Complexation of heterocyclic ligands with DNA in aqueous solution

We have used spectrophotometry to study self-association and complexation with DNA by organic heterocyclic compounds in the acridine and phenothiazine series: proflavin, thionine, and methylene blue. Based on the experimental concentration dependences of the molar absorption coefficient of the molecules in an aqueous buffer solution (0.01 M NaCl, 0.01 M Na2EDTA, 0.01 M Tris, pH 7.4, T = 298 K), we have determined the equilibrium dimerization constants for the dyes and the DNA complexation parameters using the Scatchard and McGhee-von Hippel models. The observed increase in the cooperativity parameters as the dimerization constants of the ligands increase allowed us to hypothesize that the same interactions occur between dye molecules adsorbed on DNA as in their self-association. The equilibrium DNA-binding constants for the ligands, obtained using the McGhee-von Hippel cooperative model, are (20.9 ± 2.7)·103 M−1 for proflavin and (33.8 ± 4.1)·103 M−1 for thionine. Using the Scatchard model, taking into account intercalation and “external” binding of ligands with DNA, we determined the DNA complexation constants for methylene blue: (26.4 ± 4.6)·103 and (96 ± 17)·103 M−1 respectively. Based on analysis of the data obtained, we hypothesized that the predominant type of binding with DNA is intercalation binding in the case of proflavin and thionine, and “external” binding with the DNA surface in the case of methylene blue.