SAMOP 2023 – scientific programme
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MO: Fachverband Molekülphysik
MO 18: Cluster and Experimental Techniques (joint session MO/A)
MO 18.8: Talk
Thursday, March 9, 2023, 16:15–16:30, F142
Salt effects on the translocation dynamics of polycationic peptide nucleic acids through a protein nanopore — •Ioana Cezara Bucataru1, Alina Asandei2, Loredana Mereuta1, and Tudor Luchian1 — 1Department of Physics, *Alexandru I. Cuza* University, Iasi, Romania. — 2Sciences Department, Interdisciplinary Research Institute, *Alexandru I. Cuza* University, Iasi, Romania
Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are synthetic molecular constructs that mimic DNA in structure, but with an uncharged pseudopeptide backbone made of N-(2-aminoethyl)-glycine, having the ability to form Watson-Crick complementary duplexes with regular DNA. Due to its distinctive properties, PNAs displayed considerable potential for application in molecular diagnostics and antisense therapies. The addition of different charged sidechains to the neutral PNA structure plays an essential part in addressing solubility-related issues that are linked with the use of these molecules. The single-molecule investigations used here focus on the interactions of different length polyarginine-conjugated PNAs (poly(Arg)-PNAs) with the α-hemolysin (α-HL) nanopore, under an applied transmembrane voltage. The effect of ionic strength on the translocation kinetics is demonstrated by using different salt concentrations in the recording buffer. Our results indicate that low ionic strength increases the electrophoretic mobility of poly(Arg)-PNA probes as they pass through the nanopore and reduces their volume. The current findings highlight the intricate interplay between conformation and ion environment that influences the inherent flexibility and function of poly(Arg)-functionalized PNAs.