A Phenanthrene Modified RNA Hairpin

Abstract

The influence of hairpin loop replacement with the phenanthrene moiety in RNA was investigated. The stability of this novel structure was compared to a hairpin with a U₄ loop, an extra stable tetra-loop (UUCG), and an analogous phenanthrene modified DNA hairpin. Thermal denaturation experiments and CD spectra were used to study the structure and stability of the modified hairpin.

Keywords:

• Hairpin loop
• phenanthrene moiety
• modified hairpin

Notes

^a Melting temperatures were determined from the maximum of the first derivative of the melting curve (A₂₆₀ against temperature); exptl. error: ± 0.5°C.

^b Difference in Tm relative to hairpin 1.

^c Difference in Tm relative to hairpin 4.