M-DNA: a self-assembling molecular wire for nanoelectronics and biosensing.
M-DNA is a complex between divalent metal ions such as Zn2+ and duplex DNA which forms at pH 8.5. Unlike B-DNA, M-DNA does not bind ethidium so that M-DNA formation can be monitored conveniently by an ethidium fluorescence assay. M-DNA was shown to be a better conductor than B-DNA by fluorometric measurements of electron transport in donor-acceptor labelled duplexes; by direct conductivity measurements of M-DNA bound between gold electrodes and by cyclic voltammetric studies on ferrocene labelled duplexes attached to gold microelectrodes. As is the case with B-DNA, M-DNA can self-assemble into a variety of structures and is anticipated to find widespread use in nanoelectronics and biosensing.
Wettig
Shawn D
SD
Department of Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan, 107, Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5 Canada.
Li
Chen-Zhong
CZ
Long
Yi-Tao
YT
Kraatz
Heinz-Bernhard
HB
Lee
Jeremy S
JS
D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation
D004247:DNA