Distinct Structural Interactions of polyAdenine and polyThymine on Gold Nanoparticles: From Single Strands to Duplexes

Abstract

Motivated by potential applications in fields such as medicine or materials science, various methodologies have been developed for the preparation of so-called spherical nucleic acids, based on oligonucleotides and metal nanoparticles. Despite optimization through various parameters such as loading efficiency or nanoconjugate stability, much remains to be known regarding the actual conformations of oligonucleotides and their interactions with the nanoparticle surface. We employed a combination of spectroscopic techniques and liquid transmission electron microscopy to analyze the interactions and conformations adopted by polyAdenine (polyA) and polyThymine (polyT) chains in contact with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). These studies revealed the presence of AuNP@polyA dimers, with polyA strands forming duplexes, whereas polyT forms isolated strands on the AuNP. The presence or absence of polyA duplexes on AuNPs can be modulated by external stimuli such as temperature or NaCl. This study contributes to understanding the interactions and secondary structure of oligonucleotides on AuNPs.

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Edge Article
Submitted
17 Jun 2025
Accepted
30 Jul 2025
First published
31 Jul 2025
This article is Open Access

All publication charges for this article have been paid for by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Sci., 2025, Accepted Manuscript

Distinct Structural Interactions of polyAdenine and polyThymine on Gold Nanoparticles: From Single Strands to Duplexes

J. Dong, I. García, B. De Busschere, N. Claes, S. Bals, L. M. Liz-Marzan and M. Núñez-Martínez, Chem. Sci., 2025, Accepted Manuscript , DOI: 10.1039/D5SC04459F

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