What types of backbone moieties are included in the MPEP’s definition of a nucleotide?

The MPEP 2412.03(d) provides a comprehensive list of backbone moieties that can be part of a nucleotide. These include:

• 2′ deoxyribose 5′ monophosphate (found in deoxyribonucleotides)
• Ribose 5′ monophosphate (found in ribonucleotides)
• Analogues of the above that mimic the nucleobase arrangement and allow base pairing

The MPEP also provides examples of alternative backbone moieties:

“examples of backbone moieties include amino acids as in peptide nucleic acids, glycol molecules as in glycol nucleic acids, threofuranosyl sugar molecules as in threose nucleic acids, morpholine rings and phosphorodiamidate groups as in morpholinos, and cyclohexenyl molecules as in cyclohexenyl nucleic acids”

This broad definition allows for the inclusion of various modified and synthetic nucleic acid analogues in patent applications, reflecting the diverse range of nucleotide structures used in modern biotechnology research and applications.

To learn more:

• nucleotide backbone
• nucleic acid analogues
• patent applications
• biotechnology
• MPEP 2412.03(d)