| POLYMERS Vol.70 No.10 |
| >> Japanese | >> English |
COVER STORY
State of the Art Research on DNA and RNA |
| COVER STORY: Highlight Reviews |
| Breakthrough in Nucleic Acid Chemistry Research | Akimitsu OKAMOTO |
| <Abstract> Nucleic acid chemistry has grown dramatically in a short period of time with the progress of nucleic acid synthesis and microscopy techniques and the accumulation of genome biology knowledge. In this article, we focus on the recent developments in the field of nucleic acid chemistry, including functional analysis of quadruplexes, nucleic acid imaging, DNA origami, and nucleic acid medicine. Keywords: Nucleic Acid Synthesis / Microscopy Techniques / Genome Biology / Nucleic Acid Chemistry / Quadruplexes / Nucleic Acid Imaging / DNA Origami / Nucleic Acid Medicine |
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| Photon-Driven DNA Nanomachines | Hiroyuki ASANUMA, Keiji MURAYAMA, Yukiko KAMIYA, Hiromu KASHIDA |
| <Abstract> Recently, DNA is regarded as a nanomaterial for constructing various nanostructures and nanomachines that are designed on the basis of spontaneous duplex formation of DNA with the complementary strand in a sequence-specific manner. Hence, if DNA hybridization is reversibly photo-regulated by irradiating with lights of specific wavelength, most of nanoarchitectures can be converted to photon-fueled DNA nanomachines. In this highlight review, we first survery photo-responsive DNAs attaching photo-responsive molecules and photo-responsive DNA binder that enable formation and dissociation of DNA duplex by light irradiation. Then, we demonstrate two kinds of photo-responsive DNAzymes in which catalytic reactions are synchronized with reversible mechanical motions powered by photo-irradiation. Keywords: DNA / Nanoarchitecture / Nanomachine / Photo-Regulation / Azobenzene / Stilbene / DNAzyme |
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| Synthetic RNA Systems | Shunsuke KAWASAKI, Hirohide SAITO |
| <Abstract> RNA is an essential biomolecule for governing life phenomena due to its important role in gene expression and cell function. With the growing understanding of RNAs, many researchers attempt to control life by designing and manipulating RNAs. In this review, we will introduce research related to synthetic RNA, which has been attracting attention in recent years. Starting from the basic knowledge about RNAs, including the function and biochemical features, we explain what is the important point for designing synthetic RNAs and how useful it is for real-world applications. Keywords: RNA / Non-Coding RNA / mRNA / Synthetic Biology |
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| COVER STORY: Topics and Products |
| Terminal Sequence-Specific Interparticle Force between DNA Duplex-Carrying Colloidal Particles Examined by Optical Tweezers | Naoki KANAYAMA |
| <Abstract> The dispersion behavior of DNA duplex-carrying colloidal particles in aqueous high-salt solutions shows extraordinary selectivity against the duplex terminal sequence. We measured the interparticle force between DNA duplex-carrying microparticles (dsDNA-MPs) in aqueous salt solutions with a dual-beam optical tweezers with the two optically trapped dsDNA-MPs closely approaching each other. The results demonstrated the occurrence of interparticle attraction between dsDNA-MPs only when the duplex terminal was a complementary base pair under high-salt conditions. Keywords: DNA / Colloidal Particles / Interparticle Force / Force-Distance Curve / Terminal Sequence-Specificity / Optical Tweezers |
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| Active Control of Rod-Shaped Gold Nanoparticles Using DNA Brushes | Hideyuki MITOMO |
| <Abstract> DNA is a biopolymer carrying genetic information in our body, and also a functional material with various unique properties. In the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology, DNA is used as one of the key materials for the construction of designed nanostructures not only through the sequence-dependent hybridization but also by functional templating. On the other hand, metal nanoparticles are also an attractive material that shows unique properties, such as localized surface plasmon resonance. Their configurations in nanoscale are important for their plasmonic properties. Therefore, to actively control their assembled structures as a configuration, the combination of metal nanoparticles with polymer materials is an effective approach. In this article, recent progress in our group in active control of rod-shaped gold nanoparticles in DNA brushes as a scaffold is introduced. Keywords: DNA Brushes / Gold Nanoparticles / Active Control / Surface Plasmon Resonance |
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| Folding and Use of DNA: From Higher Order Structures Control of DNA to Cancer Therepy | Kensuke OSADA |
| <Abstract> The structure of the material for the blueprint of life was disclosed 50 years ago. The entire nucleotide sequence of the material was revealed 20 years ago, and now we can use DNA to cure diseases. Dealing with DNA as a macromolecule, here we show the higher order structures of DNA, its formation, its control, and its use to treat cancer. Keywords: DNA Folding / Polyion Complex / Gene Delivery / Polyplex Miclles |
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| Non-Equilibrium Phenomena of Genetic Polymers and the Origin of Life Problem | Yusuke T. MAEDA, Mizuho SHIRAI |
| <Abstract> Living systems are characterized by replicating genetic polymers storing information. How self-replicating systems emerge is a fundamental question from physics to biology. However, in thermal equilibrium systems, the structure of molecules and chemical reactions occur at random, implying that functional polymers such as DNA/RNA were hardly produced at thermal equilibrium conditions. Therefore, the dynamics of DNA/RNA in non-equilibrium conditions are essential to understand the potential origin of genetic polymers at the early stage of life. Here we discuss a new strategy to the origin of life problem, based on non-equilibrium soft-matter physics. We describe the molecular transport and sorting of DNA/RNA by non-equilibrium transport under a temperature gradient, the ligation reaction with crowding effects, and the exponential growth of genetic polymers driven by thermal convection. Keywords: Non-Equilibrium Transport Phenomena / Origin of Life / Temperature Gradient |
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| Polymer Science and I: A Personal Account |
| Unending Exploration in the Expanding World of Macromolecules | Keita FUCHISE |
| <Abstract> I have always tried to develop simple and convenient methods to precisely synthesize polymers with desired molecular structures. My and our exploration in the expanding world of macromolecules will never end. New macromolecular structures must provide us with limitless possibilities to develop macromolecular materials with yet undiscovered properties and functions. |
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| Front-Line Polymer Science |
| DNA-Based Biosensing and Cell Manipulation | Yusuke ARIMA |
| <Abstract> DNA nanotechnology has been used as an experimental toolbox for biomedical applications due to its ability to design sequence and chemical modification. In addition to hybridization of DNA with its complementary sequence, recent progress in aptamers enables us to design DNA sequences that specifically bind to target molecules （small molecules, ions, proteins）. The modification with DNAs extends from biosensors to living cells. In the latter case, engineering of cell surfaces with DNAs allows for cell manipulation including control of biological responses, cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion, and sensing of the cellular microenvironment. This review describes recent progress in DNA-based biosensing and cell manipulation. Keywords: DNA / Hybridization / Aptamer / Biosensing / Cell Surface Modification / Cell Manipulation |
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