Abstract
We demonstrate that polyvalent DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles (DNA-Au NPs) selectively enhance ribonuclease H (RNase H) activity while inhibiting most biologically relevant nucleases. This combination of properties is particularly interesting in the context of gene regulation, since high RNase H activity results in rapid mRNA degradation and general nuclease inhibition results in high biological stability. We have investigated the mechanism of selective RNase H activation and found that the high DNA density of DNA-Au NPs is responsible for this unusual behavior. This work adds to our understanding of polyvalent DNA-Au NPs as gene regulation agents and suggests a new model for selectively controlling protein-nanoparticle interactions.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 2120-2123 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of the American Chemical Society |
Volume | 133 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 23 2011 |
Funding
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Catalysis
- Colloid and Surface Chemistry