Analysis of superhelical structures of nucleic acid-lipid conjugates by image processing.
Nucleoside-phospholipid conjugates containing a nucleotidyl residue and two long alkyl chains have been synthesized and their self-organization and morphology have been investigated. In particular, 5'-phosphatidylcytidine spontaneously assembled to form linear and circular strands. Image processing analysis of the electron micrograph of the strands confirmed that they are indeed double helix reminiscent of the double-helical structure of nucleic acids. The linear and circular strands from 5'-phosphatidylcytidine had grooves of approximately 100 A in diameter and right-handed helical pitch of approximately 240 A.
Yanagawa
H
H
Mitsubishi-Kasei Institute of Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan.
Ogawa
Y
Y
Furuta
H
H
Tsuno
K
K
D003562:Cytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D020404:Glycerophospholipids; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D010712:Phosphatidic Acids
D020404:Glycerophospholipids; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D010712:Phosphatidic Acids; C058619:5'-phosphatidylcytidine; D003562:Cytidine