Stabilization of DNA Multiassembly by Addition of a Phosphate Group at the 5′-Sticky End

Abstract

Abstract The effect of 5′-phosphorylation at nicks on DNA stabilization was measured through the formation of DNA multiassemblies consisting of 40-mer half-sliding complementary oligonucleotides, which had overlapping complementary 20-mer base sequences. 5′-Phosphorylated oligonucleotides formed longer DNA multiassemblies than 5′-hydroxylated ones. This result indicated that the 5′-phosphorylated sticky ends contribute to the stabilization of the DNA association due to the hydrogen bonds between 3′-hydroxy groups and 5′-phosphate groups at the nick positions.