Charge Transport Communication through DNA by Protein Fe–S Clusters: How Far Is Not Too Far?

The key role of DNA in storing genetic instructions for producing proteins and RNA constitutes the foundational chemistry for life itself. However, DNA also has the more enigmatic and provocative chemical characteristic that it can mediate charge transport (CT) through the continuum of pi electron density formed by double-helical base stacking.1 Now, measurements by a team led by Jacqueline Barton imply ～3.5 kilobase pairs (kbp) is a duplex DNA length that is not too far for protein iron–sulfur (Fe–S) clusters to mediate DNA CT.