[Nonlinear laser photomodification of nucleic acids induced by intercalating dyes]

Results of a cycle of investigations of two-quantum affinity modification of nucleic acids (NA) are presented. The modification is induced by laser excitation of chromophoric molecules which are in intercalative complexes with NA. The following subjects are considered: theoretical basis of the two-quantum affinity modification: experimental investigation of nonlinear scission of DNA; theory and experiment on the light--induced diffusion of DNA. The latter is an effect which accompanies the scission and allows one to obtain information on it. The modification specificity and universality in a dye type are established experimentally. Influence of free radicals, oxygen, heating and hydrodynamical phenomena in bulk are excluded. The modification has been shown to be dependent on NA structure (secondary and tertiary) and to provide information on it. Total aggregate of the data obtained is in agreement with the suggested modification mechanism which is based on the radiationless transfer of two-quantum excitation energy from the chromophore to NA.