Date of Award
Spring 5-1-2014
Degree Type
Honors College Thesis
Department
Biological Sciences
First Advisor
Anthony Bell
Abstract
Small molecules can be used promote the formation or assembly of four-way DNA junctions (4WJs). A series of small molecules were evaluated with four-way and three-way junctions (3WJs). From these assays, a ruthenium biphenyl compound [Ru(byp)2] generated the best results. 4WJs and 3WJs formed stable complexes when incubated with Ru(byp)2 in the presence of MgCl2 – conditions that are more similar to physiological conditions. Future research will focus on measuring the thermostability of Ru(byp)2-stablized 4WJs via circular dichroism (CD) and UV spectroscopy. The long-term goal of this strategy is to use Ru(byp)2 or alternate small molecules to target/stall DNA replication of cancer cells.
Copyright
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Recommended Citation
Brahan, Ann Marie, "Evaluation of a Small Molecule As a Method To Stabilize the Formation of a Four-Way DNA Junction" (2014). Honors Theses. 447.
https://aquila.usm.edu/honors_theses/447