Metallo-responsive self-assembly of lipophilic guanines in hydrocarbon solvents: a systematic SAXS structural characterization

Nanoscale. 2020 Jan 2;12(2):1022-1031. doi: 10.1039/c9nr08556d.

Abstract

Lipophilic guanines (LipoGs) in aprotic solvents undergo different self-assembly processes based on different H-bonded motifs. Cylindrical nanotubes made by π-π stacked guanine tetramers (G-quadruplexes) and flat, tape-like aggregates (G-ribbons) have been observed depending on the presence of alkali metal ions. To obtain information on the structural properties and stability of these LipoG aggregates, Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) experiments have been performed in dodecane, both in the presence and in the absence of potassium ions. As a result, the occurrence of the two different metallo-responsive architectures (nanoribbons or columnar nanotubes) was confirmed and we reported here for the first time a systematic study on the dependence of the aggregate properties on composition, temperature and molecular unit structure. Even if dodecane was selected to favour LipoG solubility, a strong tendency to self-organize into ordered lyotropic phases was indeed detected.

MeSH terms

  • Alkanes / chemistry
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Guanine / chemistry*
  • Hydrocarbons / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Ions
  • Metals, Alkali / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Scattering, Small Angle
  • Solubility
  • Solvents / chemistry*
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Alkanes
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Ions
  • Metals, Alkali
  • Solvents
  • n-dodecane
  • Guanine