Effect of 1-propyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride on spermine binding to duplex RNA

CHED 225

Shameka D. Berry, shameka20@earthlink.net, Lameka L. Berry, musicfan4eva2002@yahoo.com, and Naomi F. Campbell, naomi.campbell@jsums.edu. Department of Chemistry, Jackson State University, 1400 J. R. Lynch Street, P. O. Box 17910, Jackson, MS 39217
Hundreds of new ionic liquids are being synthesized yearly for various applications including replacements solvents for volatile organic solvents in synthetic processes and as cosmetic ingredients. These ionic liquids have not been tested as extensively as the typical organic solvents for toxicity, genotoxicity, and other long-term health effects in biological systems. The physiological action of many biological molecules depends on specific interactions mediated via hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and hydrophobic interactions. Ionic liquids can interfere with these specific molecular interactions; yet, very little is known about how ionic liquids interact with biological molecules. Our initial results show a decrease in spermine binding to duplex homopolymers of poly (A) – poly (U) when solubilized in 3% 1-propyl-3-imidazolium chloride as compared to the homopolymers solubilized in 0.10 M sodium phosphate buffer.