Can A Denaturant Stabilize DNA? Pyridine Reverses DNA Denaturation in Acidic pH

TitleCan A Denaturant Stabilize DNA? Pyridine Reverses DNA Denaturation in Acidic pH
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsPortella, Guillem, Terrazas Montserrat, Villegas Núria, González Carlos, and Orozco Modesto
JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition
Volume54
Pagination10488–10491
ISSN1521-3773
Keywordsdenaturant, ion–DNA interactions, molecular dynamics, NMR spectroscopy, nucleic acid thermodynamics
Abstract

The stability of DNA is highly dependent on the properties of the surrounding solvent, such as ionic strength, pH, and the presence of denaturants and osmolytes. Addition of pyridine is known to unfold DNA by replacing π–π stacking interactions between bases, stabilizing conformations in which the nucleotides are solvent exposed. We show here experimental and theoretical evidences that pyridine can change its role and in fact stabilize the DNA under acidic conditions. NMR spectroscopy and MD simulations demonstrate that the reversal in the denaturing role of pyridine is specific, and is related to its character as pseudo groove binder. The present study sheds light on the nature of DNA stability and on the relationship between DNA and solvent, with clear biotechnological implications.

URLhttps://dx.doi.org/10.1002/anie.201503770
DOI10.1002/anie.201503770
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