title: DNA-binding by functionalized gold nanoparticles: mechanism and structural requirements.
abstract: A family of nanoparticles featuring surfaces of varying hydrophobicity was synthesized. The efficiency of DNA-binding was determined, demonstrating in a fivefold modulation in binding a 37-mer DNA strand. Nanoparticle-binding causes a reversible conformational change in the DNA structure, as demonstrated by circular dichroism and fluorescence experiments. Furthermore, the affinity of the nanoparticle for the DNA can be regulated by external agents, though stability of the complex is observed at relatively high ionic strengths.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Goodman
authors.forename: Nandini S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Chari
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Partha
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: Vincent M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Rotello
mesh_terms: D002942:Circular Dichroism; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D009841:Oligonucleotides; D006046:Gold; D004247:DNA