Efficient Charge Transport via DNA G-Quadruplexes

The dynamics and efficiency of photoinduced charge transport has been investigated in DNA capped hairpins possessing a stilbenedicarboxamide (Sa) hole donor and stilbenediether (Sd) hole acceptor separated by DNA G-quadruplex structures possessing 2-to-4 tetrads by means of femtosecond and nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy with global analysis. The results for the quadruplex structures are compared with those for the corresponding duplex structures having G-C base pairs in place of the G-tetrads. Following photoinduced charge separation to form a contact radical ion pair, hole transport to form the Sa^-•/Sd^+• charge-separated state is slower but more efficient for the quadruplex vs duplex structures. Thus, the G-quadruplex serves as an effective conduit for positive charge rather than as a hole trap when inserted into a duplex, as previously postulated.