Frontiers in Chemistry (Apr 2015)

Flexibility of short ds-DNA intercalated by a dipyridophenazine ligand

  • Fuchao eJia,
  • Stéphane eDespax,
  • Jean-Pierre eMunch,
  • Pascal eHébraud

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2015.00025
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3

Abstract

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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 extremeties, 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.

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