Synthesis of organic molecules to be evaluated as cofactors for the cleavage of RNA

ORGN 115

Jose Boquin, jose_boquin@baylor.edu1, Gabriela Uzcategui, gabriela_uzcategui@baylor.edu1, and Robert R. Kane, bob_kane@baylor.edu2. (1) Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, 101 Bagby Ave., Waco, TX 76706, (2) Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry & The Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor University, 101 Bagby Ave., Waco, TX 76706
Deoxyribozymes are single-stranded DNA molecules with catalytic capabilities. Among the deoxyribozymes discovered to date, the most efficient are metalloenzymes that require the presence of a metal to function. The amino acid histidine has also been reported as a cofactor in the cleavage of a DNA strand during an in vitro selection. In this system, histidine appears to participate in proton transfer.

Our research project involves the design, synthesis and evaluation of small organic cofactors to be used by deoxyribozymes. The compounds reported in this presentation are synthesized by amide coupling of various carboxylic acids with protected histidines and other protected imidazole derivatives. These synthetic cofactors are filled with functionality expected to interact with the DNA enzymes (via H bonding or intercalating) and to participate in the catalysis (the imidazole group).

 

Physical Organic Chemistry, Combinatorial and Process Chemistry, New Reactions and Methodology, Peptides, Proteins and Amino Acids
8:00 PM-10:00 PM, Sunday, April 6, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster

Division of Organic Chemistry

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008