title: Uptake of aromatic compounds by DNA: Toward the environmental application of DNA for cleaning water.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although the interaction of DNA with various types of intercalating chemicals, such as planar polycyclic aromatic compounds, has been extensively investigated over the past several decades, little is known about the relationship between the structure of a DNA binder and its affinity for DNA. The use of DNA as an adsorbent for environmental cleaning purposes requires information on its affinity for organic chemicals with different structures.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study we investigated the binding of DNA to aromatic chemicals with various structures and charges by three methods: binding of organic chemicals to DNA followed by removal by precipitation with cationic nanoparticles (1) or a cationic surfactant (2), and absorption of organic chemicals by a DNA hydrogel (3).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that, for most neutral organic chemicals, the hydrophobicity of the organic molecule is the main driving force for efficient binding to DNA. The double-helicity of DNA contributed to stronger binding to most of the compounds. The efficiency of the uptake of organic chemicals increased substantially when a hydrophobic cationic surfactant was used for DNA-complex condensation and removal. The potential environmental application of DNA as an adsorbent for the removal of aromatic organic pollutants from water is discussed.
authors: Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 40237 Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Fernández-Solis
authors: Institute for Molecular Science, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan.
authors: Yasuhiro
authors: Y
authors: Kuroda
authors: Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan. Electronic address: zinchenko@urban.env.nagoya-u.ac.jp.
authors: Anatoly
authors: A
authors: Zinchenko
authors: Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan.
authors: Shizuaki
authors: S
authors: Murata
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D009930:Organic Chemicals; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014867:Water; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D004247:DNA
keywords: Aromatic compounds; DNA binding; DNA hydrogel; Environmental cleaning; Organic compounds; Organic pollutants