| abstract |
The invention relates to double-stranded RNA compounds having at least one butt end comprising at least one Y end of formula (I): wherein X is equal to O or S, R, and R2 is independently OH, NH 2, SH, alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl , aryl-alkyl, wherein alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl may be substituted by additional heteroatoms and functional groups, preferably a heteroatom selected from the group N, O or S, or a functional group selected from the group OH, NH2, SH, carboxylic acid or ester; or R and R 2 may have the formula YZ wherein Y is O, N, S and Z are H, alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl, where alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl may be substituted by further heteroatoms, preferably a heteroatom selected from the group N, O or S; and said double-stranded RNA mediates RNA interference. Preferred Y-end modifications, phosphate, phosphorothioate, abasic ribonucleoside, hydroxyphopylphosphodiester. Formula I: R1, 3'O-P-R2, X |