title: DNA-Mediated Electron Transfer: A Sensitive Probe of DNA-Protein Interactions.
abstract: Abstract   The ability of the π-stacked array of heterocyclic DNA bases to behave as an efficient conduit for charge migration has been explored using a wide array of experimental approaches. Spectroscopic studies and biochemical assays show that charge transfer through well-stacked DNA can be extremely facile, although sensitive to structural distortions within the DNA base stack. The efficiency of these long-range reactions depends upon the coupling of the electron donor, acceptor and intervening base pairs within the base stack. As a result, base mismatches and stacking disruptions associated with protein binding to the helix can significantly perturb long range charge transfer. DNA-protein interactions which result in the base flipping of a nucleotide out of the DNA π-stack, in particular, dramatically inhibit long-range charge transfer through DNA. Whether these reactions that can occur over large molecular distances, be applied in sensing DNA damage, and be modulated by DNA-binding proteins, are exploited within the cell remains to be determined.
authors.affiliation: a      The Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering   ,  California Institute of Technology   ,    Pasadena   ,    CA   ,    91125.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Rajski
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Barton
mesh_terms: D020029:Base Pairing; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry; D004249:DNA Damage; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D004579:Electron Transport; D004583:Electrons
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004247:DNA