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The Convertible Nucleoside Approach: Structural Engineering of Nucleic Acids by Disulfide Cross-Linking

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Nucleic Acids and Molecular Biology

Part of the book series: Nucleic Acids and Molecular Biology ((NUCLEIC,volume 8))

Abstract

In addition to noncovalent interactions, metal ligation and disulfide cross-linking are often used by proteins to achieve and maintain their three-dimensional structure. Another class of biologically important macro-molecules, nucleic acids, possess the functionality required for hydrophobic packing and metal chelation, but lack the sulfhydryl groups that are necessary for disculfide cross-linking. Hence, the limited repertoire of atoms in nucleic acids deprives them of a molecular device — the disulfide cross-link — that is widely employed by proteins to control macromolecular structure, dynamics, stability, and perhaps folding. Nonetheless, recent advances in the chemical synthesis of modified nucleic acids have made it possible to overcome this deficiency by allowing attachment of sulfhydryl groups to specific bases in DNA and RNA. Having surmounted the initial obstacle imposed by nature, we have begun to explore the structure and applications of disulfide cross-linked nucleic acids. This new field is just now taking its first, halting steps, as reviewed here, but the results thus far point toward a rich and exciting future.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Harvard University, 12 Oxford St., Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA

    A. E. Ferentz & G. L. Verdine

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  1. A. E. Ferentz
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  2. G. L. Verdine
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Experimentelle Medizin, Hermann-Rein-Straße 3, 37075, Göttingen, Germany

    Fritz Eckstein

  2. Biochemistry Department, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN, UK

    David M. J. Lilley

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© 1994 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Ferentz, A.E., Verdine, G.L. (1994). The Convertible Nucleoside Approach: Structural Engineering of Nucleic Acids by Disulfide Cross-Linking. In: Eckstein, F., Lilley, D.M.J. (eds) Nucleic Acids and Molecular Biology. Nucleic Acids and Molecular Biology, vol 8. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-78666-2_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-78666-2_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-78668-6

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