We have carried out studies focusing on sequence and environmental effects on the formation and stability of the quadruplex forming oligomers (XXXGGG)4, where X is A and or T, using spectroscopic and calorimetric approaches. Under defined conditions, these sequences form folded structures with a high negative charge densities. In a separate study, we have been investigating the physical properties of a series of Gemini surfactants (shown below, where n = 2, 3 or 4) using conductivity, refractivity, light scattering and calorimetric approaches. At concentrations above the cmc (around 1.0 mM), these surfactants form micelles of high positive charge density. Thus, we were interested in the potential interactions between these DNAs and these surfactants. For the initial study, solutions of a fixed concentration of (TTAGGG)4 in standard PBS buffer and concentrations of the 12-4-12 surfactant ranging from 0 to 3 mM were prepared. In those solutions where the [12-4-12] was greater than the cmc, a precipitate formed which contained all of the DNA. At concentrations of 12-4-12 below the cmc, precipitates formed but some DNA was still left in solution. Using a variety of DNA sequences of different lengths, we have found that the precipitation of the DNA by the surfactant is dependent on the concentration of the surfactant as well as the concentration of the DNA and the charge or charge density of the DNA. We will give a progress report of these studies.

Novel interactions of DNA oligomers with Gemini surfactants

ACS Spring 2022

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