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Marvin H. Caruthers
Office Phone: 303- 492-6095
E-mail: Marvin.Caruthers@colorado.edu
FAX: 303 492 5894
Lab: Cristol Chemistry 314, 318, 363
Lab Phone: 303 492 7723, 303 492 6357, 303 492 8607
Group Website:
Ph.D.: Northwestern University, 1968
Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Biochemistry
Professor Caruthers' interests include nucleic acid chemistry and biochemistry. The laboratory uses modern concepts in nucleic acid chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology to study regulation and control of gene expression.
Approximately 20 years ago, the methodologies that are currently used for chemically synthesizing DNA were developed in this laboratory. These procedures have been incorporated into so-called "gene machines" for the purpose of synthesizing DNA that is used by biochemists, biologists, molecular biologists and biophysical chemists for various research applications. More recently our research has pioneered the development of a new two step DNA synthesis approach which will be extremely useful for preparing DNA chips and large amounts of DNA. We have additionally developed new methods for the synthesis of RNA.
The group's interests have also focused on first the synthesis of new DNA analogs and then on a systematic analysis of how these polynucleotides can be used for various research applications. A particularly attractive new set of DNA analogs called phosphonoacetate and phosphonoformate DNA has recently been synthesized. These polynucleotides, which have acetate or formate joined to phosphorus at a nonlinking position, are phosphorus chiral, form duplexes with unmodified polynucleotides, are completely resistant to nucleases, and stimulate RNase H activity. Because of these unique biochemical and biophysical properties, they should prove useful for a large number of basic and applied research applications.
Selected Publications
M.H. Caruthers. "Studies on Gene Control Regions. XI. Deciphering the Protein-DNA Recognition Code." Acc. Chem. Res. 13, 155 (1980).
M.D. Matteucci and M.H. Caruthers. "Studies on Nucleotide Chemistry IV. Synthesis of Deoxyoligonucleotides on a Polymer Support." J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 103, 3185 (1981).
S.L. Beaucage and M.H. Caruthers. "Studies on Nucleotide Chemistry V. Deoxynucleoside Phosphoramidites - A New Class of Key Intermediates for Deoxypolynucleotide Synthesis." Tetrahedron Lett. 22, 1859 (1981).
M.H. Caruthers. "Gene Synthesis Machines: The DNA Chemistry and Its Uses." Science 230, 281 (1985).
J.W. Dubendorff, P.L. deHaseth, M.S. Rosendahl and M.H. Caruthers. "Studies on Gene Control Regions XXII. DNA Functional Groups Required for Formation of Open Complexes between Escherichia coli RNA Polymerase and the lPR Promoter: Identification via Base Analog Substitution." J. Biol. Chem. 262, 892 (1987).
W.K.-D. Brill, J.Nielsen and M.H. Caruthers. "Studies on Nucleotide Chemistry XXXIII. Synthesis of Dinucleoside Phosphorodithioates." J. Am. Chem. Soc. 113, 3972 (1991).
S. A. Scaringe, F. E. Wincott and M. H. Caruthers. "Novel RNA Synthesis Method Using 5'-O-Silyl-2'-O-orthoester Protecting Groups." J. Am. Chem. Soc. 120, 11820 (1998).
K. E. Jenkins, A. P. Higson, P. H. Seeberger and M. H. Caruthers. "Solid-Phase Synthesis and Biochemical Studies of O-Boranophosphopeptides and O-Dithiophosphopeptides." J. Am. Chem. Soc. 124, 6584-6593 (2002).
D. J. Dellinger, D. M. Sheehan, N. Christensen, J. G. Lindberg and M. H. Caruthers. "Solid Phase Chemical Synthesis of Phosphonoacetate and Thiophosphonoacetate Oligodeoxynucleotides." J. Am. Chem. Soc. 125, 940-950 (2003).
Agnieszka B. Sierzchala, Douglas J. Dellinger, Jason R. Betley, Tadeusz K. Wyrzykiewicz, and Marvin H. Caruthers. "Solid Phase Oligodeoxynucleotide Synthesis: A Two-Step Cycle Using Peroxy Anion Deprotection." J. Am. Chem. Soc. 125, 13427-13441 (2003).
D. M. Sheehan, B. Lunstad, C. M Yamada, B. Stell, M. H. Caruthers and D. J. Dellinger. "Biochemical Properties of Phosphonoacetate and Thiophosphonoacetate Oligodeoxynucleotides." Nucleic Acids Res. 31, 4109-4118 (2003).
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