Reversible Control of DNA Binding with Cucurbit[8]uril-Induced Supramolecular 4,4'-Bipyridinium-Peptide Dimers

Many cellular processes in living organisms are regulated by complex regulatory networks, built from noncovalent interactions between relatively few proteins that perform their functions by switching between homo- and heterooligomeric assemblies or mono- and bivalent states. Herein, we demonstrate that the conjugation of a 4,4'-bipyridinium scaffold to the basic region of the GCN4 bZip transcription factor can be exploited to control the dimerization of the conjugate by formation of a supramolecular complex with cucurbit[8]uril. Importantly, this supramolecular complex is able to specifically recognize its target dsDNA, and this binding can be reversibly switched by the application of external stimuli.