Mechanical characterization of base analogue modified nucleic acids by force spectroscopy

Characterization of nucleic acids by nanopore analysis.

Single-stranded DNA and RNA molecules in solution can be driven through a nanoscopic pore by an applied electric field. As each molecule occupies the pore, a characteristic blockade of ionic current is produced. Information about length, composition, structure, and dynamic motion of the molecule can be deduced from modulations of the current blockade.

Mismatch discrimination of base-modified nucleic acids and their constituents: non-Watson-Crick base pairing induced by tautomerization.

The effect of tautomerism on the mismatch discrimination was studied on 7-deazapurine and 8-aza-7-deazapurine analogues of isoguanosine. 7-Halogenated 7-deaza-2'-deoxyisoguanosines show better base pair discrimination than 2'-deoxyisoguanosine due to the more favored keto tautomer formation. 8-Aza-7-deazaisoguanosine and its 7-halogeno derivatives also show higher keto tautomer population than ...

Inhibition of DNA polymerases in oncornaviruses by modified nucleic acids.

DNA base pair resolution by single molecule force spectroscopy.

The forces that hold complementary strands of DNA together in a double helix, and the role of base mismatches in these, are examined by single molecule force spectroscopy using an atomic force microscope (AFM). These forces are important when considering the binding of proteins to DNA, since these proteins often mechanically stretch the DNA during their action. In AFM measurement of forces, the...

Detection of single base changes in nucleic acids.