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Selectivity of natural isoquinoline alkaloid assembler in programming poly(dA) into parallel duplex by polyvalent
Shuzhen Peng1, Yun Chang1, Xingli Zeng1
1Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, College of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, Zhejiang, PR China.
Analytica Chimica Acta
|January 19, 2023
Summary
Nitidine, a natural isoquinoline alkaloid, programs disordered poly(dA) into parallel duplex assemblies. This discovery opens avenues for novel DNA-based molecular switches and sensors.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Ligand-induced DNA assembly is crucial for transcription regulation and molecular sensors.
- Natural isoquinoline alkaloids (NIAs) are explored for their potential in DNA programming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify NIAs capable of programming disordered DNA into specific assemblies.
- To investigate the mechanism of nitidine (NIT) in forming parallel poly(dA) duplexes.
Main Methods:
- Screening of NIAs for DNA assembly capabilities.
- Utilizing a gold nanoparticles-based colorimetric assay for screening.
- Investigating the binding of NIT to poly(dA) sequences.
Main Results:
- Nitidine (NIT) was identified as a polyvalent assembler for poly(dA) at neutral pH.
- Molecular planarity of NIAs is a key factor in programming parallel poly(dA) assembly.
- Poly(dA) sequences longer than six adenines initiate synergistic NIT binding, forming parallel duplexes.
Conclusions:
- NIT effectively programs poly(dA) into parallel duplex assemblies through polyvalent synergy.
- The findings support the development of polyadenine-based molecular switches and sensors.
- This research highlights NIT's potential in creating novel DNA-based nanodevices.
