The use of charge flow and quenching (CFQ) to probe nucleic acid folds and folding

Charge flow and quenching (“CFQ”) is a relatively new, versatile, and easily carried out methodology for probing a number of unique features of DNA and RNA folded structures, and of their folding pathways. An electrical charge (an electron hole, or radical cation) is injected site-specifically into the end of a pre-determined reference helix within the larger DNA or RNA structure. The fate of the injected charge, as it percolates through the folded DNA or RNA is then monitored by mapping the oxidative consequences of the charge flow. Some of the kinds of structural and folding information that can be obtained from CFQ experiments include: a quantitative measure of helix-helix connectivity; the dynamics of specific bases; folding and unfolding pathways; the mapping of unusual, conformation-dependent, electronic properties of individual bases; extents of solvent exposure and susceptibility to quenching from the solvent. CFQ is a relatively new methodology, and is applicable to DNA and RNA structures and folds. In the near future it is expected that the range of applications of this methodology will increase dramatically.