Fig. 1: Reaction pathways for DNA strand displacement reactions.
From: Enabling programmable dynamic DNA chemistry using small-molecule DNA binders
a Schematic illustration of two possible reaction pathways (SN1 and SN2) for a typical toehold-mediated strand displacement reaction. b The conventional strand displacement reaction is dominated by the SN2 reaction pathway, where metal cations help stabilize the triplex intermediate. c Activation of the SN1 reaction pathway by preparing the displacement reaction in a buffer containing no or very low concentrations of metal ions, which is labeled as domain I in the BIND curve. d Inhibition of both reaction pathways in response to low concentrations of DNA binders in BIND, which is labeled as domain II in the BIND curve. e Activation of the SN2 reaction pathway in response to high concentrations of DNA binders in BIND, which is labeled as domain III in the BIND curve.
