Azobenzene Oligonucleotide Modification

Bio-Synthesis offers azobenzene modified oligonucleotide synthesis for the study of  photo-regulated functions in DNA.  The ability to control DNA functions using an external stimuli to quantitate at any given moment and position provides a new tool to analyze the DNA-mediated bioprocess. Oligonucleotides modified with photo-responsible molecules such as azobenzene will switch between cis and trans conformations upon irradiation with UV or visible light and allow the study of DNA bioprocess. Photo-control modifications offer number of advantages over other external stimuli:

• Ease of use: ultraviolet or visible light to control reaction
• No contamination when introducing light
• Controllable excitation wavelengthh throught the design of the photo-responsive molecule
• Ability to manage irradiation time and/or location excitation

Azobenzene developed by Hiroyuki Asanuma and his group^1,2, is a typical photo-responsive molecule that isomerizes from its planar trans-form to the non-planar cis-form after UV-light irradiation with a wavelength between 300 nm and 400 nm (lmax is around 330 nm). Interestingly, the system reverts from the cis-form to the trans-form after further irradiation with visible light (wavelength over 400 nm). This process is completely reversible, and the azobenzene group does not decompose or induce undesirable side reactions even on repeated trans-cis isomerization. The use of azobenzene modified oligo has been used in Transcription by T7-RNA polymerase reaction^3,4,5, Formation and dissociation of a DNA duplex ^6,7. Azobenzene containing oligos can be incorporate at any position. Purification by PAGE or HPLC is available. Contact us for azobenzene oligonucleotide modification services.