Unexpected Dissociation of Photoresponsive UV-ON DNA Carrying p-tert-Butyl Azobenzene under UV Light Irradiation

Abstract

A hybridization behavior of Vis-OFF/UV-ON type photoresponsive DNA tethering p-tert-butyl azobenzene (pDNA) was investigated using fluorescence and absorbance measurement. We found that the partial dissociation of pDNA duplex into single strands occurred during UV irradiation, whereas incubation in dark after UV irradiation induced duplex formation. This feature is commonly considered to be important for an experimental design of photo-controllable system utilizing azobenzene.