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Title:
A Four-Base Paired Genetic Helix with Expanded Size
Authors:
Liu, Haibo; Gao, Jianmin; Lynch, Stephen R.; Saito, Y. David; Maynard, Lystranne; Kool, Eric T.
Affiliation:
AA(Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5080, USA.), AB(Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5080, USA.), AC(Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5080, USA.), AD(Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5080, USA.), AE(Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5080, USA.), AF(Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5080, USA.)
Publication:
Science, Volume 302, Issue 5646, pp. 868-871 (2003). (Sci Homepage)
Publication Date:
10/2003
Category:
BIOCHEM
Origin:
SCIENCE
Abstract Copyright:
(c) 2003: Science
DOI:
10.1126/science.1088334
Bibliographic Code:
2003Sci...302..868L

Abstract

We describe a new molecular class of genetic-pairing system that has a native DNA backbone but has all four base pairs replaced by new, larger pairs. The base pairs include size-expanded analogs of thymine and of adenine, both extended by the width of a benzene ring (2.4 Å). The expanded-diameter double helices are more thermodynamically stable than the Watson-Crick helix, likely because of enhanced base stacking. Structural data confirm a right-handed, double-stranded, and base-paired helical form. Because of the larger base size, all the pairs of this helical system are fluorescent, which suggests practical applications in detection of natural DNA and RNA. Our findings establish that there is no apparent structural or thermodynamic prohibition against genetic systems having sizes different from the natural one.
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Physics
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