Further studies on nucleopeptides with DABA-based backbone

In continuing our studies on new ODN-like molecules suitable for a wide variety of biomedical and bioengineering applications, here we report further studies relative to a chiral nucleopeptide with a diaminobutyric acid (DABA) backbone. In particular, in this work we describe the synthesis of the nucleoaminoacid monomer with the D stereochemistry, performed in analogy to our previous reports on the L-DABA derivative, and the oligomerization using both enantiomers to form an alternate D,L-nucleopeptide. This oligomer was studied for its ability to bind complementary DNA by CD and UV spectroscopies. Furthermore, the new nucleopeptide showed binding evidence with a free nucleobase probably forming a three-dimensional network based on hydrogen bonding. This kind of structures is of particular interest for the development of new nanomaterials with many desirable properties as well as of new ODN-analogues for biotechnological applications.