SOLID-PHASE SYNTHESIS OF 5'-DIPHOSPHORYLATED OLIGORIBONUCLEOTIDES AND THEIR CONVERSION TO CAPPED M(7)GPPP-OLIGORIBONUCLEOTIDES FOR USE AS PRIMERS FOR INFLUENZA-A VIRUS-RNA POLYMERASE IN-VITRO

We have synthesized four different 5'-diphosphorylated oligoribonucleotides, varying in length from 11 to 13 nucleotides by a new solid phase method. After deprotection and partial purification the 5'-diphosphorylated oligoribonucleotides could be converted to capped (m(7)Gppp)-oligoribonucleotides using guanylyl transferase. Radiolabelled capped oligoribonucleotides acted as primers for the influenza A virus RNA polymerase in vitro. The solid phase method described here should also allow the addition of 5'-diphosphates to synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotides and be capable of automation.