Aptamers containing thymidine 3′-O-phosphorodithioates: Synthesis and binding to nuclear factor-κB

Aptamers targeting NF-κB containing thymidine 3′-O-phosphorodithioates in selected positions of an oligonucleotide duplex were synthesized. Binding affinities to NF-κB varied with the number and positions of the dithioate backbone substitutions. One of the aptamers showed specific binding to a single NF-gkB dimer in cell culture extracts.