Zn2+ dependent DNA binders based on terminally modified peptide nucleic acids.
Two ligand-intercalator-peptide nucleic acid conjugates (L-NADI-PNAs) have been synthesized. Affinity of these conjugates to their complementary DNAs was found to be affected by Zn(2+). The magnitude of this effect could be controlled by a variation of the ligand. Upon binding Zn(2+) the L-NADI-PNAs form positively charged ZnL complexes, which interact with the negatively charged DNA backbone. This electrostatic interaction stabilizes PNA/DNA duplexes. It has been found that Zn(2+) dependent stabilization takes place only if the ZnL complex has a higher total positive charge than the ligand. Linear correlation has been observed between Zn(2+) induced stabilization of PNA/DNA duplexes and difference of charges of the ZnL complex and the ligand.
Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 270, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Iris
I
Boll
Larisa
L
Kovbasyuk
Roland
R
Krämer
Thomas
T
Oeser
Andriy
A
Mokhir
D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D015335:Molecular Probes; D020135:Peptide Nucleic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D015032:Zinc / Q000737:chemistry*
D015335:Molecular Probes; D020135:Peptide Nucleic Acids; D004247:DNA; D015032:Zinc