Development of artificial nucleic acids forming multi-stranded structures

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K14031
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Bio-related chemistry
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Kashida Hiromu 名古屋大学, 工学研究科, 准教授 (30452189)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 六重鎖 / 人工核酸 / 人工塩基 / シアヌル酸 / アミノピリミジン / 水素結合

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Natural nucleic acids can form a triplex and a quadruplex by forming hydrogen bonds at both sides of purine bases. In this study, we synthesized novel artificial nucleic acids bearing novel nucleobases, which have hydrogen bonding sites at both sides. And we found that a hexaplex was successfully formed by these nucleic acids. The hexaplex was stabilized in the presence of divalent cations and low pH, indicating the potential of the hexaplex as pH and metal ion sensors. Molecular modelling calculation indicated that the hexaplex has a very unique structure with a pore at its center. It could be applied as novel supramolecular motifs and ion channels.

Free Research Field

生体関連化学