Linear disulfide-containing low polymer as efficient DNA cleavage reagent

A novel linear poly[1,7-bis(mercaptoacetyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane] (PBMAC) containing macrocyclic polyamine was synthesized through oxidation of 1,7-bis(mercaptoacetyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (BMAC) and characterized. Gel electrophoresis experiments showed that PBMAC can promote the DNA cleavage more efficiently than its monomer under physiological conditions without any thiol additives. Fluorescence quenching and DNA melting experiments demonstrated that PBMAC has stronger binding ability with DNA than that of monomer. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.