Stabilization of triplexes by water structure-making substances
AssigneePrinceton University
InventorsJacques R. Fresco, John Laurence Richard Lavelle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The stability of a triplex in solution is enhanced by adding to the solution, either before or after formation of the triplex, an effective amount of either of the following: (a) a water structure-making substance, at an appropriately high concentration, other than an alkali or alkaline earth metal cation, a tetramethylammonium cation, or a polyamine; or (b) a combination of said water structure-making substance and an alkali or alkaline earth cation or a tetramethylammonium cation or a polyamine.
Claims32
A method for enhancing the stability of a triplex formed from one or more nucleic acid strands in a solution in vitro, said method comprising adding to the solution either of the following:
- (a) a water structure-making substance selected from the group consisting of an organic cation other than tetramethylammonium, a cationic lipid, dimethyl sulfoxide, poly(ethylene glycol), an organic anion, and an inorganic anion;
- or
- (b) a combination of said water structure-making substance and an alkali or alkaline earth metal cation, a tetramethylammonium cation, or a polyamine,
- wherein the concentration of the water structure-making substance in a) or b) in the solution is at least about one molar.
A method for forming a triplex from one or more nucleic acid strands, said method comprising adding to a solution in vitro, in any order, the strand(s) and an effective amount for triplex stabilization of one of the following:
- (a) a water structure-making substance selected from the group consisting of an organic cation other than tetramethylammonium, a cationic lipid, dimethyl sulfoxide, poly(ethylene glycol), an organic anion, and an inorganic anion;
- or
- (b) a combination of said water structure-making substance and an alkali or alkaline earth metal cation, a tetramethylammonium cation, or a polyamine;
- and allowing said triplex to form,
- wherein the concentration of the water structure-making substance in a) or b) in the solution is at least about one molar.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.