Interaction of molecules with DNA

The mutagenic, clastogenic, antitumor and antiviral activity of several chemicals have been ascribed to their abilities to interact with DNA. This review pertains to two main aspects of DNA ligand interactions, viz. DNA binding assay protocols and synthetic strategies for ligands interacting with DNA. Many physical and biological methods are available to-date to assess the DNA-binding potential of chemicals, both of synthetic and natural origin. Chemicals interact with DNA by different modes, such as intercalation, groove-binding and electrostatic interaction, depending on their molecular structure. Among the DNA binding assay protocols, the physicochemical methods and the biological methods are discussed. Various synthetic strategies, which have been adopted to develop newer drugs and ligands having novel structural features to impart higher DNA binding efficiency as well as base pair specificity and selectivity, are highlighted.