Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) has discovered interesting morphological anomalies of a recently developed form of quadruplex DNA bound to a model silicate substrate, mica. To better understand these anomalies, the mechanical, chemical and electronic characteristics of both duplex and quadruplex DNA have been initially characterized under controlled conditions. The self-assembled quadruplex DNA, a biopolymer Guanine-quarter DNA called """"""""G-wires"""""""", preferentially orient themselves over a period of time on mica. At low concentrations, the G- wires appear to orient parallel to the next nearest neighbor of mica's atomic surface. AT high concentrations G-wires provide reproducible """"""""networked patterns"""""""" and can be easily manipulated with SPM probe. The self-assembled G-wires can be grown to micrometer lengths in specific ionic environments through the overlap of repeated G4T2G4 (Tet 1.5) oligonucleotide sequences. Compared to poorly conducting double- stranded DNA G-wires incorporate a structure that includes caged cations and extensive hydrogen bonding that may be electrically conductive. Additionally, the uninterrupted nanometer-scale studies have shown the simple macroscopic tests used for conductivity can reliably be accomplished at the molecular level. The potential of organic nanometer- scale current carriers, or """"""""non-wires"""""""", could have a profound impact on the biotechnology industry.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Minority Biomedical Research Support - MBRS (S06)
Project #
1S06GM061223-01
Application #
6332154
Study Section
Minority Programs Review Committee (MPRC)
Project Start
2000-06-01
Project End
2004-05-31
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$32,217
Indirect Cost
Name
California State University Fresno
Department
Type
DUNS #
793751087
City
Fresno
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
93726
Van Laer, Koen; Buts, Lieven; Foloppe, Nicolas et al. (2012) Mycoredoxin-1 is one of the missing links in the oxidative stress defence mechanism of Mycobacteria. Mol Microbiol 86:787-804
Upton, Heather; Newton, Gerald L; Gushiken, Melissa et al. (2012) Characterization of BshA, bacillithiol glycosyltransferase from Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. FEBS Lett 586:1004-8
Newton, Gerald L; Fahey, Robert C; Rawat, Mamta (2012) Detoxification of toxins by bacillithiol in Staphylococcus aureus. Microbiology 158:1117-26
Ta, Philong; Buchmeier, Nancy; Newton, Gerald L et al. (2011) Organic hydroperoxide resistance protein and ergothioneine compensate for loss of mycothiol in Mycobacterium smegmatis mutants. J Bacteriol 193:1981-90
Newton, Gerald L; Leung, Stephan S; Wakabayashi, Judy I et al. (2011) The DinB superfamily includes novel mycothiol, bacillithiol, and glutathione S-transferases. Biochemistry 50:10751-60
Gaballa, Ahmed; Newton, Gerald L; Antelmann, Haike et al. (2010) Biosynthesis and functions of bacillithiol, a major low-molecular-weight thiol in Bacilli. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 107:6482-6
Johnson, Todd; Newton, Gerald L; Fahey, Robert C et al. (2009) Unusual production of glutathione in Actinobacteria. Arch Microbiol 191:89-93
Miller, Christopher C; Rawat, Mamta; Johnson, Todd et al. (2007) Innate protection of Mycobacterium smegmatis against the antimicrobial activity of nitric oxide is provided by mycothiol. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 51:3364-6
Rawat, Mamta; Johnson, Chantale; Cadiz, Vanessa et al. (2007) Comparative analysis of mutants in the mycothiol biosynthesis pathway in Mycobacterium smegmatis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 363:71-6
Rawat, Mamta; Av-Gay, Yossef (2007) Mycothiol-dependent proteins in actinomycetes. FEMS Microbiol Rev 31:278-92

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