Molecular recognition of nucleic monomers by self-assembled films contained polycytidylic acid

Different types of multilayer films fabricated by self-assembled (SA) technique were examined on the binding of different nucleosides and nucleotides from water solutions. They contained polycytidylic acid (poly(C)) as specific sensor molecules. All the nucleosides, 5' mononucleotides and cyclonucleotides studied were found to penetrate into the inner layers of SA-films and bind with poly(C) molecules in the whole volume of the film. The SA-film with polycation cover layer binds negatively charged nucleotides 3-10 times better than neutral nucleosides. This type of film shows the high selectivity of binding of complementary guanylic monomers from the mixtures of nucleotides or nucleosides. The row of monomer binding preference depends on the type of polycation which is presented in the film. SA-film with poly(C) cover layer do not demonstrate any selectivity of nucleotide or nucleoside binding. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.