Interactions of elongated dinuclear metallo-cylinders with DNA three-way and four-way junctions.

ABSTRACT: Non-canonical DNA structures play important roles in processing of the genetic code. Three-way (3WJ) and four-way (4WJ) junctions are dynamic, multi-stranded structures containing an open cavity at the centre. We have previously demonstrated that supramolecular dinuclear metallo-cylinders bind well inside 3WJ cavities, having an optimally complementary size and shape match, cationic charge to bind the DNA anion, as well as the ability to π‑stack with the branchpoint nucleobases. Herein, we show that a longer metallo-cylinder with a similar but extended central π surface binds to both 3WJ and 4WJ structures with good selectivity over double-stranded DNA. Experimental investigations, informed by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, reveal that whilst this longer cylinder can bind 3WJs as the

SUBMITTER: Dettmer SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12675720 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature