Control of the formation for DNA base pairs by DNA interactions under ultimate environments

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26810094
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Bio-related chemistry
• Research Institution: Konan University
• Principal Investigator: TATEISHI-KARIMATA Hisae 甲南大学, 先端生命工学研究所, 講師 (20593495)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 三重鎖 / フーグスティーン塩基対 / 分子クラウディング / イオン液体 / センサー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We investigated the stability for DNA duplexes, triplexes, and G-quadruplexes under ultimate environments such as high ionic conditions inducing hydrated ionic liquid (IL) of choline dihydrogen phosphate (choline dhp) and molecular crowding conditions inducing by polyethylene glycols. Our quantitative analysis demonstrated that DNA triplex formation is markedly stabilized in high ionic conditions and molecular crowding conditions compared with aqueous solution. Especially, in choline dhp, the stability of Hoogsteen base pairs in the triplexes is comparable to that of Watson-Crick base pairs. Moreover, a molecular beacon that forms a triplex with a conserved HIV-1 sequence was then designed and tested in choline dhp. The molecular beacon specifically detected the target duplex via triplex formation with 10,000-fold sequence selectivity. The unique behaviors of DNAs under ultimate environments will be useful in the design of oligonucleotides for use in nanomaterials.

Free Research Field

生命機能化学