Synthesis and Properties of Size-Expanded DNAs:  Toward Designed, Functional Genetic Systems

We describe the design, synthesis, and properties of DNA-like molecules in which the base pairs are expanded by benzo homologation. The resulting size-expanded genetic helices are called xDNA (“expanded DNA”) and yDNA (“wide DNA”). The large component bases are fluorescent, and they display high sta...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Accounts of chemical research 2007-02, Vol.40 (2), p.141-150
Main Authors: Krueger, Andrew T, Lu, Haige, Lee, Alex H. F, Kool, Eric T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Base Pairing
Base Sequence
Benzene Derivatives - chemistry
DNA - chemical synthesis
DNA - chemistry
DNA - genetics
DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase - chemistry
DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase - metabolism
Fluorescence
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Models, Chemical
Nucleic Acid Conformation
Nucleic Acid Probes
Spectrometry, Fluorescence
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Summary:We describe the design, synthesis, and properties of DNA-like molecules in which the base pairs are expanded by benzo homologation. The resulting size-expanded genetic helices are called xDNA (“expanded DNA”) and yDNA (“wide DNA”). The large component bases are fluorescent, and they display high stacking affinity. When singly substituted into natural DNA, they are destabilizing because the benzo-expanded base pair size is too large for the natural helix. However, when all base pairs are expanded, xDNA and yDNA form highly stable, sequence-selective double helices. The size-expanded DNAs are candidates for components of new, functioning genetic systems. In addition, the fluorescence of expanded DNA bases makes them potentially useful in probing nucleic acids.
ISSN:0001-4842
1520-4898
DOI:10.1021/ar068200o