SPECIFIC BINDING AND STABILIZATION OF DNA AND PHOSPHOROTHIOATE DNA BY AMPHIPHILIC α-HELICAL PEPTIDES

Abstract

Synthetic cationic peptides with amphiphilic α-helical structure were found to have DNA binding ability to stabilize double and triple stranded DNA. The stabilization effect was significant for cationic α-helical peptides indicating the importance of an electrostatic interaction of a positive charge of peptides and a negative charge of DNAs.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This study was financially supported in part by a grant from Nissan Science Foundation and also by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) (No. 11557197) and (C) (No. 11680594) from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.