preference for Watson–Crick pairing over homobase interactions in DNA
Carmen López-Chamorro (Author), Antonio Pérez-Romero (Author), Alicia Domínguez-Martín (Author), Uroš Javornik (Author), Oscar Palacios (Author), Janez Plavec (Author), Miguel A. Galindo (Author)

Abstract

DNA strands modified with 7-deazaadenine (X) and 7-deazaguanine (Y) have shown promise in forming silver-DNA assemblies while maintaining canonical Watson–Crick base pairing, highlighting the compatibility of silver binding with standard DNA structures. However, critical questions remain regarding the binding preferences of AgI ions to sequences containing 7-deazapurine bases, particularly the prevalence of silver-modified Watson–Crick base pairs versus alternative homobase pair arrangements. To address this, we examined the binding of AgI to complementary X-T sequences, demonstrating a strong preference for canonical X-AgI-T pairing over homoleptic X-AgI-X or T-AgI-T pairs. Additionally, we report the discovery of a novel metallized DNA duplex featuring continuous X-AgI-X homobase pairs, whose structural analysis at the monomeric level, using model base 9-propyl-7-deazaadenine (pX) and AgI salts, reveals a unique silver-binding pattern through the Watson–Crick face. These findings not only advance our understanding of silver-mediated DNA architectures using 7-deazapurines but also provide a foundation for the rational design of sophisticated metal-DNA nanostructures with tailored properties, opening new avenues for the development of functional DNA-based materials.

Keywords

anorganska kemija;DNA;nanostrukture;lastnosti;crystal structure;genetics;ions;silver;solution chemistry;

Data

Language: English
Year of publishing:
Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization: KI - National Institute of Chemistry
UDC: 54
COBISS: 247846147 Link will open in a new window
ISSN: 1520-510X
Views: 267
Downloads: 112
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Other data

Secondary language: Slovenian
Secondary keywords: anorganska kemija;DNA;nanostrukture;lastnosti;
Source comment: Nasl. z nasl. zaslona; Soavtorja iz Slovenije: Uroš Javornik, Janez Plavec; Opis vira z dne 5. 9. 2025;
Pages: str. 14455–14465
Volume: ǂVol. ǂ64
Issue: ǂiss. ǂ28
Chronology: 10. Jul. 2025
DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.5c01762
ID: 27266833