TTF-modified DNA

A study was conducted to demonstrate tetrathiafulvalene (TTF)-modified DNA. The effect of TTF incorporation on duplex stability was analyzed by thermal denaturation investigations. It was observed that incorporation of TTF moiety in each strand led to a a considerable increase instability of DNA in comparison with its unmodified form. Investigations revealed that the increase in stability can be due to stacking interactions between the TTF units, with the neighboring nucleobases and to hydrophobic interactions of the pentyl chains. Cooperativity of the melting process in the natural and modified part of the DNA duplex, was shown by monitoring the denaturation process at 290 nm and 330 nm. The study also demonstrated that TTF-modified DNA strands form stable hybrids with all other modified strands.