Flexibility of short ds-DNA intercalated by a dipyridophenazine ligand.
We use Förster Resonant Energy Transfer (FRET) in order to measure the increase of flexibility of short ds-DNA induced by the intercalation of dipyridophenazine (dppz) ligand in between DNA base pairs. By using a DNA double strand fluorescently labeled at its extremities, it is shown that the end-to-end length increase of DNA due to the intercalation of one dppz ligand is smaller than the DNA base pair interdistance. This may be explained either by a local bending of the DNA or by an increase of its flexibility. The persistence length of the formed DNA/ligand is evaluated. The described structure may have implications in the photophysical damages induced by the complexation of DNA by organometallic molecules.
Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg/Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, University of Strasbourg Strasbourg, France ; Department of Physics, School of Science, Shangdong University Zibo, China.
Fuchao
F
Jia
Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg/Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, University of Strasbourg Strasbourg, France.
Stéphane
S
Despax
Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg/Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, University of Strasbourg Strasbourg, France.
Jean-Pierre
JP
Münch
Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg/Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, University of Strasbourg Strasbourg, France.
Pascal
P
Hébraud
DNA flexibility; DNA intercalation; FRET; dppz intercalator; ruthenium compounds