Phenanthroline-modified DNA three-way junction structures stabilized by interstrand 3 : 1 metal complexation

Dalton Trans. 2023 Aug 15;52(32):11025-11029. doi: 10.1039/d3dt01508d.

Abstract

Incorporation of interstrand metal complexes into DNA is a versatile strategy for metal-dependent stabilization and structural induction of DNA supramolecular structures. In this study, we have synthesized DNA three-way junction (3WJ) structures modified with phenanthroline (phen) ligands. The phen-modified 3WJ was found to be thermally stabilized (ΔTm = +16.9 °C) by the formation of an interstrand NiII(phen)3 complex. Furthermore, NiII-mediated structure induction of 3WJs was demonstrated with the phen-modified strands and their unmodified counterparts. This study suggests that ligand-modified 3WJs would be useful structural motifs for the construction of metal-responsive DNA molecular systems.

MeSH terms

  • Coordination Complexes*
  • DNA / chemistry
  • Ligands
  • Metals / chemistry
  • Phenanthrolines* / chemistry

Substances

  • Phenanthrolines
  • DNA
  • Metals
  • Coordination Complexes
  • Ligands