Magnetic fields facilitate DNA-mediated charge transport

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that external magnetic fields can enhance DNA-mediated charge transport, revealing potential for improved DNA-based electronic devices and insights into magnetic effects on biological redox processes.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence that magnetic fields facilitate DNA charge transport, highlighting the role of spin dynamics and structural alignment in this process.

Findings

Magnetic fields increase DNA charge transport efficiency.

Charge transport sensitivity to magnetic field strength and DNA structure.

Magnetic fields influence radical spin evolution and base pair alignment.

Abstract

Exaggerate radical-induced DNA damage under magnetic fields is of great concerns to medical biosafety and to bio-molecular device based upon DNA electronic conductivity. In this report, the effect of applying an external magnetic field (MF) on DNA-mediated charge transport (CT) was investigated by studying guanine oxidation by a kinetics trap (8CPG) via photoirradiation of anthraquinone (AQ) in the presence of an external MF. Positive enhancement in CT efficiencies was observed in both the proximal and distal 8CPG after applying a static MF of 300 mT. MF assisted CT has shown sensitivities to magnetic field strength, duplex structures, and the integrity of base pair stacking. MF effects on spin evolution of charge injection upon AQ irradiation and alignment of base pairs to CT-active conformation during radical propagation were proposed to be the two major factors that MF attributed to facilitate DNA-mediated CT. Herein, our results suggested that the electronic conductivity of duplex DNA can be enhanced by applying an external MF. MF effects on DNA-mediated CT may offer a new avenue for designing DNA-based electronic device, and unraveled MF effects on redox and radical relevant biological processes.