Specific and highly efficient condensation of GC and IC DNA by polyaza pyridinophane derivatives

Overview of Stojković MR et al.

AuthorsStojković MR  Gonzalez-Garcia J  Šupljika F  Galiana-Rosello C  Guijarro L  Gazze SA  Francis LW  Piantanida I  Garcia-Espana E  
AffiliationDepartment of Inorganic Chemistry   Institute for Molecular Science   University of Valencia   Catedratico Jose Beltran 2   46980 Paterna   Spain. Electronic address: enrique.garcia-es@uv.es.  
JournalInt J Biol Macromol
Year 2017

Abstract


Two bis-polyaza pyridinophane derivatives and their monomeric reference compounds revealed strong interactions with ds-DNA and RNA. The bis-derivatives show a specific condensation of GC- and IC-DNA, which is almost two orders of magnitude more efficient than the well-known condensation agent spermine. The type of condensed DNA was identified as ψ-DNA, characterized by the exceptionally strong CD signals. At variance to the almost silent AT(U) polynucleotides, these strong CD signals allow the determination of GC-condensates at nanomolar nucleobase concentrations. Detailed thermodynamic characterisation by ITC reveals significant differences between the DNA binding of the bis-derivative compounds (enthalpy driven) and that of spermine and of their monomeric counterparts (entropy driven). Atomic force microscopy confirmed GC-DNA compaction by the bis-derivatives and the formation of toroid- and rod-like structures responsible for the ψ-type pattern in the CD spectra.