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Application of the dextran coupling method for analysis of interactions between intercalators and nucleotides
O Nakajima1, M Shichita, S Iwasaki
1Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Nucleic Acids Symposium Series
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Water-insoluble intercalators, acridine and pyrene, were made water-soluble by attaching them to dextran. These new compounds were used to study their interactions with nucleotides in water.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Polymer Chemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Acridine and pyrene are known DNA intercalators but are insoluble in water.
- Solubility is crucial for studying molecular interactions in aqueous biological environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop water-soluble derivatives of acridine and pyrene for biological studies.
- To analyze the interactions of these modified intercalators with various nucleotides in aqueous solutions.
Main Methods:
- Chemical modification of acridine and pyrene by coupling with dextran polymer to create Dex-Acr and Dex-Pyr.
- Spectroscopic analysis of the interactions between Dex-Acr/Dex-Pyr and different nucleotides in aqueous media.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of water-soluble dextran-coupled intercalators (Dex-Acr and Dex-Pyr).
- Demonstrated ability to analyze the binding interactions of acridine and pyrene moieties with nucleotides in water using these conjugates.
Conclusions:
- Dextran conjugation effectively renders hydrophobic intercalators water-soluble.
- This approach provides a viable method for studying the interactions of intercalating agents with nucleic acids in physiological conditions.