The present invention concerns oligonucleotides containing one or more modified
nucleotides which increase the binding affinity of the oligonucleotides to target
nucleic acids having a complementary nucleotide base sequence. These modified oligonucleotides
hybridize to the target sequence at a faster rate than unmodified oligonucleotides
having an identical nucleotide base sequence. Such modified oligonucleotides include
oligonucleotides containing at least one 2-O-methylribofuranosyl moiety
joined to a nitrogenous base. Oligonucleotides can be modified in accordance with
the present invention to preferentially bind RNA targets. The present invention
also concerns methods of using these modified oligonucleotides and kits containing
the same.
