Didesoxynukleotid

Didesoxynukleotid is a type of nucleotide analog that is commonly used in molecular biology and biochemistry research. It is characterized by the absence of the 2'-hydroxyl group on the ribose sugar, which is a key structural feature of natural nucleotides. This modification makes didesoxynukleotids resistant to degradation by nucleases, enzymes that break down nucleic acids.

The most well-known didesoxynukleotid is 3'-deoxy-3'-thionucleoside, often referred to as a ddNTP (dideoxyribonucleotide triphosphate). These compounds are used in the Sanger sequencing method, a widely used technique for determining the nucleotide sequence of DNA. In this method, ddNTPs are incorporated into DNA strands during polymerase chain reaction (PCR), causing the DNA synthesis to terminate at specific points, which allows for the determination of the sequence.

Didesoxynukleotids are also used in other applications, such as in the synthesis of oligodeoxynucleotides for gene silencing and in the development of antiviral drugs. Their unique chemical properties make them valuable tools in various fields of biological research and medicine.