Base-pairing behavior of a carbocyclic Janus-AT nucleoside analogue capable of recognizing A and T within a DNA duplex

Dualplex lateral flow assay for simultaneous scopolamine and "cannibal drug" detection based on receptor-gated mesoporous nanoparticles

We report herein the design of a strip-based rapid test utilizing bio-inspired hybrid nanomaterials for the in situ and at site detection of the drug scopolamine (SCP) using a smartphone for readout, allowing SCP identification in diluted saliva down to 40 nM in less than 15 min. For this purpose, we prepared a nanosensor based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with a fluorescent reporter (rhodamine B) and functionalized with bethanechol, a potent agonist of recombinant human muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M₂ (M₂-AChR). M₂-AChR interaction with the anchored bethanechol derivative leads to capping of the pores. The sensing mechanism relies on binding of SCP to M₂-AChR resulting in pore opening and delivery of the entrapped rhodamine B reporter. Moreover, the material was incorporated into strips for lateral-flow assays coupled to smartphone readout, giving fast response time, good selectivity, and exceptional sensitivity. In an attempt to a mobile analytical test system for law enforcement services, we have also developed a dualplex lateral flow assay for SCP and 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) also known as the so-called "cannibal drug".

Context-Sensitive Cleavage of Folded DNAs by Loop-Targeting bPNAs

Herein, we demonstrate context-dependent molecular recognition of DNA by synthetic bPNA iron and copper complexes, using oxidative backbone cleavage as a chemical readout for binding. Oligoethylenimine bPNAs displaying iron·EDTA or copper·phenanthroline sites were found to be efficient chemical nucleases for designed and native structured DNAs with T-rich single-stranded domains. Cleavage reactivity depends strongly on structural context, as strikingly demonstrated with DNA substrates of the form (GGGTTA)_n. This repeat sequence from the human telomere is known to switch between parallel and antiparallel G-quadruplex (G4) topologies with a change from potassium to sodium buffer: notably, bPNA-copper complexes efficiently cleave long repeat sequences into ∼22-nucleotide portions in sodium, but not potassium, buffer. We hypothesize preferential cleavage of the antiparallel topology (Na⁺) over the parallel topology (K⁺) due to the greater accessibility of the TTA loop to bPNA in the antiparallel (Na⁺) form. Similar ion-sensitive telomere shortening upon treatment with bPNA nucleases can be observed in both isolated and intracellular DNA from PC3 cells by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Live cell treatment was accompanied by accelerated cellular senescence, as expected for significant telomere shortening. Taken together, the loop-targeting approach of bPNA chemical nucleases complements prior intercalation strategies targeting duplex and quadruplex DNA. Structurally sensitive loop targeting enables discrimination between similar target sequences, thus expanding bPNA targeting beyond simple oligo-T sequences. In addition, bPNA nucleases are cell membrane permeable and therefore may be used to target native intracellular substrates. In addition, these data indicate that bPNA scaffolds can be a platform for new synthetic binders to particular nucleic acid structural motifs.

Bifacial Nucleobases for Hexaplex Formation in Aqueous Solution

Although DNA can form triplex and quadruplex structures through hydrogen bonds, design and preparation of structures with more than five strands is difficult even when artificial nucleic acids are used. Herein we report a hexaplex formed by oligomers of artificial nucleic acids bearing bifacial molecules on d-threoninol. Aminopyrimidine and cyanuric acid derivatives were selected as bases because they have complementary hydrogen bonding patterns. The complex formed by aminopyrimidine and cyanuric acid decamers melted with large hysteresis. Hexaplex formation was indicated by gel electrophoresis, size exclusion chromatography and atomic force microscopy imaging, and proven directly through native mass spectrometry. CD measurements and molecular dynamics simulations indicated that the hexaplex adopts a helical structure. The hexaplex formation was highly dependent on pH and the presence of divalent cations. The hexaplex was stable in aqueous solution, and its unique structure and properties may lead to novel nanostructures, molecular assemblies, metal sensors, and ion channels.

Expansion of the DNA Alphabet beyond Natural DNA Recognition

Simple and inexpensive DNA fibres: New, stable DNA structures are created by the binding of a small molecule to poly(A). Because these DNA fibres are formed from inexpensive materials by using very simple methods, DNA materials suitable for practical use such as information storage should be possible in the near future.

Reprogramming the assembly of unmodified DNA with a small molecule

The ability of DNA to store and encode information arises from base pairing of the four-letter nucleobase code to form a double helix. Expanding this DNA 'alphabet' by synthetic incorporation of new bases can introduce new functionalities and enable the formation of novel nucleic acid structures. However, reprogramming the self-assembly of existing nucleobases presents an alternative route to expand the structural space and functionality of nucleic acids. Here we report the discovery that a small molecule, cyanuric acid, with three thymine-like faces, reprogrammes the assembly of unmodified poly(adenine) (poly(A)) into stable, long and abundant fibres with a unique internal structure. Poly(A) DNA, RNA and peptide nucleic acid (PNA) all form these assemblies. Our studies are consistent with the association of adenine and cyanuric acid units into a hexameric rosette, which brings together poly(A) triplexes with a subsequent cooperative polymerization. Fundamentally, this study shows that small hydrogen-bonding molecules can be used to induce the assembly of nucleic acids in water, which leads to new structures from inexpensive and readily available materials.