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A spectroscopic and surface plasmon resonance study of oleic acid/DNA complexes
R I Zhdanov1, N B Strazhevskaya, A R Jdanov
1V. N. Orekhovich Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, 10, Pogodinskaya St., 119992 Moscow, Russia. renat@ibmh.msk.su
Journal of Biomolecular Structure & Dynamics
|October 2, 2002
Summary
Oleic acid interacts with DNA double helices, specifically recognizing AT base pairs through groove binding. This interaction, even after washing, suggests a novel mechanism for gene regulation within the cell.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Lipids play crucial roles in cellular processes.
- Understanding lipid-DNA interactions is key to deciphering gene regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between oleic acid and synthetic polynucleotide strands.
- To elucidate the binding specificity and mechanism of oleic acid with DNA.
Main Methods:
- Circular dichroism spectroscopy
- UV-absorption measurements
- Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor
- Scanning force microscopy (SFM)
Main Results:
- Oleic acid binds to DNA duplexes, with strong recognition of AT base pairs via groove binding.
- GC-rich sequences, particularly alternating d[G-C] motifs, are significantly affected.
- Binding is persistent, even after dialysis, with one oleic acid molecule per 2-3 base pairs tightly bound.
Conclusions:
- Oleic acid exhibits specific molecular recognition of DNA structures.
- The persistent binding suggests a potential role in gene expression regulation at the nuclear membrane or within the DNA double helix.