Efficient reaction mechanism to detect lesion sites in DNA by repair enzymes

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26810084
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Bio-related chemistry
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: Yazawa Kenjiro 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 環境資源科学研究センター, 特別研究員 (70726596)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 全反射蛍光顕微鏡 / DNAハイブリダイゼーション / 一分子観察 / 水晶発振子マイクロバランス / アンサンブル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

DNA hybridization is a fundamental reaction for our lives. To date, ensemble measurement is the major stream to detect a hybridization reaction and little is known about the hybridiation at a single-molecule level. In this study, we monitored the hybridization of DNAs, including 8 mer, 12 mer, and PolyA-PolyT, at a single-molecule level by using total internal reflection microscopy. As a result, we found that the hybridization of 8 mer proceeded through a single step, whereas the hybridization of 12 mer and PolyA-PolyT proceeded through three multiple steps. In the case of 12 mer, the hybridization initialized with its end suspended. On the other hand, the hybridization of Poly-PolyT showed the dangling behavior and continued to attach or detach to each other. Therefore, single-molecule measurement in this study contributed to understand the details of the DNA hybridization, which will be of great use for the DNA-related reactions such as DNA repairing.

Free Research Field

生体関連化学