Nucleolipids: natural occurrence, synthesis, molecular recognition, and supramolecular assemblies as potential precursors of life and bioorganic materials

Chem Biodivers. 2005 Aug;2(8):977-1063. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.200590082.

Abstract

Nucleolipids are hybrid molecules composed of a nucleobase, a nucleoside, a nucleotide or an oligonucleotide (either DNA or RNA), and a lipophilic moiety, which might be either simply a single- or double-chained alkyl (or alkenyl) moiety or a carbocyclic hydrocarbon such as cholesterol, a vitamin, or a bile acid. This review covers all aspects of nucleolipids, namely their natural occurrence, their synthesis, their molecular recognition, as well as aggregation behavior, either in aqueous or non-aqueous solution. Potential future aspects of nucleolipids in material sciences and for the elucidation of biochemical reactions in living cells are discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Lipids / chemistry*
  • Nucleosides / chemistry*
  • Nucleotides / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Lipids
  • Nucleosides
  • Nucleotides