1 research outputs found
Histidine-Based Lipopeptides Enhance Cleavage of Nucleic Acids: Interactions with DNA and Hydrolytic Properties
Interaction studies and cleavage
activity experiments were carried
out between plasmid DNA and a series of histidine-based lipopeptides.
Specific fluorescent probes (ethidium bromide, Hoechst 33342, and
pyrene) were used to monitor intercalation, minor groove binding,
and self-assembly of lipopeptides, respectively. Association between
DNA and lipopeptides was thus evidenced, highlighting the importance of both histidine and
hydrophobic tail in the interaction process. DNA cleavage in the presence
of lipopeptides was then detected by gel electrophoresis and quantified,
showing the importance of histidine and the involvement of its side-chain
imidazole in the hydrolysis mechanism. These systems could then be
developed as synthetic nucleases while raising concern of introducing
histidine in the design of lipopeptide-based transfection vectors