Interaction studies of water-soluble Zn(II) complex with calf thymus DNA using biophysical and molecular docking...

The binding between a fluorescent water-soluble Zn(II) complex of {2-[N-(2-hydroxyethylammonioethyl) imino methyl] phenol} and calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) was investigated using spectroscopic techniques. The complex was prepared and identified by FT-IR, and ¹H NMR spectroscopies. The significant changes in the absorption and the circular dichroism spectra of ct-DNA in the presence of the Zn(II) complex implied the interaction between the Zn(II) complex and ct-DNA. Upon addition of ct-DNA, the fluorescence emission intensity of the Zn(II) complex was increased and indicated the interaction between the Zn(II) complex and ct-DNA was occurred. The binding constant values (K_b) resulted from fluorescence spectra clearly showed the Zn(II) complex affinity to ct-DNA. The fluorescence studies also approved the static enhancement mechanism in the Zn(II) complex-DNA complexation process. The thermodynamic profile exhibited the exothermic and spontaneous formation of ct-DNA-Zn(II) complex system via hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces. The competitive fluorescence investigation by methylene blue (MB), and Hoechst 33258 demonstrated that the Zn(II) complex could replace the DNA-bound Hoechst and bind to the minor groove binding site in ct-DNA. The viscosity changes were negligible, representing the Zn(II) complex binding to DNA via the groove binding mode. Molecular docking simulation affirmed that the Zn(II) complex is located in the minor groove of ct-DNA near the DG12, DA17, DA18, and DG16 nucleobases.