Abstract: The invention provides hybrid oligonucleotides having phosphorothioate or phosphorodithioate internucleotide linkages, and both deoxyribonucleosides and ribonucleosides or 2?-substituted ribonucleosides. Such hybrid oligonucleotides have superior properties of duplex formation with RNA, nuclease resistance, and RNase H activation.

Abstract: The invention provides hybrid oligonucleotides having phosphorothioate or phosphorodithioate internucleotide linkages, and both deoxyribonucleosides and ribonucleosides or 2′-substituted ribonucleosides. Such hybrid oligonucleotides have superior properties of duplex formation with RNA, nuclease resistance, and RNase H activation.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for increasing ribozyme catalytic activity without reducing specificity, which methods comprise contacting an RNA molecule with a ribozyme having a flanking sequence modified to contain 2′-O-substituted nucleotides. The invention also provides ribozymes comprising a flanking sequence modified to contain 2′-O-substituted nucleotides. In addition, the invention provides methods for increasing ribozyme catalytic activity comprising contacting an RNA molecule with a ribozyme having a flanking sequence modified to contain a 2′-O-substituted nucleotide and a facilitator oligonucleotide. The present invention further provides compositions comprising a ribozyme having modified flanking sequences and an effective amount of a facilitator oligonucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for increasing ribozyme catalytic activity without reducing specificity, which methods comprise contacting an RNA molecule with a ribozyme having a flanking sequence modified to contain 2′-O-substituted nucleotides. The invention also provides ribozymes comprising a flanking sequence modified to contain 2′-O-substituted nucleotides. In addition, the invention provides methods for increasing ribozyme catalytic activity comprising contacting an RNA molecule with a ribozyme having a flanking sequence modified to contain a 2′-O-substituted nucleotide and a facilitator oligonucleotide. The present invention further provides compositions comprising a ribozyme having modified flanking sequences and an effective amount of a facilitator oligonucleotide.

Abstract: The invention provides hybrid oligonucleotides having phosphorothioate or phosphorodithioate internucleotide linkages, and both deoxyribonucleosides and ribonucleosides or 2'-substituted ribonucleosides. Such hybrid oligonucleotides have superior properties of duplex formation with RNA, nuclease resistance, and RNase H activation.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for increasing ribozyme catalytic activity without reducing specificity, which methods comprise contacting an RNA molecule with a ribozyme and a 2'-O-substituted facilitator oligonucleotide. The present invention further provides compositions comprising a ribozyme and an effective amount of a 2'-O-methyl substituted facilitator oligonucleotide. The use of a facilitator, particularly a 2'-O-substituted facilitator, and more especially a 2'-O-methyl substituted facilitator, greatly enhances ribozyme catalytic activity, frequently making an otherwise inactive ribozyme active.