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Testing of A size criterion for DNA–hydrocarbon binding
Author(s) -
Craig Morrie,
Isenberg Irvin
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
biopolymers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.556
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1097-0282
pISSN - 0006-3525
DOI - 10.1002/bip.1970.360090607
Subject(s) - intercalation (chemistry) , chemistry , dna , hydrocarbon , computational chemistry , stereochemistry , organic chemistry , biochemistry
Abstract The intercalation model of DNA–hydrocarbon binding appears reasonable, but rests on indirect evidence only. To test the model, a size criterion for binding has been proposed. The size criterion is based on the assumption that hydrophobic forces play a major role in the binding of hydrocarbons to DNA. It states that hydrocarbons which are small enough to intercalate into DNA and be well protected from contact with the medium, will be found to bind to DNA; those that are too large will not. We report results on the binding of fourteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to DNA. Predictions based on the size criterion were found to be valid in all cases tested.