In the research article “5′-(CGA)n sequence-assisted pH-controlled assembly of supramolecular DNA nanostructure” Yuting Yan, Yanwei Cao, Chunsheng Xiao, Yang Li, Xiaoxuan Xiang and Xinhua Guo demonstratethat the connection of duplex-forming sequences with a G-quadruplex-forming sequence (G6) could be used to construct DNA supramolecular nanostructures with alternating B-duplex and G-quadruplex structures. Their results demonstrate that the TT linker between B-duplex and G-quadruplex structures are necessary for the construction of such nanostructures, because the TT linker can provide structural flexibility for the bending of duplexes at the terminal of G-quadruplex.*
The formation of DNA supramolecular nanostructures was directly observed through AFM measurements. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was performed using NANOSENSORS™ PointProbe® Plus PPP-NCHR tapping mode AFM probes.
Figure 5. from “5′-(CGA)n sequence-assisted pH-controlled assembly of supramolecular DNA nanostructure” by Yuting Yan et al.: AFM images of the nanostructures formed by DNA G-quadruplexes self-assembly in KOAc buffer solution; (a,b) SG2 at pH 9.0, (c,d) SG2 at pH 4.5, (e,f) a mixture of SG2 and CSG2 at pH 4.5, (g,h) a mixture of SG2 and CSG2 at pH 9.0. The length of side is 2 µm and the scale bar is 500 nm.
AFM microscopy was performed on the fresh mica surfaces with the help of magnesium ions which can bind negatively charged DNA strands. The DNA samples were annealed at 100 µM in 100 mM K+ solution at 4°C for one week. Then aliquots were diluted with 2 mM MgCl2 aqueous solution to give a 20 µl analyte containing 1.5 µM DNA. The analytes were spread evenly on the mica surface for 5–8 min. Subsequently, the mica surface was washed with Milli-Q water to wipe off the excess salt, and finally dried in the air.*
*Yuting Yan, Yanwei Cao, Chunsheng Xiao, Yang Li, Xiaoxuan Xiang, Xinhua Guo
5′-(CGA)n sequence-assisted pH-controlled assembly of supramolecular DNA nanostructure
Royal Society Open Science, 1 August 2018, Volume 5, Issue 8
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.180123
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