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Sequence-Specific Electron Transfer Mediated by DNA Duplexes Attached to Gold through the Alkanethiol Linkern

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DOI

Ability of the DNA double helix to transport electrons is its critical feature, underlying a number of important biological and biotechnological processes. Here, we show that electron transfer (ET) from the gold electrode to the DNA-bound methylene blue (MB) mediated by the DNA base-pair pi-stack is less efficient in (dGdC)-rich duplexes compared to pure (dAdT) DNA. The ET rate constant k(s) extrapolated to the DNA surface coverage Gamma(DNA) -> 0 is 121 +/- 8 s(-1) for (dAdT)(25), being almost twofold higher than 67 3 s(-1) shown for (dGdC)(20), consistent with the electric-field-disturbed submolecular structure of the (dGdC)(20) duplex earlier shown at electrified interfaces. DNA-mediated ET occurs both to MB intercalated and thus perfectly a pi-stacked into the (dGdC)20 duplex and to MB solely groove-bound to (dAdT)(25). For both (dGdC)(20) and (dAdT)(25), ET is less efficient than ET in DNA duplexes of a mixed dA, dT, dG, dC composition. The results suggest new interpretations of the biological ET processes that may occur in dsDNA of different compositions at polarized interfaces.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry B
Volume122
Issue44
Pages (from-to)10077-10085
Number of pages9
ISSN1520-6106
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Nov 2018

    Research areas

  • METHYLENE-BLUE, CHARGE-TRANSPORT, NUCLEIC-ACIDS, ELECTROCHEMISTRY, MOLECULES, SURFACE, FILMS, REDOX, END, ELECTROANALYSIS

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