DNA Three-Way Junctions Stabilized by Hydrophobic Interactions for Creation of Functional Nanostructures.
Chembiochem
; 16(9): 1284-7, 2015 Jun 15.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25953428
ABSTRACT
The construction of nanomaterials from oligonucleotides by modular assembly invariably requires the use of branched nucleic acid architectures such as three- and four-way junctions (3WJ and 4WJ). We describe the stabilization of DNA 3WJ by using non-nucleotide lipophilic spacers to create a hydrophobic pocket within the junction space. Stabilization of nucleic acid junctions is of particular importance when constructing nanostructures in the "ultra-nano" size range (<20 nm) with shorter double-stranded regions. UV thermal melting studies show that lipophilic spacers strategically placed within the junction space significantly increased thermal stability. For a 3WJ with eight base pair arms, thermal stability was increased from 30.5 °C for the unmodified junction to a maximum stability of 55.0 °C. The stability of the junction can be modulated within this temperature range by using the appropriate combinations of spacers.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
DNA
/
Nanoestruturas
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Lipídeos
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2015
Tipo de documento:
Article