Oligoribonucleotides and ribonucleases for cleaving RNA

A method of activating a double-stranded RNA nuclease comprising contacting the double-stranded RNA nuclease with a double-stranded oligomeric compound comprising a first oligonucleotide and a second oligonucleotide, wherein:

• said first and said second oligonucleotides are each independently 15 to 25 nucleoside subunits in length;
• said first and said second oligonucleotides are hybridized to each other;
• said first and said second oligonucleotides are not covalently linked to each other;
• and
• at least one of said first and said second oligonucleotides comprises at least four consecutive 2′-hydroxyl ribonucleosides and at least one chemical modification.

A method of activating a double-stranded RNA nuclease comprising contacting the double-stranded RNA nuclease with a double-stranded oligomeric compound comprising a first oligonucleotide and a second oligonucleotide, wherein:

• said first and said second oligonucleotides are each independently 15 to 25 nucleoside subunits in length;
• said first and said second oligonucleotides are hybridized to each other;
• said first and said second oligonucleotides are not covalently linked to each other;
• and
• at least one of said first and said second oligonucleotides comprises:
• a plurality of nucleoside subunits with 2′-hydroxyl pentofuranosyl sugar moieties;
• and at least one chemical modification.

A method of activating a double-stranded RNA nuclease comprising contacting the double-stranded RNA nuclease with a double-stranded oligomeric compound comprising a first oligonucleotide and a second oligonucleotide, wherein:

• said first and said second oligonucleotides are hybridized to each other;
• said first and said second oligonucleotides are not covalently linked to each other;
• said first and said second oligonucleotides are each independently from 15 to 25 nucleoside subunits in length;
• and
• each of said first and said second oligonucleotides comprises at least four consecutive 2′-hydroxyl ribonucleosides and at least one chemical modification.

A method of activating a double-stranded RNA nuclease comprising contacting the double-stranded RNA nuclease with a double-stranded oligomeric compound comprising a first oliganucleotide and a second oligonucleotide, wherein:

• said first and said second oligonucleotides are hybridized to each other;
• said first and said second oligonucleotides are not covalently linked to each other;
• said first and said second oligonucleotides are 100% complementary to each other;
• and
• at least one of said first and said second oligonucleotides comprises at least four consecutive 2′-hydroxyl ribonucleosides and at least one chemical modification.