NUCLEIC ACID CATALYSTS: INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF MONOVALENT IONS ON THE ACTIVITY OF DNA ENZYMES

Farrah Alkhaleel, Neil Chen, Kevin Duh, Nabgha Farhat, Jonathan Huang, David Kersen, Michael McLoughlin, Connor Moseley, Adetayo Sanusi, Charissa Shen, Stefano Solari, Brendan Wu

Advisor: Dr. Adam G. Cassano
Assistant: Jeremy Tang

ABSTRACT

RNA and DNA enzymes often require divalent metal ion cofactors such as Mg 2+ for their function. However, numerous catalytic RNAs have been shown to also be active in high concentrations of monovalent ions such as Li + . Given the similar chemical structures of RNA and DNA, the divalent ion requirement for DNAzymes has also come into question. Using gel electrophoresis, the activity of the 10-23 DNAzyme was tested in several monovalent salts in order to ascertain the exact function of metal ions in the function of the DNAzyme. Ultimately it was determined that monovalent ions were ineffective in aiding DNAzyme function, supporting the conclusion that divalent ions play a chemical, rather than simply structural, role as a cofactor.