BASE-PAIR FORMATION OF SELF-ORGANIZING RNA AMPHIPHILES WITHIN 2 DIMENSIONS

In an attempt to get a better insight in specific base pairing by self -organization of DNA or RNA, the synthesis of a complete set of monoal kyl ribonucleotides is described. The thermodynamic phase and mixing p roperties of these self-organizing RNA amphiphiles were analyzed withi n two dimensions using hbn balance technique. The pure compounds form stable monolayers at the air-water interface on a physiological buffer . In analogy to base-paired RNA or DNA in solution, the monolayers wer e mostly stabilized by complexing the phosphate groups by calcium or m agnesium ions. By use of mixtures of RNA amphiphiles, specific recogni tion and base-pair formation of monoalkyl phospho adenosine/uridine we re demonstrated.