Abstract
The effect of aTNA (acyclic threoninol nucleic acids) units on the stability of intramolecular i-motifs was investigated by spectroscopic techniques.
Highlights
The effect of arti cial nucleic acids (aTNA) units on the stability of intramolecular i-motifs was investigated by spectroscopic techniques
The structure comprises two strands arranged in a parallel-type duplex with hemiprotonated C$CH+ base pairs, and two of these duplexes are held together in an antiparallel fashion by intercalation of each C$CH+ base pair (Fig. 1a).[1]
From the biological point of view, the presence of i-motifforming sequences in telomeric and promoter regions supports the hypothesis that they may be functionally relevant.[2]. The role of these structures as modulators of gene expression has been assessed.[3]. These structures are interesting in the eld of nanotechnology, since for instance they have been used to control the assembly of supramolecular structures[4] or in the design of molecular motors[5] and sensing systems such as nanoswitches driven by pH changes to monitor biological processes.[6]
Summary
The effect of aTNA (acyclic threoninol nucleic acids) units on the stability of intramolecular i-motifs was investigated by spectroscopic techniques. ATNA's can form stable hetero-duplexes with DNA and RNA in a parallel manner,[12] and they are compatible with parallel G-quadruplex structures.[13] Recently, this acyclic scaffold has been used to design functional RNA/aTNA chimeras with improved nuclease resistance.[14] To date the effect of this modi cation in the formation of i-motifs has not been tested. Oligonucleotides containing two CLT modi cations involved in the same C$CH+ base pair (Lt_1/13, Lt_2/14 and Lt_3/15) were studied.
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