The binding of phosphorothloate oligonucleotides to CdS nanoparticles

Protein-sized surface Cd2+-rich, S2--rich and neutral CdS nanoparticles were used to imitate the binding of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides (PT-oligoG(10)) to proteins. It is found that the binding of PT-oligoG(10) to the surface neutral CdS nanoparticle shows positive cooperativity and the binding of PT-oligoG(10) to surface S2--rich CdS nanoparticle shows negative cooperativity. In case of the surface Cd2+-rich CdS nanoparticle, no cooperativity can be identified for the binding of PT-oligoG(10). (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.