title: High affinity DNAzyme-based ligands for transition metal cations - a prototype sensor for Hg2+.
abstract: Inspired by recent interest in DNAzymes as transition metal ion sensors, a survey of the effects of various transition metals on the intramolecular cleavage rate of an imidazole modified, M(2+)-independent, self-cleaving "9(25)-11" DNA is reported. In particular, 9(25)-11 activity was strongly inhibited by Hg(2+)(K(d)(APP)= 110 +/- 9 nM). It is postulated that the affinity and selectivity of 9(25)-11 for Hg(2+) stems from the fact that this synthetically modified DNAzyme contains imidazoles. This study demonstrates the utility of modified nucleotides in developing DNAzyme sensors for metals ions, especially those for which unmodified nucleic acids might not serve as inherently good ligands.
authors.affiliation: The Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T-1Z1.
authors.forename: Jason M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ting
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Perrin
mesh_terms: D020029:Base Pairing; D001483:Base Sequence; D002413:Cations, Divalent / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003300:Copper / Q000494:pharmacology; D021881:DNA, Catalytic / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D008024:Ligands; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015394:Molecular Structure; D017186:Titrimetry
chemical_list: D002413:Cations, Divalent; D021881:DNA, Catalytic; D008024:Ligands; D003300:Copper; D008628:Mercury