Pure and Applied Chemistry

Abstract: The single common feature of all biological systems is the dependence on self-assembly of molecular units to be morphed into well-defined functional architectures. Thanks to a dynamic equilibrium process, incorrect structural units are rejected with high levels of fidelity. The development of synthetic systems displaying similar attributes is an emerging field with wide applications from biotechnology to medicine. In this context, we developed a stimuli-responsive nucleic acid-based system relying on the reversible formation of cyclic boronate internucleosidic linkages. The dynamic assembly of this new borono-based helix has been accomplished through a DNA- and an RNA-templated autoligation process featuring a 5'-ended boronic acid oligonucleotide connecting to a 3'-ended ribonucleosidic oligonucleotide partner.