Direct detection of potassium cations bound to G-quadruplex structures by solid-state 39K NMR at 19.6 T.

We report solid-state 39K NMR detection of the K+ ions bound to three G-quadruplex structures formed by self-assembly of 5'-tert-butyl-dimethylsilyl-2',3'-O-isopropylidene guanosine, guanosine, and guanosine 5'-monophosphate. The 39K NMR spectra clearly show different spectral signatures for K+ ions inside the G-quadruplex channel and for K+ ions bound to the phosphate groups. Solid-state 39K NMR spectra for hydrated K salts of adenosine 2'-monophosphate and adenosine 5'-diphosphate are also reported.