Photoregulations between Small DNAs and Reversible Photochromic Molecules

Oligonucleotides are widely used biological materials in the fields of biomedicine, nanotechnology and materials science. Due to the demand on the photoregulation of DNA activities, scientists have put more and more research interests on the interactions between reversible photochromic molecules and DNAs. Photochromic molecules could work as switches for regulating the DNAs’ behaviors under the light irradiations, meanwhile, DNAs also exert influences over the photochromic molecules. The photochromic molecules can be attached to DNAs either by the covalent bond or by the noncovalent forces, which result in the different regulative functions. Azobenzenes, spiropyrans, diarylethenes and stilbene-like compounds are important photochromic molecules, working as photoswitches. By summarizing their interactions with oligonucleotides, this review intends to facilitate the relevant researchers working on the oligonucleotides/photochromic molecules in the biological, medicinal fields and materials science.