Rational Design of Memory-Based Sensors: the Case of Molecular Calorimeters.

Autor: Nwokolo OA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115, USA., Kidd B; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115, USA., Allen T; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115, USA., Minasyan AS; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115, USA., Vardelly S; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115, USA., Johnson KD; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115, USA., Nesterova IV; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, 60115, USA.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English) [Angew Chem Int Ed Engl] 2021 Jan 18; Vol. 60 (3), pp. 1610-1614. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Nov 18.
DOI: 10.1002/anie.202011422
Abstrakt: Thermodynamic characterization is crucial for understanding molecular interactions. However, methodologies for measuring heat changes in small open systems are extremely limited. We document a new approach for designing molecular sensors, that function as calorimeters: sensors based on memory. To design a memory-based sensor, we take advantage of the unique kinetic properties of nucleic acid scaffolds. Particularly, we elaborate on the differences in folding and unfolding rates in nucleic acid quadruplexes. DNA-based i-motifs unfold fast in response to small heats but do not fold back when the system is equilibrated with surroundings. We translated this behavior into a molecular memory function that enables the measurement of heat changes in open environments. The new sensors are biocompatible, operate homogeneously, and measure small heats released over long time periods. As a proof-of-concept, we demonstrate how the molecular calorimeters report heat changes generated in water/propanol mixing and in ligand/protein binding.
(© 2020 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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