A temperature-dependent interaction of neutral red with calf thymus DNA

Cytotoxic activities and DNA binding properties of 1-methyl-7H-indeno[1,2-b]quinolinium-7-(4-dimethylamino) benzylidene triflate

The interaction of calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) with a novel synthesized pyrazolo[1,5-a]indole compound 1-methyl-7H-indeno[1,2-b]quinolinium-7-(4-dimethylamino) benzylidene triflate (MIDBT) was extensively studied by various spectroscopic techniques, viscosity measurements, and gel electrophoresis. The UV-visible observation implied that the compound interacted with ct-DNA by two binding modes, intercalating into the DNA base pairs and attaching to the helix exterior of DNA. The results of the fluorescent quenching and viscosity measurements showed that MIDBT could intercalate into DNA base pairs deeply in a classical intercalative mode. Circular dichroism results showed that the binding of MIDBT shifted ct-DNA conformation from B to A at low concentrations. In the gel electrophoresis, the compound was found to promote the cleavage of plasmid pBR 322 DNA effectively. Furthermore, cytotoxic studies of this compound against eleven selected tumor cell lines have been done. The values of 50% cytotoxic concentration (IC(50)) were in the range of 1.09-18.84 μM, exhibiting the potent cytotoxic properties.

Identification of Binding Mode of a Platinum (II) Complex, PtCl(2)(DIP), and Calf Thymus DNA

The Pt(II) complex, PtCl₂(DIP) (DIP = chelating dinitrogen ligand: 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline), was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis (CHN) and ¹H NMR and UV-vis techniques. The binding of this complex to calf thymus DNA was investigated using various physicochemical methods such as spectrophotometric, circular dichroism, spectrofluorometric, melting temperature, and viscosimetric techniques. Upon addition of the complex, important changes were observed in the characteristic UV-Vis bands (hyperchromism) of calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA): increase in melting temperature, sharp increase in specific viscosity of DNA, and induced CD spectral changes. Also the fluorescence spectral characteristics and interaction of Pt complex with DNA have been studied. Pt bound to DNA showed a marked decrease in the fluorescence intensity. The results show that both the complex and the NR molecules can intercalate competitively into the DNA double-helix structure. The experimental results show that the mode of binding of the this complex to DNA is classical intercalation.

Fluorimetric determinations of nucleic acids using iron, osmium and samarium complexes of 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline

New sensitive, reliable and reproducible fluorimetric methods for determining microgram amounts of nucleic acids based on their reactions with Fe(II), Os(III) or Sm(III) complexes of 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline are proposed. Two complementary single stranded synthetic DNA sequences based on calf thymus as well as their hybridized double stranded were used. Nucleic acids were found to react instantaneously at room temperature in Tris-Cl buffer pH 7, with the investigated complexes resulting in decreasing their fluorescence emission. Two fluorescence peaks around 388 and 567 nm were obtained for the three complexes using excitation lambda(max) of 280 nm and were used for this investigation. Linear calibration graphs in the range 1-6 microg/ml were obtained. Detection limits of 0.35-0.98 microg/ml were obtained. Using the calibration graphs for the synthetic dsDNA, relative standard deviations of 2.0-5.0% were obtained for analyzing DNA in the extraction products from calf thymus and human blood. Corresponding Recovery% of 80-114 were obtained. Student's t-values at 95% confidence level showed insignificant difference between the real and measured values. Results obtained by these methods were compared with the ethidium bromide method using the F-test and satisfactory results were obtained. The association constants and number of binding sites of synthetic ssDNA and dsDNA with the three complexes were estimated using Rosenthanl graphic method. The interaction mechanism was discussed and an intercalation mechanism was suggested for the binding reaction between nucleic acids and the three complexes.

Development and organization of the central vacuole of Acetabularia acetabulum

* Here we analyzed the shape of the central vacuole of Acetabularia acetabulum by visualizing its development during diplophase (from juvenility through reproduction) and haplophase (from meiosis through mating). * Light microscopy and whole-organism applications of a pH-sensitive dye, neutral red, were used to visualize the anatomy of the central vacuole. We studied connectivity within the thallus by locally applying dye to morphologically distinct regions (rhizoid, stalk, apex, hairs) and observing dye movements. * In vegetative thalli most of the rhizoid, stalk and young hairs stained with dye. In reproductive structures (caps, gametangia) dye also stained the majority of the interiors. When applied to small areas, dye moved at different rates through each region of the thallus (e.g. within the stalk). Dye moved from younger hairs, but not from older hairs, into the stalk. Errors in incorporation of central vacuole into gametangia occurred at <10(-5). * These data indicate that the central vacuole of A. acetabulum is a ramified polar organelle with, potentially, a gel-like sap that actively remodels its morphology during development.

Investigation on DNA assembly to neutral red-cyclodextrin complex by molecular spectroscopy

DNA assembling to neutral red (NR) and cyclodextrins (CDs)-NR inclusion complex has been investigated by means of absorption, fluorescence and resonance light scattering (RLS). Depending on the molar ratio R of NR:DNA, the binding of NR with DNA involved in two processes at pH 7.50 and ionic strength 0.0045. The first process occurs in R>2.5, where the neutral form of NR was predominant and enhanced RLS was observed, indicating the aggregation of NR neutral form molecules on the molecular surface of DNA. The second process occurs in R<2.5, where an absorption band at 540 nm and a fluorescent excitation and emission band at 550 and 607 nm respectively provided compelling evidence that the binding of NR to DNA leaded to extensive NR protonation even at pH 7.50, and that a protonated NR (the acidic form of NR) can form DNA adducts with a binding mode different from that of the unprotonated form (the neutral form of NR). The results were also illustrated by the CDs-NR supramolecular system. The experimental data showed that CDs including beta-CD, hydroxypropyl-beta-CD (HP-beta-CD) and sulfobutylether-beta-CD (SBE-beta-CD) superior to include the neutral form of NR, in addition, the inclusion complex decomposed when it bound to DNA. Thus, the decomposed NR was also protonated to form DNA adducts with intercalative mode. In fact, CDs played a role to carry guest molecule to intercalate DNA. A related mechanism is proposed.