Reversible Control of DNA Binding with Cucurbit[8]uril-Induced Supramolecular 4,4'-Bipyridinium-Peptide Dimers

Bioconjug Chem. 2021 Mar 17;32(3):507-511. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.1c00063. Epub 2021 Mar 8.

Abstract

Many cellular processes in living organisms are regulated by complex regulatory networks, built from noncovalent interactions between relatively few proteins that perform their functions by switching between homo- and heterooligomeric assemblies or mono- and bivalent states. Herein, we demonstrate that the conjugation of a 4,4'-bipyridinium scaffold to the basic region of the GCN4 bZip transcription factor can be exploited to control the dimerization of the conjugate by formation of a supramolecular complex with cucurbit[8]uril. Importantly, this supramolecular complex is able to specifically recognize its target dsDNA, and this binding can be reversibly switched by the application of external stimuli.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • Bridged-Ring Compounds / metabolism*
  • DNA / metabolism*
  • Dimerization
  • Imidazoles / metabolism*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / metabolism*
  • Pyridinium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Substances

  • Bridged-Ring Compounds
  • Imidazoles
  • Peptides
  • Pyridinium Compounds
  • cucurbit(8)uril
  • DNA