Nucleic acids (DNA and
RNA) are polymers that can adopt a variety of structures stabilized via base pairing.
Watson-Crick type hydrogen bonding results in the canonical double helixbetween two complementary strands. Relying on this simple law of self-assembly,
nucleic acids has been used as a drug and nanomaterials.
 |
| G-Quadruplex DNA |
Hoogsteen-type hydrogen
bonding permits formation of non-canonical structures of nucleic acids. In
particular, guanine-quadruplex (G-quadruplex) DNA structures are stabilized by
guanine quartets that interact via Hoogsteen base pairing. This tetraplex
structure coordinates metal ions such as Na+ and K+, which contribute the
structural stability. Furthermore, the stabilities of G-quadruplexes are
increased in conditions of molecular crowding. These properties indicate that
changes in molecular environment can regulate the folding and unfolding of
G-quadruplex structures, and external chemical and physical stimuli are useful
for control of structures of nucleic acid-based drugs and nanomachines.
No comments:
Post a Comment