Conformational features of distamycin-DNA and netropsin-DNA complexes by Raman spectroscopy.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The binding of distamycin and netropsin to duplex [calf thymus] DNA was studied by Raman spectroscopy. Several changes occur in the Raman spectra of these drugs upon binding DNA. These changes were analyzed by assigning specific motions to the observed Raman bands through the use of molecular subunits of the drugs and normal mode calculations. Analysis indicates that pyrrole ring and peptide group vibrations are altered upon binding to DNA. The environments of the pyrrole ring methyl groups are not affected by the binding. These data provide physical evidence consistent with a binding model in which the methyl groups on the pyrroles project away from the DNA and the peptide N-H groups form H-bonds with the DNA.