Analytical Techniques Used to Detect DNA Binding Modes of Ruthenium(II) Complexes with Extended Phenanthroline Ring

This review describes the analytical techniques used to detect DNA-probes such as Ru(II) complexes with hetero cyclic imidazo phenanthroline (IP) ligands. Studies on drug-DNA interactions are useful biochemical techniques for visualization of DNA both in vitro and in vivo. The interactions of small molecules that binds to DNA are mainly classified into two major classes, one involving covalent binding and another non-covalent binding. Covalent binding in DNA can be irreversible and may leads to inhibition of all DNA processes which subsequently leads to cell death. Usually, covalent interactions leads to permanent changes in the structure of nucleic acids. The non-covalent interaction of molecules with DNA can be due to electrostatic interaction, intercalation and groove binding. These interactions of DNA probes can be explored by various spectroscopic techniques viz. UV-visible, emission, emission quenching spectroscopy, viscosity and thermal denaturation measurements.