Abstract
Here we show that ionic self-assembly of simple biological tectons can be used to synthesize stable and highly ordered molecular structures. In particular, nucleotides and charged polypeptides can be assembled to form a complex analogous to DNA under relatively benign conditions. The combination of polylysine and pure dGMP leads to a fourfold ladder structure stabilizing an interior G-quartet structure by four polypeptide scaffolds. Making use of the Watson-Crick G:C base pairing motive leads to double-stranded complexes. Interestingly, these complexes show stable DNA-like organization in aqueous solutions, as proven by gel electrophoresis and intercalation experiments.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 329-336 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Soft Matter |
Volume | 2 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 3 2006 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Chemistry
- Condensed Matter Physics