title: Ion-specific aggregation of gold-DNA nanoparticles using the dG quartet hairpin 5'-d(G4T4G4).
abstract: Ion-selective self-assembly of Au nanoparticles is described. The Oxytricha telomere DNA hairpin 5'-d(G4T4G4) immobilized on 13-nm Au nanoparticles forms a supramolecular assembly via dG-quartets, as determined by the color change and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The aggregation is ion-dependent and selective for Na+ ions. K+ is less efficient, while Li+ and Cs+ do not drive the aggregation. This work is the first effort to explore the use of secondary structures of DNA (quadruplexes) for producing self-assemblies of Au nanoparticles. It can be utilized to generate novel devices and materials, potentially useful for sensing and other applications in medicinal or engineering science.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorium für Organische und Bioorganische Chemie, Institut für Chemie, Universität Osnabrück, Barbarastrasse 7, D-49069 Osnabrück.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Seela
authors.forename: Anup M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Jawalekar
authors.forename: Lifeng
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.forename: Dingyong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D007477:Ions; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D016813:Oxytricha / Q000235:genetics; D016615:Telomere
chemical_list: D007477:Ions; D006046:Gold; D004247:DNA