title: Determination of binding mode: intercalation.
abstract: A small molecule can be assumed to bind to DNA by intercalation between base pairs if it causes lengthening and unwinding of the DNA helix and undergoes changes in its spectral properties, such as DNA-induced hypochromism and quenching of its UV absorbance. DNA lengthening and unwinding can be determined from the change in viscosity of a solution of linear or plasmid DNA, respectively. Intercalation of a ligand can also be seen as a reduction in the UV/visible absorbance of the intercalator, as well as a shift in the absorbance maximum.
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Dedon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001671:Biochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D002417:Cattle; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D016678:Genome; D007364:Intercalating Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008024:Ligands; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D010957:Plasmids; D012995:Solubility; D012997:Solvents; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D007364:Intercalating Agents; D008024:Ligands; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012997:Solvents; D004247:DNA; C427203:calf thymus DNA