Sequence-specific electron injection into DNA from an intermolecular electron donor

Nucleic Acids Res. 2013 Apr;41(8):4724-8. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkt123. Epub 2013 Feb 25.

Abstract

Electron transfer in DNA has been intensively studied to elucidate its biological roles and for applications in bottom-up DNA nanotechnology. Recently, mechanisms of electron transfer to DNA have been investigated; however, most of the systems designed are intramolecular. Here, we synthesized pyrene-conjugated pyrrole-imidazole polyamides (PPIs) to achieve sequence-specific electron injection into DNA in an intermolecular fashion. Electron injection from PPIs into DNA was detected using 5-bromouracil as an electron acceptor. Twelve different 5-bromouracil-containing oligomers were synthesized to examine the electron-injection ability of PPI. Product analysis demonstrated that the electron transfer from PPIs was localized in a range of 8 bp from the binding site of the PPIs. These results demonstrate that PPIs can be a useful tool for sequence-specific electron injection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Bromouracil / chemistry
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • DNA / radiation effects
  • Electrons*
  • Imidazoles / chemistry
  • Nylons / chemical synthesis
  • Nylons / chemistry*
  • Pyrenes / chemistry
  • Pyrroles / chemistry

Substances

  • Imidazoles
  • Nylons
  • Pyrenes
  • Pyrroles
  • Bromouracil
  • DNA