The interaction of amino acids, peptides, and proteins with DNA.

Amino acids that carry charges on their side groups can bind to double stranded DNA (dsDNA) and change the strength of the double helix. Measurement of the DNA melting temperature (Tm) confirmed that acidic amino acids (Glu, Asp) weaken the H-bonds between DNA strands, whereas basic amino acids (Arg, Lys) strengthen the interaction between the strands. A rank correlation exists between the amino acid isoelectric points and the observed changes in Tm.

One-pot synthesis of substituted 2-aminobenzo[b]thiophenes.

Reaction of 1-(2-chloro-5-nitrophenyl)ethanone 1, via Willgerodt-Kindler routes, using the primary and secondary amines 2a-k resulted in a simple, efficient three-component one-pot synthesis of 2-aminobenzo[b]thiophenes 3a-k.