DNA-mediated signaling

Many expts. have now shown that double helical DNA can serve as a conduit for efficient charge transport reactions over long distances. In particular, oxidative damage to DNA can be promoted from a distance through DNA-mediated charge transport. Importantly, this chem. is exquisitely sensitive to perturbations in the DNA base stack, such as arise with base mismatches, lesions, and protein binding. As a result, DNA charge transport chem. can be harnessed for the design of sensitive diagnostics. Studies will be described to characterize biol. roles for DNA charge transport. This chem. may be used advantageously within the cell in long range signaling to DNA-bound proteins, both to regulate transcription and to activate repair of base lesions under conditions of oxidative stress. DNA charge transport chem. provides an opportunity to carry out redox chem. at a distance.