Creation of xenonucleic acid switch molecules

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25350962
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Biomolecular chemistry
• Research Institution: Gunma University
• Principal Investigator: Kuwahara Masayasu 群馬大学, 大学院理工学府, 准教授 (40334130)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): OBIKA Satoshi 大阪大学, 大学院薬学研究科, 教授 (80243252)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: キセノ核酸 / 核酸アプタマー / スイッチ分子 / 刺激応答性 / 環境応答性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Switch molecules based on nucleic acid aptamers which can vary their binding activities depending on external stimuli and surroundings are expected to be applicable to drug delivery systems and biosensors. In this study, we attempted to create xenonucleic acid switch molecules, which are triggered by chemical conversions of bridged nucleotides owing to external stimuli and surroundings. Consequently, we found that replacements of bridged nucleotides bearing cytosine base with natural 2'-deoxycytidine at 9th and 15th positions could inactivate the avidity of the aptamer, whereas those with 2'-deoxy-5-methylcytidine retained the binding activity, indicating that the obtained switch molecule will potentially be applicable to detection systems for cytosine methylations.

Free Research Field

核酸化学