Abstract
The interaction of caffeine with DNA has been studied at several ionic strengths by heat denaturation. At 2 mM K(+) caffeine produces a stabilization, but at 20 mM K(+) or higher a destabilization of secondary structure of DNA occurs. There is a correlation between heterogeneity and destabilization of DNA in presence of caffeine. In the premelting region a hyperchromic effect can be observed. It is suggested that two binding processes exists in the DNA-caffeine interaction.
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