Cited by 148DNA and Nucleic Acid ChemistryAdvanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniquesSupramolecular Self-Assembly in Materials

Reprogramming the assembly of unmodified DNA with a small molecule

Avakyan, Nicole, Greschner, Andrea A., Aldaye, Faisal, Serpell, Christopher J., Toader, Violeta, Petitjean, Anne, Sleiman, Hanadi F.·2016·Nature Chemistry

Abstract

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.

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  • As alternative chemistries emerge, including unnatural nucleotides and small molecules that can modulate the structure of DNA, the parameter space for structure- and sequence-based DNA data storage is continually expanding.

    “Additionally, as alternative chemistries emerge, including unnatural nucleotides147 and small molecules that can modulate the structure of DNA,148 the parameter space for structure- and sequence-based DNA data storage is continually expanding.”

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Authors
Avakyan, N., Greschner, A. A., Aldaye, F., Serpell, C. J., Toader, V., Petitjean, A., & Sleiman, H. F.
Affiliations
  • McGill University (CA)
  • Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (CA)
  • University of Kent (GB)
  • Queen's University (CA)
Corresponding author
Sleiman, Hanadi F.
Venue
Nature Chemistry
Published
2016-02-22
Volume
8
Issue
4
Pages
368-376
ISSN
  • 1755-4330 (ISSN-L)
  • 1755-4349
OpenAlex
W2283133204
Cited by
148
References
58
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 11
FWCI
8.84
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Nature Chemistry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Kent Academic Repository (University of Kent) (acceptedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › Supramolecular Self-Assembly in Materials
Keywords
cyanuric acid, nucleic acid self-assembly, triplex DNA, peptide nucleic acid, nucleic acid nanostructures
MeSH terms
Circular Dichroism, DNA, Hydrogen Bonding, Poly A, Triazines, Peptide Nucleic Acids

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