A phosphorothioate oligonucleotide blocks reverse transcription via an antisense mechanism

We have studied the inhibition by a phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide (17PScap) of cDNA synthesis performed by either avian or murine reverse transcriptase. Three different mechanisms of inhibition were identified: at low concentrations (⊃100 nM), the cleavage of the RNA template by the retroviral RNase H at the level of the RNA/17PScap duplex accounted for most of the effect, whereas hybrid-arrested cDNA synthesis by an RNase H-independent mechanism marginally contributed to the inhibition. Both mechanisms were sequence-specific. Above 100 nM, the overall cDNA synthesis was reduced in a non-specific manner.