Photoinduced DNA strand scission by 1,8-naphthalimide-derived intercalators

Abstract

DNA cleavage by non-enzymatic chemical reagents has both basic and applied value. We report here photoinduced strand scission properties of novel DNA intercalators, 4-nitro (N-hexylamine)1,8-naphthalimide. The results indicate that the cleavage takes place via a free-radical mechanism and the efficiency of cleavage is unaltered over a long range pf pH and ionic strength. These intercalators, therefore, provide a probe for studying DNA conformation, conformational micro-heterogeneity, DNA-ligand interactions and have potential use in genome targeting.