNA monomers at the 3-end of the second strand.


A UNA oligomer of this invention the oligomer may have a first strand and a second strand, each of the strands independently being 19-23 monomers in length.


In certain embodiments, a UNA oligomer of this invention may have a first strand that is 19-23 monomers in length.


In certain embodiments, a UNA oligomer of this invention may have a duplex region that is 19-21 monomers in length.


In further embodiments, a UNA oligomer of this invention may have a second strand that is 19-23 monomers in length.


In certain embodiments, a UNA oligomer of this invention may have a first strand that is 19 monomers in length, and a second strand that is 21 monomers in length.


In certain embodiments, a UNA oligomer of this invention may have a first strand that is 20 monomers in length, and a second strand that is 21 monomers in length.


In certain embodiments, a UNA oligomer of this invention may have a first strand that is 21 monomers in length, and a second strand that is 21 monomers in length.


In certain embodiments, a UNA oligomer of this invention may have a first strand that is 22 monomers in length, and a second strand that is 21 monomers in length.


A UNA oligomer of this invention for inhibiting gene expression can have a first strand and a second strand, each of the strands being 19-29 monomers in length. The monomers can be UNA monomers and nucleic acid monomers. The oligomer can have a duplex structure of from 14 to 29 monomers in length. The UNA oligomer can be targeted to a target gene and can exhibit reduced off-target effects as compared to a conventional siRNA. In some embodiments, a UNA oligomer of this invention can have a first strand and a second strand, each of the strands being 19-23 monomers in length.


In another aspect, the UNA oligomer may have a blunt end, or may have one or more overhangs. In some embodiments, the first and second strands may be connected with a connecting oligomer in between the strands, and form a duplex region with a connecting loop at one end.


In certain embodiments, an overhang can be one or two monomers in length.


A UNA oligomer can mediate cleavage of a target nucleic acid in a cell. In some processes, the second strand of the UNA oligomer, at least a portion of which can be complementary to the target nucleic acid, can act as a guide strand that can hybridize to the target nucleic acid.


The second strand can be incorporated into an RNA Induced Silencing Complex (RISC).


A UNA oligomer of this disclosure may comprise naturally-occurring nucleic acid nucleotides, and modifications thereof that are compatible with gene silencing activity.


In some aspects, a UNA oligomer is a double stranded construct molecule that is able to inhibit gene expression.


As used herein, the term strand refers to a single, contiguous chain of monomers, the chain having any number of internal monomers and two end monomers, where each end monomer is attached to one internal monomer on one side, and is not attached to a monomer on the other side, so that it ends the chain.


The monomers of a UNA oligomer may be attached via phosphodiester linkages, phosphorothioate linkages, gapped linkages, and other variations.


In some embodiments, a UNA oligomer can include mismatches in complementarity between the first and second strands. In other embodiments, a UNA oligomer may have 1, or 2, or 3 mismatches. The mismatches may occur at any position in the duplex region.


The target of a UNA oligomer can be a target nucleic acid of a target gene.


A UNA oligomer may have one or two overhangs outside the duplex region. The overhangs can be an unpaired portion at the end of the first strand or second strand. The lengths of the overhang portions of the first and second strands can be the same or different.


A UNA oligomer may have at least one blunt end. A blunt end does not have an overhang portion, and the duplex region at a blunt end terminates at the same position for both the first and second strands.


A UNA oligomer can be RISC length, which means that it has a duplex length of less than 25 base pairs.


In certain embodiments, a UNA oligomer can be a single strand that folds upon itself and hybridizes to itself to form a double stranded region having a connecting loop at the end of the double stranded region.


Examples of UNA oligomers containing five UNA Monomers, and which may contain one or more Q monomers are shown in Table 1.









TABLE 1







5X UNA oligomers enriched in Q monomers








SEQ



ID



NO:
OLIGOMER











3
  X•Q•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


4
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





5
  X•Q•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


6
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





7
  X•Q•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


8
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





9
  X•Q•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


10
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





11
  X•Q•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


12
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





13
  X•Q•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


14
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





15
  X•Q•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


16
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





17
  X•Q•N•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


18
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





19
  X•Q•N•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


20
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





21
  X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


22
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





23
  X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•X


24
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





25
  X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•X


26
X•X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





27
  X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•X


28
X•X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q





29
  X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•X•X


30
X•X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q









Examples of UNA oligomers containing four UNA Monomers that are enriched in Q monomers are shown in Table 2.









TABLE 2







4X UNA oligomers enriched in Q monomers








SEQ



ID



NO:
OLIGOMER





31
  X•Q•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


32
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





33
  X•Q•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


34
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





35
  X•Q•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


36
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





37
  X•Q•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


38
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





39
  X•Q•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


40
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





41
  X•Q•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


42
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





43
  X•Q•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


44
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





45
  X•Q•N•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


46
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





47
  X•Q•N•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


48
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





49
  X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


50
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





51
  X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•Q


52
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





53
  X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•Q


54
X•X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





55
  X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•Q


56
X•X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q





57
  X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•X•Q


58
X•X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q









Examples of UNA oligomers containing four UNA Monomers that are enriched in Q monomers are shown in Table 3.









TABLE 3







4X UNA oligomers enriched in Q monomers








SEQ



ID



NO:
OLIGOMER





59
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


60
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





61
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


62
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





63
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


64
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





65
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


66
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





67
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


68
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





69
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


70
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





71
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


72
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





73
    X•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


74
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





75
    X•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


76
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





77
    X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


78
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





79
    X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•X


80
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





81
    X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•X


82
Q•X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





83
    X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•X


84
Q•X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q





85
    X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•X•X


86
Q•X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q









Examples of UNA oligomers containing three UNA Monomers that are enriched in Q monomers are shown in Table 4.









TABLE 4







3X UNA oligomers enriched in Q monomers








SEQ



ID



NO:
OLIGOMER











87
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


88
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





89
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


90
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





91
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


92
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





93
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


94
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





95
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


96
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





97
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


98
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





99
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


100
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





101
    X•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


102
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





103
    X•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


104
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





105
    X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


106
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





107
    X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•Q


108
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





109
    X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•Q


110
Q•X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q





111
    X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•Q


112
Q•X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q





113
    X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•X•Q


114
Q•X•Q•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•N•Q









Examples of UNA oligomers containing six UNA Monomers that are enriched in Q monomers are shown in Table 5.









TABLE 5







6X UNA oligomers enriched in Q monomers








SEQ



ID



NO:
OLIGOMER





115
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


116
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•X•Q





117
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


118
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•N•Q





119
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


120
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•X•Q•N•Q





121
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


122
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•N•Q•N•Q





123
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


124
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q





125
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


126
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





127
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


128
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q









Examples of UNA oligomers containing seven UNA Monomers that are enriched in Q monomers are shown in Table 6.









TABLE 6







7X UNA oligomers enriched in Q monomers








SEQ



ID



NO:
OLIGOMER





129
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


130
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X•Q





131
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


132
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•X•Q•X•Q





133
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


134
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•N•Q•X•Q





135
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


136
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•X•Q•N•X•N•Q





137
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


138
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X•Q•N•Q





139
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


140
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•N•Q•X•Q•N•Q





141
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


142
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•X•X•N•Q•N•Q









Examples of UNA oligomers containing five UNA Monomers that are enriched in Q monomers are shown in Table 7.









TABLE 7







5X UNA oligomers enriched in Q monomers








SEQ



ID



NO:
OLIGOMER





143
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


144
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•X•Q





145
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


146
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•N•Q





147
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


148
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•X•Q•N•Q





149
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


150
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•N•Q•N•Q





151
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


152
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q





153
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


154
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





155
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


156
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q









Examples of UNA oligomers containing six UNA Monomers that are enriched in Q monomers are shown in Table 8.









TABLE 8







6X UNA oligomers enriched in Q monomers








SEQ



ID



NO:
OLIGOMER





157
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


158
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X•Q





159
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


160
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•X•Q•X•Q





161
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


162
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•N•Q•X•Q





163
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


164
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•X•Q•N•X•N•Q





165
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


166
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X•Q•N•Q





167
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


168
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•N•Q•X•Q•N•Q





169
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


170
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•X•X•N•Q•N•Q









Examples of UNA oligomers containing five UNA Monomers that are enriched in Q monomers are shown in Table 9.









TABLE 9







5X UNA oligomers enriched in Q monomers








SEQ



ID



NO:
OLIGOMER





171
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


172
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•X•Q





173
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


174
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•N•Q





175
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


176
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•X•Q•N•Q





177
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


178
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•N•Q•N•Q





179
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


180
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q





181
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


182
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





183
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


184
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q









Examples of UNA oligomers containing six UNA Monomers that are enriched in Q monomers are shown in Table 10.









TABLE 10







6X UNA oligomers enriched in Q monomers








SEQ



ID



NO:
OLIGOMER





185
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


186
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X•Q





187
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


188
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•X•Q•X•Q





189
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


190
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•N•Q•X•Q





191
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


192
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•X•Q•N•X•N•Q





193
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


194
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X•Q•N•Q





195
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


196
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•N•Q•X•Q•N•Q





197
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


198
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•X•X•N•Q•N•Q









Examples of UNA oligomers containing four UNA Monomers that are enriched in Q monomers are shown in Table 11.









TABLE 11







4XUNA oligomers enriched in Q monomers








SEQ



ID



NO:
OLIGOMER





199
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


200
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•X•Q





201
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


202
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•N•Q





203
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


204
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•X•Q•N•Q





205
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


206
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•N•Q•N•Q





207
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


208
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q





209
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


210
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q





211
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


212
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q









Examples of UNA Oligomers containing five UNA Monomers that are enriched in Q monomers are shown in Table 12.









TABLE 12







5X UNA oligomers enriched in Q monomers








SEQ



ID



NO:
OLIGOMER





213
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


214
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X•Q





215
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


216
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•X•Q•X•Q





217
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


218
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•N•Q•X•Q





219
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


220
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•X•Q•N•X•N•Q





221
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


222
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X•Q•N•Q





223
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


224
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•N•Q•X•Q•N•Q





225
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


226
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•X•X•N•Q•N•Q









Examples of UNA oligomers containing seven or more UNA Monomers that are enriched in Q monomers are shown in Table 13.









TABLE 13







7X-11X UNA oligomers enriched in Q monomers








SEQ



ID



NO:
OLIGOMER





227
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


228
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•X•Q•X•Q•X•Q





229
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


230
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•X•X•X•Q





231
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


232
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•X•X•N•Q•N•Q





233
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•Q


234
Q•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•X•X•X•X•X•Q





235
    X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•Q•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•X•X


236
X•X•Q•N•Q•N•Q•N•N•N•N•N•Q•N•X•X•X•X•X•X•Q









The oligomeric structures shown in Tables 1 to 13 are double stranded structures, composed of a first strand (top) and a second strand (bottom). Each of the first and second strands is an oligomeric molecule that, by itself, can be a single stranded molecule. The single stranded molecules can be active for modulating gene expression.


An oligomeric compound of this invention may have any one of the structures shown in Tables 1 to 13. An oligomeric compound of this invention may have any one of the structures shown in Tables 1 to 13, where the structure has a nucleobase sequence targeted to a corresponding nucleic acid target.


An oligomeric compound of this invention may have any one of the sequences shown in Tables 1 to 13.


An oligomeric compound of this invention may be any one of the strands shown in Tables 1 to 13.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a first strand and a second strand, each of the strands independently being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a Q monomer.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a first strand and a second strand, each of the strands independently being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a Q monomer, and where the number of Q monomers is less than twenty.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a first strand and a second strand, each of the strands independently being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a Q monomer, and where the number of Q monomers is less than twelve.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a first strand and a second strand, each of the strands independently being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a Q monomer, and where the number of Q monomers is less than ten.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a first strand and a second strand, each of the strands independently being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a Q monomer, and where the number of Q monomers is less than eight.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a first strand and a second strand, each of the strands independently being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a Q monomer, and where the number of Q monomers is from 1 to 20.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a first strand and a second strand, each of the strands independently being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a Q monomer, and where the number of Q monomers is from 1 to 15.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a first strand and a second strand, each of the strands independently being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a Q monomer, and where the number of Q monomers is from 1 to 9.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a first strand and a second strand, each of the strands independently being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotide.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a first strand and a second strand, each of the strands independently being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotide, and where the number of 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotides is less than twenty.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a first strand and a second strand, each of the strands independently being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotide, and where the number of 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotides is less than twelve.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a first strand and a second strand, each of the strands independently being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotide, and where the number of 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotides is less than ten.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a first strand and a second strand, each of the strands independently being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotide, and where the number of 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotides is less than eight.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a first strand and a second strand, each of the strands independently being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotide, and where the number of 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotides is from 1 to 20.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a first strand and a second strand, each of the strands independently being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotide, and where the number of 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotides is from 1 to 15.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a first strand and a second strand, each of the strands independently being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotide, and where the number of 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotides is from 1 to 9.


An oligomeric compound of this invention may be a single stranded molecule, wherein the single strand is any one of the strands shown in Tables 1 to 13.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a single strand being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a Q monomer.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a single strand being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a Q monomer, and where the number of Q monomers is less than twenty.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a single strand being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a Q monomer, and where the number of Q monomers is less than twelve.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a single strand being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a Q monomer, and where the number of Q monomers is less than ten.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a single strand being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a Q monomer, and where the number of Q monomers is less than eight.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a single strand being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a Q monomer, and where the number of Q monomers is from 1 to 20.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a single strand being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a Q monomer, and where the number of Q monomers is from 1 to 15.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a single strand being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a Q monomer, and where the number of Q monomers is from 1 to 9.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a single strand being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotide.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a single strand being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotide, and where the number of 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotides is less than twenty.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a single strand being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotide, and where the number of 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotides is less than twelve.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a single strand being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotide, and where the number of 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotides is less than ten.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a single strand being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotide, and where the number of 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotides is less than eight.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a single strand being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotide, and where the number of 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotides is from 1 to 20.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a single strand being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotide, and where the number of 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotides is from 1 to 15.


In some embodiments, an oligomeric compound of this invention may have a single strand being 19-23 monomers in length, where any monomer that is not a UNA monomer can be a 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotide, and where the number of 2′-O-Methyl modified ribonucleotides is from 1 to 9.


Methods for Treating Disease


Methods of this invention include the treatment and prevention of various diseases in mammalian subjects. A subject can be human.


In the methods of this invention, a subject in need of treatment or prevention can be administered an effective amount of an oligomeric compound of this invention. A subject can be a human or mammal.


An effective amount of an oligomeric compound of this invention can be a dose ranging from 0.001 mg/kg to 50.0 mg/kg.


In the methods of this invention, target mRNA expression can be reduced in a subject for at least 5 days. In certain embodiments, target mRNA expression can be reduced in a subject for at least 10 days, or 15 days.


In the methods of this disclosure, the administration of an oligomeric compound of this invention may not result in an inflammatory response.


In further embodiments, this invention includes methods for inhibiting expression of a target gene in a cell, by treating the cell with an oligomeric compound of this invention.


In additional embodiments, this invention includes methods for inhibiting expression of a target gene in a mammal, by administering to the mammal a composition containing a UNA oligomer.


UNA Oligomers for TTR


Embodiments of this invention can provide oligomeric molecules that are active agents targeted to TTR.


Examples of UNA oligomers of this invention that are targeted to TTR are shown in Tables 14 to 17. Tables 14 and 15 represent “sense” and “antisense” pairs, and Tables 16 and 17 represent additional “sense” and “antisense” pairs. For example, SEQ ID Nos:237 and 238 are a sense and antisense pair.









TABLE 14







UNA oligomers targeted to TTR









SEQ




ID




NO
Strand
UNA oligomers (5′ - 3′)





237
Sense
ŨmGrUmArAmCrCmArArGrAmGrUmArUmUrCm




CrAŨmU





238
Anti
mUrGmGrAmArUmArCmUrCmUmUmGrGmUrUmAr




CmAŨmU





239
Sense
ŨmGrUmArAmCrCmArArGrAmGrUmArUmUrCm




CrAŨmU





240
Anti
mUrGmGrAmArUmArCmUrCmUmUmGrGmUrUmAr




CmAŨmU





241
Sense
Ũ*mG*rUmArAmCrCmArArGrAmGrUmArUmUr




CmCA*Ũ*mU





242
Anti
mU*G*mGrAmArUmArCmUrCmUmUmGrGmUrUm




ArCmA*Ũ*mU





243
Sense
Ũ*mG*U*mArAmCrCmArArGrAmGrUmArUmUr




CmC*A*Ũ*mU





244
Anti
mU*G*mG*rAmArUmArCmUrCmUmUmGrGmUrUm




AC*mA*Ũ*mU





245
Sense
Ũ*mG*2FU*mA2FAmC2FCmA2FA2FG2FAmG2F




UmA2FUmU2FCmC*2FA*Ũ*2FU





246
Anti
mU*2FG*mG*2FAmA2FUmA2FCmU2FCmUmUmG2




FGmU2FUmA2FC*mA*Ũ*mU





247
Sense
Ğ*mG*U*mArAmCrCmArArGrAmGrUmArUmUr




CmC*A*Ũ*mU





248
Anti
mU*G*mG*rAmArUmArCmUrCmUmUmGrGmUrUm




AC*mU*Ũ*mU
















TABLE 15







UNA oligomers targeted to TTR









SEQ




ID




NO
Strand
UNA oligomers (5′ - 3′)





249
Sense
ŨmGrUmArAmCrCArArGrAGrUArUUrCmCrAŨ




mU





250
Anti
mUrGmGrAArUArCUrCUmUmGrGmUrUmArCCrA




ŨmU





251
Sense
ŨmGrUArACrCmArArGrAGrUArUmUrCCrAŨmU





252
Anti
mUrGmGrAArUArCmUrCUmUmGrGUrUArCmAŨ




mU





253
Sense
Ũ*G*rUmArAmCrCArArGrAGrUArUUrCCA*Ũ*




mU





254
Anti
mU*G*mGrAmArUArCUrCUUGrGUrUmArCmA*Ũ




*mU





255
Sense
Ũ*mG*U*mArACrCArArGrAGrUArUUrCC*A*Ũ




*mU





256
Anti
mU*G*mG*rAmArUArCUrCUUGrGUrUAC*mA*Ũ




*mU





257
Sense
Ũ*mG*2FU*mA2FAmC2FCmA2FA2FG2FAmG2FU




mA2FUmU2FCmC*2FA*Ũ*2FU





258
Anti
mU*2FG*mG*2FAmA2FUmA2FCmU2FCmUmUmG2




FGmU2FUmA2FC*mA*Ũ*mU





259
Sense
Ğ*mG*U*mArACrCArArGrAGrUArUUrCmC*A*




Ũ*mU





260
Anti
mU*G*mG*rAArUArCUrCUUGrGUrUmAC*mU*Ũ




*mU
















TABLE 16







UNA oligomers targeted to TTR









SEQ




ID




NO
Strand
UNA oligomers (5′ - 3′)





261
Sense
ĞmArAmCrCmArAmGrArGrUmArUmUrCmCrAm




UrUŨmU





262
Anti
mArAmUrGmGrAmArUmArCmUmCmUrUmGrGmUr




UmCŨmU





263
Sense
ĞmArAmCrCmArAmGrArGrUmArUmUrCmCrAm




UrUŨmU





264
Anti
mArAmUrGmGrAmArUmArCmUmCmUrUmGrGmUr




UmCŨmU





265
Sense
Ğ*mA*rAmCrCmArAmGrArGrUmArUmUrCmCr




AmUU*Ũ*mU





266
Anti
mA*A*mUrGmGrAmArUmArCmUmCmUrUmGrGm




UrUmC*Ũ*mU





267
Sense
Ğ*mA*A*mCrCmArAmGrArGrUmArUmUrCmCr




AmU*U*Ũ*mU





268
Anti
mA*A*mU*rGmGrAmArUmArCmUmCmUrUmGrGm




UU*mC*Ũ*mU





269
Sense
Ğ*mA*2FA*mC2FCmA2FAmG2FA2FG2FUmA2FU




mU2FCmC2FAmU*2FU*Ũ*2FU





270
Anti
mA*2FA*mU*2FGmG2FAmA2FUmA2FCmUmCmU2




FUmG2FGmU2FU*mC*Ũ*mU





271
Sense
C̆*mA*A*mCrCmArAmGrArGrUmArUmUrCmCr




AmU*U*Ũ*mU





272
Anti
mA*A*mU*rGmGrAmArUmArCmUmCmUrUmGr




GmUU*mG*Ũ*mU
















TABLE 17







UNA oligomers targeted to TTR









SEQ




ID




NO
Strand
UNA oligomers (5′ - 3′)





273
Sense
ĞmArAmCrCmArAGrArGrUArUUrCCrAmUrUŨm




U





274
Anti
mArAmUrGmGrAmArUArCUCUrUmGrGmUrUmCŨ




mU





275
Sense
ĞmArAmCrCArAGrArGrUArUUrCCrAmUrUŨmU





276
Anti
mArAmUrGmGrAArUArCUCUrUmGrGmUrUmCŨm




U





277
Sense
Ğ*mA*rAmCrCArAGrArGrUArUUrCCrAUU*Ũ*




mU





278
Anti
mA*A*mUrGmGrAArUArCUCUrUGrGmUrUmC*Ũ




*mU





279
Sense
Ğ*mA*A*mCrCArAGrArGrUArUUrCCrAU*U*Ũ




*mU





280
Anti
mA*A*mU*rGmGrAArUArCUCUrUGrGUU*mC*Ũ




*mU





281
Sense
Ğ*mA*2FA*mC2FCmA2FAmG2FA2FG2FUmA2FU




mU2FCmC2FAmU*2FU*Ũ*2FU





282
Anti
mA*2FA*mU*2FGmG2FAmA2FUmA2FCmUmCmU2




FUmG2FGmU2FU*mC*Ũ*mU





283
Sense
C̆*mA*A*mCrCArAGrArGrUArUUrCCrAmU*U*




Ũ*mU





284
Anti
mA*A*mU*rGGrAArUArCUmCmUrUGrGUU*G*Ũ




*mU









For example, a UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:87. A UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:88. A UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:87, and a strand being SEQ ID NO:88. These UNA oligomers can have a nucleobase sequence corresponding to a target sequence of TTR. These UNA oligomers can have a nucleobase sequence corresponding to any of SEQ ID NOs:237 to 284.


For example, a UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:105. A UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:106. A UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:105, and a strand being SEQ ID NO:106. These UNA oligomers can have a nucleobase sequence corresponding to a target sequence of TTR. These UNA oligomers can have a nucleobase sequence corresponding to any of SEQ ID NOs:237 to 284.


A UNA oligomer may comprise a first strand being SEQ ID NO:239 and a second strand being SEQ ID NO:240.


A UNA oligomer may comprise a first strand being SEQ ID NO:263 and a second strand being SEQ ID NO:264.


UNA Oligomers for APOB


Embodiments of this invention can provide oligomeric molecules that are active agents targeted to APOB.


Examples of UNA oligomers of this invention that are targeted to TTR are shown in Tables 18 and 19. Tables 18 and 19 represent “sense” and “antisense” pairs. For example, SEQ ID NOs:285 and 286 are a sense and antisense pair.









TABLE 18







UNA oligomers targeted to APOB









SEQ




ID




NO
Strand
UNA oligomers (5′ - 3′)





285
Sense
rGrGrArArUrCrUrUrArUrArUrUrUrGrArUr




CrCrArA





286
Anti
rUrUrGrGrArUrCrArArArUrArUrArArGrAr




UrUrCrC





287
Sense
ĞmGrAmArUmCrUmUrArUrAmUrUmUrGmArUm




CrCmArAŨmU





288
Anti
mUrUmGrGmArUmCrAmArAmUmAmUrAmArGmAr




UmUrCmCŨmU





289
Sense
rGrGrArArUrCmUmUrAmUrAmUmUmUrGrArUr




CmCrArAŨmU





290
Anti
mUmUrGrGrArUmCrArArAmUrAmUrArArGrAm




UrUrCmCŨmU





291
Sense
rGrGrArArUrCmUmUrAmUrAmUmUmUrGrArUr




CmCrArAŨmU





292
Anti
mUrUmGrGmArUmCrAmArAmUmAmUrAmArGmAr




UmUrCmCŨmU





293
Sense
ĞmGrAmArUmCrUmUrArUrAmUrUmUrGmArUm




CrCmArAŨmU





294
Anti
mUmUrGrGrArUmCrArArAmUrAmUrArArGrAm




UrUrCmCŨmU
















TABLE 19







UNA oligomers targeted to APOB









SEQ




ID




NO
Strand
UNA oligomers (5′ - 3′)





295
Sense
rGrGrArArUrCrUrUrArUrArUrUrUrGrAr




UrCrCrArA





296
Anti
rUrUrGrGrArUrCrArArArUrArUrArArGr




ArUrUrCrC





297
Sense
ĞmGrAmArUmCrUUrArUrAUrUUrGArUCrCm




ArAŨmU





298
Anti
mUrUmGrGmArUmCrAArAUAUrAArGmArUmUr




CmCŨmU





299
Sense
rGrGrArArUrCmUmUrAmUrAUUUrGrArUrCC




rArAŨmU





300
Anti
mUmUrGrGrArUmCrArArAUrAmUrArArGrAm




UrUrCmCŨmU





301
Sense
rGrGrArArUrCmUmUrAUrAUUUrGrArUrCCr




ArAŨmU





302
Anti
mUrUmGrGmArUCrAArAUAUrAArGArUmUrCm




CŨmU





303
Sense
ĞmGrAmArUCrUUrArUrAUrUUrGArUCrCArA




ŨmU





304
Anti
mUmUrGrGrArUCrArArAUrAUrArArGrAmUr




UrCmCŨmU









For example, a UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:87. A UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:88. A UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:87, and a strand being SEQ ID NO:88. These UNA oligomers can have a nucleobase sequence corresponding to a target sequence of APOB. These UNA oligomers can have a nucleobase sequence corresponding to any of SEQ ID NOs:285 to 304.


For example, a UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:105. A UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:106. A UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:105, and a strand being SEQ ID NO:106. These UNA oligomers can have a nucleobase sequence corresponding to a target sequence of APOB. These UNA oligomers can have a nucleobase sequence corresponding to any of SEQ ID NOs:285 to 304.


A UNA oligomer may comprise a first strand being SEQ ID NO:287 and a second strand being SEQ ID NO:288.


A UNA oligomer may comprise a first strand being SEQ ID NO:291 and a second strand being SEQ ID NO:292.


UNA Oligomers for PCSK9.


Embodiments of this invention can provide oligomeric molecules that are active agents targeted to PCSK9.


Examples of UNA oligomers of this invention that are targeted to PCSK9 are shown in Tables 20 and 21. Tables 20 and 21 represent “sense” and “antisense” pairs. For example, SEQ ID NOs:305 and 306 are a sense and antisense pair.









TABLE 20







UNA oligomers targeted to PCSK9









SEQ




ID




NO
Strand
UNA oligomers (5′ - 3′)





305
Sense
ĞmCrCmUrGmGrAmGrUrUrUmArUmUrCmGrGm




ArAŨmU





306
Anti
mUrUmCrCmGrAmArUmArAmAmCmUrCmCrAmGr




GmCŨmU





307
Sense
ĞmCmCmUrGrGrArGmUmUmUrAmUmUmCrGrGr




ArAŨmU





308
Anti
mUrUmCrCmGrAmArUmArAmAmCmUrCmCrAmGr




GmCŨmU





309
Sense
ĞrGrCrCrUrGrGrArGrUrUrUrArUrUrCrGr




GrArAŨmU





310
Anti
rUrUrCrCrGrArArUrArArArCrUrCrCrArGr




GrCŨmU
















TABLE 21







UNA oligomers targeted to PCSK9









SEQ




ID




NO
Strand
UNA oligomers (5′ - 3′)





311
Sense
ĞmCrCmUrGmGrAGrUrUrUArUUrCGrGmArAŨm




U





312
Anti
mUrUmCrCmGrAmArUArAACUrCmCrAmGrGmCŨ




mU





313
Sense
ĞmCmCUrGrGrArGUUUrAUUmCrGrGrArAŨmU





314
Anti
mUrUmCrCmGrAArUArAACUrCmCrAmGrGmCŨm




U





315
Sense
ĞmGrCmCrUrGrGrArGrUrUrUrArUrUrCrGr




GrArAŨmU





316
Anti
rUmUrCrCrGrArAmUmAmAmArCrUrCrCrArGr




GrCŨmU









For example, a UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:87. A UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:88. A UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:87, and a strand being SEQ ID NO:88. These UNA oligomers can have a nucleobase sequence corresponding to a target sequence of PCSK9. These UNA oligomers can have a nucleobase sequence corresponding to any of SEQ ID NOs:305 to 316.


For example, a UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:105. A UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:106. A UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:105, and a strand being SEQ ID NO:106. These UNA oligomers can have a nucleobase sequence corresponding to a target sequence of PCSK9. These UNA oligomers can have a nucleobase sequence corresponding to any of SEQ ID NOs:305 to 316.


A UNA oligomer may comprise a first strand being SEQ ID NO:305 and a second strand being SEQ ID NO:306.


UNA Oligomers for APOC3.


Embodiments of this invention can provide oligomeric molecules that are active agents targeted to APOC3.


Examples of UNA oligomers of this invention that are targeted to APOCIII are shown in Tables 22 and 23. Tables 22 and 23 represent “sense” and “antisense” pairs. For example, SEQ ID NOs:317 and 318 are a sense and antisense pair.









TABLE 22







UNA oligomers targeted to APOC3









SEQ




ID




NO
Strand
UNA oligomers (5′ - 3′)





317
Sense
ÃrArArArGrGrGrArCrArGrUrArUrUrCrUr




CrAŨmU





318
Anti
rUrGrArGrArArUrArCrUrGrUrCrCrCrUr




UrUrUŨmU





319
Sense
Ã*mArAmArGmGrGmArCrArGmUrAmUrUmCr




UmCrAŨ*mU





320
Anti
mU*rGmArGmArAmUrAmCrUmGmUmCrCmCrUm




UrUmUŨ*mU





321
Sense
ÃmArAmArGmGrGmArCrArGmUrAmUrUmCrUm




CrAŨmU





322
Anti
mUrGmArGmArAmUrAmCrUrGrUrCrCmCrUm




UrUmUŨmU





323
Sense
Ã*mArAmArGmGrGmArCrArGmUrAmUrUmCr




UmCrAŨ*mU





324
Anti
mU*rGmArGmArAmUrAmCrUrGrUrCrCmCrUm




UrUmUŨ*mU
















TABLE 23







UNA oligomers targeted to APOC3









SEQ




ID




NO
Strand
UNA oligomers (5′ - 3′)





325
Sense
ÃrArArArGrGrGrArCrArGrUrArUrUrCrUr




CrAŨmU





326
Anti
rUrGrArGrArArUrArCrUrGrUrCrCrCrUrUr




UrUŨmU





327
Sense
Ã*mArAmArGmGrGArCrArGUrAUrUCrUmCrAŨ




*mU





328
Anti
mU*rGmArGmArAmUrACrUGUCrCmCrUmUrUmU




Ũ*mU





329
Sense
ÃmArAmArGGrGArCrArGUrAUrUCrUmCrAŨmU





330
Anti
mUrGmArGmArAmUrACrUrGrUrCrCCrUmUrUm




UŨmU





331
Sense
Ã*mArAmArGGrGArCrArGUrAUrUCrUCrAŨ*m




U





332
Anti
mU*rGmArGmArAUrACrUrGrUrCrCCrUmUrUm




UŨ*mU









For example, a UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:87. A UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:88. A UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:87, and a strand being SEQ ID NO:88. These UNA oligomers can have a nucleobase sequence corresponding to a target sequence of APOC3. These UNA oligomers can have a nucleobase sequence corresponding to any of SEQ ID NOs:317 to 332.


For example, a UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:105. A UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:106. A UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:105, and a strand being SEQ ID NO:106. These UNA oligomers can have a nucleobase sequence corresponding to a target sequence of APOC3. These UNA oligomers can have a nucleobase sequence corresponding to any of SEQ ID NOs:317 to 332.


A UNA oligomer may comprise a first strand being SEQ ID NO:319 and a second strand being SEQ ID NO:320.


A UNA oligomer may comprise a first strand being SEQ ID NO:321 and a second strand being SEQ ID NO:322.


UNA Oligomers for HBV


Embodiments of this invention can provide oligomeric molecules that are active agents targeted to HBV.


Examples of UNA oligomers of this invention that are targeted to HBV are shown in Tables 24 to 27. Tables 24 and 25 represent “sense” and “antisense” pairs, and Tables 26 and 27 represent additional “sense” and “antisense” pairs. For example, SEQ ID NOs:333 and 353 are a sense and antisense pair, and so on through SEQ ID NOs:352 and 372.









TABLE 24







UNA oligomers targeted to HBV (Sense)









REF
SEQ



POS
ID NO
Sense (5′-3′) SEQ ID NOS: 861 to 880












1525
333
UNA-C/mGCmACmCUmCUCUmUUmACmGCmGG/




UNA-U/mU





251
334
UNA-G/mACmUCmGUmGGUGmGAmCUmUCmUC/




UNA-U/mU





254
335
UNA-U/mCGmUGmGUmGGACmUUmCUmCUmCA/




UNA-U/mU





374
336
UNA-U/mGGmAUmGUmGUCUmGCmGGmCGmUU/




UNA-U/mU





1575
337
UNA-C/mCGmUGmUGmCACUmUCmGCmUUmCA/




UNA-U/mU





1577
338
UNA-G/mUGmUGmCAmCUUCmGCmUUmCAmCC/




UNA-U/mU





1578
339
UNA-U/mGUmGCmACmUUCGmCUmUCmACmCU/




UNA-U/mU





1579
340
UNA-G/mUGmCAmCUmUCGCmUUmCAmCCmUC/




UNA-U/mU





1581
341
UNA-G/mCAmCUmUCmGCUUmCAmCCmUCmUG/




UNA-U/mU





247
342
UNA-U/mCUmAGmACmUCGUmGGmUGmGAmCU/




UNA-U/mU





248
343
UNA-C/mUAmGAmCUmCGUGmGUmGGmACmUU/




UNA-U/mU





249
344
UNA-U/mAGmACmUCmGUGGmUGmGAmCUmUC/




UNA-U/mU





250
345
UNA-A/mGAmCUmCGmUGGUmGGmACmUUmCU/




UNA-U/mU





1776
346
UNA-G/mGAmGGmCUmGUAGmGCmAUmAAmAU/




UNA-U/mU





1777
347
UNA-G/mAGmGCmUGmUAGGmCAmUAmAAmUU/




UNA-U/mU





1779
348
UNA-G/mGCmUGmUAmGGCAmUAmAAmUUmGG/




UNA-U/mU





1780
349
UNA-G/mCUmGUmAGmGCAUmAAmAUmUGmGU/




UNA-U/mU





1781
350
UNA-C/mUGmUAmGGmCAUAmAAmUUmGGmUC/




UNA-U/mU





1782
351
UNA-U/mGUmAGmGCmAUAAmAUmUGmGUmCU/




UNA-U/mU





256
352
UNA-G/mUGmGUmGGmACUUmCUmCUmCAmAU/




UNA-U/mU
















TABLE 25







UNA oligomers targeted to HBV (Antisense)











REF
SEQ
Antisense (5′-3′) SEQ ID NOS:



POS
ID NO
881 to 900















1525
353
mCCmGCmGUmAAmAGmAmGmAGmGUmGCmG/





UNA-U/mU







251
354
mGAmGAmAGmUCmCAmCmCmACmGAmGUmC/





UNA-U/mU







254
355
mUGmAGmAGmAAmGUmCmCmACmCAmCGmA/





UNA-U/mU







374
356
mAAmCGmCCmGCmAGmAmCmACmAUmCCmA/





UNA-U/mU







1575
357
mUGmAAmGCmGAmAGmUmGmCAmCAmCGmG/





UNA-U/mU







1577
358
mGGmUGmAAmGCmGAmAmGmUGmCAmCAmC/





UNA-U/mU







1578
359
mAGmGUmGAmAGmCGmAmAmGUmGCmACmA/





UNA-U/mU







1579
360
mGAmGGmUGmAAmGCmGmAmAGmUGmCAmC/





UNA-U/mU







1581
361
mCAmGAmGGmUGmAAmGmCmGAmAGmUGmC/





UNA-U/mU







247
362
mAGmUCmCAmCCmACmGmAmGUmCUmAGmA/





UNA-U/mU







248
363
mAAmGUmCCmACmCAmCmGmAGmUCmUAmG/





UNA-U/mU







249
364
mGAmAGmUCmCAmCCmAmCmGAmGUmCUmA/





UNA-U/mU







250
365
mAGmAAmGUmCCmACmCmAmCGmAGmUCmU/





UNA-U/mU







1776
366
mAUmUUmAUmGCmCUmAmCmAGmCCmUCmC/





UNA-U/mU







1777
367
mAAmUUmUAmUGmCCmUmAmCAmGCmCUmC/





UNA-U/mU







1779
368
mCCmAAmUUmUAmUGmCmCmUAmCAmGCmC/





UNA-U/mU







1780
369
mACmCAmAUmUUmAUmGmCmCUmACmAGmC/





UNA-U/mU







1781
370
mGAmCCmAAmUUmUAmUmGmCCmUAmCAmG/





UNA-U/mU







1782
371
mAGmACmCAmAUmUUmAmUmGCmCUmACmA/





UNA-U/mU







256
372
mAUmUGmAGmAGmAAmGmUmCCmACmCAmC/





UNA-U/mU

















TABLE 26







UNA oligomers targeted to HBV (Sense)









REF
SEQ



POS
ID NO
Sense (5′-3′) SEQ ID NOS: 901 to 921












1863
373
UNA-U/mUCmAAmGCmCUCCmAAmGCmUGmUG/




UNA-U/mU





1864
374
UNA-U/mCAmAGmCCmUCCAmAGmCUmGUmGC/




UNA-U/mU





1865
375
UNA-C/mAAmGCmCUmCCAAmGCmUGmUGmCC/




UNA-U/mU





1866
376
UNA-A/mAGmCCmUCmCAAGmCUmGUmGCmCU/




UNA-U/mU





376
377
UNA-G/mAUmGUmGUmCUGCmGGmCGmUUmUU/




UNA-U/mU





378
378
UNA-U/mGUmGUmCUmGCGGmCGmUUmUUmAU/




UNA-U/mU





380
379
UNA-U/mGUmCUmGCmGGCGmUUmUUmAUmCA/




UNA-U/mU





1818
380
UNA-A/mACmUUmUUmUCACmCUmCUmGCmCU/




UNA-U/mU





244
381
UNA-G/mAGmUCmUAmGACUmCGmUGmGUmGG/




UNA-U/mU





245
382
UNA-A/mGUmCUmAGmACUCmGUmGGmUGmGA/




UNA-U/mU





246
383
UNA-G/mUCmUAmGAmCUCGmUGmGUmGGmAC/




UNA-U/mU





409
384
UNA-C/mAUmCCmUGmCUGCmUAmUGmCCmUC/




UNA-U/mU





411
385
UNA-U/mCCmUGmCUmGCUAmUGmCCmUCmAU/




UNA-U/mU





412
386
UNA-C/mCUmGCmUGmCUAUmGCmCUmCAmUC/




UNA-U/mU





413
387
UNA-C/mUGmCUmGCmUAUGmCCmUCmAUmCU/




UNA-U/mU





414
388
UNA-U/mGCmUGmCUmAUGCmCUmCAmUCmUU/




UNA-U/mU





252
389
UNA-A/mCUmCGmUGmGUGGmACmUUmCUmCU/




UNA-U/mU





253
390
UNA-C/mUCmGUmGGmUGGAmCUmUCmUCmUC/




UNA-U/mU





1576
391
UNA-C/mGUmGUmGCmACUUmCGmCUmUCmAC/




UNA-U/mU





1580
392
UNA-U/mGCmACmUUmCGCUmUCmACmCUmCU/




UNA-U/mU





1582
393
UNA-C/mACmUUmCGmCUUCmACmCUmCUmGC/




UNA-U/mU
















TABLE 27







UNA oligomers targeted to HBV (Antisense)









REF
SEQ
Antisense (5′-3′) SEQ ID NOS:


POS
ID NO
922 to 942












1863
394
mCAmCAmGCmUUmGGmAmGmGCmUUmGAmA/




UNA-U/mU





1864
395
mGCmACmAGmCUmUGmGmAmGGmCUmUGmA/




UNA-U/mU





1865
396
mGGmCAmCAmGCmUUmGmGmAGmGCmUUmG/




UNA-U/mU





1866
397
mAGmGCmACmAGmCUmUmGmGAmGGmCUmU/




UNA-U/mU





376
398
mAAmAAmCGmCCmGCmAmGmACmACmAUmC/




UNA-U/mU





378
399
mAUmAAmAAmCGmCCmGmCmAGmACmACmA/




UNA-U/mU





380
400
mUGmAUmAAmAAmCGmCmCmGCmAGmACmA/




UNA-U/mU





1818
401
mAGmGCmAGmAGmGUmGmAmAAmAAmGUmU/




UNA-U/mU





244
402
mCCmACmCAmCGmAGmUmCmUAmGAmCUmC/




UNA-U/mU





245
403
mUCmCAmCCmACmGAmGmUmCUmAGmACmU/




UNA-U/mU





246
404
mGUmCCmACmCAmCGmAmGmUCmUAmGAmC/




UNA-U/mU





409
405
mGAmGGmCAmUAmGCmAmGmCAmGGmAUmG/




UNA-U/mU





411
406
mAUmGAmGGmCAmUAmGmCmAGmCAmGGmA/




UNA-U/mU





412
407
mGAmUGmAGmGCmAUmAmGmCAmGCmAGmG/




UNA-U/mU





413
408
mAGmAUmGAmGGmCAmUmAmGCmAGmCAmG/




UNA-U/mU





414
409
mAAmGAmUGmAGmGCmAmUmAGmCAmGCmA/




UNA-U/mU





252
410
mAGmAGmAAmGUmCCmAmCmCAmCGmAGmU/




UNA-U/mU





253
411
mGAmGAmGAmAGmUCmCmAmCCmACmGAmG/




UNA-U/mU





1576
412
mGUmGAmAGmCGmAAmGmUmGCmACmACmG/




UNA-U/mU





1580
413
mAGmAGmGUmGAmAGmCmGmAAmGUmGCmA/




UNA-U/mU





1582
414
mGCmAGmAGmGUmGAmAmGmCGmAAmGUmG/




UNA-U/mU









For example, a UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:87. A UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:88. A UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:87, and a strand being SEQ ID NO:88. These UNA oligomers can have a nucleobase sequence corresponding to a target sequence of a viral gene of Hepatitis B virus (HBV). These UNA oligomers can have a nucleobase sequence corresponding to any of SEQ ID NOs:333 to 414.


For example, a UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:105. A UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:106. A UNA oligomer may have a strand being SEQ ID NO:105, and a strand being SEQ ID NO:106. These UNA oligomers can have a nucleobase sequence corresponding to a target sequence of a viral gene of Hepatitis B virus (HBV). These UNA oligomers can have a nucleobase sequence corresponding to any of SEQ ID NOs: 333 to 414.


Methods for Treating Disease


Methods of this invention include the treatment and prevention of various diseases in mammalian subjects. A subject can be a human or mammal.


In the methods of this invention, a subject in need of treatment or prevention can be administered an effective amount of an oligomeric compound of this invention.


In addition, the UNA oligomers of this invention may provide increased activity in vitro, as well as increased potency in vivo.


Further, the UNA oligomers of this invention may provide increased enzymatic stability.


Moreover, the UNA oligomers of this invention can provide long lasting activity in vitro, as well as long lasting potency in vivo.


A UNA oligomer of this invention can retain at least 50% activity in vitro six days after transfection.


A UNA oligomer of this invention can retain at least 80% activity in vitro six days after transfection.


A UNA oligomer of this invention can retain at least 30% potency in vivo six days after administration.


A UNA oligomer of this invention can retain at least 50% potency in vivo six days after administration.


UNA oligomers of this invention can provide long acting properties, and reduce the dose levels required for efficacious therapy.


An effective amount of an oligomeric compound of this invention can be a dose ranging from 0.001 mg/kg to 50.0 mg/kg.


In the methods of this invention, target mRNA expression can be reduced in a subject for at least 5 days. In certain embodiments, target mRNA expression can be reduced in a subject for at least 10 days, or 15 days.


In the methods of this disclosure, the administration of an oligomeric compound may not result in an inflammatory response.


In further embodiments, this invention includes methods for inhibiting expression of a target gene in a cell, by treating the cell with an oligomeric compound of this invention.


In additional embodiments, this invention includes methods for inhibiting expression of a target gene in a mammal, by administering to the mammal a composition containing an oligomeric compound of this invention.


In some embodiments, a UNA oligomer targeted to a transthyretin nucleic acid, TTR, can be used as an active agent for preventing or treating amyloid neuropathy, amyloidosis, or amyloidosis related to transthyretin in a subject in need thereof.


In further embodiments, a UNA oligomer targeted to an apolipoprotein B nucleic acid, APOB, can be used as an active agent for preventing or treating hypercholesterolemia, or cholesterol disorder in a subject in need thereof.


In additional embodiments, a UNA oligomer targeted to a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 nucleic acid, PCSK9, can be used as an active agent for preventing or treating hypercholesterolemia, or cholesterol disorder in a subject in need thereof.


In certain embodiments, a UNA oligomer targeted to an apolipoprotein C-III nucleic acid, APOC3 or APOCIII, can be used as an active agent for preventing or treating hypertriglyceridemia, or lipoprotein disorder in a subject in need thereof.


In some embodiments, a UNA oligomer targeted to a sequence of an HBV genome, HBV (Hepatitis B virus), can be used as an active agent for preventing or treating a disease associated with HBV infection, in a subject in need thereof.


Pharmaceutical Compositions


In some aspects, this invention provides pharmaceutical compositions containing an oligomeric compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.


A pharmaceutical composition can be capable of local or systemic administration. In some aspects, a pharmaceutical composition can be capable of any modality of administration. In certain aspects, the administration can be intravenous, subcutaneous, pulmonary, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, dermal, oral, or nasal administration.


Embodiments of this invention include pharmaceutical compositions containing an oligomeric compound in a lipid formulation.


In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition may comprise one or more lipids selected from cationic lipids, anionic lipids, sterols, pegylated lipids, and any combination of the foregoing.


In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition can be substantially free of liposomes.


In further embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition can include liposomes or nanoparticles.


Some examples of lipids and lipid compositions for delivery of an active molecule of this invention are given in WO/2015/074085, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.


In additional embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition can contain an oligomeric compound within a viral or bacterial vector.


A pharmaceutical composition of this disclosure may include carriers, diluents or excipients as are known in the art. Examples of pharmaceutical compositions are described, for example, in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co. (A. R. Gennaro ed. 1985).


Examples of excipients for a pharmaceutical composition include antioxidants, suspending agents, dispersing agents, preservatives, buffering agents, tonicity agents, and surfactants.


EXAMPLES
Example 1: Luciferase Reporter Assay

Luciferase-based reporter plasmid was constructed based on psiCHECK™2 vector (Promega, Madison, Wis.). Reporter p(1-20) was generated with oligonucleotides containing the sequence from position 1 through 2500 relative to Eco RI digestion site cloned into the multiple cloning region downstream of the stop codon of the SV40 promoted Renilla luciferase gene in psiCHECK™2, which made the expression of Renilla luciferase gene under the regulation of the artificial 3′UTR sequence. Renilla luciferase activity was then used as an indicator of the effect of the artificial 3′UTR on transcript stability and translation efficiency. The psiCHECK™-2 Vector also contained a constitutively expressed Firefly luciferase gene, which served as an internal control to normalize transfection efficiency.


A total of 5,000 HepB3 cells (American Type Culture Collection) were plated onto a well of 96-well plate one day before the transfection. The cells were incubated at 37° C. in 100 μl of DMEM (Life Technologies, Carlsbad, Calif.) supplemented with 0.1 mM nonessential amino acids and 10% FBS (Life Technologies, Carlsbad, Calif.). The culture medium was changed to 90 μl of fresh medium just before the transfection. The reporter plasmid and UNA Oligomer were co-transfected with transfection reagent, Lipofectamine™ 3000 (Life Technologies, Carlsbad, Calif.) was used to transfect reporter plasmid (100 ng) and a various amount of UNA Oligomer together with P3000 into the cells according to manufacturer's instruction.


Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay System (DLR assay system, Promega, Madison, Wis.) was used to perform dual-reporter assays on psiCHECK2 based reporter systems. Twenty-four hours after transfection, the cells were washed gently with phosphate buffered saline once. A 50 μl well of Passive Lysis Buffer (Promega, Madison, Wis.) was added to the cells and incubated with gentle rocking for 20 min at room temperature. Luciferase activities were measured using Cytation 3 imaging reader (BioTek, Winooski, Vt.) and the effect of the UNA Oligomer on reporter expression was calculated based on ratio of Renilla/Firefly to normalize cell number and transfection efficiency.


Example 2: UNA Oligomer Stability

Protocol for determining the stability of a UNA oligomer measured against snake venom PDE I or FBS. The UNA oligomer (1-10 uM) is incubated with 2×10−4 units/μL Phosphodiesterase I from Crotalus adamanteus venom (code#: VPH, Worthington Biochemial, USA) in 20 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), 100 mM NaCl, 15 mM MgCl2 or 10-50% of FBS (final concentration) at 37° C. After 0.5, 1 and 2 h, aliquots (3 μL) are taken from the mixture and the reaction is stopped by mixing with 5.3 μL of 0.5 M EDTA (pH 8.0). The sample is loaded on a 15% native polyacrylamide gel for electrophoresis. The gel is stained with SYBR SAFE and visualized under UV.


Example 3: UNA Oligomer Longevity

Protocol for determining the longevity of a UNA oligomer in vitro or in vivo. Total RNA samples from cell lines or mouse tissue are isolated. Reverse transcription reactions are performed using SuperScript III First-Strand (Life Technologies) with RNA samples, 50 nM stem-loop RT primer. All Reverse transcriptase reactions are run in triplicate. Real-time PCR is performed using a standard TaqMan PCR kit protocol with 400 nM universal primer, 400 nM gene-specific primer, and 300 nM TaqMan probe on an Applied Biosystems 7900HT Sequence Detection System. One μl of cDNA template is added to a final volume of 25 μl reaction. All reactions are carried out in triplicate with no template control as well as no-RT sample. The reactions are incubated in a 384-well plate at 95° C. for 10 min, followed by 40 cycles of 95° C. for 15 s and 60° C. for 1 min. All reactions are run in triplicate. The threshold cycle (CT) value, which is defined as the fractional cycle number at which the fluorescence passes the fixed threshold, is converted into an absolute copy number using a standard curve from a synthetic UNA oligomer.


Example 4: A Dose dependent inhibitory effect of UNA oligomers targeted to HBV was observed in Hep3B cells transfected with a reporter construct having HBV binding sites

UNA oligomers of this invention were found to exhibit IC50 as shown in Table 28. In Table 28, the UNA oligomers correspond to the structures shown in Tables 24-27 having the same reference position.









TABLE 28







IC50 of UNA oligomers targeted to HBV











IC50 pM



Reference
Hep3B cells


No.
Position
(6 days)












1
244
917


2
245
328


3
246
816


4
247



5
248
148


6
249



7
250



8
251
554


9
252
374


10
253
703


11
254
44


12
256
8


13
374
1601


14
376
16


15
378
114


16
380
7


17
409
328


18
411
58


19
412
298


20
413
123


21
414
363


22
1525



23
1575
65


24
1576
137


25
1577
472


26
1578
63


27
1579



28
1580
255


29
1581
22


30
1776
461


31
1777
26


32
1779
348


33
1780
151


34
1781
227


35
1782
177


36
1818
49









The experimental results in Table 28 show that the UNA oligomers provide stable, surprisingly long-lasting activity for modulating gene expression. The activities of the UNA oligomers as measured by Luciferase reporter were in the picomolar range, six days after transfection.


Example 5: In addition, in experimental results the UNA oligomers of this invention targeted to HBV provide increased activity in vitro, as well as increased potency in vivo

Further, in experimental results the UNA oligomers of this invention targeted to HBV provide increased enzymatic stability.


Moreover, in experimental results the UNA oligomers of this invention targeted to HBV provide long lasting activity in vitro, as well as long lasting potency in vivo.


UNA oligomers of this invention targeted to HBV provide long acting properties, and reduce the dose levels required for efficacious therapy.


Example 6: A dose dependent inhibitory effect of UNA oligomers targeted to TTR was observed in HepG2 cells, as shown in Table 29








TABLE 29







IC50 of UNA oligomers targeted to TTR











IC50 pM




(TTR)



Structure
HepG2 cells














SEQ ID NOs: 237 and 238
5.23



SEQ ID NOs: 239 and 240
3.89



SEQ ID NOs: 241 and 242
4.98



SEQ ID NOs: 243 and 244
7.20



SEQ ID NOs: 245 and 246
24.8



SEQ ID NOs: 247 and 248
19.3










The experimental results in Table 29 show that TTR UNA oligomers provided stable, potent knockdown of TTR gene expression.


Example 7: A dose dependent inhibitory effect of TTR UNA oligomers was observed in HepG2 cells, as shown in Table 30








TABLE 30







IC50 of UNA oligomers targeted to TTR











IC50 pM




(TTR)



Structure
HepG2 cells














SEQ ID NOs: 261 and 262
3.20



SEQ ID NOs: 263 and 264
2.23



SEQ ID NOs: 265 and 266
3.36



SEQ ID NOs: 267 and 268
6.41



SEQ ID NOs: 269 and 270
6.67



SEQ ID NOs: 271 and 272
6.58










The experimental results in Table 30 show that TTR UNA oligomers provided stable, potent knockdown of TTR gene expression.


Example 8: In addition, in experimental results the UNA oligomers of this invention targeted to TTR provide increased activity in vitro, as well as increased potency in vivo

Further, in experimental results the UNA oligomers of this invention targeted to TTR provide increased enzymatic stability.


Moreover, in experimental results the UNA oligomers of this invention targeted to TTR provide long lasting activity in vitro, as well as long lasting potency in vivo.


UNA oligomers of this invention targeted to TTR provide long acting properties, and reduce the dose levels required for efficacious therapy.


Example 9: A dose dependent inhibitory effect of UNA oligomers targeted to APOB was observed in mouse Hepa1-6 cells, as shown in Table 31








TABLE 31







IC50 of UNA oligomers targeted to APOB











IC50 nM




(APOB)



Structure
Hepa1-6 cells














SEQ ID NOs: 285 and 286
1.31



SEQ ID NOs: 287 and 288
0.48



SEQ ID NOs: 289 and 290
34



SEQ ID NOs: 291 and 292
0.68



SEQ ID NOs: 293 and 294
15










The experimental results in Table 31 show that APOB UNA oligomers provided stable, potent knockdown of APOB gene expression.


Example 10: A dose dependent inhibitory effect of UNA oligomers targeted to APOB was observed in mouse Hep3B cells, as shown in Table 32








TABLE 32







IC50 of UNA oligomers targeted to APOB











IC50 nM




(APOB)



Structure
Hep3B cells














SEQ ID NOs: 285 and 286
0.26



SEQ ID NOs: 287 and 288
0.80



SEQ ID NOs: 289 and 290
0.54



SEQ ID NOs: 291 and 292
0.21



SEQ ID NOs: 293 and 294
0.88










The experimental results in Table 32 show that APOB UNA oligomers provided stable, potent knockdown of APOB gene expression.


Example 11: In addition, in experimental results the UNA oligomers of this invention targeted to APOB provide increased activity in vitro, as well as increased potency in vivo

Further, in experimental results the UNA oligomers of this invention targeted to APOB provide increased enzymatic stability.


Moreover, in experimental results the UNA oligomers of this invention targeted to APOB provide long lasting activity in vitro, as well as long lasting potency in vivo.


UNA oligomers of this invention targeted to APOB provide long acting properties, and reduce the dose levels required for efficacious therapy.


Example 12: A dose dependent inhibitory effect of UNA oligomers targeted to PCSK9 was observed in mouse Hepa1-6 cells, as shown in Table 33








TABLE 33







IC50 of UNA oligomers targeted to PCSK9











IC50 nM




(PCSK9)



Structure
Hepa1-6 cells







SEQ ID NOs: 305 and 306
2.37



SEQ ID NOs: 307 and 308
1.56



SEQ ID NOs: 309 and 310
1.78










The experimental results in Table 33 show that PCSK9 UNA oligomers provided stable, potent knockdown of PCSK9 gene expression.


Example 13: A dose dependent inhibitory effect of UNA oligomers targeted to PCSK9 was observed in mouse Hep3B cells, as shown in Table 34








TABLE 34







IC50 of UNA oligomers targeted to PCSK9











IC50 nM




(PCSK9)



Structure
Hep3B cells







SEQ ID NOs: 305 and 306
2.27



SEQ ID NOs: 307 and 308
0.70



SEQ ID NOs: 309 and 310
3.94










The experimental results in Table 34 show that PCSK9 UNA oligomers provided stable, potent knockdown of PCSK9 gene expression.


Example 14: In addition, in experimental results the UNA oligomers of this invention targeted to PCSK9 provide increased activity in vitro, as well as increased potency in vivo

Further, in experimental results the UNA oligomers of this invention targeted to PCSK9 provide increased enzymatic stability.


Moreover, in experimental results the UNA oligomers of this invention targeted to PCSK9 provide long lasting activity in vitro, as well as long lasting potency in vivo.


UNA oligomers of this invention targeted to PCSK9 provide long acting properties, and reduce the dose levels required for efficacious therapy.


Example 15: A dose dependent inhibitory effect of UNA oligomers targeted to APOC3 was observed in mouse Hep3B cells, as shown in Table 35








TABLE 35







IC50 of UNA oligomers targeted to APOC3











IC50 pM




(APOC3)



Structure
Hep3B cells














SEQ ID NOs: 317 and 318
2.8



SEQ ID NOs: 319 and 320
2.4



SEQ ID NOs: 321 and 322
3.4



SEQ ID NOs: 323 and 324
17.5










The experimental results in Table 35 show that APOC3 UNA oligomers provided stable, potent knockdown of APOC3 gene expression.


Example 16: In addition, in experimental results the UNA oligomers of this invention targeted to APOC3 provide increased activity in vitro, as well as increased potency in vivo

Further, in experimental results the UNA oligomers of this invention targeted to APOC3 provide increased enzymatic stability.


Moreover, in experimental results the UNA oligomers of this invention targeted to APOC3 provide long lasting activity in vitro, as well as long lasting potency in vivo.


UNA oligomers of this invention targeted to APOC3 provide long acting properties, and reduce the dose levels required for efficacious therapy.


All publications, patents and literature specifically mentioned herein are incorporated by reference for all purposes.


It is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, protocols, materials, and reagents described, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which will be encompassed by the appended claims.


It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As well, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprises,” “comprising”, “containing,” “including”, and “having” can be used interchangeably.


Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, based on the above description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The following specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.


All of the features disclosed in this specification may be combined in any combination. Each feature disclosed in this specification may be replaced by an alternative feature serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose.

Claims
  • 1. A UNA oligomer comprising a first strand and a second strand, each of the strands being 19-29 monomers in length, the monomers comprising UNA monomers and nucleic acid monomers, wherein the oligomer has a duplex structure of from 14 to 29 monomers in length, wherein the second strand is a guide strand for RNA interference and the first strand is a passenger strand for RNA interference, wherein the first strand has the sequence of SEQ ID NO:263, the second strand has the sequence of SEQ ID NO:264, and the UNA oligomer reduces expression of a target gene.
  • 2. The UNA oligomer of claim 1, wherein the target gene is a viral gene of TTR.
  • 3. The UNA oligomer of claim 1, wherein the UNA oligomer has long lasting activity in vitro.
  • 4. The UNA oligomer of claim 1, wherein the UNA oligomer has long lasting potency in vivo.
  • 5. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the UNA oligomer of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent, or adjuvant.
  • 6. A method for reducing expression of a gene comprising contacting a cell with the UNA oligomer of claim 1.
  • 7. A method for treating amyloid neuropathy or amyloidosis in a subject in need thereof comprising administration of the composition of claim 5.
  • 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the gene is TTR.
  • 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the amyloidosis is amyloidosis related to transthyretin.
PCT Information
Filing Document Filing Date Country Kind
PCT/US2016/025578 4/1/2016 WO 00
Publishing Document Publishing Date Country Kind
WO2016/161299 10/6/2016 WO A
US Referenced Citations (56)
Number Name Date Kind
4199574 Schaeffer Apr 1980 A
4968686 Townsend Nov 1990 A
5786359 Reitz Jul 1998 A
5898031 Crooke Apr 1999 A
6037176 Bennett Mar 2000 A
6069132 Revanker May 2000 A
6506559 Fire et al. Jan 2003 B1
6608035 Agrawal Aug 2003 B1
6753139 Baulcombe Jun 2004 B1
7056704 Tuschl Jun 2006 B2
7078196 Tuschl Jul 2006 B2
7459547 Zamore et al. Dec 2008 B2
7579451 Manoharan Aug 2009 B2
7691995 Zamore Apr 2010 B2
7745608 Manoharan Jun 2010 B2
7750144 Zamore Jul 2010 B2
7786290 Woppmann Aug 2010 B2
7915399 MacLachlan Mar 2011 B2
8101584 Kreutzer Jan 2012 B2
8101742 Kreutzer Jan 2012 B2
8258285 Baulcombe Sep 2012 B2
8362231 Tuschl Jan 2013 B2
8420391 Tuschl Apr 2013 B2
8546143 Kreutzer Oct 2013 B2
9365610 Payne Jun 2016 B2
9856475 Tachikawa Jan 2018 B2
9982259 Tachikawa May 2018 B2
20020086356 Tuschl Jul 2002 A1
20030143732 Fosnaugh Jul 2003 A1
20040171570 Allerson Sep 2004 A1
20040175703 Kreutzer et al. Sep 2004 A1
20040192626 McSwiggen et al. Sep 2004 A1
20040259247 Tuschl et al. Dec 2004 A1
20040261149 Fauquet et al. Dec 2004 A1
20050100907 Kreutzer May 2005 A1
20050107325 Manoharan May 2005 A1
20050129778 Mulye Jun 2005 A1
20050223427 Khvorova Oct 2005 A1
20050244858 Rossi et al. Nov 2005 A1
20050288244 Manoharan Dec 2005 A1
20060122391 Babu Jun 2006 A1
20060276635 McSwiggen Dec 2006 A1
20060287260 Manoharan Dec 2006 A1
20070275914 Manoharan Nov 2007 A1
20090093438 McSwiggen Apr 2009 A1
20100120893 Baligh et al. May 2010 A1
20110136233 Quay et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110313020 Templin et al. Dec 2011 A1
20120120893 Baligh et al. May 2012 A1
20120225927 Sah Sep 2012 A1
20130096289 Wengel Apr 2013 A1
20130190383 Vaish et al. Jul 2013 A1
20140315835 Rajeev Oct 2014 A1
20150141678 Payne May 2015 A1
20150307880 Tachikawa Oct 2015 A1
20150307881 Tachikawa et al. Oct 2015 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (26)
Number Date Country
WO-9629336 Sep 1996 WO
WO-96029336 Sep 1996 WO
WO-9908688 Feb 1999 WO
WO-99008688 Feb 1999 WO
WO-2003004602 Jan 2003 WO
WO-2003037909 May 2003 WO
WO-03070918 Aug 2003 WO
WO-03106477 Dec 2003 WO
WO-2004090105 Oct 2004 WO
WO-2004090108 Oct 2004 WO
WO-2004094595 Nov 2004 WO
WO-2004108897 Dec 2004 WO
WO-2005089268 Sep 2005 WO
WO-2005089287 Sep 2005 WO
WO-2005121372 Dec 2005 WO
WO-06085987 Aug 2006 WO
WO-2006112872 Oct 2006 WO
WO-2007022369 Feb 2007 WO
WO-2007051303 May 2007 WO
WO-2007056829 May 2007 WO
WO-2008020435 Feb 2008 WO
WO-08147824 Dec 2008 WO
WO-2011123468 Oct 2011 WO
WO-2011133584 Oct 2011 WO
WO-2014037436 Mar 2014 WO
WO-2015042564 Mar 2015 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (24)
Entry
Bartlett, “Effect of siRNA Nuclease Stability on the In Vitro and In Vivo Kinetics of siRNA-Mediated Gene Silencing,” Biotechnology and Bioengineering, vol. 97, No. 4, Jul. 1, 2007.
Bramsen et al., “A large-scale chemical modification screen identifies design rules to generate siRNAs with high activity, high stability and low toxicity,” Nucleic Acids Research 2009, vol. 37, No. 9, pp. 2867-2881.
Bramsen, Jesper B., et al., “A screen of chemical modifications identifies position-specific modification by UNA to most potently reduce siRNA off-target effects.” Nucleic acids research 38.17 (2010): 5761-5773.
Czauderna, Frank, et al., “Structural variations and stabilising modifications of synthetic siRNAs in mammalian cells.” Nucleic acids research 31.11 (2003): 2705-2716.
Elbashir, Sayda M., et al. “Functional anatomy of siRNAs for mediating efficient RNAi in Drosophila melanogaster embryo lysate.” The EMBO journal 20.23 (2001): 6877-6888.
Habus, “Oligonucleotides Containing Acyclic Nucleoside Analogues with Carbamate Internucleoside Linkages,” Nucleosides & Nucleotides, 1995, vol. 14 (9&10), 1853-1859.
Jensen, T. et al., “Unlocked Nucleic Acid (UNA) and UNA Derivatives: Thermal Denaturation Studies;” Nucleic Acids Symposium Series No. 52; Oxford University Press 2008; pp. 133-134.
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; “IUPAC-IUB Joint Commission on Biochemical Nomenclature Abbreviations and Symbols for the Description of Conformations of Polynucleotide Chains;” Current Protocols in Nucleic Acid Chemistry 2000; pp. A.1C.1-A.1D.3.
Langkjær, Niels, et al., “UNA (unlocked nucleic acid): a flexible RNA mimic that allows engineering of nucleic acid duplex stability.” Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry 17.15 (2009): 5420-5425.
Laursen, Maria B., et al., “Utilization of unlocked nucleic acid (UNA) to enhance siRNA performance in vitro and in vivo.” Molecular BioSystems 6.5 (2010): 862-870.
Layzer, “In vivo activity of nuclease-resistant siRNAs,” RNA (2004), vol. 10, pp. 766-771.
Mangos, M. et al., “Efficient RNase H-Directed Cleavage of RNA Promoted by Antisense DNA or 2′F-ANA Constructs Containing Acyclic Nucleotide Inserts;” Journal of the American Chemical Society 2003; vol. 125; pp. 654-661.
Nielsen, “Oligonucleotide Analogues Containing 4′-C-(Hydroxymethyl)uridine: Synthesis, Evaluation and Mass Spectrometric Analysis,” Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 3, No. 1 I, pp. 1493-1502, 1995.
Nielsen, P. et al.; “Synthesis and Evaluation of Oligodeoxynucleotides Containing Acyclic Nucleosides: Introduction of Three Novel Analogues and a Summary;” Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry; Elsevier Science Ltd 1995; vol. 3; No. 1; pp. 19-28.
Pandolfi, “Evaluation of Different Types of End-Capping Modifications on the Stability of Oligonucleotides Toward 3′- and 5′ Exonucleases,” Nucleosides & Nucleotides, 1999, vol. 18 (9), 2051-2069.
Pei et al., “Synthesis of 3′-C-Hydroxymethyl-substituted Pyrimidine and Purine Nucleosides as Potential Anti-Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Agents,” Arch Pharm Res 2009, vol. 31, No. 7, pp. 843-849.
Petersen, “LNA: A versatile tool for therapeutics and genomics,” Trends in Biotechnology vol. 21 No. 2 Feb. 2003.
Pfundheller, “Locked Nucleic Acid Synthesis,” Chapter 8 in Methods in Molecular Biology, vol. 288: Oligonucleotide Synthesis: Methods and Applications, Edited by: P. Herdewijn, Humana Press, 2005.
pharmabiz.com, Arcturus to present gene knockdown data in non-human primates, showing up to 94% reduction in gene expression with single low dose, dated Oct. 14, 2014.
Snead, Nicholas M., et al., “5′ Unlocked nucleic acid modification improves siRNA targeting.” Molecular Therapy-Nucleic Acids 2 (2013): 7 Pages.
Thrane, H. et al.; “Novel Linear and Branched Oligodeoxynucleotide Analogues Containing 4′-C-(Hydroxymethyl Thymidine;” Tetrahedron; Elsevier Science Ltd 1995; vol. 51; No. 37; pp. 10389-10402.
Vaish, Narendra, et al., “Improved specificity of gene silencing by siRNAs containing unlocked nucleobase analogs.” Nucleic acids research 39.5 (2010): 1823-1832.
Werk, Denise, et al., “Application of small interfering RNAs modified by unlocked nucleic acid (UNA) to inhibit the heart-pathogenic coxsackievirus B3.” FEBS letters 584.3 (2010): 591-598.
Supplementary Search Report for counterpart application No. EP16774322.8 dated Feb. 11, 2018.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20180105816 A1 Apr 2018 US
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
62141261 Apr 2015 US