Summary
The uranyl-(VI) cation (UO2 2+) forms strong complexes with accessible phosphates of nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) backbones. Upon excitation with long wavelength ultraviolet light (λ = 300–420 nm), uranyl ions bound to backbone phosphates oxidize proximal sugars and induce nucleic acid backbone cleavage. Thus the uranyl(VI) ion functions as a very specific and efficient photochemical probe for identifying ligand(protein)-phosphate contacts in nucleic acid complexes as well as potential (high affinity) cation (e.g., Mg2+)-binding sites in folded nucleic acids. Finally, the cleavage modulation of duplex DNA reflects helix conformation in terms of minor groove width, due to preferential affinity/oxidation efficiency for such regions of the DNA helix.
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Nielsen, P.E. (2009). Uranyl Photofootprinting. In: Leblanc, B., Moss, T. (eds) DNA-Protein Interactions. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 543. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-015-1_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-015-1_7
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