Direct evidences for the groove binding of the Clomifene to double stranded DNA

Seyed Zachariah Moradi1, Amin Nowroozi2, Komail Sadrjavadi2

  • 1Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.

Insights

Clomifene, a structural analogue of Tamoxifen, binds to DNA through minor groove interactions. This binding is spontaneous, primarily driven by entropy, with hydrophobic and hydrogen bonds playing key roles.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Tamoxifen, an antiestrogen, is known to induce liver tumors in rats and exhibit genotoxic effects via DNA interaction.
  • Clomifene, a structural analogue of Tamoxifen, was hypothesized to possess similar DNA-binding properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the DNA binding properties of Clomifene.
  • To elucidate the mode and thermodynamics of Clomifene-DNA interaction.

Main Methods:

  • Absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy
  • Cellular uptake, cell viability, and cell proliferation assays
  • Molecular modeling, including docking studies

Main Results:

  • Clomifene interacts with DNA primarily through minor groove binding.
  • The binding is spontaneous (negative ΔG), entropy-driven (positive ΔH and ΔS), with hydrophobic and hydrogen bonds being significant interaction forces.
  • A high binding constant (K=5.645×10^7 M^-1 at 298K) was determined.

Conclusions:

  • Clomifene exhibits significant DNA binding capabilities, suggesting potential genotoxic mechanisms.
  • The binding thermodynamics indicate a complex interplay of hydrophobic and entropic factors, possibly involving DNA structural changes.

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