A new oxygen modification cyclooctaoxygen binds to nucleic acids as sodium crown complex

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Oxygen exhibits multiple allotropic forms, with cyclooctaoxygen predicted in 1990.
• This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of this predicted oxygen allotrope.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize cyclooctaoxygen.
• To investigate its interaction with nucleic acids and its potential role in biological systems.

Main Methods:

• In vitro synthesis of cyclooctaoxygen sodium using atmospheric or catalase-generated oxygen, catalyzed by cytosine nucleosides and RNA or ninhydrin.
• Thin-layer chromatography and mobility shift assays to analyze the cyclooctaoxygen sodium complex's interaction with nucleic acids.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis and isolation of cyclooctaoxygen as a sodium crown complex with cytosine nucleoside hydrochloride.
• The complex binds to RNA and DNA, associates with single-stranded DNA and spermine phosphate.
• Demonstrated low toxicity to cultured mammalian cells at concentrations of 0.1-1.0mM.

Conclusions:

• Cyclooctaoxygen is postulated to form in eukaryotic cells via a catalase reaction involving cytidine and RNA.
• A molecular model suggests cyclooctaoxygen forms an epigenetic shell for eukaryotic DNA, explaining selenium interactions.
• The complex's genome coverage suggests a role in eukaryotic gene regulation and proto-eukaryotic evolution.