title: Modeling the entropic structural transition of DNA complexes formed with intercalating drugs.
abstract: A first approach is presented to explain the entropic structural transition observed in the persistence length of DNA complexes formed with intercalating drug molecules. The proposed model is based on calculating the effective persistence length of two entropic springs associated in series, one intercalated with drug molecules and the other without drugs. As the total drug concentration in the sample increases, the lengths of the two entropic springs vary, modifying the effective persistence length. The theoretical predictions of this model are then compared to experimental results, and a good accordance was obtained.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, CEP 36570-000, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. marcios.rocha@ufv.br
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Rocha
mesh_terms: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000235:genetics*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects*; D003630:Daunorubicin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004548:Elasticity; D019277:Entropy; D004996:Ethidium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007364:Intercalating Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation / Q000187:drug effects; D009691:Nucleic Acid Denaturation / Q000187:drug effects; D052898:Optical Tweezers
chemical_list: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D004279:DNA, Viral; D007364:Intercalating Agents; D004996:Ethidium; D003630:Daunorubicin