Honors Theses
Date of Award
2015
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Chemistry and Biochemistry
First Advisor
Randy Wadkins
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
Polyamines are present inside cells at varying concentrations anywhere between 10 mM and 60 mM, and because of their molecular structure they contribute a positive charge to the interior of the cell. There has been previous evidence that the concentrations of polyamines have an effect on the stability of the DNA strands, which can affect the cellular processes. The particular DNA conformation studied is the i-motif, which is formed by intermolecular folding in cytosine rich strands. The i-motif studied is C20T, which is found in the promoter region of the oncogene, c-myc. Stabilization of c-myc can have an effect on the transcription of this oncogene. Because the formation of i-motifs is energetically unfavorable, scientists are studying molecules and ligands that can stabilize the i-motif making its formation more energetically favorable. Polyamines are hypothesized to stabilize the i-motif. The stability of the i-motif was measured by melting this single stranded DNA with varying concentrations of three different polyamines. The observed increased melting point of the i-motif signified an increased stability of the DNA i-motif structure.
Recommended Citation
Liddell, Shelby Claire, "The Effect of Polyamines on i-Motif Thermal Stablity" (2015). Honors Theses. 857.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/857
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