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Synthesis, characterization and hybridization studies of an alternate nucleo-ε/γ-peptide: complexes formation with natural nucleic acids

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Abstract

In order to develop new oligodeoxyribonucleotide (ODN) analogs to be used in biotechnological applications, we report here the synthesis, characterization and nucleic acid binding studies of novel nucleopeptides, that we called ε-lys/γ-dabPNAs, containing a backbone of alternated l-diaminobutyric acid and l-lysine moieties. Exploring the hybridization properties of the new ODN analog, we found, by circular dichroism and UV spectroscopies, that a homothymine ε-lys/γ-dabPNA hexamer binds both DNA and RNA of complementary sequence. Furthermore, human serum stability assays on the alternate nucleopeptide evidenced a noteworthy degradation resistance. These results encourage us to deepen the knowledge of this analog, in order to evaluate its possible use in antigene/antisense or diagnostic applications.

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Acknowledgments

This work has been funded by the Italian PRIN 2007 (2007F9TWKE). We gratefully thank Prof. Antonio Roviello for his precious suggestions, Dr. Giuseppe Perretta and Leopoldo Zona for their invaluable technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini—CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Napoli, Italy

    G. N. Roviello, D. Musumeci & C. Pedone

  2. Bioindustry Park del Canavese SpA, Via Ribes 5, 10010, Colleretto Giacosa, Turin, Italy

    E. M. Bucci

Authors
  1. G. N. Roviello
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  2. D. Musumeci
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  3. C. Pedone
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  4. E. M. Bucci
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. Musumeci.

Additional information

G. N. Roviello and D. Musumeci have contributed equally to this work

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Roviello, G.N., Musumeci, D., Pedone, C. et al. Synthesis, characterization and hybridization studies of an alternate nucleo-ε/γ-peptide: complexes formation with natural nucleic acids. Amino Acids 38, 103–111 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-008-0214-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-008-0214-7

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